I am a new ball python owner. I have done a lot of research into ball pythons and had been planning on buying one from a breeder as soon as I moved within the next year. But, recently, a friend contacted me saying that she needed to re-home her ball python and asked if I wanted to take her. I believe Sally (my new BP) is undersized (approx. 32" and 500g at almost 5 years old). They also told me she only eats 3 months out of the year (I know it is normal for a BP to fast, but this seemed extreme). I think this all may be in part to her enclosure. Her previous owner gave me everything they had for her. They were using this tank that looks like a glass tank, but it is actually (melt-able) plastic and they used a heat lamp (150W bulb) that cannot be adjusted. I got a hygrometer and two thermometers as soon as I got her and found that it has been very difficult to regulate her heat and humidity with the lamp alone (it is a 40 gal tank). Either it gets too hot on the basking side, or too cool on the cool side. I have been watching it closely to make sure it stays in safe ranges for her (though the cool side is still a few degrees warmer than I would like), but if I come home at the end of the day from work I often find that the temps are off a little more than I would like. I was thinking of getting a lower wattage bulb and a UTH, but I worry the UTH would melt the plastic cage. I have also had very little luck with keeping the humidity up, even with a wet towel on part of the screen top it is hovering around 41%. Misting only seemed to help for a few minutes. I know this is most likely due to the high wattage heat lamp.

Due to all this, I am thinking it would be best for her to get a new enclosure- I am writing to see if anyone has any recommendations for an enclosure? I would prefer a glass tank, but I would love to hear other recommendations if you feel strongly about a particular system. I want to make sure she gets an environment she will be more comfortable in. (I will preface this that I know of the plastic container enclosures, rack systems, and homemade cages, but I am happy to hear more if you would like.) I was also thinking Vision Cages (www.visionproducts.us) that were recommended on another site instead of glass, if anyone has any knowledge I would appreciate it.

Since I am new, I would also love to get any other tips you can/want to give me. I want to focus on getting her a comfortable enclosure where hopefully she can thrive and, then, hopefully her feeding will regulate and she will get to a healthier size. So, if you have any tips/ideas/articles you think would be beneficial please send it my way.

Thank you! Rachel