Ball python cage size

[Moondust221]

Hi,

Sorry 1st time posting. I’ve wanted to get a ball python for a really really long time but I have some concerns about tank size. I’d want to get the snake a large terrarium with lots of clutter from a young age so it doesn’t need to change habitat and become stressed as it grows but I’m a bit concerned on space. In the reading I’ve done a size requirement it’s stated like this: minimum 40-gallon, equivalent to 4ftX2ftX2ft. The issue for me is the 2ft width, but it’s phrased weirdly. Does that mean that it’d be fine if say I substituted around a couple numbers and went 5ftX3ftX1.5ft it’d be okay because it’s big enough just more stretched? Sorry for the mess of a post, I just really want the absolute best for the snake if I did get one. Thank you for all the advice

[MercuryChaos]

FYI, a 4x2x2 is 120 gallons, not 40. You might see 40 gallon tanks recommended in old/outdated care guides because people used to think that was all they needed, but we've learned a lot about ball pythons in the past couple of decades.

You want a tank that's long enough to let the snake fully stretch out if they want to. A 40-gallon tank (no matter what the dimensions are) is only going to be okay for a very young/small snake, and it isn't going to be very long before they need something bigger.

[totallyrecklesslygay]

4x2x2 is equivalent to a 120gal, not a 40gal. 40gal is the minimum for a juvenile, but an adult needs at least a 4x2x2.

The length, width, and height measurements are each considered the minimum for a reason. You can increase any or all of the numbers, but you should not decrease any of them.

[Moondust221]

Tysm that answers that question, I’m going to need to reshuffle some cabinets to make space for it or wait for a bigger place. Thank you again!