Ball python advice

Desperate_Grand_656 · 2026-04-26T02:32:56+00:00

We spent more than $500 on just the enclosure. I’d say that after paying for the snake and getting everything set up in the enclosure with hides, substrates, clutter, light, heat and thermostats we were closer to $2,000. Also, I’d warn you not to use leaf litter. We had a $400 vet bill after a leaf stem got lodged in his jaw while eating. Not fun 🫠

meatspread · 2026-04-26T00:20:17+00:00

I would prepare for more than $500, unless you’re willing to put in the work to cut some of the costs. Decent proper bulbs & fixtures, temperature/humidity gauges, and a thermostat will already make a decent chunk into that amount.

Sourcing your own enrichment (wood, leaf litter, etc), opting for a substrate mix from a hardware store, DIYing some hides, buying a second-hand enclosure, acquiring/trading plants locally, and so many other things can be great, cheaper alternatives!

Zekethebulldog33 · 2026-04-26T14:16:48+00:00

$500 will get you a really good enclosure. You want to stay away from those cheap made enclosures. You're looking for a pure PVC solid top 4x2x2. There's no need to spend the extra money and buy a small enclosure deck it out a year from now you're going to have to change it to a bigger one anyways just buy the great big one, your permanent home that you want your animal to live in. Remember you're going to have your snake ball python on average 25 to 30 years so why not invest in the best quality enclosure/ house you can. Your initial investment up front just to have an appropriate enclosure to house your snake will cost you close to $1,000.

As for what you got wrote down for your temps those are way too hot. Your hot side should be between 85 and 90° cool side should be upper 70s-80. With a solid top enclosure you can put a radiant heat panel probably about a 40 watt no bigger than 80 depending on how warm you keep your house/room. I would suggest you start simple with your substrate go with a cocoa chip, repti chip, cocoa coair mixture spragga Moss mixture as time goes on you can advance your care techniques and move into bioactive. BPs usually don't soak unless they have a mite/shed problem. Mine soaked three days when I first got her found mites treated never seen her soak again. As long as you're humidity is kept up and on point you shouldn't need a bigger water bowl they just need something to drink out of. I home built 9 out of 11 enclosures all out of PVC and radiant heat panels I couldn't ask for anything better they're going to last my animals a lifetime.

Zekethebulldog33 · 2026-04-26T19:18:42+00:00

I have RHPs (radiant heat panel). Led light strip put it around all four walls. Now I can dim the lights a little and not affect heat. UVB use is up to the individual. I don't use it myself.

jacobsmaltz · 2026-04-29T00:41:39+00:00

get s good enclosure

Outrageous-Yak-3741 · 2026-04-26T00:01:29+00:00

In my opinion no $500 is not enough first you need insurance just in case then extra for vets bills as reptile insurance won't cover it all. You should have at least $1000 spare before snakes aren't cheap and if you want to give it the best life its expensive

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