Boa or Blood Python??

[BallPythonWannaBe]

If you are starting out with a hatchling, you won't need anything larger than a 28 qt. tub for at least a couple of years... 28 qt. is even technically too large for hatchlings and juveniles, but I consumed all of the extra space with wadded up newspaper when mine were still little and they were fine. I still have a 2015 female Blood comfortably in my 28 qt. rack. She will be getting bumped up into a 41 qt. rack within the next year, though. As far as PVC enclosures, I will be building all of my own when the time comes... I highly recommend newspaper (or craft paper) over any substrate for any snake. It's much more sanitary, easier to clean, no risk of the snakes swallowing substrate and developing major digestive problems and... It's basically FREE! lol

As far as breeders, I would recommend ME in the future... lol But, that's probably still going to be a couple more years, unfortunately... As for now, I would recommend Reptillis Herps or Reptile Rapture...

Have you decided on a Blood, Borneo or Sumatran ("Black Blood") yet?

I think I just want a Normal Blood Python Would a cluttered 28q under the RHP work? I'll keep you in mind for the future in case I want another!

[Aedryan Methyus]

I've never used radiant heat panels, so I don't know much about them other than you would definitely still need to use a thermostat. All of my tubs are in melamine racks and I use THG heat tape for under-belly heat. For my 28 qt. rack I use 6" and for my 41 qt. rack I use 12". Whatever you use, the hot spot should occupy about 30% of whatever type of enclosure you're using...

[BallPythonWannaBe]

I knew about UG and Backwater but why BHB?

[SDA]

I think I just want a Normal Blood Python Would a cluttered 28q under the RHP work? I'll keep you in mind for the future in case I want another!

That might be a tight fit for a RHP. I have seen someone turn a rubbermaid tub on its side and use a RHP so it is doable but just check the dimensions of the RHP and make sure you give no less than 6 inches clearance below it so you would need taller than normal. I would say a 56 or 64 quart tub would be a smarter idea with a RHP.

Something like this would be much safer with an RHP as to utilize it you would really need it inside the tub not above it. Now if you got a CHE on a pole you could maybe use it to heat the area enough to raise ambient temps without harming the plastic lid.




It's amazing what you can cobble together as a temporary/quarantine tank. Here is what I did with an UTH as an overhead heater and a 50 watt CHE on a dimmer as supplemental heat. I maintain 82-84 throughout the day/night so it keeps my baby warm. Remember this is only a temporary solution until you have them through quarantine and ready for a permanent home.

[BallPythonWannaBe]

Thanks but I was more thinking putting the tub inside the pvc enclosure

[SDA]

Thanks but I was more thinking putting the tub inside the pvc enclosure

Minimal height restrictions still apply. You need no less than 6 inches of clearance so as long as you have that it should be ok. I would give a little more than that for a tub to avoid warping.

[BallPythonWannaBe]

I was thinking something like a T10?

[SDA]

Oh that would work so long as the tub isn't too high. You could always get a sub adult and skip the who tub thing LOL

[BallPythonWannaBe]

....I actually feel really stupid right now. I never thought about a subadult! A subadult would probably also be a more established, and thus more reliable, feeder too.

[Kara]

PM me with details on where you are in Iowa. I'm in Iowa too, and if you'd like to see some larger blood & short-tailed pythons in person & get a feel for what handling and working with them is like, I could potentially mentor you.