Heres my setup (40 Gallon)

[unhip_crayon]

As for disinfecting, it shouldnt be a problem...I can take everything out in 2 minutes and easily scrub it with soup and a brush.

This setup is really for me, I love how it looks. I know that newspapers and flower pots work awesome...but...well, to each his own i guess.

[BuckeyeBalls]

As for disinfecting, it shouldnt be a problem...I can take everything out in 2 minutes and easily scrub it with soup and a brush.

This setup is really for me, I love how it looks. I know that newspapers and flower pots work awesome...but...well, to each his own i guess.

Yes but putting ur bp in conditions not meant for him for ur satisfaction is bleh. Just my opinion

[rabernet]

As for disinfecting, it shouldnt be a problem...I can take everything out in 2 minutes and easily scrub it with soup and a brush.

This setup is really for me, I love how it looks. I know that newspapers and flower pots work awesome...but...well, to each his own i guess.

I hope it works for you - but I hope that you'll put your ball pythons NEEDS before what you want with the looks.

I feed all 50 of my ball pythons once a week. Is once a week going to be to often for you to feed yours? Most breeders and keepers feed once a week when their animals are feeding (many go off feed during breeding season, but not babies).

[Mindibun]

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!

There is a difference in 2nd level and ground level heating if you are using an under tank heater or a heat bulb. And the odds are the you are using one of those. An under tank heater is going to make the upper level colder then the lower level, while an overhead bulb will make the upper level hotter than the lower level. That should just be common sense. But, that may be what you want since you would then be giving the ball two different hides.

From what I could see in the picture, the two hides are actually just one big one. Am I seeing it wrong? It looks like the upper level hole just opens into the space down on the floor. I would suggest putting one other floor-level hide on the opposite end of the cage. That should make absolutely sure that he has somewhere to go at all times, regardless of what he wants. My BPs climb, and both of mine would really love your set up. Don't listen to those that say they don't climb.


However, you should listen to everyone when it comes to feeding. I had a MASSIVE female ball python. She was freaking HUGE - I've never seen one bigger. And she ate a large live rat every other week. If I ever went three weeks without feeding her it was because she refused for some reason. You need to listen to the people here rather than your buddy. He may or may not know what he's doing, but we DO know. We're here to help but you gotta let us.

Your baby is going to be hungry all the time. You cannot wait three weeks in between feedings or you're going to have an emaciated snake. When they're young, feed once a week at least. As they age you can go a while longer.

[BuckeyeBalls]

However, you should listen to everyone when it comes to feeding. I had a MASSIVE female ball python. She was freaking HUGE - I've never seen one bigger. And she ate a large live rat every other week. If I ever went three weeks without feeding her it was because she refused for some reason. You need to listen to the people here rather than your buddy. He may or may not know what he's doing, but we DO know. We're here to help but you gotta let us.

Your baby is going to be hungry all the time. You cannot wait three weeks in between feedings or you're going to have an emaciated snake. When they're young, feed once a week at least. As they age you can go a while longer.

x2

Tbh our baby will eat every 4-5 days. If i went 3 weeks without feeding him.... Well lets just say i never would unless he refused.

[unhip_crayon]

lol...like I've said before, I do plan on feeding it bi-weekly (Im buying an ADULT BALL), instead of weekly like rabernet stated. And as for the cave, its not complete yet, there is a floor being built and other upgrades.

[dc4teg]

why do all the fake plants have leaves that look "funny"

[unhip_crayon]

lol...what do you mean by funny? I think once you get the humidity up, they'll look a little more life-like.

[rabernet]

lol...like I've said before, I do plan on feeding it bi-weekly (Im buying an ADULT BALL), instead of weekly like rabernet stated. And as for the cave, its not complete yet, there is a floor being built and other upgrades.

My name's Robin, btw. See down my signature down there?

It will be your snake, feed it how you choose. I'm just wondering why you are so against a weekly feeding? All my adults feed weekly.

[Kaorte]

My name's Robin, btw. See down my signature down there?

It will be your snake, feed it how you choose. I'm just wondering why you are so against a weekly feeding? All my adults feed weekly.

They said earlier that they can't afford to feed it more often.
"Im a student so I need something that's low maintenance and cheap to feed"

I am a student too. It is not expensive to feed these animals once a week. I have 5 ball python, a rainbow boa and two crested geckos and I only spend $50 on rats every 1-2 months.

If you put an adult ball python in that setup, I can almost guarantee that it will feel insecure and not eat, or never leave the ground. These are not tree snakes. Providing them with a tree to climb in is like putting a cat in a turtles enclosure. It just doesn't suit this species needs.

If you want to put a ball python in that, go for it. But chances are you are going to have more problems and have to spend more money to fix it so your snake eats. Or even better you will have to pay for vet bills when your snake falls and hurts itself on the rocks. Nothing you can put in there will help them climb better. They are not built for climbing. You can't change their physical body structure to fit an enclosure that is "perfect for you". This is not perfect for a ball python. Another species of arboreal snake or lizard? sure! But not a ground dwelling, secretive, hiding ball python.