Ball python enclosure?

Question

I am getting my first snake next week and I'm buying her from a breeder. She's about 2 feet long right now. My concern at the moment is the enclosure for her. I heard that a glass tank is ok, but not the best for a python. I want my snake to be as comfortable as possible and I need something more insulated because my room gets chilly. Should I build something custom? Where can I get a custom, not-too-pricey enclosure for her ASAP? If I have to get a tank for the time being, I will. But like I said, my house gets cold (no central heating/air) and I rely on a space heater to keep me warm in the winters. This is my first time having a snake so any other advice is greatly appreciated!! I want her to live a long, full & happy life!!

Answer 1

Glass tanks will do fine, but make sure you keep the heat up. There are a variety of ways to go about this. I personally(and I've kept/bred ball pythons along with other snakes for the past 10 years) use a high watt bulb, such as a flood light, and an undertank heater, such as a heat pad for "aches and pains" which can be found in the pharmacy section of wal-mart or target. Heat pads are around $20 and bulbs are usually $7. Be sure to keep a hide box because the light is often bright. Ball pythons are very easy to maintain and can take some fluctuations in heat but I recommend setting up the enclosure and getting the temperature right before he/she comes home. Ball pythons make great pets and are a great starter snake! Be careful though, once you get one you will only want more :)

BEWARE of ceramic heat rocks! They do not turn off when they reach a certain temperature and can severely burning or killing your snake. Heat pads designed for humans often turn off at a certain temperature. As you can imagine, regulations for heating elements for people are much stricter than for pets.

A great resource is NERD, they are a premier breeder of ball pythons and provide lots of information! The website address is:
http://newenglandreptile.com/


-vbrink

Answer 2

A glass tank would be fine, I have 4 snakes and boas and other smaller ones, that thrive in them fine. DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT get a heating rock like one of the people suggested. You will have a burned snake. Every book, everyone on the net who you can trust will tell you NOT to use a heat rock. A Under the Tank heating pad will work nicely when you have the light off. What you want to do is get a rhetostat that will shut off the pad when it gets to a certain heat, or (this is what I did) go to Lowe's get a plug in dimmer switch for lamps. I then put a temp gauge on the substrate above the heating pad and adjusted it until I got it to the temp that it should be at. Make sure you set up the tank with a hot side and cool side that way the snake can choose where it wants to be. Any questions, send me an email... I am probably getting a ball python tomorrow or in the next few days.

Answer 3

I've never had problems with a glass tank, just make sure you either get one made for reptiles (with a hinged, lockable lid), or get a screen top with clamp locks - these snakes are very strong and can "pop" an unsecured lid and escape. DON'T use heat rocks - these can burn animals, and give an electrical shock when wet! Ceramic heat emitters are pricey, but worth it as they last several years (unlike heat lights), and don't give off light, so they can be used day or night. Other than that, you can keep her on newspaper or paper towling, and she should have a place to hide and a water bowl (one she can get into if she needs the moisture to shed). Here are some websites with good care info:

http://www.anapsid.org/ball.html
http://www.wnyherp.org/care-sheets/snakes/ball-python.php

Answer 4

Well, I have a 4 foot long snake, and she is in a glass tank, and very happy, just make sure your snake has alot of room, and maybe a lamp or two depending on the climate, not a heating pad, you don't want to hurt your snake I believe they have heating rocks for basking and such, try google.

Answer 5

well its ok to use a glass tank, but make sure to buy a reptile heating pad to put on the bottom of the glass, they have them in pet stores, plug it in and go, but and way if you have any youestions email me at [e-mail]-i know everything about pythons, ive owned pythons for years and years.
i wish you the best of luck with your new pet.

Answer 6

i would go with a glass on with heating pads and rocks. at night blow the glass with a blow dryer. a heat lamp is needed for snakes anyways so between the heated pads and rocks and a heat lamp u should be good.