55 Gallon Ball Python Vivarium

[immortalic]

Hello, I'm looking to set up a 55 gallon vivarium for my Ball Pythons soon. I'm wondering if it's possible to put any live plants with these snakes. Also, if there is anything that can coexist with these snakes (I've heard over and over that it's a bad idea to mix species, but no question is a stupid question.) As far as the lighting/heating is concerned, I have that under control. Also, would it be a bad idea to make a very small corner a small "pond" with fish or something of the sort, or even nothing at all? just to make it more natural and seemless so that it's not like a cage, but more like a picture of a snake in the wild. Over and over I see these cages (locally) that are just thrown together almost. Made from plywood, unpainted etc, and I don't want that for my snakes. Really, I'm just wanting suggestions. Live plants and any other creature (even insects) that can coexist without harm would be awesome. Thanks!

[Aaron_S]

Well first mixing species is still a bad idea. But if you go against the advice given, I'd suggest looking into species that are from the native area of ball pythons. It would be easier to get the right conditions down. Secondly, I don't even recommend a community tank of ball pythons. It's also a bad idea.

For live plants, anything that is sturdy would be the way to go. Ball pythons are fairly heavy bodied so they will crush anything 'dainty' or small. It needs to be big enough to hold their weight or you're just resetting plants every other day.

[viper99]

its not good to put two snakes in the same tank.

[totheend]

I am going to echo what the last 2 posters said........2 BP's in the same tank is a bad idea.
Make 2 tanks.......twice as nice to look at :D

[Durtis]

i have corban(ball python) and lenox(redtail boa) in the same 55 gallon long tank they get along fine and ive had no trouble with them for the 3 years theyve been together

[johnrandle]

thats the stupidest thing i have ever heard
get them snakes their OWN enclosures cheapy

[Aaron_S]

Just because something hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. You've been lucky thus far.

[Durtis]

there is no luck about it
have you ever been to a zoo with reptiles
for instance.. how many rat snakes or corn snakes do you see in the enclosure at a zoo?

i also have 3 corns and a rat snake sharing the same enclosure
Who wants to crisis me for that also?
its up to the owner of the snakes
hundreds of thousands of people keep their snakes in the same tank and if you care for the snake right and feed it often nothing should happen to any of the snakes and also johnrandale there is nothing cheap about it. i take very good care of my animals and even thought im only 16 and im not a breeder...

[Aaron_S]

Ok go post this to every other snake forum. You won't have ONE person backing you up. Maybe it's due to being only 16 and you haven't quite matured enough.

Everytime I goto my local zoo they don't have mixed species in their enclosures. The only snakes they actually have multiples of in very oversized enclosures are their red tail boas, tiger rats and green tree pythons. That is it. Also a zoo is quite a different establishment. They tend to do it so that the general public can actually see a specimen. It doesn't mean they are exempt from the rule though, if I had a chance to tell them I would. Nobody is immune to such things.

Those "hundreds of thousands" of people are all still doing it wrong. Just because you can do it doesn't make it right. I can keep a dog locked up in a closet for it's entire life and not have anything bad happen, but does it make it right? NO! You're eventually going to have something happen to your snakes and when you come crying back to the forums saying "why is my snake sick?Not eating?Dead?" we're all just going to say "We told you so".

There is NO benefit to keeping snakes all housed together. Tell, what do the snakes benefit from this group housing? Since they ARE NOT communual animals.

[johnrandle]

i think you need to calm down. i didnt mean to upset you, but the care for your snakes you have posted about on the site is just terrible. i think you should do some more reading and let the people here help you take better care of your animals. they dont care if if you dont like them, they are just trying to help your animal be safe and healthy. it has nothing to do with if they like you or if you like them or not.
this is a good site man and it can help you a lot. cheer up!

[PDXErik]

i have corban(ball python) and lenox(redtail boa) in the same 55 gallon long tank they get along fine and ive had no trouble with them for the 3 years theyve been together

Which one pooped last? If something happens to one, what happens to the other? Going in is just (or more) as important as going out.

I love the idea that they can coexist, but there are lots of health issues that come up. Reptiles, particularly snakes, can have horrible diseases and not show any signs (you'd see them in 3 years, I bet, though) of having any problems.

You've had an existing situation that you, and they, are comfortable with. I post this mostly for noobs that might think that it is acceptable to house even same species together.

It is NEVER a good idea. EVER.

