One tank size for life?

[zhang317]

If I wanted to keep a Ball Python in one glass display tank its entire life, from hatchling to adulthood, providing all the other requirements are met, what is the best size?

20, 30, or 40 gallon?

Thanks in advance!

(Ideally, I want a larger tank for the purpose of display.)

[southb]

20 long is the smallest you get away with from what I hear

[Kaorte]

20 gallon long will be perfect for a ball pythons entire life. You might need to move to something a bit larger if you have an extra huge breeder female.

Just so you know, ball pythons aren't the best display snakes so you will most likely be staring at a bunch of fake plants and no BP.

[ScottyDsntKnow]

Lol yeah, my tank has all sorts of decorations in it and that's all I ever get to see except for rare occasions at night when I'll wake up to get a drink or something and she's out crawling around. I will be putting her in a rack when I get the room and buy a baby boa to display in my 20L until it outgrows it and then I dunno...maybe a few geckos or something...

[zhang317]

Thanks guys, I've been leaning towards a 20L, just wanted to double check. Although, if i had a large female, a 30 is also a good option too.

I know that Ball Pythons aren't really "display animals." What I meant by display tank is that I just want a enclosure where I can check up on it whenever I felt like without having to open a lid or slide a tub. Peeking at it from the opening if its hides and catching it roam around a little bit at night is all I hope to see.

My principle is that I want to keep things as simple as a tub but with the viewing capability. I don't plan on having anything inside the tank except two identical hides, a water bowl, aspen bedding, and a thermometer/hydrometer. Maybe a few branches. Would that be okay?

[ScottyDsntKnow]

Sounds like a winning setup, just make sure to cover the sides and back of the glass tank with a background or insulation for added security for the animal.

[joshn6805]

the 30 gallon sounds like a winner for me.

[kc261]

I would not recommend a 30 gallon for a hatchling. Some will be just fine, but many appear to be intimidated by the open space and can go off feed. Also, the bigger the enclosure, the harder it is to maintain stable temps and humidity at least with glass tanks), so that can be a factor as well.

If you do decide to keep a young BP in a 30 gallon, or even a 20 gallon, make sure you have adequate hides (consider more than just 2), make the open areas less open by covering the sides & back of the tank and adding fake foliage or other stuff, and also keep a close eye on temps & humidity.

[vangarret2000]

I was told a 30 long would be good for life. Mabey a 40 if it gets a little above average in size. But also babies and young balls are also afriad of open spaces, so a divider should be put in the cage. A little less then half or so. Once it is older (I am not sure about what age, I think mabey around 10-12 months) you can start to move the divider back a couple inches every few months. I got a cardboard divider in my tank. Make sure it is wedged tight so he can't move it and make sure it goes all the way from the top to bottum. I left 1 inch open from the top and one day I found him stuck on the top of the cardboard.

[Michelle.C]

I'm honestly not sure if you can get away with one tank size for life with Ball Pythons.

A 30/40 Gallon is too large for a neonate, and a 20 Gallon is too small for an adult. Especially for an adult female.

Personally, I'd get the 20 Gallon for the neonate/yearling. You can wait until it gets a little size on it, and then replace it with a 40 Breeder.

The 20 Gallon doesn't have to go to waste in this hobby! You can get a Corn Snake, Crested Geckos, Leopard Geckos, etc.