Annoyed with tank size debate...

[TheBallPython]

Hello everyone! I know I have not been active in quite a while, but I just had to vent here and get some opinions from others.

So, I belong to a pit bull forum and in the miscellaneous section a topic came up about BPs. The OP had just gotten one from a friend and needed advice. I informed them of what I had learned on here when I was researching to get my BP (which still hasn't happened, hence my inactivity ), which was to have them in a 30gal tank (it's a full grown adult), as any bigger could stress them out, and to have two identical hides on both sides, as well as an UTH with a thermostat. Well, the other info was fine with the other members, except my tank statement. This one member (among many others, but she's the prominent one), who has multiple ball pythons (and she's been into them for a long time, and on forums, etc) says that the size of tank is adequate perhaps, but not ideal. She says it's not right to have a snake in a tank size that they can't stretch out their body their entire length. When I came back with them feeling more secure in a tank that size, she argued that she has a BP in a 100gal tank, and that he eats just fine. She said if BP owners could see how active they can be in a larger tank, we'd be surprised.

I then asked what she would expect an owner of a 18ft+ burmese python/anaconda/other large constrictor to do in terms of tank size, since she expects their entire bodies to stretch out. She says that if you can't build them a zoo-like enclosure by the time they are 4 yrs old, you shouldn't own one. I mean, this is getting a little out of hand, no? There's just nothing I can say that can make sense to them! I'm about to just walk away from the thread completely, because I'm really getting annoyed with it all. Has anyone else ever heard of this? Everything I have ever read says that BPs are most comfortable in a smaller sized tank, but she swears otherwise. In fact, she says it's inappropriate. And another member told me that a BP in that size tank may be living, but they are not thriving. Never mind the fact that tons of BP owners keep their snakes in these tanks, and they eat without issue, and appear to be perfectly content. But, she says that alone doesn't show that they are happy. Ugh...

Sorry, just had to vent.

[CCfive]

Inform her that she's projecting what "she" thinks makes the snake happy. A ball python is more than content with a smaller enclosure. In the wild they only venture out to find food which is usually in the next burrow they are going to occupy. Her bp's running around the tank are no better off or "happier" than one kept in a 41q plastic tub in a rack.

[Jessica Loesch]

Tell her that her bp is most likely stressed out and can't find a good place to hide lol.

[MasonC2K]

I have a 5'6" 3000g+ BP in a 40G breeder. That's plenty big. Anything bigger is overkill. Nothing wrong with having bigger if it's set up right. But bigger is not better.

[C&H Exotic Morphs]

Tell her that her bp is most likely stressed out and can't find a good place to hide lol.

I completely agree.
From what you are saying all the activity sounds like the snake may be stressed and trying to find somewhere it feels comfortable to hide.
Why not invite them to check out this forum that is dedicated to bp's; where there are alot of keepers with years and some even with decades of experience in keeping bp's.

[WingedWolfPsion]

Explain that ball pythons are all individuals, and that while some animals may be fine in a very large cage, MANY of them will not be. The advice is meant for the majority of ball pythons, and not for her specific animal. If her animal is good in a 100 gallon, that's great...but it definitely doesn't mean that most ball pythons will do well in a tank that size.

Also mention that ball pythons should spend all day sleeping in their hide, and roam around a bit at night. If they are roaming during the day, this is a sign of stress--they're attempting to find a more suitable habitat.

Ball pythons are adaptable animals, and have extremely variable personalities. What works for one will not necessarily work for all of them.

[FireStorm]

I've "rescued" a few BPs that were kept in big tanks and refused to eat...the majority of them started eating the minute I stuck them in a rack. Some will absolutely not do well in glass tanks.

[loonunit]

For the record, I find that larger tanks don't stress CB adults, as long as you provide adequate hides. It's really just a pain for us as caretakers, cleaning a big tank and all that furniture.

[WingedWolfPsion]

Loonunit, it depends on the adult--which is the entire point.

[Argentra]

Exactly - each snake is different, but MOST BPs will not do well in large enclosures. I had a full grown female normal who did well in a huge tank and probably would have been ok in even larger ones as long as she had her nice hides. On the flip side, my pastel fella only relaxes and eats well in his 20gal long tank. That's it. No tubs, and nothing larger.

I've run into people like that person with the 100gal many times and they're all very frustrating because they are SURE they're right and that any and all snakes MUST be the same. Therefore they are stubborn, and unfortunately very vocal. All you can do about those people is just try not to let them get to you and keep on peddling the RIGHT information.