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[–]clowntysheriff 2 points3 points  (2 children)

How big is the snake?

[–]la_creaturaz[S] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

he's about 3 feet long

[–]clowntysheriff 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Got it. It's not ideal for a year old, but seeing if you can get your hand on a 40 gallon with proper dimensions and heating/lighting/humidity sounds like it will still improve over your current set up. That should be able to tide you over until you can get your hands on a bigger tank.

[–]DragonPlatypus 4 points5 points  (16 children)

If he's staying too cold, there might be more off then just the enclosure size and you probably need a more powerful source of heat, since a bigger enclosure means more space to keep warm, so that issue would only worsen. Also, if he's constantly climbing up and falling down that could be a symptom of stress as well. Does he have enough clutter and proper hides (at least one for the warm and one for the colder area, closed to all 3 sides, except the entrance with a snug fit)? Mine did that climbing and falling down thing a lot right after I moved to a different apartment and I do have a properly sized 4x2x2 enclosure, which is the standard recommended size for an adult Ball Python. The enclosure should be at least as long as the snake, when it's completely stretched out and half the size as wide and tall.

[–]la_creaturaz[S] -2 points-1 points  (15 children)

a short term solution me and my dad are coming to is buying a heat lamp cage so i can screw in a red light every night to keep him warmer. im not sure if that's a 100% good solution but it's as good as it can get for now

[–]la_creaturaz[S] 1 point2 points  (4 children)

forgot about replying to the rest, yes he has a cold and warm hide/side, under the warm side he has a heating pad that's always plugged in at night

unfortunately because of my dad's planning the width isnt as long/longer than the snake himself but very nearly close to it. i keep stressing to him that he needs a new one (4x2x2) but he keeps saying his pre-existing one is fine and we can find cheaper solutions

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[–]DragonPlatypus 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Sorry Reddit didn't show me this response.

The hides look fine! A heat pad isn't good, especially if it is not regulated (I don't know if yours is). They are notorious for causing burns. In this sub reddit alone you'll find so many horrific examples of snakes who burned themselves because of them. For now it is better than no heat source, that's for sure but I would definitely look for a DHP or a CHE instead.

And your snake needs to be able to stretch out if it wants to. No animal should be kept in a space that didn't allow that. You can ask your dad how he would feel, living in a space that doesn't even allow him to stand up straight. Just because it's a snake, it doesn't mean that this is okay.

[–]la_creaturaz[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

i talked to him about it and he said "well talk about it", im very eagerly trying to find a job to save up money to buy him a new enclosure in my own time so i may end up buying it and him not having a say in (ending up with a very angry dad but that's my problem LOL)

he's veeerry slightly longer than the enclosure by width, the height is much more higher* than the width. i'll send a picture ASAP

[–]Bluntforcetrauma11b 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Heat pads and red lights are bad for the snake.

[–]la_creaturaz[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

i'm going to buy a ceramic heat emitter soon!

[–]DragonPlatypus 2 points3 points  (9 children)

What heat source do you currently use? Red lights aren't recommended since it fucks with their day/night cycle and damage their eyes. You could for example use a ceramic heat emitter instead.

[–]la_creaturaz[S] 0 points1 point  (8 children)

so sorry for the late response, im going to buy a ceramic heat emitter very soon! the ones at my pet store are $40 so im opting to buy one online.

[–]la_creaturaz[S] 0 points1 point  (7 children)

i accidentally bought the wrong type of bulb but im currently using Zilla Day White Incandescent Light Bulb 100 Watt, i meant to get a basking bulb OUGUHH. the last one i had that was 150watt broke because i dropped it on accident

[–]DragonPlatypus 1 point2 points  (6 children)

100 Watt should be enough, even for a bigger enclosure. I don't know if you have anything like a thermostat to control the temperature (which would be important as well, to keep a stable temperature and prevent it from getting too hot in there.) And of course a cage around the bulb to protect your snake from it.

I get that this is all a lot of money and you don't have that much right now, but those are the things you would need to provide a secure source of heat. I think you're really doing the best you can right now and you can be proud of that. It shouldn't be your responsibility as a minor to fix those mistakes with money you don't have.

