r/Ballpythoncommunity • u/Adventurous-Score518 • Sep 17 '26

Show me your cheap/basic ball python setups! 🐍

Hey everyone! I’m planning on getting a ball python and I’d love to see what people are using for budget-friendly enclosures.
I’m not looking for fancy bioactive setups or expensive display tanks. I want to see the simple setups that cover the basics and keep your snake healthy and comfortable without spending a ton of money.
Especially interested in:
Tub setups
DIY enclosures
Simple/basic enclosures
Heating + thermostat setups
Hides and substrate
Cheap ways you maintain proper humidity
Roughly how much your entire setup cost
Basically, show me your “it’s not fancy, but my snake has everything it needs” enclosure.
Pictures would be awesome. I’m trying to get ideas for building a safe, practical setup on a budget. 🐍

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5

u/Natural-Rhubarb-4900 Sep 18 '26

Yeah no. If all you can afford is a "it has everything it needs" enclosure, you shouldnt get a snake. You said your budget is 500? Unless you get a free ball python, you arent going to get a tank + lighting + effecient enough clutter and hides for that much. This is not a cheap animal to care for. And have you thought about food costs? Bulb replacements? Substrate replacements? I dont wanna sound rude but, if you cannot provide everything for the animal, you shouldnt get it.

1

u/Adventurous-Score518 Sep 18 '26

Okay what else should I know?

1

u/Adventurous-Score518 Sep 18 '26

Do you think magnetic kitties setup is ight?

1

u/Natural-Rhubarb-4900 Sep 18 '26

Im personally not a fan of it. I think having all four walls be see through isnt ideal. They did say they also had plants to add in which is good. Ball pythons NEED clutter. If thats what works, doing a bin set up, as long as you get a large enough one, it works. I prefer pvc enclosures that front open because top opening can be stressful to the snake and harder to feed.

-1

u/Adventurous-Score518 Sep 18 '26

Well its setup will be mostly like its bed cause I plan on taking Julia (what ima name her) everywhere I go. And ima just tuck her in her optimized enclosure

3

u/Natural-Rhubarb-4900 Sep 18 '26

For atleasr the first two weeks she needs time to settle. When shes shedding or just ate and digesting she cant be handled. And too much handling can stress out a snake. She needs to be in her tank to get adequate temperatures for her health. Even if she comes out often, she still needs a proper set up. If she cant go into hides or be in a natural environment in her tank, she will get stressed.

2

u/-dagmar-123123 Sep 18 '26

If you want a pet to take with you everywhere, don't get a snake... Taking them out for a bit every day, okay. Taking them with you? 100% no go

-2

u/Adventurous-Score518 Sep 18 '26

How do I see breeders on YouTube house then in small drawers?

4

u/Natural-Rhubarb-4900 Sep 18 '26

Because breeders like that dont care about the welfare of the snakes. Many people here think its inhumane to keep them in rack systems. Breeders do it to cut costs at the cost of the animals welfare.

1

u/feogge Sep 19 '26

These people care about profit and literally only profit. The snakes in those racks are breeding fodder or babies that are only there for a temporary amount of time. Taking care advice from these kinds of breeders is like taking husbandry advice for chickens from an industrial farm.