What size tank do I need for my ball python? Two pythons in the same tank can lead to stress or even injury as they fight over resources. A baby Ball Python should be housed in a tank of at least 10 gallons. Getting an appropriately sized tank for your Ball Python What Do Ball Pythons Eat? This article is packed with advice from vivarium size, to heating, lighting, substrate and more. Pythons can grow to 5ft so need a large vivarium to house them. their natural habitat and make it closely match the environment in which this Our ball python kit includes an LED light suitable for growing terrarium plants that can deal with your snakes weight and tendencies. The majority of imported ball pythons come from Togo, Benin and Ghana. – Yes, female ball pythons can incubate their own eggs. Regardless of size, the terrarium should include a lockable lid. They thrive on a diet of small rodents; that are appropriately sized for them to consume and eat. Once a Ball Python swallows their food, it then sits in their stomach and the digestion process begins. Are your lights on a thermostat? All snakes, including ball pythons, will grow quite a bit over the course of their lives. A baby ball python can be housed in a 10-20 gallon tank, but an adult will need an enclosure that is a minimum of 3 or 4-feet long, such as a 55-gallon tank. While BP’s do need ventilation, a screen cage or screen aquarium top can cause too much humidity to escape. In this article, we’ll talk about maintaining humidity in your pet ball python tank and provide some tips for choosing the best humidifiers for a ball python cage. I have studied up and am here to answer that question for you. While Ball Pythons can reach a length of 54", they are mainly terrestrial and don’t need a tall tank. It considered ideal by many snake owners and experts; it provides everything you will need and most importantly it provides great visibility and security (to prevent escapes). Their breeding season in captivity is between November to March. You wouldn’t keep a reptile in a birdcage, so why would you keep it in a fishtank? The other side needs to be at a cool 78-80 degrees. 5. It will also cause the snake to be more agitated and more likely to strike if it isn’t happy about something or it gets startled. Either way, you need to ensure that it is large enough to fit your snake but not too big that they do not see it as a place to rest. Does a ball python need a heat lamp? A Cool Hide is a Must. Snakes require plenty of space within their enclosure, and experts recommend that a baby Ball Python is kept in no smaller than a 10 gallon tank. Ball Pythons will mostly feed on rats, even when young. It is not healthy for them at all! Juvenile ball pythons less than 3 ft long require a 10-20 gallon tank measuring at least 36” x 18” x 18”, while adult ball pythons need at least a 30 – 40 (preferably larger) gallon tank with at least 8 square ft of floor space and 2 ft of vertical space for climbing. My personal tip is that if your Ball python has problems shedding you may need to raise your humidity slightly. Making sure your snake is happy and thriving in its environment can not only keep it in good mental and physical health, but it can help make it safer for everyone for your scaly friend to stick around. Ball pythons have been successful adapting to human-disturbed areas because they avidly prey on rodent pests, sometimes making their presence desired by farmers. I documented my thorough research on the best enclosures available, which you can read here. Next, you should look to add a hide box – a safe place that At TheBioDude, I believe that this is not the case. With this in mind, I would thoroughly recommend that you take a look at the Carolina Custom Cages Terrarium on Amazon. BTW technically you could keep it in a ten and it would stop growing before it reached its full size … and remove all dirty substrate and replace it with new and fresh substrate. How big should my snake tank be? and to fulfil their hydration needs and it will also be used when your snake I recommend heavy-duty plants to hold up to the snake’s weight and activity level. Ball pythons reach sexual maturity between 18 months to 4 years of age. Do you have an under tank heater? We will help answer any questions that you may have and provide as much information and research that we can to help you take the best care of your pet. Can you keep 2 ball pythons in the same tank? 3. A 40B tank is recommended for an adult ball python. the bottom of the tank. In order to do so, you’ll need to install a humidifier or, at the very least, mist the tank with water once or twice a day. The health of your snakes and levels of stress are also much more difficult to manage when they are housed in one tank; and risks of illness increase. You should have a thermometer on each end of the tank so that you can properly monitor the thermal gradient. Ball pythons do fare well in low light conditions but, some keepers prefer to keep their ball python's enclosure naturally well lit during the day. As such, it is used to warm and mild climates. Under these conditions, my ball pythons are healthy, active and eating regularly. Ball Pythons, along with other species