Royal/Ball Python

[RTBShark(II)]

Wat sort of stuff wud i need 2 keep a Royal/Ball python?

[FMgurl43]

im not to smart when it comes to snakes ive neevr owned one but have owned pretty much everything else... my brother has 10 snakes though ranging from a sand boa to an anaconda....in his python tank (in regular fish tanks big enough 4 the size of the snake of course)he has either sand or wood chips he gets from the pet stores and a water dish big enough 4 the snake to lay in some tree branches he got from the pets store so the snake can climb on them and a screen lid over the top w/ the locks(his python likes to sneek out) and a basking light.... thats all i can think of as of the moment i might be missing some things so maybe someone else could give u some better info...good luck... if nothing else try a search on google...

[RTBShark(II)]

THANKS!!!

[Blueribbon]

Hi RTBShark(II),

I have a BP. You'll need a tank for each of them, and what FMgurl43 said is correct to some extent. Here is a copy from a website that might help you further.

Let us now go through the list of other essential cage furnishings. A hide box is a must for a ball python. There are many different styles to choose from. Two things to consider are, is it large enough for the snake and is it easy to keep clean. Some hide boxes are made of wood and others come in the shapes of "rock" caves. They look nice, but are more difficult to clean, since there are so many places for debris to get stuck in. Water dishes also come in a large variety. They can be as simple as a dog type water dish or as interesting as a rock basin. If you choose to have more elaborate furnishings, a good scrub brush will be necessary. This will help you to clean out all the crevices that will be found in the more ornate water dishes and hide boxes. A large branch may be placed in the cage, but is not necessary. This will provide a surface for the ball python to crawl over and around. It may even provide a good surface to help the snake shed. If you choose to place anything in the enclosure with your ball python that comes from outside, please make sure that it is completely cleaned, sterilized and dry before placing it in the cage with your pet. Nothing is worse than having a wonderful set up, a healthy snake and introducing parasites into your set up from outside.

The next step is to provide adequate heat and light for your ball python. When considering a possible heat source, please DO NOT buy a hot rock. These can give your ball python severe burns. An under tank heat source is best for your ball python. I personally recommend using a rheostat along with the heater. The amount of heat that is produced can be controlled and adjusted to compensate for temperature fluctuations in your home. In summer it will be necessary, in most climates, to turn down the amount of heat that is produced by the under tank heater and naturally in winter the amount of heat produced will need to be increased. The under tank heater should cover from one-fourth to one third of the bottom of the tank and should be placed at one end of the cage, preferably near the area were the hide box will be. It is important to remember that the air temperature of the cage will not be the same as the temperature of the glass, or wood, directly above the heat source. Check the temperature at this spot. It should not exceed 90? Fahrenheit. It is also a good idea to place a piece of plywood underneath the cage. This will keep the the heating element off of the furniture. Please make sure that you reduce the risk of fire by not overloading outlets. If needed use a power strip. Ball pythons do not require UV lighting. The natural light that comes into your room will be sufficient for your ball python. Do not place the cage in the path of direct sunlight. The temperatures inside the cage can soar and your snake can overheat and die.

I hope this will help you, if you have any more questions Please feel free to ask me.

[needlefish]

how big of a tank does one boa need?

[Blueribbon]

It all depends on what species you get.

[needlefish]

i want a smaller type

[Blueribbon]

The smallest type would be either a rubber boa or a rosy boa. I'd go with a 10 gal. tank or above.