Tank Dimension for BP ?!?!

[Fisherman 1991]

Ok, I've been all over the place on my dimensions for my BP terrarium.

Since BP's are semi arboreal [sp?], Height is pretyt much my main issue. I figured 40-46" tall at first, but then someone told me that the snake could fall and injure itself. What are the chances of him falling in the tank? Then I though something closer to around 30". But I wanted him to be able to climb if he wants to, I now I'm thinking about 36" tall.

As for my other dimensions, I think I'm ok. 30" wide, 24" deep? Those ok, or too much or too less? I don't want him to outgrow the tank, cause I probably won't be able to afford a second one later...

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

fisherman

P.S. if it matters, I am building the tank out of plywood and glass. So I can make it as big or small as I want (or as my budget allows. )

[shinobi]

Hey,

As far as i know (and i am by no means an expert) ball pythons are primarilly terrestrial (some literature even suggests a substantial portion of their lives are spent being fossorial).

Be that as it may, it wouldnt hurt to include some perches in your enclosure and given the chance im sure they will climb readily while exploring their enclosures.

Also ball pythons are rather robust and sturdy built snakes (once they start eating) so adjusting your perches to weight increases should be another consideration. I have heard of some people animals injuring themselves during falls, but it all depends on the design of the "arboreal section" and adjusting it accordingly to the animals weight and width as it matures.

You could also be wasting your time, as you may have a specimen that really isnt interested in exploring perches.

Other than that i think your dimensions for the tank are pretty good, personally i would opt for more floor space and the construction of artificial burrows.

Hope this helps and goodluck - post some pics whwn you are done!

Later

[Tiamat]

an adult can spend its life in a 30 gallon tank. This is pretty much the minimum.

They do climb a lot. In their natural place, they sleep in rodent holes, where it is wet and safe. At night, they go hunt. Hunt is a big word because, usually, they are more of a 'set trap' specimen. Climbing and waiting for a rodent to pass is a very popular strategy for BPs. They mostly live in a 'savana' type of place where you have a lot of bushes where they can climb and wait for preys.
But they will feed on the ground if the occasion is there.

[froggsong]

Mine doesn't climb at all, and the BP forum I am part of, which is very knowledgeable, suggests housing them in a plastic tub, so I don't know much about them climbing at all... I have mine in a 20G right now, with a GS background, and he rarely comes out and climbs on anything.

[Tiamat]

It happens. climbing is not a msut for them. Mines or those i had were pretty ground based. But the majority of them used to reach high spot at nights, climbing all over the place.

Personaly, i still give them climbing space. Even if not really important, i think it is good for then to exercise like this.

[Fisherman 1991]

Junior does stay in his hide during the day. And the only time I see him out (besides for feeding) is at night. And during this time he is pretty active. He climbs on top of his new hide as well as on the grape wood I've got in there.

I think I am going to go with something with more floor space.

fisherman

[Fisherman 1991]

I'm thinking close to the dimension of a 60gallon tank. (48x12x24)

I'd just make it twice as deep. Like two 60gals next to each other. (48x24x24, or 4'x2'x2')

fisherman

[froggsong]

I wish mine would be more active at night... I never see him out at all... I saw him out twice the other night and I was soooo excited. I don't know what to do to make him come out more. His tank is in our bedroom, and there isn't much activity in there, and his tank is only open on the front. I think I'm going to try adding some fake plants and see if that helps.

[Tiamat]

Well, most of the time, if they feed, they don't move no matter what. I am just surprised you don't see him move at night more....or meaby you sleep too much

You can put your BP in a 60g. he won't be the worst. I say 30g minimum for someone who seeks a balance bettwen space in the house and space for the snake. If you are like me, space in the house becomes an issue. If you only have 1 BP, then hell!, enjoy yourself, put a big tank and decorate at will.

[froggsong]

Aren't BPs generally more comfortable in a smaller tank? This is what I have been reading since looking into getting one...