Quote Originally Posted by 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?
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?