Ideal enclosure for BP

[aeronautica86]

I'm quite new to snakes, but I'm interested in getting a ball python. My question is, what is the best enclosure to accomplish these goals:

1. Obviously I want the snake to be healthy and eat
2. I'd the the enclosure to look nice, to compliment my room and be a display piece
3. I'd like to be able to see through the sides, or at least the front of the enclosure, so that when the snake is out and about it will be visible (ie, people can look at it without me having to take it out)

My idea as of now is to get a glass aquarium shaped similar to this, but maybe not as big
http://www.glasscages.com/prodpics/65L.JPG

put a wire mesh on the top, and then cover that wire mesh with a fitted piece of plexiglass that covers up about 2/3 - 3/4 of the top, to keep moisture in.

Then I'd add all the normal things like ceramic heating element or ambient temp, UTH, hides, decorative crap, water bowl, etc and place the whole thing on top of a table to elevate the bottom of the tank to about waist level for easy viewing/access.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Am I going in the totally wrong direction? If so, what might be a better enclosure to accomplish all or most of the goals above? I have read that rubermaids are good, but honestly I don't really want to stick the snake in a plastic tub.

[Vengeance]

How old is the Ball python you plan on getting?

If it isn't an Adult my suggestion would be to use a smaller cage first and work up to something larger. A large tank with lots of room can stress your snake out. Also if you are dead set on not using rubbermaids I would suggest building a cage yourself out of melmaine or buying a custom built cage. That will suit the needs of the snake much better and still be a nice display piece. One thing to remember the more cage equipment you have in the cage, the more you have to clean and disinfect.

[aeronautica86]

Where can I get a custom built cage?

I really would rather not get a baby python; I'm not completely opposed to it, but I would rather be able to buy the snake and a single cage that will suit it for the rest of its life, so I guess my question there is, how long does it take for a BP to reach roughly full size (or size at which it will not continue to need a larger enclosure)?

Are there any disadvantages to buying a grown snake, ie: will the snake eat, get used to a new environment/owner, have a good demenor when bought already grown.

I'd prefer to buy a captive born snake that is accustomed to eating frozen/thawed rats and is already full size - is that possible?

[gargoyle]

You can generally find many BP's full grown in the classifieds. For the custom cage, I would recomend Reptic-Plastics from montreal if you are in Canada! He's got a number of different cage sizes and configurations to choos from!

Here's his link if you wish to check them out!
http://balls-o-philiak.tripod.com/repticplastics/

[aeronautica86]

Nope, I'm not in Canada, in fact, I'm on the complete opposite side of North America - Texas!

However, cages can be shipped, so I'll check his stuff out.

How long does it take for a BP to reach full size (or close to it)?

[marisa]

That tank you posted is nice. But not great for balls :D

Snakes never really "stop" growing. They just grow fast and steady for their first few years, then slow down to almost nothing.

I'd say if you want to be sure on size, get a male that's like 2-4 years old. Males tend to stay smaller in most cases than a female and they should be closing in on their adult size between those years. But the thing is all snakes vary. Some will reach "top" size at two years, while others might still have growing potential left at three years. It all depends.

I'd also go with a custom enclosure. You'll need something thats good for the SNAKE before what's good for people obviously. :D Ball pythons aren't the best display animals though either. They hide almost 99% of the time, prefering tight dark hiding spots. If you *Really* want a display snake, get a colubrid like a kingsnake, or cornsnake. Apparently, BCI (boa constrictors) are often out and about and use hides less than ball pythons as well.

Since you are in the USA you have TONS of custom caging options open to you! I'd do a search on google for "reptile cages" and look at all the websites .

Marisa

[mykee]

Does Canada HAVE an "opposite side"?

[dave68]

Yeah that's us in BC mykee!!LOL!!

Dave

[mykee]

Dave; hate to break it to you, but BC is part of Canada.

[pablo111]

Originally posted by dave68
Yeah that's us in BC mykee!!LOL!!

Dave

Actually no- not many people know this, but the opposite side of Canada is called Adanac. Adanac is a place deep under ground beneath Canada that exists upside down, and its sort of a Bizzarro version of Canada. You know, so like snow is warm and so forth.

Just wanted to clear that up for everyone

;)

[havenbounce]

:D :p Adanac!! That's funny!
:mednormal
Ginnette