Baby Bredli enclosure size: is there a limit?

[Gobuchul]

I plan to eventually get a Bredli, and I'm trying to optimize my plan for minimal enclosure obsolescence. For my ball python this means using a cheap plastic container with a low ceiling until she's ready for a larger pvc enclosure, but I'm sure a Bredli will want more vertical space from the beginning. I could get a taller plastic storage bin, but I expect it's harder to manage ambient temps in taller bins with an external CHE. Opening from the side is probably more important for taller enclosures too.

Is there an upper recommended limit on enclosure size for babies/adolescents? Is starting with a 4x2x2 and eventually attaching another 4x2x2 (probably one horizontal, one vertical as I saw in another post on here) an appropriate plan? If 4x2x2 is likely to cause stress for a hatchling, what size should I look for instead?

[Homebody]

As long as you have enough clutter, I would think you can start a Bredli in a 4x2x2. They are not typically shy. You could even put a plastic bin into the 4x2x2.

[Gio]

I should preface this by making it clear that all of the snakes started in quarantine setups before "starting out" in the larger cages.


I purchased a Bredli back in 2020 however he was a 2017 at the time which negated the need for a smaller, more secure cage.

In 2014 I bought a coastal carpet mix that was young. She was just under a year old and pretty small but not tiny.

I started her in a 4' X 2' X 14" cage. She seemed to do well and had no issues feeding.

That snake passed in 2021 sadly. She was a favorite of mine.

This one is a Brisbane Locality Coastal.


She was a little over a year old here when I got her. She started out in a 4' X 2' X 2'.


She took to the cage and to feeding immediately, post quarantine.



This cage is full of hiding spots and ambush areas.


If you happen to be getting a snake that is younger than 8-9 months, I would recommend a small cage, very small, until you start seeing an established feeding pattern. I'm assuming when we speak of caging we are talking about post quarantine caging?

The Bredli did spend some time in the 4x2x2 and is now in a 4'x30"x20".






The Centralian is a vary hardy species and an easy keep.

Best of luck with the caging (post quarantine).

[Gobuchul]

I should preface this by making it clear that all of the snakes started in quarantine setups before "starting out" in the larger cages.


I purchased a Bredli back in 2020 however he was a 2017 at the time which negated the need for a smaller, more secure cage.

In 2014 I bought a coastal carpet mix that was young. She was just under a year old and pretty small but not tiny.

I started her in a 4' X 2' X 14" cage. She seemed to do well and had no issues feeding.

That snake passed in 2021 sadly. She was a favorite of mine.

This one is a Brisbane Locality Coastal.


She was a little over a year old here when I got her. She started out in a 4' X 2' X 2'.


She took to the cage and to feeding immediately, post quarantine.



This cage is full of hiding spots and ambush areas.


If you happen to be getting a snake that is younger than 8-9 months, I would recommend a small cage, very small, until you start seeing an established feeding pattern. I'm assuming when we speak of caging we are talking about post quarantine caging?

The Bredli did spend some time in the 4x2x2 and is now in a 4'x30"x20".






The Centralian is a vary hardy species and an easy keep.

Best of luck with the caging (post quarantine).

I had not yet considered the quarantine setup. Would a 12x9.5x6 inch bin be suitable for that?

[jmcrook]

That’s about what I start all my baby carpet pythons in. Give or take a 12-15qt tub in a rack. I presently start mine in a RBI 11qt tub in RBI racks and it works great for me.
I used this setup in the past when in a pinch or didn’t have tub space in my quarantine rack. Tub size can vary depending on how old the animal is you’re planning on getting.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...Quarantine-Tub

[Gio]

That’s about what I start all my baby carpet pythons in. Give or take a 12-15qt tub in a rack. I presently start mine in a RBI 11qt tub in RBI racks and it works great for me.
I used this setup in the past when in a pinch or didn’t have tub space in my quarantine rack. Tub size can vary depending on how old the animal is you’re planning on getting.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...Quarantine-Tub

I was hoping JM would chime in.

I wasn’t able to find the best link to his previous posts.

He has, IMO, some of the best juvenile snake setups you could offer.

If you want to raise an animal (snake) conservatively I would follow his program.

Most of my stuff was close to a year old when I took possession.

JM has had multiple young snakes and raised up a beautiful collection that is worth breeding at this stage.

Bredli are typically easy to raise but if you need pointers Regarding young snakes in general,
JM is a great source!

[Gobuchul]

That’s about what I start all my baby carpet pythons in. Give or take a 12-15qt tub in a rack. I presently start mine in a RBI 11qt tub in RBI racks and it works great for me.
I used this setup in the past when in a pinch or didn’t have tub space in my quarantine rack. Tub size can vary depending on how old the animal is you’re planning on getting.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...Quarantine-Tub

Snake coming soon, and my quarantine setup is very similar to this. Should UVB be used during quarantine?

[Gio]

Snake coming soon, and my quarantine setup is very similar to this. Should UVB be used during quarantine?

The studies and research point in the direction of better pigmentation by using it and there are probably other benefits. I do think my guy gets lighter and more flamboyant when I have him out in the real sunlight. If I don't take him out frequently, which I usually don't, I don't notice much. I can't tell you if the length of time out in the sun is more important than the frequency for the coloration benefits.

Using it certainly won't hurt your animal although I would recommend having a blackout period of 8-12 hours each day.

You could reach out to a couple of better known breeders to see what their thoughts are.

I don't have time at the moment but if I remember I will look at the books I have by Nick Mutton to see if he mentions anything about it.

Post a photo of your snake so we can see how it looks.

Have fun!


Quick edit. Mods remove this link if you don't find it appropriate as it is to another forum.

I'm posting it for the sake of this thread as to give some other points of view.

https://www.aussiepythons.com/thread...-or-no.144108/

[jmcrook]

Snake coming soon, and my quarantine setup is very similar to this. Should UVB be used during quarantine?

The benefit or detriment of UVB is a scientific inquiry which you’ve shared your position on in other threads. In any case you haven’t shared enough information about the parameters of your quarantine setup for me to offer any insight as to whether it should or even can be implemented in this scenario. More details will get you better answers

[Gobuchul]

The benefit or detriment of UVB is a scientific inquiry which you’ve shared your position on in other threads. In any case you haven’t shared enough information about the parameters of your quarantine setup for me to offer any insight as to whether it should or even can be implemented in this scenario. More details will get you better answers

It's a clear plastic container of the size mentioned above, and approximately the size linked to in your post. It has a heat pad, hides, CHE, and pvc pipes configured in approximately the same way as that linked to in your post. The lid is transparent.