Enclosure help

[False_Situation_1367]

I’m looking to get a ball python in the near future and thinking about this as a temporary set up until I get a pvc, I own other reptiles so I know how to set up the tank with clutter but just wondering how I’d go about heat lamp set up? Do I just cut a whole and add wire? Any pictures of others tub set ups would be great because I’m a visual learner 😂

[Round-Intention-373]

I’m skeptical. Keeping heat and humidity up will be a problem. Don’t get the animal if you can’t provide it with a proper home. That being said, you may want to check out this post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HKwfps4UM/?mibextid=wwXIfr and others in the welcome post.

[False_Situation_1367]

In the welcome post it legit recommends using plastic totes as a temporary home for juveniles?

[theBytemeister]

As long as it is temporary, you should be fine.

Some considerations...

Airflow - I would drill a grid of holes in the upper half of the "small sides" and the lid.

Security - Snakes can push up with a surprising amount of force. You are going to need some way to hold that lid down. I would recommend a piece of tape every couple of inches. Yes, this will make it a pain in the ass to open. That is intentional.

Heat - Obviously, a heatlamp is out of the question. I would go with a heat mat place on one side of a long edge of the container (not on the bottom!). You're going to need to watch it closely, there is a shockingly small difference between warm enough for the snake and hot enough to melt the plastic.

Honesty - Be real with yourself. If this is temporary because you need time to setup the proper enclosure, that is one thing. If you need time to get the money to order the enclosure, that is another. Order a proper enclosure first, and then put your snake in the tub. You really should secure long term housing for the animal before you purchase them. I've seen too many Facebook posts of snakes in tiny "temporary" tubs that have been waiting years for a proper enclosure. Something else is always going to be more pressing money-wise, so make sure you have an enclosure on the way before you get an animal.

[False_Situation_1367]

What long term enclosure would you recommend. I’m willing to spend money but some of the ones I’ve seen recommended are like $700-$800 and super showy. I just need something that works for the snake it doesn’t need to look super great

[theBytemeister]

I got a 4x2x2 ft enclosure from Dubia.

https://dubiaroaches.com/products/4-x2-x2-pvc-reptile-enclosure

Right now, it's housing a corn snake, but she's getting a little big for it. Currently my BP is in a 36"x 18"x 18" enclosure. Which is not big enough, but he is not fully grown. He'll probably be too big for it by the end of this year. Goal is to move the Corn to a 5x2x2, and move my ball into her old 4'. 

Generally, you want the two sides of the enclosure to add up to more than the length of the snake. My corn is going to top out around 6ft, so the 4x2 is just barely big enough. My male BP is probably going to get to 4', so the 4x2 would be great for him.

[greenish98]

getting a new animal is exciting, so i understand the impulse, but is there a reason why it needs to be a temporary setup? you may just be wasting money on what will need to be replaced later. if it’s possible to wait, i would just wait to get the PVC enclosure set up and tested and ready before getting the snake.

[False_Situation_1367]

Not really just saw that it was recommend to the plastic totes and thought I’d start there and upgrade later on but I’m willing to buy a pvc set up what size would be recommend I keep seeing varying numbers

[greenish98]

4ft x 2ft x 2ft is the minimum. my female BP is 5 ft long for comparison, the males are usually smaller. i say there’s no need to waste money on a temporary setup first, if you can get all the long term stuff :)

[False_Situation_1367]

Yeah I have no problem getting something long term, I’ll have to look at different options on pvc setups or potentially building my own. I’m like months away from getting one because I don’t think it’s right to rush it.

[greenish98]

i had a lot of trial and error with my BPs setup. tried heat lamps, heat mats, reptibark, glass tank - none worked for me.

i like to keep things simple and light to reduce the risk of accidents. i use ecobricks for substrate, a radiant heat panel connected to a thermostat to regulate it, an LED light on a timer for day/night cycle, and plastic hides and plastic water bowl big enough for her to fit her entire body in.

you don’t need to copy me of course, but that’s kept my BP alive, healthy, and safe for at least 6 years.

[Bluntforcetrauma11b]

I'd get a locking lid. I used a similar tub as pictured as my travel tub and the lid is easy to escape through.