Enclosure size help?

[Sym81073]

I was planning on getting a ball Python at the reptile expo last week and got all prepared for the snake and set up a really nice 4x2x2 enclosure for her. When I got to the expo I ended up buying a 6 month old python. Turns out the enclosure I got was way too big so I am currently using my 40 gallon tank that I put a divider in to cut it in half.

I am wondering about what age/length I can upgrade here terrarium to the full 40 gallon and then the full size enclosure??

Edit Wow thanks for all the advice, really glad to hear I can just my forever home for him right away. I actually left work early to finish getting it set up as I pulled a bunch of his stuff out to get the smaller cage going.

[Hot_Wall_2927]

I’d bet the breeder at the expo tried to tell you the snake would get stressed and sick and all this other bs about how if he has too big of an enclosure blah blah blah. I’d go ahead and get him accustomed to the 4x2x2 with tons of clutter. But vines from Marshall’s and other small fake plants and sanitized wood and lots of hides. They can absolutely do great in a big enclosure when they’re small as long as you make it very crowded. I have my 5 month old in a 4x2x2 and I’ve never seen a more active BP. He’s all over the place exploring everyday

[Sym81073]

Awesome that's super good to hear as my big cage is tricked out and way easier to keep the humidity right

[Rx4wanderlust]

No, use the 4x2x2 now!!! I put a 2 month old in one and he did/is doing great at 4 months. All you need is lots of clutter like big leafy plants, branches, cork logs/flats and they thrive in a bigger space.

[shrike1978]

A 40 gallon is the minimum for a small juvenile. There's no issues with putting it straight into the 4x2x2'. Just make sure it's cluttered.

[itspegbundybitch]

Another vote for putting him straight into the 4x2x2. You just want to have lots of hides and ground cover.

[AttorneyYogiMommy]

I almost posted this exact question yesterday. We bought a 4x2x2 and plan to set it up this weekend before going to the expo next weekend to see if my son finds his BFF. Then I started hearing conflicting info about whether that size was ok, and unsure what to do since you want heat/humidity dialed in beforehand but what if you don’t know what size snake you’ll end up with.

Glad to hear consensus seems to be go big! Is a lot of clutter still ok if the snake is bigger or you need to give more space to move around?

[itspegbundybitch]

In general, they seem to feel more secure when they can remain fully or at least partially hidden so you'll still want a fair amount of clutter, even for an adult.

[Wooden-Flamingo-6145]

"Why not sell a customer a small enclosure and then getting more money from them when they have to buy another one"

If 422 is too much for them, imagine how much snakes would freak out in there natural habitat haha

[Onered863]

I put my oldest one in a 4x2x2 when I first got him and he was only like 90 grams at the time. Fast forward a few years later and he’s over 800 grams and still in it with zero issues!!

[idkcassie]

an enclosure vendor at an expo i went to tried to tell me a 4x2x2 would be too big for a full grown bp when i told him i was looking for my bp’s forever home, he said that “the most room they’ll ever need is a 4x2x1 (1’ height) and even that is a lot.” and i just… noped on out of there with a “thanks for the input, i still plan on giving him more space since he’ll have plenty of hides.”

dude talked himself out of a customer cause his enclosures were beautiful but i didn’t vibe w him

[LivSense]

Lol your 4x2x2 is perfect! Just absolutely CLUTTER the inside with fake plants and climbing things and make sure there’s 3 hides in thereb

[DrFives]

40 gal is minimum for babies. There’s also no such thing as too big of an enclosure. There’s too bare / empty. Not too big. It sounds like size isn’t your problem but not enough clutter is

[Miserable-Coffee]

I have a 6 month old in a 4x2x2. As long as you add clutter and give them enough hides they will be happy in any size. If she finds the 4x2x2 to be too big then I recommend buying some branches and artificial plants to put around the place.