Im New:] - Ball Python Info

[NatalieFaye1031]

Ok i lied i have one more question! :]

Soo the snake im looking at is about 3 1/2 feet long and comes with his aquarium... the guy tells me the aquarium is 7 foot long and 3 feet wide! i feel that is excessive and i dont have that kind of room... is it okay to get him a smaller aquarium and what is the best size for a snake of that size... ive read for an adult python a 30 gallon breeder is best... is that correct?

ALSO! on that site u provided it talks about using like rubbermaid tubs and such... how do we feel about those? that sounds very cost effective and conveniant and i might consider that as a replacement for that giant tank! also how do u keep something like this heated?

thankss :]

[Kaorte]

For an adult male, a 20g long will be fine, but for a very large female (+200g) I would go with a 30g breeder.

Tubs are a great alternative to tank. Tubs hold heat and humidity well and only require the use of UTH's with thermostats. For an adult male, a 32qt tub is fine, and for a big adult female, a 41qt tub is good. Plus, they are so much easier to clean then a giant heavy glass tank.

[stratus_020202]

Welcome! Yes, that large tank is way excessive! A 30 gal breeder would be perfect, but tubs (my opinion) are way better. I use use 41 qt. tubs from walmart. They are under $10, clear so you can still see the little dude, and keep humidity really well.

It's not really difficult to keep humidity in a glass tank, but can be challenging. Just drill some holes in, and measure humidity with a digital indoor/outdoor thermometer. If you need more humidity plug some holes, if you need less drill some more. Slap an under tank heater (UTH) on one end, and connect it to the thermostat/herpstat, and presto! You are done.

I take mine to the pet store all the time when it's nice outside. Of course, it is the only pet store I trust (you don't want to take him somewhere that may have mites, or other ball diseases). It is amazing to see peoples reaction. Most of them love it! Some seemed a little frightened, but get over it quickly when they see a little 3 yr old handling the snake. The pet store workers are really nice to us, and they are actually amazed with the different morphs we can show them.

[Charlie And Lucy]

I guess it's me your all talking about, as far as switching for feeding. One of our BP's has been fed outside it's enclosure for over 5 years, the other for the 1.5 years we've had it. From what we've read, changing their routines could stress them out.

That's what I meant. I switch from 'I' to 'we' a lot because they're not just mine, but I think you guys get what I'm trying to say.

I don't think it's necessary to get into a debate over feeding since it's been done a ton of times already on this forum. Some feed inside, some feed outside. I guess as long as they're eating, shedding in one piece, and hiding like they should, what we're doing is working.

We, too, like many others on here, bought our first snake from PetCo. We were told it was necessary to feed outside of the enclosure, and we believed it, which is why we started doing it. The internet has a ton of resources that go both ways, some reliable, some not so much. We did our research and came up with two different answers and chose to go with what we were told from PetCo. This was back in 2004 when we had our first BP.

I was just trying to add to the conversation about what works for us.

[NatalieFaye1031]

Well thanks for the answers again everybody!

i think i probably will go with a plastic storgae container.. sounds like the best choice for me..

I am curious though, how you guys do ur tank (or container) setup? i know the basics.. like two hides on each end, a good substrate, some plants... but is there anything else i should know? and specifically whats ya'lls favorite substrate to use?

I wouldnt be opposed if some of u wanted to post pictures of ur tanks for ideas ;]

thanks!

[Kaorte]

Well thanks for the answers again everybody!

i think i probably will go with a plastic storgae container.. sounds like the best choice for me..

I am curious though, how you guys do ur tank (or container) setup? i know the basics.. like two hides on each end, a good substrate, some plants... but is there anything else i should know? and specifically whats ya'lls favorite substrate to use?

I wouldnt be opposed if some of u wanted to post pictures of ur tanks for ideas ;]

thanks!

http://bp.kaorte.com/tubsetup.htm

here is how I setup my tubs

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

Im a bit late to reply but you have gotten some good info so far. The only thing I'll add is about tubs.. I saw someone with an add on CL for a ball python. They said they would not sell it to anyone who planned on keeping it in a "breeders tub" because they thought this was cruel and wrong. I was so tempted to email them but I knew it would be worthless. There are alot of reasons tubs are better. Being able to better control proper heat and humidity are a huge plus. The biggest reason they are not even remotely cruel for ball pythons is the fact that these snakes spend most of their lives in a burrow under ground. Ball pythons are very shy and secretive. They prefer a small, dark, tight enclosure. Many females will rarely if ever leave the den. They prefer to wait for a meal to happen by. If they do leave it is only at night and they do not travel far. This is why it is better to house them in the smallest possible enclosure. It mimics their natural den. It helps to keep them calm and feeding regularly. This is also why it is better to have small, tight fitting hides.

Aquariums can be used but the proper hides are a must. Lots of clutter in the tank so they do not feel like they are in the open. Ball pythons do not make good display animals. It sounds like you are doing all your research and you want the best for your new snake. When you get it be sure you post pics and keep us updated

[NatalieFaye1031]

Awesome! thanks everyone!

looks like im going to get him on friday... 2ft long, friendly, Normal. Im excited! thanks for all the help... ill probably have a few more questions as i get started... but i feel much more prepared now:]