Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i havent posted on here before but i decided to now. i am getting a ball python soon, hopefully from the northwestern berks herp show on october 16. i have a custom built cage set up with eco-earth substrate, a large half log hide, water/ soaking pool and i will be adding some plants and driftwood. does anyone have any tips of suggestions for me?what is the best size ball to start out with?
thanks
~icy
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UroKnight...coming soon
1.0.0 mali uromastyx
1.2.0 green anole
1.0.0 brown anole
1.0.0 emperor scorpion
1.0.0 cuban knight anole
1.0.0 ribbon snake(currently escaped)
1.0.0 african clawed frog
1.0.1 green iguana
0.1.0 eastern kingsnake
0.0.1 3 lined salamander
0.1.0 albino leopard gecko
0.0.2 house gecko
0.0.1 crocodile gecko

First, what size is the terrarium you have set up? Balls can be easily stressed if housing is inappropriately sized.

Make sure the snake has eaten several times and look for one a few months old is possible. You will enjoy watching he/she grow and learn a lot in the process. Is this your first python? If so, an adult may seem a bit overwhelming, but a yearling is also a proper option and one you may want to consider. Good luck and be sure to post a pic after the show!

Todd
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1.1 Balls - Male het/albino, Female 66% het/albino
***Fingers crossed for next season!!!***

I got my beautiful female when she was 3 months old. I've had her for 2 months and she's getting very pretty. the only problem I've encountered with her is from improper shedding when a couple of her scales came off along with the skin. well good luck with yours!
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--0.0.1 ball python
--0.1 orange cat
--2.0 dogs
--0.0.3 frogs
--maxgmercer@yahoo.com--

You will probably want to get a baby (and that will probably also be the easiest/least expensive one to come by). A large half log will be way to big for a hatchling, though. Think plant saucer when it comes to hides for these little guys.

I also agree that too much space is never a good thing with these guys. I would use 12qt sterilite for hatchlings, 27qt sterilite for juv/sub adult, and 41qt sterilite for adult. These tend to be even on the high end of size for housing, so you can get the idea of what's appropriate.
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1.1 BPs (Syd and Nancy)
0.0.2 Firebellied Toads (Stanley and Stuart)
0.2 French Lops (Jacquotte and Lapine)

>>You will probably want to get a baby (and that will probably also be the easiest/least expensive one to come by). A large half log will be way to big for a hatchling, though. Think plant saucer when it comes to hides for these little guys.
>>
>>I also agree that too much space is never a good thing with these guys. I would use 12qt sterilite for hatchlings, 27qt sterilite for juv/sub adult, and 41qt sterilite for adult. These tend to be even on the high end of size for housing, so you can get the idea of what's appropriate.
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>>1.1 BPs (Syd and Nancy)
>>0.0.2 Firebellied Toads (Stanley and Stuart)
>>0.2 French Lops (Jacquotte and Lapine)
>>
>>

What do you mean by too much room isnt good? I was never told that before. I have always heard (with other reps) that more space is always better than too little. I have a female ball that is approx. 2 ft (eating a young rat or 2-3 adult mice per week). What size cage would be good for her. Her cage now is alittle over a foot wide, about the same lenght high, and around 3 - 3 1/2 feet long. Is this too much room? Thanks.
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Heidi Kagarise
hjk@pennswoods.net

0.1.0 Ball Python
0.0.1 Albino ACF
1.0.0 Budgie
1.1.0 Spiny Mice
1.0.0 Dwarf Bunny
1.2.0 Barn Cats
0.1.0 Lab Mix Puppy

IMO, I don't think any tank is too big as long as you have enough hides in there so it feels secure. My BP is about 3 feet long now and I still have him in a 20 gallon tank which is about 30" X 12" floor space. It seems to still be good enough for him since he spends most of the time in his hides anyway, but I'm very close to getting a 40 gallon breeder tank which I think will be big enough for him as an adult. Those tanks are about 36" X 18" floor space I believe. If you decide to use a large tank, just make sure you have plenty of hides in there. Too much open space is never a good thing without plenty of hides to make them feel secure when they want to run off and hide for a while.

I agree with whoever said to use a plant saucer as a hide. Get one that is just big enough for him to fit tightly into. They feel more secure when it's tight in their hides. I would also get at least 2 hides as well. Put one on the warm side and one on the cool side. This way he won't have to sacrifice comfort for security and vice versa. Good luck!