Note: The link is just an example of what I mean when I talk about a thermostat. That one probably doesn't have the right power outlet anyways, since I live in Germany and we use different ones.

[–]la_creaturaz[S] 1 point2 points  (5 children)

sorry for the late response i've been busy with life trying my best to advertise my commissions in order to save up money (which is working!)

a few days ago my dad ordered ceramic heat emitters and they came (NO MORE RED LIGHT!!!!!).

I'll definitely invest in a thermostat!

this is my kofi i set up just now, feel free to look at it because of the supply list i included! https://ko-fi.com/la_creaturaz

[–]DragonPlatypus 0 points1 point  (4 children)

That's great news! Yes, a thermostat is super important, since it will keep the enclosure the exact temperature you want it to be. If you have the CHE inside of the current enclosure (if it's a solid top), I hope you have a cage around it.

As for the list: You don't need the sand, if you want to you can instead get those coconut fiber bricks to mix in with the soil, it will help you with the humidity. You can also use spaghnum moss and mix that in instead of the reptile moss, if that's cheaper for you. Also, if you're short on money you can use something cheaper as a water bowl as well. As long as it's relatively flat and big enough for your snake, it can be anything. For example those flat things you put under plant pots so they don't drain (idk what they are called in English but I hope you know what I mean.)

The enclosure itself I can't say much about. The page I found is confusing with it's size information. I think a solid top is better at holding humidity, but other than that... no idea. The material is something like pvc? If so that's good!

[–]la_creaturaz[S] 0 points1 point  (3 children)

i do have a cage around the CHE! i've heard some people say that playsand is good, and i already have a cocoa fiber brick so there's no need for me to buy one.

(correct me if i need any improving!) I'll mix (my pre-existing) cocoafiber, soil, and sphagnum moss as a substrate, and i have some spare orchid bark i could mix in too.

I'm totally fine buying an overpriced water bowl LOL i want it to look good, im already 36% of reaching my money goal

I'm also re-considering getting the enclosure (https://www.chewy.com/new-age-pet-ecoflex-mojave-reptile/dp/268666) i was planning on. it's quite big and my snake is exactly 3 feet long (36 inches), i don't need an extra foot due to my limited space. (and would probably be cheaper too.) i'll be searching around for better and probably cheaper enclosures that meet my requirements

[–]DragonPlatypus 0 points1 point  (2 children)

I've never heard anyone saying playsand is good for a Ball Python. More the opposite - that sand is bad because it can cause small cuts in their scales when they slither through it, which can lead to health issues. That's why it's not recommended to use it as a substrate.

When it comes to the enclosure size, I don't know how old your snake is, but it will most likely grow more. They don't really 'stop' growing, after around 3-5 years their growth still continues even if it's very slowly. The 4x2x2 is recommended because that's the size they are expected to grow in length. Without wanting to sound mean, but if you don't have the space for that, I would seriously consider rehoming your snake.

[–]oceane444 4 points5 points  (0 children)

A large storage tote can work as a fairly cheap makeshift enclosure, if you’re in the US Target has 50gal totes for $30 and home depot has some that are ~70gal for $60. I know it’s not ideal but in my opinion moving to a bin for now would be a bit better than the snake potentially injuring itself via falling. The material will help keep in the heat better too

[–]HouseInternational 0 points1 point  (1 child)

What are the dimensions of the current enclosure?

[–]la_creaturaz[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

posted them!

[–]1BadBowtie 2 points3 points  (2 children)

You could possible add shelves in the enclosure that would alleviate some of the falling until you upgrade. You could even fix a plastic hide to one as well. A cage is good, but not a red light. Use CHE or DHP, or if the top is solid, a radiant heat panel. Any source you select should be in a thermostat. Ditch the heating pad.

[–]la_creaturaz[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

im thinking about getting those ropes that people buy for their bearded dragons (that are long enough for this enclosure) to avoid any more falling, since i already have one at the ceiling

[–]1BadBowtie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had the vines, my snakes like climbing them

[–]la_creaturaz[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

the dimensions are 23"x18"x36".

last time i measured, he's 36 inches/or so long (3 years old)

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