How do you know when something is too small.

[AkivaSmith]

I have read half a dozen care sheets. I even bought a cheepo book. I have not found any advice about when it is time to change the size of the hides or the size of the living space for a BP.

This is important to me because I live in a SMALL appartment. Many of you are aware that I bought an 18x18x18 terrarium. I figure that it will hold a single BP to a size of 30". I may be wrong, but I have read that BPs grow about a foot a year for their first three years. This means that I can use my setup for about two years.

How do I know when the tank is too small, other than just measuring Fluffy. Will the snake give a signal that it is cramped?

I do plan on buying a larger tank. I will either get the Critter Cage 20 long (30x12x12)or the 30 breeder(36x18x12).

I would prefer to get the 30 breeder, but I don't have 36" of space anywhere in the appt that I can put it without doing a major redecoration (moving large bookcases). So I need to know about how much time I have to do the recreation of my living room.

Any advice is always welcome.

Thanks, Akiva.

[BD1]

That terrarium sounds kind of small and will probably be more work that it is worth to get the right temps, humidity etc. The only signs you'll probably see of your snake being cramped will probably be signs of stress, like not eating, or getting sick. I wouldn't wait until something like that happens before changing things around because then he will get even more stressed being moved into a new environment (larger cage). I prefer getting as large a cage as is practical and that will give your pet all the room he needs as he grows, rather than changing cages after a few years. Get a large cage now, fill it with hides, fake plants, newspaper, or whatever so it doesn't feel too open and he'll be fine. I've read that you can use the 20g for an adult BP for their whole life, but it seems to small to me and I'd never do it. Good luck!

I have read half a dozen care sheets. I even bought a cheepo book. I have not found any advice about when it is time to change the size of the hides or the size of the living space for a BP.

This is important to me because I live in a SMALL appartment. Many of you are aware that I bought an 18x18x18 terrarium. I figure that it will hold a single BP to a size of 30". I may be wrong, but I have read that BPs grow about a foot a year for their first three years. This means that I can use my setup for about two years.

How do I know when the tank is too small, other than just measuring Fluffy. Will the snake give a signal that it is cramped?

I do plan on buying a larger tank. I will either get the Critter Cage 20 long (30x12x12)or the 30 breeder(36x18x12).

I would prefer to get the 30 breeder, but I don't have 36" of space anywhere in the appt that I can put it without doing a major redecoration (moving large bookcases). So I need to know about how much time I have to do the recreation of my living room.

Any advice is always welcome.

Thanks, Akiva.

[cassandra]

Have a look at the link in my sig for recommendations on setting a glass vivarium.

Ball pythons are terrestial animals, so the additional heigh of an 18 x 18 x 18 really isn't beneficial.

[AkivaSmith]

I think that I must be missing something.

An 18"x18" footprint is 324 sq. in. of floor space.

An 30"x12" footprint is 360 sq. in. of floor space -- only a 10% increase in floor space.

The 20 long Critter Cage seems to be the size of choice for many people -- what makes it better than the 18x18?

[daniel1983]

I think that I must be missing something.

An 18"x18" footprint is 324 sq. in. of floor space.

An 30"x12" footprint is 360 sq. in. of floor space -- only a 10% increase in floor space.

The 20 long Critter Cage seems to be the size of choice for many people -- what makes it better than the 18x18?

Because you can create your needed hot and cool zones in an enclosure that is not perfectly cubical. From the looks of your enclosure....everything will probably be at the same temperture throughout the enclosure which is not ideal for keeping a snake. The sq. in. of floor space really has nothing to do with it.....a enclosure measuring 6 in x 55 in has a floor area of 330 sq. in......could you possibly keep a ball python in there??

That enclosure will 'work' for a ball python if you can get proper hot and cool zones and keep the air temperature warm enough with all that extra height. I kept hatchling in enclosure measuring 10 w x 17 d x 6 h....but they only stayed in there until they were about 6-7 months old. Yes ball pythons grow ON AVERAGE at about 12" per year......that does not mean that your snake won't grow 2-3' in its first year....you would be just assuming that your snake is 'average' which you have no idea of knowing.

Personally, I think it is irresponsible to get an animal that you don't have room to keep it once it is fully grown. I would still suggest on getting a smaller colubrid like a hognose snake or bamboo ratsnake. Why are you so eager to get a ball python when other snakes or reptiles would do so much better in such a confined area and you would not have to worry about increasing the size of the enclosure, buying new stuff, and finding space in your apartment in 6 months?

[BD1]

+1, I was thinking the same thing.

Because you can create your needed hot and cool zones in an enclosure that is not perfectly cubical. From the looks of your enclosure....everything will probably be at the same temperture throughout the enclosure which is not ideal for keeping a snake. The sq. in. of floor space really has nothing to do with it.....a enclosure measuring 6 in x 55 in has a floor area of 330 sq. in......could you possibly keep a ball python in there??

That enclosure will 'work' for a ball python if you can get proper hot and cool zones and keep the air temperature warm enough with all that extra height. I kept hatchling in enclosure measuring 10 w x 17 d x 6 h....but they only stayed in there until they were about 6-7 months old. Yes ball pythons grow ON AVERAGE at about 12" per year......that does not mean that your snake won't grow 2-3' in its first year....you would be just assuming that your snake is 'average' which you have no idea of knowing.

Personally, I think it is irresponsible to get an animal that you don't have room to keep it once it is fully grown. I would still suggest on getting a smaller colubrid like a hognose snake or bamboo ratsnake. Why are you so eager to get a ball python when other snakes or reptiles would do so much better in such a confined area and you would not have to worry about increasing the size of the enclosure, buying new stuff, and finding space in your apartment in 6 months?

[brainman1000]

I read somewhere that a good rule of thumb for sizing a tank or tub is 1 square foot of floor space for each linear foot of snake. That would mean that a 6 foot snake should have 6 square feet of space (3'x2' or 4'x1.5'). Somebody correct me if I am wrong.

[Spaniard]

If space in an issue why not consider housing in a tub. They're only 6in high and could easily fit under a desk, in a closet, under a bed, and not to mention they are much easier to maintain the proper temps and humidity.

[Spaniard]

I read somewhere that a good rule of thumb for sizing a tank or tub is 1 square foot of floor space for each linear foot of snake. That would mean that a 6 foot snake should have 6 square feet of space (3'x2' or 4'x1.5'). Somebody correct me if I am wrong.

I've read the same thing.

[daniel1983]

I have heard all the rules....

Half of the perimeter of the enclosure equals the maximum length of snake in the enclosure.

1 sq. ft. per foot of snake.

Longest side of the enclosure should be at least 2/3 the total length of the snake.

....I could go on and on.

Reality is.....each snake species is different so these generic 'rules' are for the most part just something to give you an idea of what size enclosure to start off with if you have no idea about how to keep the snake. Those base size rules generally do not include rules for height (although I have seen 10" for terrestrial, 18" for semi-aboreal, 24" for aboreal used here and there). Those kinds of generic rules were mostly used back in the day when people were still learning how to keep most species. Today, we know what size enclosures most species thrive in....so those rules are not really needed anymore since we know more now