Need to Vent

[scales owner]

K. First this is not to get anyone upset ,mad or anything to that nature so I would like it if NOONE sends me any hate mail.(lol) I hear people alot when refuring to Ball Pythons they get all offensive when they see one in a "BIG" tank. My B.p.is just about 5 feet and the rule of thumb I have always heard and always have gone by is although they usally stayed balled up they NEED to strech out. So I make sure the tank is just about as long as their body. I DO COMPLETLY understand if u have alot of snakes using the rack system and keeping them in those small cramped tubs. However if you only have a few I don't understand why it is such a big deal. Mine is bigger than most on here and he eats just fine and is perfectly happy. He is also in good health. In fact he is soon moving into a 6' x 1 1/2' x 24" aquarium that I am SURE he will love. Ty for reading and again this is not an attack to ANYONE just me venting ty-Ray

[Freakie_frog]

Just curious was the question whether it would upset anyone to find out what size enclosure your keeping your BP in??

Not sure I really understand the point.

[Kesslers Kreatures]

No one hates people for keeping there snakes in tanks rather than tubs, by all means if you can keep the temps right and you snake is healthy then congrats to you. It just not practical for the people who own multiple snakes to keep a bunch of tanks around and have to fuss with all the temp issuses that normally come with keeping a bp in a tank.

[JLC]

People don't usually get seriously upset about a "big tank" for ball pythons. More often than not, it's a new person who gets offended when it is suggested that their snake might thrive better in a smaller environment after they've come asking for help about why their snake won't eat or whatever.

A large tank can be a bit risky for baby ball pythons because they can cause certain kinds of stress related issues, such as not eating. Pointing this established fact out to someone as something they should consider when housing their baby ball python should not be offensive.

Large tanks can also be difficult to maintain proper environmental levels in. That doesn't mean it can't be done...lots of people do it successfully. But when a new person just getting started is trying to figure out the best way to house their new snake, it's reasonable to suggest that they start with a set-up that is easier to maintain.

All of the above should never be anything more than a suggestion for consideration. Different people have different situations and abilities and work ethics. If you can keep a giant tank clean and properly heated with decent levels of humidity, then I think that's awesome. If your snake seems to enjoy it and thrives in it, then that's even more awesome. More power to ya. It shouldn't be something you feel you have to be so defensive about.

(Oh...and I'll move this out of the "Intro" forum and into the BP husbandry forum for ya. )

[scales owner]

People don't usually get seriously upset about a "big tank" for ball pythons. More often than not, it's a new person who gets offended when it is suggested that their snake might thrive better in a smaller environment after they've come asking for help about why their snake won't eat or whatever.

A large tank can be a bit risky for baby ball pythons because they can cause certain kinds of stress related issues, such as not eating. Pointing this established fact out to someone as something they should consider when housing their baby ball python should not be offensive.

Large tanks can also be difficult to maintain proper environmental levels in. That doesn't mean it can't be done...lots of people do it successfully. But when a new person just getting started is trying to figure out the best way to house their new snake, it's reasonable to suggest that they start with a set-up that is easier to maintain.

All of the above should never be anything more than a suggestion for consideration. Different people have different situations and abilities and work ethics. If you can keep a giant tank clean and properly heated with decent levels of humidity, then I think that's awesome. If your snake seems to enjoy it and thrives in it, then that's even more awesome. More power to ya. It shouldn't be something you feel you have to be so defensive about.

(Oh...and I'll move this out of the "Intro" forum and into the BP husbandry forum for ya. )

I agree 100% Belive me I am NOT offended. I have been dealing with snkes for a very long time. Also have learned a good bit while on this site I love it! Just some of the things on here I am afraid that people will doubt themselves (if first timers) on why they even got a snake if in a tank. I just want them to know that it can be done in a tank and they should not get disscuraged. Maybe I worded my thoughts wrong .... sorry.

[dsirkle]

I would certainly agree with the previous posters that the "too large of an enclosure" subject ordinarily comes up when somebody just bought a baby ball python and asks why it won't eat. When told that the 55gallon tank that it is in is too large for the snake to feel secure in, the person that is asking for advice usually doesn't want to hear the answer especially if they just bought their big tank and other equipment brand new from the store that sold them the snake. The people on this site usually answer husbandry questions in a direct manner and some of them could probably do it in a kinder and gentler fashion. If your big snake is happy in a big tank I can't imagine that anyone would care one way or the other.

[starmom]

I feel that a small ball python most of the time does better in a small enclosure.

Your observations mirror my own when they larger. I have three ladies in three 2x3x1 RBI reptile cages and they lounge and move around and use all of the space at night. It is a joy to observe.

Sadly, my larger ball pythons in tubs do not have this opportunity (yet) and so they exhibit quite different behaviors.

In a few months, I'll have three more 2x3x1 cages for three more of my largest ball pythons. As the rest continue to grow, I will be working feverishly to transfer them to cages.

There is, however, a huge caveat to this story. Some ball pythons really do better in a very small zone. I have 2 ladies in particular who I doubt will ever live in a cage- they really thrive in a teeny space.

One size does NOT fit all ball pythons and I am really thankful that there are many options and that the members on this forum are diverse in snake keeping methodologies. This really permits a very well-rounded education!

[STORMS]

I house both of my BP's in 40 Gal tanks - For the smaller snake I keep the tank nice and cluttered with greenery, so there isn't much open space and Im pretty confident that she feels secure. She feeds like a champ, sheds beautifully, etc The larger male has a tiny bit of open space, but not much. He likes knocking things over and moving the plants around.

[Spaniard]

Starmom,

What differences have you noticed in your females behavior in cages vs. those in tubs?

Are those in cages better at being handled that those in tubs?

Just curious

[Mike Cavanaugh]

just a side question... you say your male is 5 feet long? are you sure it is a male?