Ball Python Questions

[JoeFro]

Hey all, this is my first post - I am new to the site, (if I am posting in the wrong spot or if I've made any other mistakes go easy on me).
Recently I decided that I want to change up my collection and just focus on Ball Pythons. They are perfect for me because of their size in my little apartment.

Anyways, I have read like a million care sheets, but so many of them differ in information when it comes to required space.
I am making a really sweet set up for my BP collection (I will post pictures when I am done), but it limits my space to 24" x 24" x 11.5" per cage.

What do you all think? I know it is like the bare minimum, but it is still big enough for a ball python right? Would this restrict me to only male ball pythons? If so, it would be worth it. I found the perfect cages at boaphileplastics.com but I really need to make sure it is going to be ok before I order them.
I would love as many opinions as I can get.
Also, I have read that Ball Pythons are an exception to the rule of "feed a rodent that is 1.5x the girth of the snakes body". This caresheet I read said that 1 adult mice per week is sufficient for a Ball Python for life. Is this really true?? It just seems like too little to me.

I'd also like opinions on feeding Rats vs. feeding Mice.

So, to sum up my three questions are:
1. Is a 24" x 24" x 11.5" cage big enough for an adult ball python for life?
2. Is 1 adult mouse per week sufficient for an adult ball python for life?
3. Mice vs. Rats - which is better for my Royal Balls?

Thank you all!

[Mephibosheth1]

Happy to have you here on the forum!!! We hope you enjoy your stay with us

Yes, this is the right place for this; any question on care is considered "husbandry".

Question 1) If I'm not mistaken, those are the dimensions for a 20 gallon, right?? I think that is acceptable for space requirements; a lot of BP racks have smaller footprints for each tub, so you should be fine...

Question 2) No; 1 adult mouse a week will not be sufficient for an adult BP. Usually you will want to feed 10-15% of their body weight; a female at full breeding weight (1500+grams) will need more mice than one a week. This leads to

Question 3) Rats aren't "better" than mice, but one medium rat will cost the same as a jumbo mouse, but will weigh more. Thus, one medium rat a week will feed an adult BP, and will cost about the same as 1 mouse a week.


Hope that helps some....

[The Serpent Merchant]

1. Yes
2. No, You will need to feed multiple mice or larger rats
3. Rats are more better due to their larger size, but nutritionally speaking there isn't much difference.

I would look into animal plastics cages. Boaphile has terrible customer support and can really me a pain to deal with. Ap on the other hand has great customer service, and I think their cages are designed better:

http://www.apcages.com

Their T8 cage is perfect for BP's. It measures 48" x 24" x 12" (L x W x H) and can be divided to house 2 BP's in 24" x 24" x 12" sections. They also have the T1 that measures 24 x 24 x 12.

[decensored]

1. Yes

2. Nope - An adult mouse is around 25 grams and you want to feed 10-15% of it's body weight. An adult mouse is an appropriate sized meal for a 250 grams ball python.

3. Rats, you will never have a BP big enough where you will need to feed multiples.

[JoeFro]

You guys are great, thanks for answering all my questions clearly.
The mouse thing did sound wrong so I'm glad I checked with you guys.
Animal Plastics caught my eye with the T1 cages, but man they are expensive. Boaphile was cheaper and also had free shipping.
But, if the customer service is really that bad, I will consider going with AP after all.

To Mephibosheth1: I believe those dimensions are 32 gallons. And thanks for welcoming me

[4theSNAKElady]

1. Yes.
2. Nope...unless you want a skinny snake thats always hungry
3. Rats, imo are "meatier" than mice, and are more sufficient a meal for adult BPs.

That being said, you are doing right by your snakes to come here. You will not get conflicting info, but advice from keepers n breeders themselves, who (for the most part :p) all agree on the care and keeping of ball pythons. If you only want male BPs, you are in luck! Male morphs are cheaper than females, so you can have a wide variety in your collection for not so much money! Good luck

sent from my incubator

[Neal]

Welcome to the forums and just ask all that you need to know. We would much rather you ask questions then to care for your animal wrong. So just remember that no question is stupid.

[Rickys_Reptiles]

So, to sum up my three questions are:
1. Is a 24" x 24" x 11.5" cage big enough for an adult ball python for life?
2. Is 1 adult mouse per week sufficient for an adult ball python for life?
3. Mice vs. Rats - which is better for my Royal Balls?

1) This will depend on the size of your snake when it's full grown - so the answer is "Maybe". This size enclosure will more than likely be fine.

2) This will depend on the size of your snake when it's full grown - so the answer is "Maybe". An adult mouse for an adult male may be fine if it's smaller, but more than likely it will be too small.

3) This will depend on the size of your snake when it's full grown - so the answer is Mice may be fine, rats may also be fine. More than likely you'll need to feed multiple adult mice, or an appropriately sized rat.