/r/ballpython

Photograph via snooOG

Python Regius. Royal Python. Ball Python. We love them by any name!

Welcome to r/ballpython, a community for ball python enthusiasts of all experience levels, from the prospective first-time owner to the veteran keeper. This is a predominantly discussion-based subreddit with a focus on raising husbandry standards. Photos and videos are also encouraged, so show off your ball pythons!


Be sure to read our welcome post for our rules and information resources!


Questions? Problems? Click here to message the r/ballpython moderators!


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/r/ballpython

141,471 Subscribers

1

His little nose in the sun this morning melted my heart 🥹

0 Comments
2024/12/02
21:17 UTC

0

Vents in new enclosure

5x2x2. Is two at each end too many or just right?

Having it made with two low on the cold side end and two high on the warm side end rather than on the back.

Just hoping someone wise can tell me if it'll be ok or I I should switch to one at each end. Or something else.

The holes are 77mm.

0 Comments
2024/12/02
20:57 UTC

1

IN SEEK OF A FROZEN RAT BREDER.

Hi! I am looking for a good online frozen rat breeder to buy frozen rats from. Pet store rats are super expensive and I don't trust those big stores. Thanks.

2 Comments
2024/12/02
20:49 UTC

15

Probably overreacting but can I still clean it off his head or should I leave him to it?

He just shedded btw

3 Comments
2024/12/02
20:46 UTC

5

Is she about to shed?

I’ve had her for a couple weeks, I woke up this morning and her eyes were blue/grey.

6 Comments
2024/12/02
20:44 UTC

1

LED grow lights for UVB?

There are some LED plant grow lights that advertise that they provide UVB. Would these be suitable for snakes? The lights appear cheaper and more energy efficient than the fluorescent bulbs, and have better spectrum for growing plants. Would they provide enough UVB and is there any danger in using them? I’ve read people express concerns that they’re too intense to look at but said they weren’t sure how that works for snakes.

3 Comments
2024/12/02
20:38 UTC

1

Is this safe to put in an enclosure?

I was thinking of attaching this to the wall of my pvc enclosure for my BP, good or bad idea?

1 Comment
2024/12/02
19:34 UTC

1

Julius shedding soon!

0 Comments
2024/12/02
19:14 UTC

2

Best alternatives for Radiant Heat Panels?

Sorry if this question is redundant. You all have provided an amazing wealth of info to help me get started! I'm getting my daughter an enclosure set up as a Christmas/Birthday present as she's been pining for a BP for the last two years.

I'd love to do a RHP and halogen flood combo for the lighting/heating. But I'm also feeling salty about having to get multiple thermostats. Also it looks like Vivarium Electronics is out if business, so I'm hesitant to put money into their products knowing there will be little to no support.

Does anyone have thoughts on a better heat/light combo, or alternative to VE for radiant heat panels?
The enclosure will be 6x2x3,HDPE, northern Illinois in an older house. I'd like to be able to do day/night cycles without worrying about it getting too cold at night. Or having to crank the whole house temp fir the cage.

Thanks so much for this awesome community!

2 Comments
2024/12/02
19:56 UTC

3

My new baby isn’t eating!

Hi guys, i just recently got a juvenile ball python and i’ve had him for about 3 days now. He was sold (inconveniently) one day before his feeding day and now HES NOT EATING i’m assuming due to the relocation stress. I’m keeping him in a temporary baby enclosure using one of those PVC plastic bins, cypress as the substrate, two hides, and a basking spot during the day with temp gradients in the enclosure. During the night the air temp drops to 75 and during the day 85. The humidity was giving me issues the first day and it was 40%, which i fixed by day 2 and now its consistently 65%. Is he just stressed out from the new environment and how long should i wait to try feeding again? It was very inconvenient the breeder was selling him right before his feeding day, but oh well. Drop some advice please and thanks! 💜

6 Comments
2024/12/02
19:48 UTC

3

Fostering a ball python

Hi there!

