Tank size question from new guy

[McBeardy]

Hey, everyone! I'm new here so here's a super quick background. My brother and I had a BP when we were younger (like almost 20 years ago) but had to rehome it when we graduated and moved out of our parents' place, so I'm not completely new to snakes, but might as well be. I recently started researching so I can get another one. I've since learned that we knew next to nothing about snakes but I'm more confident now with my newfound knowledge. That said, here's my question...

Can you have too large of a tank for your snake?

My initial plan was to reuse my old 10 gallon fish tank. I went to the local big box pet store to get prices for supplies only, not snakes, and saw that they had one of those reptile kits with the substrate, hide, water bowl, uth, etc, along with a 20 gallon tank on sale for what I feel is a pretty good deal. I know the snake will outgrow the 10 gallon eventually and I'll need to upgrade, so should I go ahead get this good deal or will a 20 gallon be too big for a baby? I read that you can add some more decor to make it not feel so open and they'll be fine. Is this true?

Thanks in advance for any help! This forum has already helped me a lot as I was lurking waiting for my account to be approved.

[bcr229]

Those its are overpriced and most of what they come with is not appropriate for a ball python anyway.

A baby needs a tub with a securely locking lid like a 15-qt Sterilite latch box, a UTH, a THERMOSTAT (something that does NOT come with the kit), some hides, and two water bowls (one to replace the other if it gets pooped in). You can use paper for substrate.

[MR Snakes]

First, welcome. I'm new here too. You'll get some good answers here but I watched a video from Brian Barsczk (SP?) about starting a new BP off and he says anything between 10 and 20 will work. I'd say having at least 3 hides in the 20 would be needed as they like to hide. Good luck.

[rockonjp76]

This all depends on the size of the snake in question. Do your research, there is plenty of good sources online, and you'll do fine.

[FollowTheSun]

I started with a large tank for my baby ratsnake and she was fine. I just put in lots and lots of baby snake-sized hides. The snake won't care about the tank size as long as they have places to hide and regulate their temperature.

You can start out cheap with a tub (as advised above) and then take your time shopping around. I have found good deals at reptile stores. I will ask them about future sales, or just keep going back and waiting for one to be marked down. Craigslist is another great place to find good snake housing.

I recently found an exo-terra enclosure that I was looking for, along with a whole bunch of stuff for a BP (heat mat, thermostats, lights, etc) for a great deal. And it came with a snake! So I had to get him, too.


But seriously there are some good deals on Craigslist. I really like Exo-terra enclosures. Be sure to disinfect when buying used before putting your snake in it.

[Godzilla78]

Big tank, lots of small hides.

under tank heater on the hot side. Ambient temps around 80 on the cool side. It’s a pain to keep heat and humidity up in a glass tank. You will need to cover the top and use something like moist cypress mulch as substrate to keep it humid.

The UTH needs a thermostat with the probe under the tank. The ambient heat source needs a separate thermostat with the probe somewhere in the ambient space

[DandD]

Our snake has been in a 30 long since we got him. Lots of hides and places to get away. Like Godzilla said humidity and heat are a pain at first but you will figure out ways. I use the rolled up silver insulation glued to the screen

[WhompingWillow]

I've found most snake kits to come with products that aren't completely suited for a ball python, such as aspen bedding and an undersized UTH, no thermostat, etc. While a bit more work, it's probably better to simply price out the items you need and get them from different sources. I get some of my supplies from pet stores, some from online.

It's definitely possible to have a young BP in a glass tank and in a larger tank. Just realize that the larger the tank, the more clutter you will need and the more difficult it can be to maintain proper temperatures. You may need to use a heat lamp on a dimmer or CHE on a thermostat in addition to a UTH, also on a thermostat.

[McBeardy]

Thanks, everyone, for the replies. Since I'll be keeping my snake in the living room I'm wanting some aesthetic appeal with its enclosure so I'll be going the glass tank route and if that proves to be too difficult to keep proper conditions I'll switch to a tub. I guess I'll start with my 10 gallon to keep upfront cost down a bit and upgrade size when needed. As for uth size it seems like the consensus is about 1/3 the size of the tank. Does that sound about right? I'll definitely be getting a thermostat. I've read too many horror stories and seen some pictures of poor little snakes getting burned.

[Bogertophis]

Welcome back to snake-keeping. I'd personally use that 10 gal. tank too, with the modifications suggested. And "FYI"- many BP-keepers here prefer to use 'tubs'
or the professionally-made plastic enclosures, & that's fine...there's more than one way to do things, but like you, I prefer glass tanks for my snakes (which these
days are not BPs) but as long as you achieve the same results, it's up to you. Humidity does not escape thru glass OR plastic, it's a matter of how much air
circulation you allow. Many find it helps to cover the back & sides of a glass tank also, especially for a shy species like a BP, & especially until they settle in & eat. If your house or room is on the cool side, there are various materials that you can insulate a tank with also...& if you put scenery (on the outside) first,
it will look nice & you'll never see the "insulation" (foam board etc etc)

Placement of snake cage: living rooms are fine if not too "busy". Don't put a snake cage near TV/stereo, or near doorways & windows (where sun streams in).
You may find it's better to start off with tank in a quieter room, then move it to living room after the snake is settled in & eating regularly. Snakes are shy & afraid.

Size of UTH- typically about a third of the floor space, yes...but keep in mind how warm or cool you keep your house, and compare that to what your BP needs.
They do need to have temperature choices to properly thermo-regulate themselves. It takes some experimentation (best BEFORE the snake is living in the cage)-
we recommend setting up the cage a week before occupied so you can check that the temperatures are correct & make any changes needed. Sometimes things
don't work as planned.