BP Enclosure Size?

Little Wise Owl · 01-13-13, 08:55 PM

Is 24"x24"x16" too small for the average adult BP (3.5ft), Yes or No?

Nobodyspecial · 01-13-13, 09:40 PM

Yes ball pythons need at least 36"x24". I keep my adults in a 48"x24" enclosure personally. height isn't important so much but working with anything less that a foot tall can be kind of a pain in the butt. Unless you're using tubs I guess.

Lankyrob · 01-14-13, 04:58 AM

Yes much too small for my BP's - 48x24x24 for mine

Philmul · 01-14-13, 05:56 AM

Yes too small needs to be at least 36" long

Gungirl · 01-14-13, 06:31 AM

A 24" x 24" would be fine.. I know of many people that keep them in tubs close to that size. I used to house mine in a 4ft viv but as of a few months ago when we had to down size a lot of stuff due to selling our house and moving I took a 4ft viv and split in in half with a wooden divider. I house 2 balls in it now, both have a 2ft box and are happy as ever.

Here is a link to Mykee's website and a paragraph about houseing.. Housing FAQs

There is a lot of debate regarding this topic, so I will do my best to answer this question objectively. There are two schools of thought on this topic, the first being; Give a ball python as much room as possible. Ball pythons ideally need living arrangements that allow them to fully stretch their bodies. A hatchling ball python that measures 16" in length should have an environment where one side is 16" long. The problem with this arises with large adult female balls that can get 5 feet or longer, that their enclosure would have to be 5 feet long. The second school maintains that the larger the environment, the more chance of the snake becoming stressed and stop eating. Since ball pythons are not arboreal (tree-dwelling) snakes, they spend most of their time underground or hidden for security, and would rather be secure in a smaller environment. Ball pythons under 500g can easily and comfortably be kept in a "Shoebox" Rubbermaid (16" X 8") and an adult kept in a "sweaterbox" Rubbermaid (23" X16") or an "underbed" Rubbermaid (34" X 17")

Lankyrob · 01-14-13, 10:05 AM

Kat with the length thing in comparison with the viv, i u derstood the rule to be that the snake should be able to lie along the blength+ depth of the viv. So a five foot snake in a 3x2 would work.

Terranaut · 01-14-13, 10:25 AM

I was going to say yes you can but I prefer bigger enclosures myself. I keep mine in 4'x2'x16" but I also keep my carpets in 4'x4'x2' so for me better to be a bit big and full of cover items than small and full of nothing. Know what I mean ?

Nobodyspecial · 01-14-13, 11:16 AM

It just seems like it'd be difficult to keep a proper heat gradient in such a square enclosure like that. A lot of it depends on the individual animal itself too I think. My really shy male pastel would probably prefer a 3'x2' enclosure or an adult tub in comparison to his 4'x2' viv. While the normal female above him seems to enjoy all the space and being able to stretch out and nose around.

MoreliAddict · 01-14-13, 11:22 AM

I keep my BP in a 3' X 2' enclosure and he uses every inch.

It's also harder to get a good temperature gradient going in a 2' X 2'.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gungirl

Ball pythons under 500g can easily and comfortably be kept in a "Shoebox" Rubbermaid (16" X 8") and an adult kept in a "sweaterbox" Rubbermaid (23" X16") or an "underbed" Rubbermaid (34" X 17")

This is also referring to bins, which don't have hides taking up space.

Philmul · 01-15-13, 06:25 AM

I keep mine in a 3 x2 viv she has a hide to curl up in and feel secure but when she wants to stretch she can. IMO in the wild they might dwell in holes underground so they feel secure but they are not locked in so when they want to stretch out they can come out of the whole.

MoreliAddict · 01-15-13, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philmul

I keep mine in a 3 x2 viv she has a hide to curl up in and feel secure but when she wants to stretch she can. IMO in the wild they might dwell in holes underground so they feel secure but they are not locked in so when they want to stretch out they can come out of the hole.

Another good point..

DeesBalls · 01-15-13, 09:50 AM

As everyone stated their opinions mine the small. My totals cage is 36"x18"x12" a little bit smaller, but I'm switching back to a rack for them any ways. Bigger is better, as long as your provide hiding spots and lots of security "spots"

Little Wise Owl · 01-15-13, 08:53 PM

I was asking because I have two 4'X2' PVC enclosures and one 4'x2'x16" that has a permanent divider in the middle. Ideally, it would be great if the BP's could be moved to the smaller enclosures and the boa and carpet python be put in the two larger ones... I know many breeders keep their adults in tubs around the same size with success but I figured I'd ask first.

Philmul · 01-16-13, 05:42 AM

Well they probably be fine but I personally don't like to see them cramped up in there, that's why I have bigger vivs and have branches for them to climb. That's why I have 2ft tall. Bt that is just me

Torqueware · 01-24-13, 04:11 PM

I have a 30" x 12" x 12", or a '20 long' (20 gallon long) mesh top vivarium. It seems far too large for him, currently. And I am desperately looking for means to 'clutter' the space so the little guy doesn't feel exposed (I plan to paint the rear and sides black, and add climbing branches this weekend).

When I compare the square footage of my 20-long to the other Rubbermaids (mentioned in the above article) it seems comparable to the sweater-box in size. It also allows for a good heat gradient. If I expand vertically (by adding climbing branches and platform hides), will I be able to accommodate my python comfortably?

Thank you.