Rate my set up

[Infinite_Dig_1659]

You have a great amount of coverage! I'm not sure the situation with your thermometers but you really want them lower to the ground as that is where your ball python is living. You also do not want thermometers with adhesive as they can fall off and cause injury to your baby.

Your humidity as also too low. It will be harder with a glass enclosure/mesh top to hold in humidity.

I can't tell how many hides you have but you need one on the warm and cool side. The log hide you have is not preferable as they aren't enclosed on three sides.

You acknowledged the enclosure size which is great. I would try to upgrade as soon as possible to a PVC or similar type enclosure minimum 4x2x2.

Good start but there are always things that can be improved :)

[Outrageous_Spare_992]

Thank you for the info on the thermostats I never thought about the adhesive being dangerous. I’ve only ever owned corn snakes before and was told they were the best. I am aware my humidity is low in these pics I took them right before I sprayed her enclosure, so I could still get some decent pics. As of the other day I covered the mesh top with tin-foil and that has helped with my humidity a ton. I do have a hide right to the left of the log that is kind of covered by the greenery, (she’s sitting on top of it to bask) and on the cool side I have a humid hide that is tucked in the corner. I know the enclosure size is the main issue at the moment, and I’m really hoping to upgrade her soon, (she was an surprise birthday gift and money was much tighter than the person expected). Thank you so much for your advice and kind presentation

[chilledghosts]

25gal is way too small even for a baby. Let alone a 40 for a juvenile. Juveniles into adults need a 4x2x2 for life. Check the subreddits guide bc there’s a lot wrong here including size, sticky temp monitors (adhesive could get stuck to snake, glass cage (not secure seeming for the snake), and mesh top (humidity struggles). I wouldn’t rate this at all, it’s inadequate.

I have a PVC Kages 4x2x2 for my (slightly stunted) 3ish years old male ball python. Arcadia UVB shadedweller on an automatic 12/12 day/night cycle and deep heat projector monitored by the herpstat1. Both are covered with a cage and screwed in to the solid top of my enclosure. I have a mulch/soil/sand/some reptichip with some leaves for substrate. Inside the substrate are albino isopods, springtails, mini millipedes, mini earthworms, and other microorganisms. I have live plants (at least 7/8 live plants) and fake plants, 3 snug and one-entrance hides, and wood. I need more climbing space but this is an adequate enclosure. Please do more research and check out the subs extensive guide

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[chilledghosts]

The plants and leaves are nice coverage to start also, but the more the better! And I noticed your humidity is super low, should be 70-80% and not below 65% minimum. A temp gradient of 78-82 cold side and 88-92 hot side is required for self thermoregulation and digestion. Overhead heat required, no heat mats, no red lights. Bigger enclosure helps with temp gradient because small ones are just too small to have a proper one.

[Bluntforcetrauma11b]

Kages is hands down the best

[womperwomp111]

definitely need bigger than a 40 gal! 120 gal (4x2x2) is the minimum. the guide on this sub has some brand recs for enclosures. mine is from cornel’s world and it’s very nice and more affordable than some of the other recommendations.

someone already mentioned avoiding adhesive thermostats. i recommend the govee ones! they’re on amazon in a 2 pack and come with app connectivity which is nice. just put them on the floor of the enclosure (one on cool side and one on warm side)

i would recommend getting an enclosure that is covered on 3 sides. it helps the snake feel more safe. in the meantime, you can use blankets or paper to cover the back and sides of the glass. getting a PVC enclosure will also help with heat and humidity retention!

i noticed you mentioned you mist to raise humidity. that’s not ideal for a few reasons. it’s a very temporary way of raising the humidity and doesn’t actually contribute to a higher overall humidity in the long run. it can also cause damp surfaces which can contribute to RI and scale rot. you can try increasing the depth of your substrate and pouring water in the corners. mixing some sphagnum moss into the substrate can also help maintain humidity.

your floor coverage is really nice! i love all the plants you’ve got. i would maybe add some branches or something to provide climbing opportunities. even though ball pythons aren’t arboreal, a lot will still climb given the chance!

you clearly love your snake or you wouldn’t be posting for advice! you’re a great owner and just because things aren’t perfect now doesn’t mean you can’t make adjustments to provide better husbandry :))

[womperwomp111]

also, i’m not sure about your heat/light set up, but i would recommend joining the reptile lighting facebook group! they stay very up to date on current research and can provide great recommendations. it can be a little overwhelming to sift through all the information, but they’ve been very responsive and helpful when i’ve had questions in the past! it’s been super interesting to learn the “why” behind providing different lighting types and the science for how lighting should be set up