cage sizes

[Jeff_Favelle]

Ideally, you'd either have a long hide that covers from hot to cool, or multiple hides (one cool, one warm). The snake may want to hide and be cool, or it may want to hide and be warm. Its up to you to provide the adequate choices for your snake to be a snake.

I'd cover 30% of one "end". (ie. don't heat a strip down the long side.).

[krrc]

so really 90% of the cage will be taken up by hides and a water bowl?

[Jeff_Favelle]

Well, your water dish should be no more than a small deli cup. The hides need to be tiny (for reasons explained earlier). It covers about 40%. I'm eyeballing one of mine right now.

But even if it was a 100%, is that bad? Is open space useful to a Ball Python? Don't think of what's useful for us, think of what's useful for your snake.

[TurboSE]

Not giving advice, just my experiance.

I had two baby bp's in a 55G aquarium (1/3 screen top, 2/3 glass top) and they seemed very happy and were always very active. They hid frequently for short periods of time and then came back out. Hunting was never a problem, nor was shedding.

[krrc]

you said you had. What happend or did you just split them up?

[Pythonian]

ok i have a pretty big bp now... i haven't played with her much since i got the blood to care for since it's kinda iffy on it's health. But i took it out to clean the cage and it is pretty damn big now.. i mean wow. it pounds down rats now and geez. well anyway. it's hides are (2) planter cups that have approx 3 inch openings. the kind where they sell like single stem plants in. and she is ALWAYS in them. .. she can't fit.. but she loves it. They love to be in a confined place. Kinda like humans (well me personally) nothing better then being in bed with the blanket wrapped all around u and tucked in under you so it's hugging ur body. it's so safe. I think it's the same principle.
Mike

[Lisa]

Our balls have a bit bigger cage but they also have multiple hides available to them. sometimes they're in the hides some times they're trying to escape (sometimes i wonder if they're arborial). All i know is ours all good eaters and like to explore. My main complaint with small cages is thermo regulation, I find it's harder to grade the heat across it.

[TurboSE]

Originally posted by krrc
you said you had. What happend or did you just split them up?

I was baby-sitting one for a friend (his roommate, wouldn't allow a snake in the house) About two months ago, I moved out of town. I left the 55gal. with him. He still keeps his in that aquarium and it seems to be quite happy when I go to visit. It's always out and about.

Mine is now in a 10gal until I can build a suitable home and he doesn't seem any more/less happy, more/less hungry, or more/less agressive in the 10.

[krrc]

hmmmm.. well i dont think my burm will be out of it's 50 gal by the time I get my ball so I will go with the smaller cage but thanks for everones imput!