Housing Question

[BFT12890]

http://animalplastics.com/

Terrestrial cages, T8. its 48x24x12 I have my ball and corn in one each. I feel they are the best option. front sliding glass doors with locks, I use radiant heat panels (http://www.reptilebasics.com/40-watt-radiant-heat-panel) with a herpstat 2 (http://spyderrobotics.com/home/products.html) thermostat. works incredibly. my house is always somewhere between 60-80 degrees and this setup keeps the temps perfect (to whatever you set the herpstat) and the humidity sits between 40-60% depending on the substrate/water bowl size.

Sure an adult BP could be in a 36xwhatever cage, but I feel the extra space is appreciated. she eats well, doesn't seem stressed or restless but also roams around and stretches out. As for height, she was in a 36x12x18 glass enclosure (humidity was a struggle) and she would climb it and come crashing down, so I didn't like it much and figured more floor space less height would be better suited for her since shes not the brightest ;]

Anyway, Id recommend what ive suggested. the cages are PVC they will last as long as the snake is alive, they come with dividers if you has a small baby and want it to grow into the cage, and they will be big enough for the adult life. hope that helps and isn't confusing.

[MisssMariee]

I do like the Animal Plastics cage, and what you said makes sense, I forget they're heavier bodied snakes. My corns climb like it's nothing because they're thin little guys compared to a ball, and so I guess I keep forgetting they won't be doing much climbing! I was thinking I could get my dad (master builder) to create branches and climbing structures that even a ball would be fine with? I guess I just like the cages that have more glass visible, I like how you can see more of the cage from a lot of directions so that's why I favor the exo terra cage. I'm currently planning on picking him/her up in September or August at a local expo, depending on how things are coming along. So, nothing immediate just yet, but I do want to get a start on this. I want to add another $200 to my pet emergency cash and so I need to make sure I've got enough set aside for the cage, decor, all that.

How long does it take the average hatchling to reach adult size?

Also, do any of you guys have any tips on moving with snakes? I'm moving out of state in February, and I'm trying to figure out the least stressful way to move them. It will be a three day trip. What I've heard is to get a shoebox, poke holes in it, add bedding/cloth of some sort, and use tape to seal it once placing the snake in it then put them in a box and add a heat pack? Anything else I should know?

[Drift]

Another +1 for the PVC enclosures. Their ability to hold heat and humidity really simplifies the husbandry by making sure the environment is kept once its established, instead of having to be adjusted and controlled as much.

Often people will cover multiple sides on glass enclosures to make the snake more comfortable, so even with a glass enclosure you may find yourself covering the viewing sides anyways.

As far as the climbing surfaces, as long as they're secure so they wont fall, it's not going to be a problem. Just realize you're putting them in there more for you than for the snake. The snake will still need the same footprint space, and you'll be paying extra for the height that the snake may never (really, never. But every snake is different.) use.

[kitedemon]

I too prefer PVCx over everything. However glass is my second choice the ease of cleaning and thermal mass off set some of the issues once glass is warm it doesn't cool easily. You also have a wide range of heat possibilities over other options. I place tubs at the bottom unless you have a fairly warm room (normal at least for me is 68ºF) 73-4º+ plastic tubs can be very difficult to regulate air temps inside of. Either in a rack or by its self. Racks save a massive amount of space but cleaning and disinfecting them is a monster pain and very difficult.

[MisssMariee]

Good to know! I really only want two sides open so I can see him from both my desk, and my bed. However, I realize I'll probably have to concede that depending on how skittish he/she is. I just like to have the option to have two open sides if he turns out to be not skittish. Looks to me, I'll be looking into a vision cage type thing then I guess

I was at the store yesterday (to get my ball python kicks, I've been going to the pet store every week or so and they let me hold their ball pythons. They're really quite nice and I think the reptile guy likes it because he likes holding them but he never gets to unless a customer asks) and they decided to let me hold the Pinstripe instead of the normals claiming that the reason is that "the normals are a lot more bite-ish than the other morphs". I haven't heard that before, so is that more pet store misinformation?

[mortimore2013]

im new to owning my ball python her name is isis. i got her into my possession when i purchased her from a pet store for a friend but he wasnt ready for another snake so i took her in. from pictures i came to the conclusion she is only 6months or a few months older. i have a few questions regarding this,

1. would it be okay to keep her in a 55 gallon aquarium when she is older
2. what should i feed her? i talked to my local hardware store and they feed there sand boa feeder mouse and my bp is bigger than it its just those mouse look like monsters
3. what humidity should i keep the tank?

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im new to owning my ball python her name is isis. i got her into my possession when i purchased her from a pet store for a friend but he wasnt ready for another snake so i took her in. from pictures i came to the conclusion she is only 6months or a few months older. i have a few questions regarding this,

1. would it be okay to keep her in a 55 gallon aquarium when she is older
2. what should i feed her? i talked to my local hardware store and they feed there sand boa feeder mouse and my bp is bigger than it its just those mouse look like monsters
3. what humidity should i keep the tank?

[TheSnakeGuy]

I wouldn't buy either of those. If you really want an Exo-Terra cage you need to go with the 36"X18"X12" also known as the LARGE LOW size. It has plenty of floor space and Ball pythons really don't need the height so it would be very easy to heat with just one 50 watt red lamp and/or a 12" UTH. It would make a beautiful display cage. I myself have a 36"X18"X18" and I would gladly trade it for the lower one even though mine cost more. Just to take advantage of the easier husbandry that comes with it. I'm sure with the other two really tall cages you must be thinking "big pretty cage" when you need to be thinking "proper care for the animal I intend to put in there"

[MisssMariee]

You were close, but I was thinking more along the lines of: 'pretty big cage' not 'big pretty cage' I forget they're heavier bodied and obviously won't be supported by most taller plants and things...

[brobertson]

Go for the animal plastics cage, you won't regret it. They are a bit more of an initial investment (those Exo-Terra's aren't cheap either) but they make keeping temperatures and humidity a breeze!

[brobertson]

im new to owning my ball python her name is isis. i got her into my possession when i purchased her from a pet store for a friend but he wasnt ready for another snake so i took her in. from pictures i came to the conclusion she is only 6months or a few months older. i have a few questions regarding this,

1. would it be okay to keep her in a 55 gallon aquarium when she is older
2. what should i feed her? i talked to my local hardware store and they feed there sand boa feeder mouse and my bp is bigger than it its just those mouse look like monsters
3. what humidity should i keep the tank?

- - - Updated - - -

im new to owning my ball python

It would be a much better idea to start your own thread instead of hijacking this one. Also, give these threads a good read...
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...t-Thermometers