Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi guys I'm wanting to get just a normal juvie ball. I was wanting to get a captive bred one but the local pet store has them for sale for $59 which is tempting. I also want to get a 40 gal breeder tank with a lid with dimenstions: 36x18x16. Would that be big enough for an adult? It's $79 at the local pet store, is that a good deal?

Another thing that I have noticed while reading the care sheets is that I couldn't figure out the quantity to feed. What is it for juvies, young adults, and adults?

Thanks a lot./.

A 40 gal long would probably be fine for an adult. Remember, floor space is more important that vertical space. Just make sure you set it up properly.

As BPs get older, they tend to feed less. I would go with feeding once every 7-10 days. Feed a meal about the same thickness as the largest part of your snake. A slight buldge is ok.
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

40 gallon breeder is more than enough for an adult ball, and might actually be a bit big for a juvie. $79.99 isn't a bad price if it comes with a lid, but beware of the sliding lids, they aren't very escape proof.

Feeding really depends on the person, but once weekly would do quite well. I've got a friend that swears on feeding large meals every two weeks but it really doesn't matter, and younger snakes will most likely be hungry enough to eat every week

Hope this helps

Cole Maas

Thanks, also do males grow to be larger than females or vice versa? Also, what is the best way to sex them?

Females have the potential to become bigger, but you most lilely wouldn't notice much difference in size with your average pet.

Sexing them can be tricky. I have probed hundreds of snakes, but ball pythons are by far one of the hardest. The males just won't let you in it seems. I have probed and popped a snake to be a female, only to get home and probe again and find out it's a male(DOH). I would suggest having someone experienced show you how to pop and probe them, just in case one method isn't making you entirely sure. You can get a rough idea with big snakes by looking at the tails, females tails are shorter and stubbier and their spurs are smaller, but without the opposite sex on hand it can be a hard call.

Hope this helps
Cole Maas