of snakes, are strict carnivores. Ball pythons should be housed alone in a large terrarium that corresponds to their size. Never use a screen cage to house a Ball Python. The name "ball python" refers to its tendency to curl into a ball when stressed or Ball Pythons are named for their habit of curling themselves up into a tight ball. Both will hurt it. Based on the size of the python and the ease of finding food, this tends to mean rodents in captivity; the vast majority of ball pythons are fed on either rats or mice of a suitable size. This is because cedar is toxic for all snakes! Get one with all glass sides and enough room to have two separate temperature areas (a warm side for basking and a cool area). Daniel says the perfect rainy day is to be curled up with her cat and two lapdogs watching Netflix. To ensure good hygiene, prevention of illness and disease, As a rule of thumb, ball pythons need at least 2 hides: one on the cool end of the enclosure, and the other on the warm end. Ball pythons do best with 55% – 60% humidity, and should not drop below 50%. Ball pythons can climb and yes, some ball pythons do climb, that however does not mean that ball pythons … your snake. Within their habitat, they These plants will help your snake to live a more active and happy life, leading to it becoming healthier as well. These are a few of the most common plants that are recommended for ball pythons. Glass, plastic, and wood are good options for your snake’s tank. Size - Appropriately sized and shaped habitat for a baby ball python to accommodate normal behavior and exercise, at least a 20L. Ball pythons don’t climb very frequently, so enclosure height isn’t terribly important. Get one with all glass sides and enough room to have two separate temperature areas (a warm side for basking and a cool area). Bioactivity and Ball Pythons From the Desk of the Dude Ball pythons (Python regius) may be the most common snake in captivity, but their true natures are often poorly understood. Unless you own a farm or have a huge and endless backyard, then we can understand why you would want to know how big sheltie dogs get. The most popular foods to feed your ball python are the following: Ball pythons are not typically a climbing species of snake, but having a branch or a log in their terrarium can really go a long way. A sad and depressed snake is less fun and safe than on that you have taken great care of and ensured its content state of being. So if you’re planning to breed your ball pythons some day, you’ll need to do some extra homework beyond this article. Ball pythons have been successful adapting to human-disturbed areas because they avidly prey on rodent pests, sometimes making their presence desired by farmers. Their breeding season in captivity is between November to March. Ball pythons to do not need very special humidity requirements. Of course, it is essential to know whether you can leave them home... How Big Do Shetland Sheepdogs Get? Ball pythons require belly heat, but not basking heat. ball pythons get between 4 and 6 feet long, so a ten gallon will do it for a long time, but it eventually will need a bigger tank, a 30-40 gallon will work great. In fact, the presence of a direct light source may dry out a ball python and cause problems with their scales. Your snakes tank should reflect the age, size and weight of your snake. It’s crazy to think that plants help a ball python feel safe, but they really do! We also participate in programs from eBay, CJ, Bluehost, Clickbank, ShareASale, and other sites. Many snake keepers claim that feeding a snake inside its enclosure will cr… It’s not like I’m shooting for a flat line of it in there, I don’t mind it being uneven. If you do decide to get one, I recommend purchasing the largest aquarium available to meet your pet's housing needs that will allow him to grow and thrive. Ball Pythons are an excellent beginner snake and one of the most popular pet snakes due to their docile nature. Ball pythons sleep for up to 23 hours per day, being Choosing a tank that they can live and feel comfortable in therefore requires a bit of thought. They're a little shy, and the hide boxes make them feel much more secure. will go a long way to ensuring optimal health and well-being for your snake. Never feed a rodent that is larger than this width. Ball Pythons are from all over Africa, specifically in the rainforest areas where there is lots of cover for them to hide in and a moist environment. GHI Spider Ball Python: Lastly, the GHI Spider shares the best of both worlds- changing the typical “spider-web” pattern into a jumbled (but beautiful) mess that covers their entire body.Colors are primarily light/medium-brown, with yellow or golden markings. [Sheltie]. It is important that you replicate If you have a tank with a screen top, cover part of the screen and monitor your humidity, changing the percent of the area covered until the desired percent is reached. This is especially true when the season changes. A juvenile ball python can live in a 20-gallon tank, whereas an adult ball python should be in a 40-gallon tank or larger. they will be spending most of their lives. Summary of Ball Python Humidity Tips. Ball pythons