[SerpentLust]

i have corban(ball python) and lenox(redtail boa) in the same 55 gallon long tank they get along fine and ive had no trouble with them for the 3 years theyve been together

there is no luck about it
have you ever been to a zoo with reptiles
for instance.. how many rat snakes or corn snakes do you see in the enclosure at a zoo?

i also have 3 corns and a rat snake sharing the same enclosure
Who wants to crisis me for that also?
its up to the owner of the snakes
hundreds of thousands of people keep their snakes in the same tank and if you care for the snake right and feed it often nothing should happen to any of the snakes and also johnrandale there is nothing cheap about it. i take very good care of my animals and even thought im only 16 and im not a breeder...

WOW...there is NO logical reason to keep those snakes together other than just being plain frugal. It really irks me when people keep more animals than they can properly house and accomodate. As pet keepers it is our responsibility to provide them with the best care we can, not what you're LUCKY to have gotten away with thus far.

The size difference alone between the BP and BCI can result in stress that was EASILY avoided for the smaller snake.

As was already mentioned, can you tell me which snakes feces is which? If one gets ill are you going to dish out the cash to now bring them BOTH to the vet?

In rare cases, cannibalism has also occurred, more frequently with colubrids, but boids have done this also. When this happens, especially if they are close in size, both snakes typically die. There are some pictures on the net showing examples of this. I've actually seen one that shows a boa having eaten a ball python.

And LUCK has EVERYTHING to do with it. You're lucky that they haven't gotten sick, that one (probably the BP) hasn't gotten overly stressed and just starved itself, and you REALLY think it's just a matter of feeding frequency and "caring for the snake right"? If you were caring for the snake right you would set them all up in their own homes, which they deserve. Not cramming them into the same enclosures like a common animal hoarder and claiming that they're fine.

Now the argument can be made that in the wild, there are places where you can find Garters, Black Rats, Corns, all using the same hide, but the counter argument to this is the escape factor...If the snakes do not wish to be together, they can move and easily escape the other snake. In captivity, this isn't the case. They are confined to whatever space they have available.

I could go on and on, but I have a feeling that all these words will be wasted on you. I do hope, however, that newbies looking for advice on housing will benefit from the information provided.

[SerpentLust]

Hello, I'm looking to set up a 55 gallon vivarium for my Ball Pythons soon. I'm wondering if it's possible to put any live plants with these snakes. Also, if there is anything that can coexist with these snakes (I've heard over and over that it's a bad idea to mix species, but no question is a stupid question.) As far as the lighting/heating is concerned, I have that under control. Also, would it be a bad idea to make a very small corner a small "pond" with fish or something of the sort, or even nothing at all? just to make it more natural and seemless so that it's not like a cage, but more like a picture of a snake in the wild. Over and over I see these cages (locally) that are just thrown together almost. Made from plywood, unpainted etc, and I don't want that for my snakes. Really, I'm just wanting suggestions. Live plants and any other creature (even insects) that can coexist without harm would be awesome. Thanks!

Might as well reply to the original post too haha

Here is a list of non-toxic plants: Plants and Pets - Non-Toxic Listing ~ Pawprints and Purrs, Inc. (http://www.sniksnak.com/plants.html) I mean really, the chances of your BP ingesting the plant are slim to none, but why risk it when there are so many non-toxic varieties :)

A small pond is fine, I wouldn't add fish simply because your snake has to drink out of that water and fish poop will raise the ammonia levels in the water even with filtration. Just remember, a really elaborate setup still has to be cleaned, so try and still make it easy for you to maintain.

I wouldn't house anything with your snake, just give him a beautiful home. Make sure his husbandry requirements are still met (hides, humidity, heat, etc.) and we look forward to seeing pics of the setup when it's done :D

[Aaron_S]

Jenn, shouldn't you be in class?

[SerpentLust]

Jenn, shouldn't you be in class?

Well, one of three things has occurred if you MUST know
1. I'm skipping
2. Class was cancelled
3. I'm IN class, and it's my Violence Against Women class, and I'm BORED TO TEARS...

I'll let you choose :p

[Aaron_S]

I pick number 3. You should pay attention. Maybe the teacher is saying something at this moment that YOU need to listen to for the mid-term!

[SerpentLust]

I pick number 3. You should pay attention. Maybe the teacher is saying something at this moment that YOU need to listen to for the mid-term!

Shows how much you pay attention, I don't have a midterm in this class. Sucker :p Point for Jenn! Now Physics and Paleobiology midterms frighten me...lol