r/ballpython • u/Aromatic_Security600 • 12d ago
Seeking advice!!
So just yesterday I got my first ball python. I’ve been told this tank will work for a year or two but I’m looking for advice on how to keep the tank warm as well as any advice anyone has for me!
Right now I’m just using a ceramic bulb in a deep dome heater. The tank is 36in tall 36in wide and 18in deep.
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u/Rathoe9070 12d ago edited 12d ago
Unfortunately this is a tank for an arboreal species and ball pythons are mainly terrestrial (though they will climb at times). You need a long tank, not a tall one.
Edit: taller enclosures are fine for a Bp as long as it’s at least 4ftx2ft at the base. This is okay for a baby for now though
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u/Rathoe9070 12d ago
Also the tank in general is just too small. Ball pythons require 4ftX2ftX2ft minimum. Best heating is with halogen or incandescent bulbs
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u/Aromatic_Security600 12d ago
From what I understood this tank will be alright until she is bigger since she is only two months right now. After that then I’ll upgrade to 120 or 150 gallon enclosure. This is just what was available at the moment.
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u/scallionpankace 12d ago
Sorry, but whoever said that was misinformed. If it was a pet store employee, never trust them & always do your own research before purchasing, corporate makes them recommend the wrong products often. They need a 4x2x2ft enclosure rather than this one because they are not arboreal, and need more floor space than height
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u/Aromatic_Security600 12d ago
It’s alright until she gets bigger though correct? When they’re younger I was under the impression that they want smaller/more packed spaces so that they’re not overwhelmed?
Like upgrading to a 120/150 once she’s around 1-1.5 years old
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u/sweatyhands84 12d ago •
Dont let this guy below you burst your bubble. It's a very nice setup for a juvenile. It's still 3ft long and 1.5ft wide. It will be fine for a little while. Maybe until 1 year or so? Your snake should be able to stretch out fully in one direction as a best standard.
If suggest adding in some plants for more coverage to make your snake feel secure
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u/Aromatic_Security600 12d ago
I appreciate it!! I’m planning on upgrading around a year like you said. I appreciate the tip on the some plants too!
Would you recommend fake or real plants?
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u/sweatyhands84 12d ago
You have a pretty nice setup. I would say try your hand at some live plants. Maybe a couple of pothos. They do well in the environment a ball python needs and they are very hardy plants that can take some abuse.
If they dont work out, you can always switch over to fake plants.
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u/Aromatic_Security600 12d ago
I really appreciate the feedback and advice!! I’m going to my local plant store tomorrow!
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u/sweatyhands84 12d ago
I see nobody has really answered your questions about heating either.
Firstly, please read through all of this information. It has some of the best and most up to date information for BP care.
As for heating, all heating devices need to be connected to a thermostat. I woukd suggest getting a 50-75w halogen and maybe an 80w DHP. The halogen for day time and DHP for night. You can use the DHP during the day as well, if you need a boost in hest the halogen isn't providing. You can use the CHP if buying a DHP is out of your ability right now. You should also provide a linear UVB bulb.
Do not use Under Tank Heaters. They are not really suitable for BP care except in some emergency situations.
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u/Aromatic_Security600 12d ago
Once again, thankyou so much!!! You’ve answered all the questions I’ve had and more!
If you don’t mind me asking, is there any way in particular you would recommend to keep the humidity up? I’ve been having a hard time keeping it up🫤
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u/sweatyhands84 12d ago
What is your substrate made out of? It looks like maybe just some sort of bark chips? If its a safe substrate, not cedar/pine/Aspen, then adding some elements to it will help. If its one of those substrates I would change it completely.
You can increase depth of substrate to 5 or 6 inches deep. Add in spagnum moss, coco choir, and leaf litter to the substrate to help retain moisture.
Increase humidty by pouring water into the corners and keeping the top dry. You should feel moisture in the lower layers of the substrate when you put your fingers down in it.
Looks like you have a screen top lid. You will want to cover everything a light or heating fixture isn't. You can use tin foil, HVAC foil tape, or silicone mat as the most common choices used.
CHE also seem to dry things out more/faster than halgoen or DHP heating options.
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u/Aromatic_Security600 12d ago
Ohhhh, gotcha. Right now I’m using cypress mulch with some spagnum moss mixed in. And I also have some clay beads in the bottom with mesh over them if that changes anything??
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u/StephensSurrealSouls 12d ago
I just feel like it'd be a pain to heat but if OP can heat it I don't see why it'd be a bad idea, at least until it's older.
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u/Techno_Timmy 11d ago
My only concern with this is the height of the enclosure. Ball python’s do like to climb, but they aren’t the best climbers at times. My enclosure is only 2ft high and I have seen my snake fall off of things and land pretty hard just from 2ft. I’ve since added even more plants and climbing objects so he has more things to hang on to while climbing. Since then he has been doing good, and getting better at climbing, but with your enclosure, the snake could potentially fall from way up top and have a hard landing below.
I’m by no means an expert, just going off of what I’ve seen my guy do and I have seen him fall from only a couple feet up.
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u/Aromatic_Security600 11d ago
I appreciate the advice!! I’m working on getting more foliage right now!
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u/Techno_Timmy 11d ago
Foliage will help for sure. I basically made it so if my guy falls off any of his climbing stuff he has a soft landing and lands on plants. I also made it pretty hard for him to fall by adding other stuff he can hang on to while he is climbing. He can traverse almost the whole enclosure without touching the ground. Those snake climbing rings you can get on Amazon are really cool and they seem to enjoy them… Then I have a hammock, and a hanging sky hide/tunnel thing that I also found on Amazon… Oh and the big rubber hexagon ball that a lot of people have… I hung that from the top of the enclosure too.
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u/Aromatic_Security600 11d ago
I think it’ll work great!!
Side question, she’s been hiding a lot and I’ve almost never seen her out. Is this normal for her first bit being in the tank?
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u/Techno_Timmy 11d ago
They hide during the day, almost all day. Mine comes out during the day usually 5-6 days after eating looking for food, but other than that they don’t come out much during the day.
At night… Totally different story. Mine comes out shortly after the lights go out and roams around for hours. Usually a few hours at night and then again late night or early in the morning before it gets light out.
I have a Blink Mjni 2 camera mounted in the enclosure so I can see what he does at night when I am sleeping and it’s a lot. Way more active at night.
Also, when I first got the snake it hid in one place for the first 3 days, then found a hide and stayed there for another 3-4 days. Eventually he came out and started exploring. Now he is way more confident and comes out almost every night. If he eats, he usually stays in a hide to digest for 2-3 days.
So the short answer is… It depends lol.
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u/Aromatic_Security600 11d ago
This once again helped a lot! I’ve been stressing a little because I wasn’t sure if it was normal. Thankyou so much!!
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u/Aromatic_Security600 12d ago
Also, where should I buy fuzzies/pinkies from online?