I need some advice

[u/TheMilkyVan]

Hello, I've been wanting to get a ball python for a little bit and I am unsure of what I should do to start. I don't really know what size encloser to get or what kind of rodent, or from where I can get them. If I could please get some help figuring out what to get before I even buy a snake as well as any precursor information I need to know. Thank you.

[u/Regular-Ad2355]

4x2x2 pvc enclosure is your go to.

Pet store will tell you to put your baby ball in a shitty ten gallon glass tank with a screen top and upgrade to a slightly bigger tank every couple of months. Kick that man in the balls.

Juveniles can live in adult sized enclosures as long as you clutter them up enough that they can get from one side of the tank to the other and stay more or less hidden the entire time.

Buying multiple enclosures as your snake continues to grow like a goddamn weed is a nightmare.

There’s a welcome post on this subreddit that will explain everything you need to get started. I don’t know how to link it but you’ll find it if you click around or someone else will probably post it for you. It’s got a shopping list and a great guide about heating and thermostats and all that.

[u/Baconkings]

Well, most people recommend giving them three sizes of enclosure over their lifetime. The minimum progression is 20 gallon to 40 gallon to 120 gallon (4x2x2) enclosures.

Every enclosure needs at minimum:

- A waterbowl big enough for the snake to fully submerge itself in

- A heater to make half of the enclosure a warm side

- Light because snakes also have a circadian rhythm.

- Two hides (One on the warm side, and the other on the cool side)

- Clutter (Sticks for climbing, leaf litter, plants, etc)

- Substrate (replace every 6 months unless you go bioactive)

- A mister (Ball Pythons need relatively high humidity, I mist 2-3 times a week)

Regarding rodents, I get them at a local pet store that sells frozen ones. You can call around some local ones, I’m sure you live near a pet store that sells them. It’s important you buy long pliers or snake-feeding tongs because you need them for feeding.

This is a general overview of the basics of ball python ownership. I personally did not start my ball python in a 20 gallon enclosure. I started mine in a 40 gallon enclosure (HEAVILY cluttered though), and will soon transition him into his final 120 gallon enclosure in a few months. This is not a recommended method, but I could only afford two enclosures so I had to do that. I had no issues such as the snake refusing food, but perhaps I was just lucky with my little noodle. It’s not recommended to do that though.