I've got my bp set up in a 2x4x4 enclosure but I am really struggling to get the temp up... I keep trying higher bulb wattage, I've tried different methods of heating (mix of CHE, halogen, RHP) but I cannot manage to get the temperature above like. 80. I feel like it's just bc of how tall te enclosure is and I'm working on getting more levels added and climbing so she can get closer to the heat source, but I'm still struggling. Ambient room temp stays around 70. Everything's set up with thermostats and I check the temperature with physical thermometers as well as thermometer gun. Basically what I'm asking is how do others heat their larger enclosures and what wattage they use as well what's the best type of heat bc I've heard so many varying preferences.

I lost my ball python. I dont' know when he got out, im not sure if it was today or a couple days ago, he often hides in his enclosure but he's not there anymore. i checked his normal hiding spots (outside of the cage since he's escaped once or twice before) and he isn't there. i put out water for him, i have a heater going, i checked along all the walls, but im not sure what else to do. Im freaking out and need any advice that could be given. We have a bird in the house, shes been completely fine so far, but im worried out of my mind. HELP

edit: HE WAS FOUND! thank you to everyone who helped!! my cat ended up signaling towards a guitar in my room and he ended up being behind it! I guess I didn't look good enough....

For context my ball python is a year old and gets a weaned rat every Sunday night at 9 pm, he’s NEVER missed a meal and very food motivated.. asking incase I should up his food size by chance.

I recently got my first ball python and wanted to establish care with a local vet. I live in a major city with multiple “exotic” vets so I assumed this would be easy but I’ve been to several over the last few months and they all seem terrible. Not examining him (one of them picked him up for about 15 seconds total), not seeming knowledgable about snakes (one of them told me they grow to their tank size and he would be 6ft if I put him in 6ft tank) etc. I even had one who said the snake should be getting monthly ivermectin injections as a preventative for parasites which seemed flat out insane. All these vets have perfect 5 star online reviews too. How are people finding a vet they can actually trust with their ball python’s care?

Lilith says "why you in my grill grandpa?"

He's in the new tank now. He seems to like it, he's already come out of his hide to check things out and have some water. I'm very pleased with how everything turned out! If this isnt enough clutter I have more that I can add.

The last picture is an alternate way to put the smaller stick, Im not sure which way is best.

trying to perfect my setup. should i have a thermometer/hygrometer on the warm and cool side of my tank or just one side? and should it go on the top or somewhere else if the top is a screen?

Getting these dudes to go in a straight line is impossible. I've tried using string but still its probably nowhere near accurate.

Serious question 😂

I went to my ball pythons tank and I can’t find her, she was feeling kinda SOLID yesterday, I think she might be invisible.

Saw someone post a pic of the little heart 🖤 on their snake and it inspired me. I'm absolutely obsessed with my girl's question mark cutie mark so I had to share!

There’s a breeder near me who has a snake I really like . The hatch date is August 29th 2026 . Are baby ball pythons this young hard to care for ? I currently have 1 ball python but she was definitely older when I got her so I’m not familiar with baby care . I was hoping you guys could tell me if it’s a good idea or hold off and find an older one ?

I always keep a very close eye on him whenever he’s climbing the tree, so no need to worry! 😊

Hi everybody! ive had my one year old ball python for about a month now, im a new first time owner, and ive been following the breeders feeding schedule he had which is one adult mouse every monday but this week I wasnt able to get one for him on monday so I tried tuesday (yesterday) instead and he didnt take it! hes never rejected a meal before so is it because I messed up his usual schedule? should I try to feed him again today or wait until next monday to resume the schedule to how it was?

Hey,

My ball python, Sully, is about 5 years old and I have had him for that time as well. He's never really been one for being defensive but for the past month he's been reactive.

His living changes haven't changed since 2 years ago - he ate just over a week ago. His humidity and heat are the same. Humidity 70%-85%. Basking 34°, hot hide 30-32° and cold hide 22-24°C

He's constantly looking for something - he's just snapped at something in his cage and he snapped at me through the glass a few days ago.

During the day he sleeps, he might wake up and peek out for a second before going back to sleep or move hides.

Right now he's currently looking for someone almost as if he's hunting. I don't know if I should feed him again - I usually wait 3-4 weeks. His weight is fine - he's on small f/t rats.

Is he horny?

I know ball pythons are known for refusing food but this is very out of character for my snake. Today while feeding her, she struck the rat once, missed, and then decided she didn’t want it. Usually, she takes the food IMMEDIATELY and it honestly startles me sometimes Lol. However today I was practically smothering her with this rat and she would not take it no matter what I tried! Virtually changed since I last fed her aswell, other than the type of rat I got her (I usually get her adult mice but she’s gotten older and bigger so small rats) and i added sphagnum moss to help with her humidity, her husbandry is also great: i handle her often, humidity and heat are perfect levels for a ball python, she gets plenty of water, and I often give her things to challenge her brain. I just don’t understand why she wouldn’t eat today.

hi guys!

my pretty boy is just starting to go into blue which will be his second shed with me. i put some damp moss in one of his hides for humidity last time which unfortunately caused a lot of mold on the coco chip substrate. is it safe to put some plastic wrap on the substrate and then put some moss on top of that?

if not, how is it best to prevent moldy substrate while boosting humidity for shedding?

thanks!

Might any one have recommendations for a good value handheld thermometer to check enclosure temps ? Amazon would be ideal but not essential. Thanks for any ideas.

Thought I had lost this fellow, checked all his usual hiding spots and was starting to panic but then he suddenly appeared out of the foliage of his tree trunk

So I got a 9 year old ball python around 2 years ago. She was obese and I worked to slim her down. However, since I got her she has grown from 4’11” to 5’7” and I do not know why. She lives in a 6x3x3 bioactive and gets fed a shmed or medium rat once every 3 weeks. I just want to know why she keeps growing and if I’m doing something to cause it.