need a basking spot of about 90 degrees and an ambient temperature in the low 80s. When you fill your terrarium with these plants you will also notice that your snake will be more active. Ball pythons do not need as much humidity as most people think. Don't put too much light in the ball python's cage. Using a dry bedding such as sand or paper or even pine shavings will hurt your snake. Not only do ball pythons need plants to decorate their terrariums, but the substrate they use should be made from plants as well! heaters and heating pads/mats. Ball pythons need many places to hide and to climb to be truly happy as well as a terrarium that gives them proper humidity, heat, and light. Stick to feeding mice and rats. Due to the way in which a pool of water will be used, it is We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Aim for a total of about 3 to 6 square feet of space. Let us take a closer look in the following few sections. Inside! It’s very important that your Ball Pythons … Depending on your house temperature, you may or may not need heat lighting to maintain appropriate temperatures inside your ball python's enclosure. Buying a single snake as a pet? Some household light bulbs will emit enough heat to heat a tank, but if your tank is larger, you will need some heat lights. As an owner, you need to ensure that you are getting the right size tank for their respective size, age and weight. Embora Pets is the ultimate resource for learning everything about your new pet, or information when trying to find the right one. Danielle has been writing for Embora Pets since March 2018. Short answer: Ball pythons like it hot and humid because they are native to western and central Africa. Do ball pythons grow big? Ball pythons seem to recognize and respond well to live plants. It helps immensely to keep your snake happy because not only does it thrive in its natural atmosphere, but it makes the snake much happier and less likely to get agitated or strike. Ball pythons reach sexual maturity between 18 months to 4 years of age. Be aware that a Ball Pythons appetite and requirements will fluctuate throughout the year. First and foremost, you will need to add a substrate liner to You should be prepared for this before you attempt to care for a ball python. you are going to need to clean the tank weekly. container that you purchase for the water pool should be sturdy so that it Ball pythons need belly heat, too. Do you have an under tank heater? Ball pythons are native to a stretch of land between the West African coast and central Africa. Embora Pets is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. You’ll need to keep the tank between 80-85 degrees at all Let's sum up some of the key points we have discussed so far: Ball pythons do not come from tropical or subtropical regions. 1  You should have a thermometer on each end of the tank so that you can properly monitor the thermal gradient. With your snake being more active and happier, it will help it with breeding too. Never use a screen cage to house a Ball Python. This is a common, serious mistake which can lead to serious burns. not give off any bad odors and should not be able to be inhaled/ingested by Pet Educate is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Adult Pythons typically need to be fed less frequently than baby/young Pythons. Mist the habitat once or twice a day to maintain a humidity level between 40% to 60% – the humidity should be a … 1. Read our full article on heat lamps. The average humidity levels in your own home will be between 35% and 45%. In the wild, Ball Pythons live in open areas like grasslands Ball pythons, vivariums, tubs and hatchlings . So, what size tank does a Ball Python need? Ball Pythons require sufficiently large tanks for their respective age and size. Ball Pythons also seem to like a standing humidity of around 50%. link to How Big Do Shetland Sheepdogs Get? In the wild, she preps for this by eating and gaining a … This means when in their natural habitat, ball pythons don't receive much, if any ultraviolet rays, meaning UVB (ultraviolet B) lighting is definitely not a necessity. This site does not constitute pet medical advice, please consult a licensed veterinarian in your area for pet medical advice. Luckily, the diet of a ball python in the wild does not differ much from the diet of a ball python in captivity. cannot be knocked off easily. This will provide you with a complete buyer’s guide including what to look for and the best tanks that are currently available on the market. You must ensure the food you are feeding to your snake is appropriate, consider your own snakes size and age. A happier snake is a calmer and less aggressive snake. Substrates should retain moisture, Once you have your tank/terrarium, you’ll also need to All snakes, including ball pythons, will grow quite a bit over the course of their lives. Pet Educate strives to be the definitive online resource to help you learn everything that you need to know. Most ball pythons do not eat more than 1-3 prey items per feeding. Ball pythons are one of the breeds of snakes that thrives in a more decorated cage– preferably filled with plants, but what plants should someone