Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm planning on putting an 4 foot ball python in an 2.5' x 2' x 18" is that large enough or should i go for a 3 foot. I plan on putting my BCI in an 5'x2'x2', so i would like to have two of the above mentioned cages stacked on top. Sound reasonable?

Had this discussion with Simon a few posts below this. I think 2.5 wide is marginal for a 4 foot snake. Is it full grown yet? I'm sure many people do it but I just think for the snake's sake it's better to go bigger - easier to get a good horizontal temp gradient, more room for the snake to move around, more room for cage decorations, more room for an adequate sized hide. Exception would be if you're a breeder trying to maximize snakes per square foot in your room.

Good luck!!

Ok, so far I've heard 1 square foot per foot of snake as a good rule. But some people seem to be building a cage around the snake now... What happens when it grows up? I know some snakes like Ball Pythons, Kingsnakes, etc, don't grow to be of huge proportions...

The thing is, I'm building a 6'x3'x2.5' Double Decker cage (two levels, same size for each). Top level for my 6' Albino Burm, and the bottom for my 5' Red Tail. I was actually told by a pet shop owner, that you shouldn't exceed 2 sq. ft per foot of snake because it can stress out the snake... Of Course, I laughed at him and said then all the wild snakes out there must be seriously stressed...

I had a hatchling burn from 1990 to 1995 from 27" to 14 feet. Started with a 20 gal long, went to a 55 gal, then built a 2x2x4H with 2 levels, then built a 3x3x6H with 3 levels, then finally a 2 piece cage that was 8'Lx4'Hx3'W with 2 levels and a beveled floor. I kinda wished I woulda built the last cage first, and just partitioned off spaces till it grew. The last cage cost about $500 in parts, and the other 2 I built cost about an additional $350. Fortunately the 55 gal was a gift, the 20g cost about $35. In the big cage, I couldnt put a tub big enough for her to soak in (not because of room, just too heavy) so i would put a home humidifier in and left it on high and got perfect sheds every time. Kinda looked like a sauna in there sometimes tho, but she could just move down to the next level if she didnt like it.
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My Ball is about to be 4 yrs, i believe he should'd get much larger. My BCI is a baby, but i was planning for the future. I have them both in 20 longs, but the glass enclosure is so wastefull with heat. I think I'll go with a 3'x2' for my ball and wait to see what happens with my Boa.

Thanks for the info

Always try and attain the optimum vivarium for your reptiles when fully grown. This saves on a lot of money and head worries in the long run. I totally agree with the Berm chap, divide the finished vivarium and remove the dividers as and when they require more space.

Steve. Goodluck