Full Grown Ball Python in 20 gallon?

[Red357]

I am in no way an expert but in my research I read that as long as the snake can stretch long ways and one side width way, it'll be fine. That's roughly approx...42 inches.

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[Cheesenugget]

When I was 12, I bought a hamster from a pet store. He lived for three months. Ever since then, I promised myself I would never buy an animal from a pet store. I learned my lesson. I completely agree with what you are saying. Plus, according to the employees, the ball pythons there are really pissy.

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Also, I really want a pastel ball python.

Not all pet stores are bad. I bought my hamster from Petsupermarket. He was about 6 weeks old when I got him. He lived to almost his 2nd birthday, an average lifespan of a golden hammie. What most people do with their hamsters (Not saying you did) is they either overfed/free feed those junk food that comes with seeds and crap, provide no exercise wheel or any form of exercise, stress and dirty cage (contributing factors to "wet tail" which can kill them without vet care) or nothing to chew on so that they can keep their scissors short or else it will grow to the extent it can't eat and starve.

Secondly, you may get lucky like I did and bring home a wonderful snake from a terrible pet store. Just make sure you check its health completely, including rubbing against the snake to feel for any bumps, check for mites on your hands as well as on the snake's eyes and its body and any sound it is making while breathing or mucous from anywhere. If you bring home mites by accident, it is annoying but fixable. Good thing is that this will be your first snake so you only have one to worry about.

Lastly, though they are few and far in between, there are good pet stores out there. It is good to start checking out different pet stores and find one you can trust, even if you don't buy your snake from there, in case you need advice, help with equipment or pick up a feeder. A good pet store will get to know you as well and some may even special order certain things for you (ie enclosures) whereas most online retailers won't do that.

Ps the 20 gallon is too long. My adult male bp is in a 56 qt tub and I want to give him more space in the future. It is awfully crowded after you out in the hides and water bowl.

[Cheesenugget]

Not all pet stores are bad. I bought my hamster from Petsupermarket. He was about 6 weeks old when I got him. He lived to almost his 2nd birthday, an average lifespan of a golden hammie. What most people do with their hamsters (Not saying you did) is they either overfed/free feed those junk food that comes with seeds and crap, provide no exercise wheel or any form of exercise, stress and dirty cage (contributing factors to "wet tail" which can kill them without vet care) or nothing to chew on so that they can keep their scissors short or else it will grow to the extent it can't eat and starve.

Secondly, you may get lucky like I did and bring home a wonderful snake from a terrible pet store. Just make sure you check its health completely, including rubbing against the snake to feel for any bumps, check for mites on your hands as well as on the snake's eyes and its body and any sound it is making while breathing or mucous from anywhere. If you bring home mites by accident, it is annoying but fixable. Good thing is that this will be your first snake so you only have one to worry about.

Lastly, though they are few and far in between, there are good pet stores out there. It is good to start checking out different pet stores and find one you can trust, even if you don't buy your snake from there, in case you need advice, help with equipment or pick up a feeder. A good pet store will get to know you as well and some may even special order certain things for you (ie enclosures) whereas most online retailers won't do that.

Ps the 20 gallon is too long. My adult male bp is in a 56 qt tub and I want to give him more space in the future. It is awfully crowded after you out in the hides and water bowl.

Fix: 20 gallon is too short, not long.

[RXLReptiles]

As mentioned by everyone above, there isn't really a wrong enclosure as long as all the needs of the animal are met. Most BP breeders I know or have worked with will keep hatchlings in a 6 qt shoebox tub as it keeps them feeling secure and happy. On the other end of the spectrum I've seen people with newly purchased hatchlings that have gone into 20 longs or 32 quart tubs and they did fine as well.

That being said, I happen to have 2 Petsmart ball pythons in my collection, one is a lesser/butter and one is a normal, and they are both currently under 200 grams. Also both of them happen to be my angriest hissy pissy snakes that I have, as opposed to my super pastel female Cannoli who came from a breeder that's sweet as can be, if not a little shy at times. But all 3 are good eaters (now...the lesser needed live for a couple weeks before switching to F/T) and I'm sure the Petsmart snakes will calm down somewhat over time.

If I were in your shoes I would explain that at almost any reptile show you will find normal BP's for $20-40 and you'd have tons of other morphs to choose from. A pet store will be limited and if it's a big chain store it will be much more expensive. For simple proof just go to MorphMarket and search male BP's and sort by price, I just did and found plenty of normals, hets and base co-dom morphs for under $60-75. At my local Petsmart/Petco normals are $60 and "Fancy" BP's (which most of the time are pastels or maybe another basic co-dom morph) are $120!

So right there he'll see that a good breeder is usually the more affordable option, especially considering that a good quality breeder's animal will be much less likely to have problems eating, adjusting, or with their health immediately after purchase. Plus most chain pet stores that I've been to can't tell you the gender of the animal, so you may end up with a female, who will definitely outgrow a 20 long.

At the end of the day this is your animal, that you will be in charge of caring for, for many years to come, long after your father has any interest in how it's being kept. If he's not willing to allow you to care for your animal in a way that is conducive to it's long term health or even in the way you best see fit to maintain their needs, maybe allowing him to have any influence, up to and including any monetary input, is not in your or the animals best interest.



TL;DR: I've had BP's from both pet stores and breeders, I'd go breeder everytime. Also if your dad won't budge on enclosures because he's putting money in, don't take his money and do it your own way, especially if it's better for the animal.

[MarkL1561]

Also I’d look around at breeders on morph market. I worked at a chain pet store during my undergrad and didn’t like how they care for the animals. The suppliers they get animals from essentially farm them like a puppy mill. As far as online purchases, I’ve had good experiences with Snakes at Sunset and Perfect Predators. There are tons of breeders out there though and that way you get to pick exactly what you want. Also shipping isn’t bad it’s usually around $30 for overnight. As far as the enclosure, it’s easier imo to get everything up front. Depending on where you live you could probably find some enclosures on Craig’s list but run the risk of mites. I’d probably get the enclosure and supplies at a pet store and the snake from a breeder. Although at the end of the day it doesn’t matter what any of our opinions are. Do whatever you want

Here’s a picture of the entire tank like you wanted. I have a che but rarely ever use it because I keep my place pretty warm. I also don’t really use that thermometer anymore either lol I have a temp gun that works better. Those are bulbs on the side not garbage


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[JRLongton]

I'd do a PVC enclosure. Reptile Basics has a great one that is 2x3x1, big enough for almost any male BP. It isn't expensive and is easy to fit into your life.

One of the things that I dislike about tanks is that they require a dedicated space. In a part of you house there is a tank sized footprint. That can be a hard sacrifice if you don't have a big space.

But a PVC, that can fit on a shelf, and the other shelves can be used for things (like maybe other snakes!). Hell you can even stack things on top of the PVC itself. My wife does this all the time and I HATE it, but it is an option.

[vrp98]

I've been looking at morph market and I'm interested in Breeders Circle. I've heard good things about them and they have Pastels for $50!

[Armiyana]

Just gonna chime in here for a moment because of the 20gal for males 40gal for females that popped up a few times.
As the owner of a 2400 gram male, please don't just assume they will stay smaller. Obviously over time you may need to upgrade regardless of what 'average' size is. Keeping my male in a 20 gallon tank is comical XD

[vrp98]

Good news everyone! My dad said I can use tubs for my ball python and that it's up to me. I'm also slowly convincing him on getting him from a breeder. If you guys want, once I get him, I can post a picture! I am very excited and have wanted a ball python for months. Thank you guys so much for your help!