Reptile & Amphibian Forums

The minimum recommended cage size for an adult Ball Python is 30 x 12 x 12. Boaphile’s “Ball Room” rack is 34 ½ x 16 ½ x 5.63. Freedom Breeder’s recommended Ball Python rack is 33 x 17 x 5.25. Now is it just be or is there a big difference between the minimum recommended size and the size of a rack. Is the only reason for this convenience for the owner? I can’t speak for everyone’s snakes but I know that as soon as my light goes out, right at twelve hours of light, he comes out and he is as active as a scalded dog. He’s stretching up onto the glass, curled up on his hide, and everything else you can think of. If a rack is an acceptable housing area for a Ball Python why is the recommended cage size about seven inches higher than a rack? Is it fair to substitute the height with four inches longer and five inches wider? I’ve heard Ball Python’s feel safer in rack because it feels more like a cave, but don’t they get bored? Surely there’s not much to do in a rack but go from one end to the other. Hell, I can see why most Ball Pythons escape when they get a chance. I have mine in a thirty gallon cage and he must be bored. I’m just looking for some opinions; and no I’m not against racks. If ya’ll convince me a rack is just as good for a Ball Python I will probably end up buying one later on down the road.
Thanks in advance,
James
P.S. By the way, which rack would ya’ll suggest?

I understand where you are coming from. It is very hard to imagine that they can be happy in the size containers you find in a rack system. But they are!

When a ball python is in an aquarium and it is moving all around and climbing the glass it does not always mean it is happy to be there. It may mean it is looking for away out, to hot, to cold, feels insecure. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying your ball is kept incorrectly, because the are very curious as well and will show all those signs even when they are felling right at home.

I have kept balls in both aquarium and rack setups. In the beginning I just had a couple balls for pets. They lived a very happy life in an aquarium. Very well controlled heat and humidity, but not perfect. They ate well and grew at a good rate.

Since then my collection has grown and I have began to breed. I use a rack system for my entire collection now. It works absolutely perfect. The biggest difference I notice in my snakes is that they eat exceptionally well and grow even better. Even problem feeder snakes have become champion eaters after being moved into a rack! They shed perfect almost all the time as well. Because the temperatures and humidity is controlled so easy everything is exactly the way I want it all the time. I very rarely see any of my snakes nosing around trying to escape. This tells me they are very happy and content.

To make along story short, balls can be adequately kept in an aquarium. They will eat and grow, and even breed. But if you want to maximize your ball for breeding, the rack system is the only way to go.

I use the exact same rack system that Marcus Jayne (www.ballpython.ca) uses. They are very inexpensive and easy to build.

Hope this helps!

Jesse Wilson

Thanks for the reply. I do want a rack but right now I only have the one. Within five years I should have my breeding projects up and running. Thanks again for the help, and good luck with the breeding.
James