I am considering getting a ball python, and I currently have a 40 gallon tank with the outside dimensions of 48x13x20 (length, width, height in inches). I’ve seen people say that a snake should be able to stretch out along two sides, and two sides together on this tank is about 5 ft (I would probably get a male because they tend to be shorter). However, the inside width is only about 12 inches, and that seems too narrow for a snake, especially for a ball python since they get thick. Because of the height, I would add a shelf and things to climb on, but that still doesn’t do anything about the width. Do you guys agree that it is too narrow, or do you think it would work?

If I do get a BP and don’t use the tank, I would get a tub because they are cheaper. I’ve got some questions about tubs for snakes though. In my tank I currently have two gerbils, and before getting gerbils I learned that the more space they have the better. With BP space I’ve heard varying things though. I’ve seen breeders use racks, and I’ve seen people give a lot of space in storage bin tubs. Since my first experience with contained animals was that I should provide plenty of space, it makes me want to provide a snake with a big tub. For any of you that use tubs, what is the size/dimensions that you have? I’m more curious about the size of tubs that you don’t keep on racks, but all answers would be helpful .

I also know that with glass tanks it's harder to keep humidity and heat in because of the screen top. From my research I know you can cover most of the lid, insulate the sides, etc. in order to make it work, but I was wondering if you have to do the same for tubs. Because tubs don't have screen tops, you don't have to worry about heat and humidity escaping that way, but will it escape others ways (through the sides)? I guess what I'm trying to ask is in general do tubs hold heat and humidity better? Do you have to worry as much about humidity getting too low in a tub?

If I do decide to get a BP and have it live in a tub, that means I could get it while my gerbils are still alive. Both of their enclosures would probably be in my bedroom, and I’ve read other threads about rodents being in the same room as snakes and it doesn’t seem to cause problems as far as scent (I'll put the links down below). However, BPs are not really active during the day, but my gerbils typically are. My gerbils can be a little noisy with their chewing of cardboard tubes and their general rodenty sounds, and I’m wondering if the noise would bother a snake. Do you think a snake would be bothered by this? One of the people in the gerbil thread said that they have a snake, gerbils, hamster, mice, and rats all in the same room. I imagine that room could be a little noisy, but they said all of their pets were fine.

Rats and snakes:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?162880-Housing-Snakes-amp-Rats-in-Same-Room

Gerbils and snakes:
​https://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?214298-Gerbil-in-the-same-ROOM-with-my-BP-Robin