40 gallon tank? pic of set up

[seeya205]

You should also cover three sides to make him feel more secure!

[Kaorte]

Wait until your animal is eating consistently before you switch him to a gigantic tank.

The main reason why big tanks are stressful is because they are just too big for such a small snake. Ball pythons are secretive and shy. They are not humans so we cannot apply our needs for "more space" onto them.

Another reason to avoid big tanks is husbandry. It is very difficult and expensive to heat, cool, and manage humidity in a big tank. More often than not, temps and humidity are completely wrong in a big tank and it causes the snake to go off feed.

Good luck!

[Maize]

I think a 40 gallon tank is plenty, just make sure its large enouph to move. Some people also just use a rack system. Snakes dont need that much room, they like tight spots.

As far as the heat. Get yourself a digital thermometer and a temp gun, both are fairly cheap. I personally keep mine at 90F. Depending on the room temp, it sometimes goes a little higher or lower but generally 90F.

[rayann]

in the wild they have more than 20 gal. as long as there are good hides i dont see why not. a super large tank 70-100 gal came to me and my 1.5/2 year old loves it. he utilizes all of the space and explores every inch. i had to have him in a smaller tank while i was doing some work on it and for those 3 days he spent all his time in his hide when in his normal space he climbs a lot and is more active.

[Kaorte]

in the wild they have more than 20 gal. as long as there are good hides i dont see why not. a super large tank 70-100 gal came to me and my 1.5/2 year old loves it. he utilizes all of the space and explores every inch. i had to have him in a smaller tank while i was doing some work on it and for those 3 days he spent all his time in his hide when in his normal space he climbs a lot and is more active.

Cruising and climbing is a sign of stress.

Hiding is a sign of a happy ball python.

[Patricia]

i had to have him in a smaller tank while i was doing some work on it and for those 3 days he spent all his time in his hide when in his normal space he climbs a lot and is more active.

Those 3 days in his hide = he was feeling secure for 3 days. Climbing around and being more active, especially if during the daytime = not feeling secure. Food refusal is another symptom of that not feeling secure.

[RichsBallPythons]

unless the snake is ready for breeding season then you will notice more activity during the day time as well at night time.

All my females no longer sit still and stay on the cool side now. Along with my males staying on the cool side

[rayann]

"Cruising and climbing is a sign of stress.

Hiding is a sign of a happy ball python. "

I am just wondering where this line of thought originally came from... I know it is a widespread idea but I am wondering how stress is measured and if there are any studies on this?

Thanks !!

[Kaorte]

"Cruising and climbing is a sign of stress.

Hiding is a sign of a happy ball python. "

I am just wondering where this line of thought originally came from... I know it is a widespread idea but I am wondering how stress is measured and if there are any studies on this?

Thanks !!

The studies are years of experience from many different keepers.

Generally speaking, ball pythons will not eat if they are stressed by their environments. From observation, it has been noted that a ball python that cruises a lot verses a ball python that spends 90% of its time hiding is less likely to eat.

[deltaneutral]

It's amazing how often this question comes up and the mixed responses.

I have a 55 gal tank and have a very happy snake and no environment issues.
He eats like a champ (in a separate feeding container...another topic of much discussion). I barely get the rat into his feeding container and he's all over it.
The tank is mostly enclosed with wood on the outside keeping an insulating barrier between the glass and wood.
The CHE's are set to the same thermostat that runs the UTH...so consistent heat above and below. Ambient is 82 with belly at 90 in the warm hide.
The air vent allows me to open and close to retain humidity (which runs consistent 50%..except when I spray a little during sheds).
He moved into this tank at about 1 year old...no problems.

I never see him during the day, but he cruises at night.

He has never as much as hissed at me. He gets handled frequently and has since the very beginning so he would get used to it.

In my opinion, at the end of the day, if you can provide the necessary needs of your snake and maintain a healthy environment, then go for it.