Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey there (newbie here). My brother raises ball pythons and I adore them, so I'm playing with the idea of getting my own next year. (He'll probably make fun of me later for seeing this post on here)

I'm a poor student, so what's the best way to care for a ball when you are strapped for cash? I know a lot of websites claim there are things you "need", but they're not really necessities. I figured it'd be better to straight up ask actual hobbiests what they recommend.

Do I really need special lights or a humidifier? I've read that I need these things, but my brother doesn't use either. He might use a heating pad, I'm not sure, but he's got a normal incandescent bulb acting as a basking spot. And there's no humidifier that I know of. = The snakes seem to be doing just fine. Would this be acceptable? I just want the cheapest way to make sure they are happy and healthy. No luxuries, not until I can afford it.

Also, what is the average growth rate of a ball python? I know that there are different tank sizes for hatchlings, young adults, and adults, but I just wanted to know *when* this happens so I can accomodate the snake.

Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks. =)

- Christine

Hi Christine, first of all, It doesn't take much to make a ball happy, but if you can't afford the basics I suggest you put it off for the time being. A 30 gallon tank is the minimum size suggested for an adult Ball. Bigger is better. You will need a UTH, under tank heater, of some sort at one end of the enclosure. Bottom heat is necessary for proper digestion. The temps should range from about 80 degrees in the cool end to around 92 in the hot end, the side with the UTH. All around inside temp should be about 85. Which can be better met by using that overhead light if necessary. Ideally you should have two hides, one at each side of the enclosure, so the snake can pick and choose where it is most comfortable. They are cold blooded, they regulate their body temps by moving from a hot place to a cooler place. The hide also serve as a security blanket for them. They like tight hiding places. Hope this helps, and if I forgot something I'm sure someone else will post somethibg. Good luck.

Quig

First off, where do you live? Down here in Fl I use no heat source and know many other people that provide no heat for their snakes and they do just fine. In the winter the coolest my house ever gets is 75 degrees and that's cold for me lol.
As a pet I would say most ball pythons can do well at or slightly above room temperature, just make sure they are digesting their food well and defecating regularly. Undertank heaters can be bought for glass aquariums that will keep it warmer too, the only problem with these is they don't stick well if you eventually change it to a new tank. I use regular heating pads(FIRE HAZARD>LOL) under my cages that are housing snakes I am trying to get to eat well all winter.

One good way to save $$$ is using a tupperware(I prefer sterilite brand) container instead of buying a glass aquarium. Just make sure the lid is secure. Also, paper towels or newspaper work great as a bedding. It's much cheaper than aspen or bark etc and is easy to clean, without the worries of snakes ingesting substrate when eating. Don't buy an expensove pet store water bowl made for reptiles, they may look nice but most don't hold much water and they are expensive, instead, buy a cheap plastic cat or dog bowl that has flared out sides so the snake cannot tip it. You can buy a hide box from a store, or you can make your own. I don't have 2 alike, but all are either small cardboard boxes with holes in them or gardening pot bases flipped upside down. One last way to save money is to find a rodent wholesaler to buy from. If you want to take the time to thaw out frozen rodents you can save big money doing this. Pet stores near me charge $1.60 and up for a mouse which was killing me until I found a wholesaler a few blocks from my home that allows me to come and pick up however many mice I need any day of the week so I can pre-kill and not have to freeze them.

Here's my cheap ball python formula(all prices are estimates)
1 Sterilite container of your size preference($3.00)
1 Newspaper(50 cents)
1 cat water bowl(1.49)
1 small box from around the house(FREE)
and if you like
1 general use heating pad($10.00)

You could easily get everything everything your snake needs and maybe even something for it to climb on for less than twenty dollars.

Just make sure you buy a good snake, a sick snake can get costly.

Good Luck with your decision, my first snake was a ball python I recieved as a gift 13 years ago and my interest in snakes has only grown stronger and stronger since.(R.I.P Mr. P)

Cole Maas

Thank you so much!

As for the mice, I was afraid that might be a problem for me. My brother has been getting live mice from the pet store for awhile, but it was beginning to break his bank, so he's investing in frozen-thawed mice. It seems to make sense to do that. I did hear that snakes prefer live though. And prekilling them myself is out of the question. My sensitive girly heart wouldn't be able to do it. =( Hah.

I don't even know if I can do this yet...I'm off to college in a year and I'm going to go crazy without any pets. So I'm going to try to pull some strings and see if they'll let me have a snake (that is, if it's okay with my roommate. Too many girls hate snakes). I hope I'll be able to!

Thanks again for your advice, it was very helpful. =)

most colleges are actually fairly accepting of small reptilian pets. It would be a good idea to check out your future college just to be sure.

Cole Maas

I shutter every time I hear someone ask the cheapest way to care for thier animal. Please remember that this is a living creature not a toy.

As it's been pointed out you can house a ball fairly cheaply in a sterelite with a heat pad etc. I would strongly recommend buying a cheap thermostat or rheostat to put that heat pad on - too often we see animals get burned or poisoned from heat pads on plastic that get too hot and start melting the plastic.

Also I would honestly recomend waiting until you are established before purchasing any pet. I can't tell you how many rescues we've gotten over the years from college kids that find they don't have the time or money for them.
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

7.33.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi - yeah I know but my kids love the book)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.2 frogs rescued from pool skimmer

I assure you that I understand pets are living creatures that should be adequately cared for. I have ten of my own. It isn't anything new to me. I just want to have something with me when I'm away. I chose a ball python because they're easiest to care for. I don't want to take my rats or my fish because they are too high-maintainence, even though many college students choose pets like these. I don't feel like I'll be able to give them the attention they deserve. I think a snake would be a good fit for me in that environment.

And when I say "cheapest way to care for them", I don't mean throwing it in a dresser drawer and leaving it at that (which, actually, some people do). I do honestly care for the well-being of all of my pets. I just don't want to purchase anything that I don't necessarily need. If I don't need a humidifier, I won't get one. But if I do, I'll wait until I can afford it. I just want to know little ways I can save money (such as newspaper instead of aspen and shoeboxes instead of plastic hideboxes) and the basics that I need for my animal to be happy and healthy.

Thank you for taking the time to comment though, I appreciate it. =)

I would recommend gradually accumulating all the supplies you need. That way, it won't be one huge blowto your finances; it'll be a little at a time. Here's what you really need:

A cage- you could start out with a 20-gallon-long tank (with a secure lid.) They can be found cheap on certain Internet auction sites.. Some people use Rubebrmaid containers; MUCH cheaper in fact, than tanks.

Heat source- Under-tank heaters are the best. You need some kind of regulator to make sure your snake does not fry. I use Zoomed heat pads with their rheostat (works like a lamp dimmer.)

Hidespots- can be as easy/cheap as cut-out cerealboxes, cardboard,etc.
Substrate- can be as cheap as using free newspapers.
Water dish- should be heavy to rpevent tippage
Thermometer/hygrometer- tells you the temps and humidity in cage.
SECURE lid for what ever cage you get.
Spray bottle- bought empty, this is the best way to humidify your cage.
Plastic wrap- to put over a screen lid during shed times (if tank is used.
Food is cheap if you buy frozen. Even live, it won't be more than $5 a week.
Anything else, is probably not necessary except.. the snake
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4.1 Ball pythons
1.0 Boa Constrictor Imperator
0.1 albino Cranwell's horned frog
1.1 breeding Clawed frogs
1.0 black kittycat
3.1 Oscar cichlids
Also have fancy goldfish, african cichlids, and rats. And 1 Paint horse mare

Thank you very much! =)