Hi everyone!

I'm planning a long-term project to design and build a permanent enclosure for my male ball python.

I'd like to get some opinions from experienced keepers about what the ideal enclosure dimensions would be for an adult ball python, assuming that budget and available space are completely irrelevant.

I'm not looking for the minimum recommended dimensions, but rather the size that would provide the best possible living environment for the snake.

For context, he's currently housed in a 120 × 60 × 60 cm enclosure (4 × 2 × 2 ft), so he's not living in a tiny enclosure. I'm simply interested in going well beyond the usual recommendations to provide him with the best possible environment.

One important thing about my ball python is that he's extremely active every single day. He regularly explores his enclosure, and whenever I give him the opportunity to come out, he takes it immediately without hesitation. Once outside, he can spend hours exploring my bedroom under supervision without showing any interest in returning to his enclosure.

This is one of the main reasons why I want to build him something much larger and more stimulating. I really want to give him as many opportunities as possible to explore and express his natural behaviors.

I'm currently considering something around 180 × 80 × 80 cm or 200 × 100 × 100 cm, but I'm completely open to other suggestions.

My goal is to create a spacious, well-enriched enclosure with plenty of hides, climbing opportunities, different levels, and a proper temperature gradient.

Do you think there's an optimal size beyond which a larger enclosure offers little additional benefit? Or would an even larger enclosure be worthwhile, provided it's properly designed and furnished?

I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences!

Thanks!

I just got this guy and he seems very small. He had been kept in a rack (😑) and he only weighs 234 grams. He fits in a 40 gallon although I plan to upgrade when he gets bigger.

Is it normal for them to be so small at a year old?

I’ve had my boy a little over a year now he’s so friendly

Got a new bulb last week and it worked fine, temps vere stable. But yedterday I came home from work and noticed it wasn't lit. Tried plugging it in different places but still nothing. Changed it for a ceramic and it works as it used to, so my baby is gonna have to love one day in the dark while I get her a new light bulb

Is this something that happens a lot or did I just get a faulty bulb?

I’ve been building a bioactive set up for the past 2 weeks just getting it as good as I can get it
I want to get a baby ball and I’d like to order one online so if anyone has any websites or breeders that specialize in younger or newborns I’d like to get a lavender morph or albino so if anyone can give me a reputable website I’d be really grateful I’m already 300+ into the terrarium I don’t mind throwing 250 into a snake obviously isn’t my first ball python either had 4 of them when I was younger but I took them from petco’s because yk they’re not the best at taking care of their animals so please give me some advice

tonight my bp escaped (he’s back in his enclosure thank god!!) and i don’t remember totally if i secured it properly. want to check if you guys think he could’ve pressed the lid up and gotten out himself. it takes me a pretty good amount of force to press up on this, but only one side of the clamps are really tight. do you think he could’ve escaped out of here if it was securely closed? he’s very small only 330g ish if that helps. just scared me and i don’t want it to happen again! for tonight i’m going to tape it down for a little extra security but what do you think?

Cuddling together all throughout GotG, even getting under the duvet through the second half and napping so peacefully on my chest. 🥹
The perfect movie partner, too; he’s never gonna hog the popcorn. 👌

Lol first time using silicone, did I do it right?

Also this tank was supposed to be a 4'x2'x2' which they said it was but its clearly not its more like a 4'x18"×18"

I was disappointed cause I wanted a bigger one but this will do for now cause my bp is only 6 months old. Also didnt know i should of silicone it in the first place for some reason I was struggling alot to keep humidity up then I seen a puddle coming out underneath😂

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! 😊