Heres my setup (40 Gallon)

[unhip_crayon]

How would the BP hurt itself? By falling or trying to get up? I could just build something for it to get up.

[Oroborous]

Very nice set up,(but like someone already stated), not for a ball python. I would get a pair of cresties to house in there. they would love it.

[redstormlax12]

How would the BP hurt itself? By falling or trying to get up? I could just build something for it to get up.

By falling. Since they are ground dwelling pythons, they are clumsy climbers.

[BuckeyeBalls]

By falling. Since they are ground dwelling pythons, they are clumsy climbers.

Yea mines cant even climb up my arm without almost falling. Just slides down and forgets to constrict to hold on

[Vypyrz]

I wish I could see the pictures, but since I am at work, they are blocked. But from the sound of it, you have a nice set-up for something at least semi-arboreal. I may change my mind once I get to see the pics, but for now, I'm thinking IJ Carpet Python...

[unhip_crayon]

Unfortunately, a carpet wont fit my needs. Im a student so I need something that's low maintenance and cheap to feed. My buddys BP eats every three weeks which is what I like.

What if I were to take the bottom half out....will that be low enough?

Thanks!

[severe_bomber]

Maybe I have a rare climber. Back when Patriot still fit into the tree hide that came with the tank, he'd go on top of it as well as inside. Even now, when he comes out at night, he still drapes over the dials stuck onto the tank (that I can't get off).

When I do eventually move him into a tub, I hate to take away his "PE equipment." I think if he had a jungle gym like what is shown in these pictures here, he'd absolutely love it!

Same here! i wish I coud STOP him climbing as I'm constantly worried he's going to injure himself! (he's a bit clumsy...)

I've tried tight hides, but he's not interested. He's got a big branch and a log balanced on top that he can get under. He seems happy with that...

Thinking about moving him to a tub as I cant get the humidity right in the viv!

[bones93]

First off.....Very nice setup. Im not gonna repeat what other....Ok I will...not for a ball python...Im just curious though what does your friends ball look like? One feeding every three weeks is not proper maintenance. If you dont have the time to invest to feed it one time a week or every 4-5 days if your buying a hatchling then you might wannna consider something different. Not to mention the cleaning of the cage and other stuff. Im not trying to say anything negative but if you are investing money and obviously alot of time in the setup its best to get the most out of it and take proper care and do proper research.

[rabernet]

My first thought was - wow - THAT'S going to be a pain to break down and disinfect once a month!

My second thought was - how will you provide belly heat in the higher level hides?

And your ball python needs to be offered food about once a week, not once every three weeks. A baby will probably be looking food about every five days.

PERFECT enclosure for some crested geckos as mentioned before, but not so good for a ball python.

[unhip_crayon]

Ok...Heres the plan. I've changed the setup a bit by selecting new branches which should help him up (Ill post pics later). I've seen videos of bp climbing so its not ruled out.

I'll buy a BP and watch him carefully for a few days to make sure everything's safe. If all fails, I will go to my backup plan and cut the cave in half which should be more than low enough so that no injuries happen.


To rabernet:
Theres no difference between 2nd and ground level heating, its all the same.
But Ill have to do some testing and see if the inside gets hot enough on its own. I plan on using mulch all on the walls as well. If that doesnt get the temps up, then a simple Heating Pad or hot wire(not sure what its called) should do the trick


To bones93
My buddy's python is full grown and seems pretty healthy to me. Its fed a decent sized live rat, according to him, every three weeks. And I've read that BP should be fed bi-weekly(Which is what I plan to do)...not weekly. And besides, if they can go on for months without feeding, shouldn't they be fine with eating every three weeks? Just a thought.

Thanks for all the help!