ball python housing?

[Nicky]

I've never had a python befor but am hoping to pick up a pair sometime in the summer and was curious what size of cage they will need when there full grown? i have one 20 gal now and could buy another one for the other ball.
thx in advance.
kayla

[Tigergenesis]

An adult needs a minimum of a 3 foot long cage. They do enjoy climbing so some height is great. I have my BP in a 50 gallon breeder (36x18x19) and this will last him his whole life. Of course the bigger the better.

[m1k3_88]

my ball is living in a rubbermaid right now, but im looking to build him a 3x18x18 enclosure in the summer.

[sapphire_moon]

I have both my bp's in 4ft long rubbermaid like containers. BUT since you said a pair of bp's it sounds like you want to breed??? If not bigger is better with atleast a little climbing space.

if you want to breed (or have them in a rack system) a underbed rubbermaid or something similar should work. Ask mykee what size he uses he will probably be able to give you a modle number as well as dimensions.

For baby bp's though keep them in something smaller. Atleast until they get a little bigger.

[Nicky]

ok thx i was just wondering when u use rubbermaids how do u modify the lids so u can place heating lamps on it.

[marisa]

You use UTH (under tank heaters) or heat tape with Rubbermaids. You *Can* use lights but this defeats the whole purpose really. Rubbermaids work so well because they do not have the wire top like tanks, making heat and humidity more stable usually.

Marisa

[mykee]

I would suggest you buy a book on the captive husbandry of ball pythons and read it. And then re-read it and read it again. The more research you do, the better it will be for everyone.

[Nicky]

thx for all the advice. I'm gonna buy a manual next weekend sry to bug u guys with qeustions that i could of just looked up.
kayla

[marisa]

Don't worry about asking questions...I think the point Mykee was trying to make is its 100% totally important to read as much printed material as you can, (well known books and such) then after you have a basic grasp of husbandry your questions will be easier to answer because you will know more about where our answers are coming from.

Research + questions are both totally important.

Marisa

[sapphire_moon]

Don't forget, that when using the UTH to have something to controll the heat, be it a rheostat, home made or store bought, or a lamp dimmer. UTH's can get way over 100 degree's and need something to keep it at the proper temp.

[jessicia7]

I have a very similar question. I have read and read and read on bps and snakes in general and I am trying to find an enclosure. I wanted to get a fiberglass cage but I am actually having some trouble finding one. Does anyone know of a good place online to get these cages. I tried Neodesha Cages but it's weird, they don't answer their phones and that is the only way to order one.

[crazyboy]

vision cages, boaphile

[jessicia7]

Thanks crazy, vision cages was what I was looking for

[MouseKilla]

Reading up is great and all but beware of outdated information. The book on BPs I see most often is "The Ball Python Manual" by the Barkers and published by The Herpetocultural Library. This has some good info and a few pictures of decent cages but the only one that I see a snake in (p.15) is one of the worst set ups I've ever seen for a BP, totally open screen lid, heat lamp, little wee tiny water bowl. It's a recipe for too little heat and humidity (found this out the hard way myself). Just a word of caution about some of the rather dated info you come across in some of the books out there.

[mykee]

I echo Mousekilla's sentiments. A lot of the stuff that you'll be reading will be outdated, even if it's only a few years old. People's knowledge about how to keep and breed ball pythons over the last few years ihas greatly increased, and we often realize that what was standard just a few years ago, is now less than so. What I would suggest to you is to pick up a FEW books, so that you get a varied idea on what to do, and then when you have a basic idea, then come on here and bombard us with questions. There are more than enough educated people on this forum to answer any questions you may have. Good luck.

[jessicia7]

Yeah I have read everything from older books to recent online publications. My two biggest sources of help are two burmese owners who have been breeding/keeping balls and burms for 25 years.

[sapphire_moon]

and if there are any shows near you, go and talk to breeders.

[nita]

You could also check out your local herp society, if you have one in your location. I have found ours to be very helpful, if you have a reptile show around you, there is a club too.