For just ball pythons?

If so, consider getting a ball python rack. You can make it if you want, but honestly, you will spend quite a bit of time and money to make a really nice one. You can buy one made of plastic with heat installed and setup to not fry the animals for not too much more money than you will spend, if you consider your time as money.

Back to your multi-unit endeavor -
1) If too large, it is impossible to move. Much better to make individual cages, or at least individual rows of multi-compartment cages that stack. Make sure they can fit through the doorways!

2) Vent from side or top or back, not much difference.

3) RHPs are great. They work even for ground dwelling ball pythons. Probably too much money for ball pythons though considering these snakes are happy in low height cages with belly heat just the same as an elaborate cage with RHP. Again, buy a rack with belly heat and don't spend the money on RHPs to heat ball pythons. Boas and larger pythons, yes RHP. Arboreals - yes, RHP.

4) Multiple thermostats are best unless all cages are the same setup and heater. Two thermostats is always the best approach for safety, especially if your animals are pricey. For a rack, use an ON/OFF thermostat as a high temp cutoff (set it for 5 degrees above what you really want), and plug your other thermostat (set for the desired temp) into that for the desired temp. Easy to do in a rack, because all compartments are essentially the same.

With multi-unit cages, you may end up spending more money in thermostats than you thought, unless all compartments use the same setup and heater type/wattage.

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