get for their python habitat? The Ball python species of snake is native to West and Only having the bare essentials for your snake will ensure its survival, but not a healthy lifestyle at all. There are so many cool thing about ball pythons and plants so I added this information down below. which your snake will use as a form of bedding. Although as obligate carnivores ball pythons should get all of the nutrition they need from the animals they eat, the nutrition provided by feeder rodents is often inferior to the nutrition provided by the prey that ball pythons would consume in the wild. However, you should not use a heating rock for your ball python, either. Feed juvenile ball pythons about once a week, ideally in a separate feeding tank, with appropriately sized rodents warmed to just above room temperature. Females are generally slighter longer and can reach 6 feet, whereas males are usually smaller where they reach 5 feet. When it comes to buying a tank for your Ball Python it can The enclosure should have a cool side and a hot side–the goal is to create a “temperature gradient”. Many think that ball pythons prefer to stay on the ground, but they often love to climb and explore their habitat. Consider that this is their primary environment; in which Their smaller size, compared to other pythons, makes them easier to keep in captivity without dishing out too much for a large sized tank. You'll need to create a temperature gradient in the enclosure, one side with some sort of heating device (preferably an under-tank heater), and one side left cool. [Sheltie]. I have a pet snake that is smaller than a ball python, and I have a 50 gallon aquarium. Ghost Ball Pythons can come in many different colors. Pet Educate is sponsored by its readers. Ball pythons are carnivores, and need to be fed meat on a regular basis. From there, you will need to place down some substrate This is especially ideal if you plan to breed your snakes because if the snakes are happier and healthier you may get better results and the snake will just overall be more cooperative and happy in captivity. A baby/juvenile Python may need a small rodent every 3-4 days. snake can bask (at around 90 degrees). There are some specific plants that work great for ball pythons as well as reasons why a ball python needs plants and how its quality of life is better off when it lives around plants. Young ball pythons require only a fraction of this space. So, what are the best plants to get for ball pythons? your snake can access as and when required. The best bedding for a ball python is a moist bark or mulch. Either these or a faunarium. Kinda like humans! To the owners who keep their Ball Pythons in fishtanks I say, “Don’t buy a snake, if you cannot buy the correct enclosure”. Please assume that all links are affiliate links, which means that if you click a link and make a purchase, we will earn a commission - at no additional cost to you. Maintain 40 to 60% humidity; higher during shedding. Captive bred Ball Pythons are becoming more readily available in the hobby, and the many color morphs being created have added to the growing popularity of this small python species. A ball pythons humidity should not drop below 50% but 55% - … I tend to keep my young hatchling snakes in breeder box's or Really Useful Boxes (RUBS) for the first seven to nine or so of their life. heat; this is essential to ensure they can maintain the right body temperature. On the other hand, snakes will also require a pool of water. Since ball pythons are tropical snakes, they may not need UVB light but they do need a good heat source in their enclosure. Provide Ball Pythons with substrates that enable burrowing such as Zilla Lizard Litter or Zilla Bark Blend. Tineke rubber plants need moderate humidity … I researched this topic a lot and made a list of the best-reviewed plants that I could find below. A good way to ensure that the rodent you feed is not too big is to check the size of the rodent against the circumference of your snake. Central Africa. The only time it is safe or ideal to have two ball pythons in the same tank is during a breeding attempt. Ball pythons in the wild can be found in a wide range of habitats including rainforests, savannahs, and even human-inhabited agricultural zones… Savanna and open Forest, they require a pool of water cold-blooded requiring. Than 1-3 prey items per feeding Custom Cages terrarium on Amazon ’ s crazy to think that pythons. 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For pet medical advice environment ( heat, humidity and light ) all affect the growth rate of a snake!, water pools, lighting, substrate and more cooperative share her knowledge about pets active hunters like what do ball pythons need in their tank! Not drop below 50 % pythons should be prepared for this before you attempt to up! Good heat source in their enclosure to climb and with a species being arboreal ( living in trees.! Feet in length by the time they are carnivorous snakes and need to thermoregulate meaning. Side and a smaller size, the terrarium should include a lockable lid boxes in their cage generally longer... Longer and can reach 4-6 feet in length ; so they are 5 years old of is...