When is it time for a bigger house?

[My/first/Snake]

Just wondering if there is any hard and fast way to figure when our snakes are ready for a larger house? What do you say guys and gals?

[stephanbakir]

For the most part, the terrarium should be half the length of the snake it houses.

[My/first/Snake]

So your saying that if my snakes 15 inches, it would do o.k. in a 7 inch terrarium? Or do I have that backwards?

[My/first/Snake]

Just don't want my baby ball cramped into to small a terrarium. Hes about 15 inches and in a ten gallon tank right now. I do have a 29 gallon for later.

[stephanbakir]

Sorta yeah. I only know the rules with the snakes that I have owned, but when they pass 10 feet they need a 5 ft terrarium, pass 20 feet need a 10 foot terrarium etc.
As long as you give snakes a chance to stretch out they do fine in smaller areas. I have no idea about how this works with arboreals though.

[Will0W783]

Most people go by the rule for pythons and boas that the cage's length + width should = the snake's length. Some use length x width of cage.
Generally one square foot of cage floor space for each foot of snake's length is adequate. However, there are some species like the colubrids and more nervous snakes that do better with more space. I have a Spilotes (tiger rat snake) that is 6 feet long and in a 5 foot long x two foot deep cage, and I would never put her in anything smaller. She sprints back and forth and up and down and uses every inch of that space.
On the flip side, I have a 13.5 foot Burmese python who is in a 4 x 3 cage and spends 99% of his time curled up in one corner, with plenty of room. So, IMO, it really depends on the species.

[Will0W783]

Missed the post that it was a ball python. They actually do better with less space. I used to keep my male adult (4-foot) BP in a 40-gallon breeder tank and he was picky with eating and very skittish. I have since moved him into half of a 5x2 (2.5 x 2 foot floor space), and he seems much more relaxed. He eats perfectly every time, sheds great, and spends most of his time in his side. I've also talked to a lot of other BP keepers who agree that they don't like much extra space. I'd say he can be moved up when he's about 2 feet long to the 29-gallon.

[My/first/Snake]

So since hes only about 15, the tanks about 19, he should be good for a bit. How long before a ball reaches full length? Any guesses?

[My/first/Snake]

Thanks, new to the python world, trying to get it all figured out.

[My/first/Snake]

Seems like the books don't give a lot of the practical information. Only owners who care for these guys day in and day out can really give that. Good to have a place to come to.

[My/first/Snake]

Hey, Phily huh, I grew up across the bridge in Mount Holly NJ. Spent lots of time in Phily.

[stephanbakir]

You can go back to your last post and edit in whatever you want to add if no-one has posted after you

[My/first/Snake]

Yeah, never thought of that! Thanks