Im going to get a ball python. what kind of envirment does it need in its cage or whatever you call it.?

Question

I wanna know what kind of envirment it neds so it can live a happy life.

Answer 1

Read this website...it is excellent and tells you everything you need to know!

http://www.kingsnake.com/ballpythonguide...

Answer 2

sounds like you need to do some more research on them before jumping in and buying one.  i mean you dont even know what the "cage" is called.  its a vivarium and the vivarium needs to be set up before you get your snake.  since you probably wont listen and do more research here is what you need for the snake.

to set up the vivarium for your snake use a basking spot lamp (it's by zoo med). put that on one side which keeps the vivarium around 85 - 90 F during the day and dont put any kind of heating on the cool side of the tank...room temp is fine for that.  leave the heat lamp on for 10 – 12 hours a day.  also at night just turn off the day lamp and the temp should drop around 70 - 75 at night. put hides on both sides and leave their water on the cool side. use a substrate that can hold humidity like cypress mulch (forest floor) then just mist it several times a day (3) with a squirt bottle to keep the humidity up. the humidity should be around 60% when you mist it.

after your snakes new enclosure is set up then leave the snake alone for at least a week before handling it or feeding it...this will keep your snake from stressing out.

when you feed your snake take it out of its enclosure and put it in a "feeding tub"...any appropiately sized palstic box will do (a plastic box like from wal mart or target). If the snake is an adult you will need a decent sized plastic box...get one that is short...not too tall (the size that could fit under your bed). drill holes along the sides at the top for airflow put the snake in and then the food in. after the snake has eaten give it about 15 minutes to get its food down before putting it back in its cage. dont handle the snake for about 24 hours after it eats. its just better all around to feed a snake this way.

NEVER NEVER NEVER use a heat rock or any type of heat source that you put inside the vivarium...snakes (or lizards or any reptile) that has those can get very nasty burns from them.

Answer 3

Use newspaper ( not shredded) for the bottom of the enclosure, this makes cleaning so much easier.

Buy a thermometer from the pet store, they're about 5 or 6 bucks.

A heat rock or pad for digestion. You only need to turn it on when your snake eats and turn it off about 5 days later.

A heat lamp (not light) for warmth. It should be 85-94F in the cage during the day then raise the lamp at night to make it around 78-84F.

A small dog dish for water. Get one that's wider on the bottom so that the snake doesn't tip it over and one that doesn't have any openings  so your snake doesn't crawl in and get stuck.

Last but not least, a hide box. Something  your snake can crawl into and not be seen. This will keep it from getting stressed.

I hope this helps, and please IM me for any more questions.

Answer 4

The pet store that you buy the snake from should be able to tell you everything you need to know. As you probably know Snakes are cold blooded and cannot regulate their own body temperature so they need something to hide under to cool off and also a heat lamp.

http://www.kingsnake.com/ballpythonguide...

Answer 5

you should first off do a little research on it before you purchase it.  that will really help in the longrun.  they need a light, undertank heater, water bowl, hiding place.  but just remember some petstores do not know everything they are just there to sell you the products thats why you need to do research.

Answer 6

well first  you need a heat source. I use an under the tank heating pad. You need to decide what kind of substrate. I like cage carpet put out by zoo med. because it is easy to maintain.you will also need lighting that emits uvb. And you will also need some way to keep the humity up around 60%. I use a haba mister put out by zoo med I belive. And most important you need a top in which the ball python cannot escape. As for all snakes they are escape experts. you also need to provide a hide box, I use critter cavern put out by Flukers. And like for all of god creatures they need a water dish big enough for them to soak in. I hope this helps some.