Ball Python

[smmfish]

My fiance' finally said I could get my ball python. I went to the local lfs and they had one for $89. I asked to hold it, and the lfs employee said, "I've never held one before" I told her all you do is open the cage, pick him up gently and hand him to me. Simple as that. It was so funny watching her try and pick it up. It is a 1 1/2 yr. old, don't know the sex yet, but it will be going into a 30 gallon tank for the time being. I have had a ball before, he was 4 ft long and I kept him in a 55 gallon tank, but it seemed awful large.
Do I really need a 55 gallon to house a ball?

 

[fishnutham]

I wouldnt keep a ball in a 55g a 30g std max they are more comfortable in small vivariums give him two hides one on the cool side and another on the warm i found some like branches some dont so it wouldnt hurt to try one..

 

[davo]

Well depends how large it... a lot of people switch them from one size to another as they grow.
Eitherway, i had an experience like that. Asked to hold a little brb, and the lady said "just do it yourself, im a lizard person not a snake person". Always thought that was odd in a herp store but hey...

 

[smmfish]

I wouldnt keep a ball in a 55g a 30g std max they are more comfortable in small vivariums give him two hides one on the cool side and another on the warm i found some like branches some dont so it wouldnt hurt to try one..

Thanks that is what I thought. I have heard of people saying that a 55 gallon tank is too large. I didn't think there was such a thing as too large of a fish tank. But when we talk about reptiles, there is a difference.
Well, I went to find a latching top for my 30 gallon and couldn't find one here in the small town I'm in, so I am going to look online to see if I can find one.
If I can find a locking lid, I will pick up my ball tomorrow, if not I will have to wait until I get the lid.
Thanks for the info

 

[smmfish]

Well depends how large it... a lot of people switch them from one size to another as they grow.
Eitherway, i had an experience like that. Asked to hold a little brb, and the lady said "just do it yourself, im a lizard person not a snake person". Always thought that was odd in a herp store but hey...

Right now, he is about 14" long. I think I will put him in the 30 gallon, and see how he does.

 

[Danyal]

the whole "snakes need small enclosures" is a bunch of crap. if a snake doesn't feel secure in a large enclosure then that's exactly the problem, it doesn't feel secure and the only way to fix that is by adding more cover(like plants and hides) same thing would happen if you put a guppy in a completely bare 10g, it will be rather skittish because it has nowhere to hide and putting it into a cup isn't going to solve that but putting in a plant or two will. personally i wouldn't put a bp into a 55g simply because of the footprint, imo, a 40g breeder or 75g would be better because of the width, think of a hallway vs. living room. at 14" and a yr and a half old it's stunted. a 10g or 20g long would be fine for it at this size, a 30g is even better.

 

[fishnutham]

the whole "snakes need small enclosures" is a bunch of crap. if a snake doesn't feel secure in a large enclosure then that's exactly the problem, it doesn't feel secure and the only way to fix that is by adding more cover(like plants and hides) same thing would happen if you put a guppy in a completely bare 10g, it will be rather skittish because it has nowhere to hide and putting it into a cup isn't going to solve that but putting in a plant or two will.

ball pythons do not like large enclosures period do the research ...

 

[fishnutham]

Thanks that is what I thought. I have heard of people saying that a 55 gallon tank is too large. I didn't think there was such a thing as too large of a fish tank. But when we talk about reptiles, there is a difference.
Well, I went to find a latching top for my 30 gallon and couldn't find one here in the small town I'm in, so I am going to look online to see if I can find one.
If I can find a locking lid, I will pick up my ball tomorrow, if not I will have to wait until I get the lid.
Thanks for the info

i've had problems finding wire latching lids for 30g's before what i've done is bought oversized tops and with small bolt cutters trimmed them to fit inside the plastic lip..wish i had a pic to show it worked quite well for me.

 

[fishnutham]

There is another choices balls do well in sweater boxes /tupper ware tubs they're cheap and they like the privacy they offer with the opaque sides heres a pic of one of mine

 

[Ophiuchus]

Also keep in mind, that females get fairly larger and stockir than males, usually topping out at around 5 ft. So any tank with a standard width of 12" might be viewed as a little cramped when they try to curl up. However, males usually stay under 4' and would be fine in a 30 long.