#ball python tank

[cairothebp]

🌿Welcome to the jungle🌿

[cairothebp]

I want to put soil in Cairo's tank so it'll hold humidity better, if anyone knows if this would be okay please let me know! Tagging @wheremyscalesslither and @i-m-snek because those pop into my head first but anyone who has advice or anything, I'd love as much input as I can get!

[fbwzoo]

This is a new tank I’m working on for a ball python we are eventually gonna get. Was looking for pointers, additions, whatever. The substrate is crushed walnut (plan on feeding frozen outside of tank) and I haven’t bought my light for basking yet cause I’m not sure what I need to keep it in the 80s? that balls need. The tank itself is at least 50 gallons and is longer than taller.

Hi! :) 

That’s great that you’re working on getting everything ready before the snake comes home! I love some of the decor you have in there, especially the thing in back for climbing.

I would honestly suggest changing the substrate. Crushed walnut doesn’t hold moisture very well at all. Ball pythons need higher humidity (minimum of 55%) and it’d be better to have something that will help with that. I currently use a mix of loose substrates for Charis, but I know that aspen and coco chips are two really common options. I would suggest checking into those! And on the subject on humidity, if you have a screen lid for the tank, you’ll likely want to cover it with plastic or tin foil to help keep humidity in as well.

It’d also be a good idea to plan on feeding in the tank instead - it’s pretty easy to train a snake for when it’s food time vs when it’s handling time to avoid accidental bites. Moving the snake for feeding time can stress them out & cause them to refuse food, regurgitate food, and you may be even more likely to get bitten because you’re trying to move a hungry snake.

I would also add more fake plants! Lots of permeable cover that the snake can move through while still feeling hidden is great for keeping ball pythons comfortable. Another thing I did when Charis was living in a tank was cover the back and both sides with cardboard to help her feel less exposed. :) You could also use styrofoam to help insulate the tank & keep more stable temps.

If you can, I would suggest returning the water bowl you have in there, or save it to use for something else. Big bowls are better for ball pythons - they don’t soak often, but they should have the option if they want. A large water bowl also helps with keeping the humidity up. Large dog bowls work really well & you can often find them pretty cheap!

For heating, a lot of people use heating mats rather than basking lights. Other options are ceramic heat emitter (CHE) bulbs or radiant heat panels. All heating options MUST be on a thermostat, so make sure you figure that cost in too!

If you haven’t already, I would check out @wheremyscalesslither‘s great write-ups! http://wheremyscalesslither.tumblr.com/post/132616408818/my-ball-python-resources There’s a few on heating that might help you decide what you want to use and explains how to set up the thermostat and such.

Good luck and let me know if you have more questions! WMSS and @i-m-snek are great for ball python questions too. :) 

[cindersnaps-blog]

For anyone wondering about my tank set-up, I’m using a 40 gallon tank. Ecoearth + mulch mix, an exo terra water bowl and a tubberware container as the second, larger water bow. Exo terra hide (it’s a little big), a fake stump that I adore, and a pot I acquired for hides. Moss for humidity helping, mostly tucked into her hides to keep her feeling more secure and enclosed. Fake ivy, slowly acquiring more. For heating there is a 20 gallon UTH under the pot, and then a 40 gallon UTH under her main hide. Combined they keep the tank at a comfortable temperature. 

[frolicingintheforest]

Kodama's tank