Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi... I picked up my first ever Ball Python this past Sunday at the Reptile show here in Tucson. He's a nice little captive bred male, still rather young and somewhere around 20 - 24" in length. I have him residing in a 20 G long terrarium on my desk, with an inverted flowerpot for a hiding place (reasonable size hole opened in the side for him to crawl in and out of), a ceramic water dish, and his own heat lamp to bask in when he gets the mood. I also picked up "The Ball Python Manual" at the show, and have already read it cover to cover. Looking for more info on the internet is where I found this site. I don't have any "critical" questions (yet), but always figure good sources of information are fantastic tools to have around.

The attached picture is one I took last night when he came out to get a drink. As yet, I'm not planning on feeding him until at least this weekend, following the advice to give him a week or so to "settle in", nor have I succumbed to the temptation to take him out and handle him this week. He was quite docile and seemed fine with being handled at the show, but I know he doesn't need the stress of having to get used to me on top of getting used to a new home. One "new thing" at a time.

I was vascillating between him and a really nice looking, nearly all black California Kingsnake. Based on everything I've been reading on the Ball Pythons, I think I made the right choice. My 21 year old daughter may never come near my desk ever again, but that's no problem. The snake never has to go to her apartment, either.

Well the book you read was a good choice. I believe its the best book out there on B.P.'s and its always good to gain as much info as you can about the animal your choosing.

As far as some people on this forum who've kept herps in general let alone snakes for year, I'm a rookie. However, I've had my male BP for close to three years and my female bout 1 1/2. One thing I see all the time, since I work in a pet store, (yes I'm the evil person in the pet store industry, lol) that people will often give up on their ball python due to their long seasonal "fasts" and at times can be quite finacky. But dont let that discourage you by all means. One thing I've learned workin with these particualr animals is they most definatly teach you patience. As long as the animal is drinking on its own and has decent body weight, mean the backbone or ribs arent "sticking out" they can easily go months without food.
any questions can always email me
jessicabruce@hotmail.com
boo

Welcome. I am new as well and found this site, the classifieds and forum to be a good souece for info and Balls in general.

I got started in Dec. 2002 and thought 1 Ball would be enough, well, i am up to 28 Balls as of tonight with a Albino female on the way(thanks Jamie).

I am not saying i know everything, but from what i see in the photo and the info you provided, it seems the tank is too big for the Ball at this time. I was always told they like small comfy places and not large open places. 8 of my Balls, ranging from 400 grams to 1200 grams still live in 10 gallon tanks and love it. They eat like crazy and are very active.

Its just my 2 cents on this. Oh, very nice Ball, good start and i wish you and your new Ball all the luck. Thanks... JAZ

JAZ,
I'm no expert by all means. This is only comin from experiance but out of curitosity if some of your balls are 400-1200 grams arent they ranging a length from 3.5-5 feet roughly? I'm guessing if their around that in grams you have some nice females. Anyway not to jump the gun, you are correct balls prefer tight-knit places to hide but if a ball is in the range of 3.5 feet its just my thought they should have room to move around and not "crammed" in a 10gal. Both my balls are housed in a custom built cage 4ftL X 3ftH X 1ftW and have been doin good since the little buggers like to climb, lol. A 20L is fine for that little guy all he needs is a few small tight-knit hides so that when the snake goes in the the corners of the hide are touching the snake, makes them feel secure.
Anyway, good luck with them, that quite a collection! Keep me infornmed on ur new albino as well.
boo

Yes,

You are right, they are getting pretty big and i do have a few females that are big as well. I have 3 racks so far, but will be making one of my own soon. I do want a little more room and i will agree with you.

I was just trying to make a point that they do like tight places to feel better. Now that i look, those 10 gallon tanks do look small with a 1300 gram Ball in it.

I better get working on my rack, thanks for the wake-up on that... JAZ

The Ball has a 6" flowerpot in the tank for a hiding place. I have the flowerpot sitting on it's open end, with an access hole chipped into one side of the lip, thereby providing something like 300-330 degrees of solid side around, with the one entrance to "watch". At the advice of a friend that has raised many snakes in his day, I may trade that off for the "saucer" from a flowerpot, similarly chipped for an opening, as my friend pointed out that the snakes like to feel the solid "roof" over them as well as the solid sides.

I would think that the size of the tank would not need to be as compact, as long as the snake has someplace where he can hide and feel secure. After all, they've been living quite successfully in the wide open spaces of nature for untold millenia, seeking out tight spaces to hide in when they desire.