First post, check out my setup give me criticism!!

[mykee]

"They don't really like the openness and feel more comfortable in anything that resembles their original habitat, bushy/leafy."

Lol. Really? When I think of savanna (desert) in Africa, words like "bushy" and "leafy" don't immediately pop to mind...

[Dehlida]

Ball Pythons spend a vast majority of their time underground in abandoned rodent burrows and the like, if you want to mimic his natural habitat, mimic that.

As for the habitat id change several things. Find a way to secure most of the top of the cage to hold in humidity. Place a piece of plywood over top of the like, something to hold in all the goodness that will naturally rise and escape your enclosure.

Also, bigger water dish. He needs to be able to soak freely and in my experience many BPs will soak every now and then if given the chance. Also, why a light? If you cover the top, and use a heat pad rated for the tank you have no need for those lights. Get your money back. Those lights if anything will cause too much heat, dry out your enclosure, and be a big waste for him. BPs are nocturnal and live underground, they have no use for the lights in all reality.

Most ball python breeders keep the snake in a tub, with paper towels, a hide, water dish, and a heat pad.

[marionsclan]

Originally Posted by mykee

Lol. Really? When I think of savanna (desert) in Africa, words like "bushy" and "leafy" don't immediately pop to mind...

A savanna is a grassland with non-woody plants and it is often believed that savannas feature widely spaced, scattered trees. However, in many savannas, tree densities are higher and trees are more regularly spaced than in forest. Savannas are also characterized by seasonal water availability, with the majority of rainfall confined to one season. Savannas are frequently in a transitional zone between forest and desert, but by no means are considered desert.

BP prefer grassland and savannas for their habitat and to burrow underground, which brings me back to my original statement saying that pythons don't like open air spaces therefore picking burrows and savannas in which they can hide while roaming. So, if you have several hides and something to take up the air space in the tank they should feel comfortable.

As for keeping snakes in a tub that may work well for breeders who don't really need to see the snakes unless they're cleaning or feeding. So it is up to the individual owner if they want to make their snake's habitat a combo of visual acceptance for the owner and a close to accurate copy of their natural habitat.

[Morgan says]

Are you feeding him in his enclosure?
You're not supposed to do that correct?
>.<
I also just got a new ball not too long ago and am trying to figure out if I have everything down.

[Lankyrob]

THere is absolutely no reason not to feed in the enclosure as long as you take precautions for the snake not to eat any of the substrate - i use a plastic picnic plate.

[SnakeyJay]

Its a myth that they associate the viv doors opening with food.. smell and heat play a big part. I used to feed out of the viv and found that it seemed to stress my snakes and they were reluctant to feed. Now they hit the prey like a train.

[Morgan says]

Okie dokie thanks for that, I was just told over and over and over to NEVER feed a snake in its cage. Its nice to hear other wise.

[Lankyrob]

Think about it logically - they say dont feed in viv cos everytime you open the viv the snake will think of food. If that is the case and you feed outside of the viv then everytime you take them out of the viv they will think of food.

Either way works for you - it is personal preference.