40 gallon tank? pic of set up

[deltaneutral]

Andrewrks123.
I just noticed the link to your picture.
If you go with a bigger tank, you need lots and lots of clutter so they don't feel so exposed.
In addition to the two hides, you might want to cover the screen top...maintaining humidity with the screen is tough at best.
Larger water bowl might help too.
Get a digital hygrometer/thermometer too.
I also found that the UTH's run really, really hot.
You might want to get a dimmer switch or better yet, a thermostat.

[Patricia]

I have a 55 gal tank and have a very happy snake and no environment issues.

Your tank is BEAUTIFUL, and since all is well with your snake, it's probably quite happy in it too.

BTW, is that 2 different types of bedding in there? Dark and light colored? What are they and which do you prefer?

[Eventide]

Deltaneutral,

I don't really get it either. My normal female, Irulan, lived in a 40-gallon tank for about two years (with a heat lamp, even), and she never had any problems eating. She's quite the opposite!

I also don't believe that cruising and exploring are signs of stress. During the day, probably. But do y'all really think ball pythons hide 24/7 in the wild? Irulan cruised around her tank a lot at night, but she never had feeding problems other than breeding season last year. Sometimes I think she has an identity crisis and thinks she's a tree python!

As long as the snake has plenty of hiding areas, water bowl, and some decorations to help them feel secure when they're out and about, I don't see a problem with a big tank. However, if the snake does stop eating or seems stressed, then maybe a smaller tank is in order. I don't doubt some snakes just won't be comfortable in a big tank no matter what you do.

[andrewrks123]

thanks guys i went back to the 20 gallon he def likes it better!

[deltaneutral]

It's aspen mixed with a little Repti-Bark to help hold humidity and give a little color.

If you use aspen, buy it at Wal-Mart...you can get big bags of it for much, much less than you would pay in a pet store...plus since they don't carry reptiles, you don't have to worry about bringing home mites.

Actually, Wal-Mart is a good place to get silk plants too...or Michael's if they are on sale.

[rayann]

nice pics of the set up. my tank is large but has many hides and only 1 exposed wall. i would like him to be able to stretch out and move when he is adult size... to have the option to move freely when he feels like it and hide when he feels like it. he also was eating awesome until just recently (but its shed time!)