What should I keep my ball python in?

An adult should be housed in a tank that is large enough for them to stretch out fully. A 40-gallon breeder tank is the minimum recommended tank size for an adult ball python.

What should I house my ball python in?

What does a ball python need in its cage?

Ball pythons do best in a habitat that is large enough to accommodate them, which will start around 20 gallons and increase as they grow up and get bigger. 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.

What kind of habitat do ball pythons prefer?

They primarily inhabit grasslands, scrublands, savannas and open forests. Ball pythons may also live in disturbed areas, around human habitations or farms. They do not typically inhabit rainforests (or other dense forests), nor do they live in deserts or extremely arid places.

What kind of hides do ball pythons need?

Hides. 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. But it's better to offer as many as you can possibly cram into the enclosure. For best results, fill one or two of the hides with moist sphagnum moss to facilitate shedding.

How to Care for Ball Pythons!

What do you put in the bottom of a snake cage?

Layer the bottom of the habitat with bedding (also called substrate) your new pet can burrow into. Aspen & cypress shavings are a natural, odorless option; snakes can tunnel through it like they'd do in the wild. Spot clean the bedding often to remove droppings and change the bedding regularly.

Do ball pythons need a heat lamp?

A ball python will require both a heat lamp and an under tank heater. This can be done by placing a heat mat such as the Habistat Heat Mat underneath the terrarium and a Daylight Exo Terra heat lamp.

What do snakes need in their tank?

They need a range of temperatures to regulate their internal body temperature. Ideally, the cage should be set up so that a heat gradient is established, with one area of the tank warmer than the other end. In this way, the snake can move around its environment and warm or cool itself as needed.

Do ball pythons need water bowl?

The only time you should have two snakes together is during breeding. Water Dish: Water is very important for your Ball python and should be in their enclosure at all times. Make sure to NOT use distilled water for your reptile.

Do ball pythons need a humidifier?

One of the biggest concerns when keeping a ball python as a pet is maintaining the proper heat and humidity in 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.

Should I turn off my ball pythons heat lamp at night?

Although snakes benefit from heat at night if the temperature gets too low, the heat lamp is not the best method to keep them warm when nightfall arrives. What is this? To mimic their natural environment as best as possible, turn off the heat lamp at night. Other alternatives will not emit as much light.

Do ball pythons need tall tanks?

While Ball Pythons can reach a length of 54", they are mainly terrestrial and don't need a tall tank. Provide Ball Pythons with substrates that enable burrowing such as Zilla Lizard Litter or Zilla Bark Blend. Do not use pine or cedar shavings as these substrates are toxic to snakes.

Is paper bedding OK for snakes?

If you choose not to provide a natural substrate, newspaper or paper towels are safe and easy to clean, making them a go-to bedding option for many snake owners, since it's easy and readily available.

Do snakes need air holes?

Does my snake need air holes? Generally, no. Reptiles have a relatively slow metabolic rate compared to mammals, meaning that their oxygen needs are much lower.

Does a ball python need a hide?

Hides. An absolute necessity for any ball python enclosure is two or more hides or shelters. Most snakes prefer a dark secure place to spend much of their time. The hides you provide give your ball python a secure place to feel safe.

How Big Should ball python hide be?

One of the main things to look for when selecting a good hide for a ball python is security. Choose hides with one opening, so your pet can feel secure. What is this? The hide should be slightly bigger than your pet, enabling them to curl up tightly, feeling snug and secure.

Where should I put the heating pad for my ball python?

Please remember, that a heat pad must only go under the tank itself, and never inside! Otherwise, it will burn your ball python. A great tip is to slightly lift your tank from a table/surface, to prevent heat buildup under it.

Where do you place a heat pad on a ball python?

Most snake heating pads are set to reach a pre-determined temperature. The trick is to get that pad based on the size of your pet and not the size of the terrarium. Once you get the correctly sized pad you need to affix it to the outside bottom of your enclosure.