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Ball Python Questions

Jillian

Jillian

New member
A friend of mine asked me to watch his ball python. Cute little thing. But I'm more up on corn snake care so I need to inquire.

The little guy didn't have a hide and he only had newspaper in his tank. Don't they like to have stuffs to bury themselves in? I put a hide in there (cardboard box). I assume they can get stressed like corns and would appreciate the chance to disappear.

As well...his tank it pretty small...only about 30 gallon. He's probably 3.5-4 feet long and as fat as a fist around. Not huge but I have my corns (who are long and skinny) in 40-75 gallons. Do balls like confined spaces more?

I figured ask here first. Maybe some pointers to make him more comfortable. Anything would be useful.
 
He doesn't necessarily need substrate to burrow, but would probably love a hide or two. And yes, balls do often like confined spaces.
 
Thank you so much. The little guy for sure needs a bigger tank. I only had enough space to put in one hide. There wasn't enough room for another one. At least I got one in there though. I will do up some more modifications and may even move him to one of my tubs for more floor space so I can set up the warm and cold hide. Poor guy has his tank half right. It was pretty cold in there too. Hopefully over the next day or two I can get the temps ideal for him.

So appreciated for the information!!
 
He probably isn't as unhappy in that tank as you'd think, at least not because he thinks it is too small. BPs definitely like confined spaces. They like their hides to be so small they can barely squish in them, so they are being touched on all sides. What probably makes him more unhappy about the tank isn't how small it is, but how exposed he feels in it. If you cover up the back & sides of the tank, he'll be happier. Or switch him to a tub.

However, if you have good hides, and the sides are covered up, then yes, he'll probably appreciate having enough room to stretch out on occasion.

Balls will burrow in substrate if you give them something like aspen, but they don't seem to do it as much as corns do. From my observations, they prefer a snug fitting hide over burrowing in the substrate.
 
The tank isn't actually big enough a hot and cold side with two hides. I can only fit one hide in. So it he doesn't need to have a hot and cool side then I suppose he's fine.

The only thing that his owner had for him was newspaper, drift wood and a water bowl. So if that is enough then I suppose I'm overly concerned.
 
Well, if the snake is the size I'm imagining, then a 30 gallon tank should have room for 2 hides and a reasonable but not huge water bowl. Maybe he's bigger than I thought or the tank isn't 30 gallons.

In any event, I wasn't trying to say he won't appreciate you fixing things up for him! For sure he should be thrilled to have a hide. And, maybe I didn't say this part clearly enough, but I do think he'll appreciate having more room, but his first priority is feeling secure (having some good hides, covering up the sides of the tank).
 
Oh I never took it badly. I just am unsure of the care of ball pythons. I only have corns to compare it to. But it's a 30 gallon more height than floor circumference. He can stretch out in it fine but the floor area doesn't allow for more hides. His water dish isn't even that big either. It's just really cramped in there is all.
 
I have mine in a 38qt tub. They prefer small spaces. I actually just bought him two smaller hides because I think he felt nervous in the big hide I had in there before.
 
I'm looking for a tub. I just think it'll be better for him. More ground area so I can set up two hides instead of just the one that fits there now, and holds the heat better than the glass.
The guy said that he hadn't eaten for the last 2 weeks. I think he's too cold the way the tank is set up.
I can't get the heat side hot enough for him. This is my first day to actually get out and get him a tub.
He hasn't left the hide that I've seen but I have him set up on quarantine protocol right now since he's new to my house and I have other snakes.
Lots of great advice from all of you and very much appreciated!
 
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