I am very new to this group. I am fostering a ball python while my dude is deployed. BP is like 10 and I wanted to jazz up his digs a little. He's got a glass tank right now with the dual heat lamp thing (one 100 W infrared and one regular basking spot 75 watt thing). The tank itself is 36"x16"x18". The top is a screen that slides in

I was looking at a PVC enclosure from Reptile Kages that is 48"x24"x24". Is this a good option for a ball python? There are lighting options for the top... I think if I'm reading things correctly I'll need one screen on one side and the other can be a solid PVC top? I have read they like a hot side and a cool side? Do I just do back vents only? Back and side vents? Seems no belly heat is recommended by reddit?

Right now we've only got two hides and a climbing stick. It's been a few days and he mostly stays hidden. I got him some cool new things, but I'm giving him some time to acclimate before I add a bunch of new stuff.

Anyway- I wanted to order this new cage, but I don't know what I'm doing. I don't want to inadvertently stress him out, but I am reading his current cage might be too small. Is a PVC cage a good option? Reptile Kages comes recommended on this sub so I just wanted to double check I'm getting the right specs for a BP.

Right now he's on aspen snake bedding and I leave the lights on all day to one side of his cage.
Thanks in advance!

3 Comments
2024/12/02
18:59 UTC

2

Juvenile bp sneezing, plus price of snake antibiotics from a vet

So my juvenile bp has been sneezing for the past few days and wheezing a bit. After reading online there's no discernable way to tell if it's a respiratory infection or just a dry enclosure.

She doesn't show any other signs of a respiratory infection like opening her mouth often, straightening out or increased saliva.

I have no idea what to do as it's my first time having a snake fall ill, any advice would be greatly appreciated

1 Comment
2024/12/02
18:52 UTC

2

Ball python food?

So I am researching ball pythons and thinking I may want to own one, and out of curiosity I am wondering if ball pythons need to eat rats specifically or if there are other non mammalian alternatives that are just as good for them. If not does anyone know why rats specifically are like the perfect food for them? I am just super curious on a more nutritional level as to why rats are the staple food, like is it because they are cheap and easy to find or really the best thing out there. Just super curious and I appreciate anyone who has an idea!

1 Comment
2024/12/02
18:25 UTC

4

Stacking enclosures?

Just ordered 2 4x2x2 enclosures for both my snakes what's the best way to stack them ?

1 Comment
2024/12/02
18:11 UTC

2

I’m going to switch to a 70 gallon soon, real soon. But in the meantime is this ok?

0 Comments
2024/12/02
16:45 UTC

4

What are some of the best thermostats?

Hello, I am looking into getting a thermostat for my heaters, as I will be away more hours for work and cannot manage the heat as much. What are some of the best thermostats that I can get for my boy? Thanks

5 Comments
2024/12/02
17:55 UTC

2

Hi, i am new to reptiles i decided to start with a ball python. Im having issues with the heat projector becoming too hot it reaches 35-35.5c even though it is set to 31.5c. I am using arcadia 80W projector and habistat classic dimming thermostat. What is the best solution to fix this problem?.

0 Comments
2024/12/02
17:48 UTC

2

daily Q & A thread

have a question you think isn't worth its own post? well, this thread is exactly the place for that question, so ask away!

a new Q & A thread will be posted every day at noon eastern time. this is the place where you can ask that question that might feel like it isn't a big deal but it's been on your mind, or ask basic questions that probably have a simple yes or no answer, or maybe you just want to have a casual chat and get some quick opinions on something. these threads are a group project, everyone is invited to both ask and answer questions here.

reminder: a lot of simple questions are answered by the care guides and other resources linked in our welcome post. if you're not sure which link would be most helpful to you, tell us what you're looking for and we can direct you to the right link[s].

0 Comments
2024/12/02
17:00 UTC

3

What can I give to a ball python as enrichment?

I don't even have a snake. I'm just genuinely curious.

4 Comments
2024/12/02
16:55 UTC

2

Can somebody help me with a custom Cornell's World enclosure?

There are so many options here, especially for the lighting, that it's making my head spin. Can somebody help me choose the best customization options for my adult BP?

3 Comments
2024/12/02
16:24 UTC

33

My beautiful Banana Spotnose

What else should be added

1 Comment
2024/12/02
16:00 UTC

139

Surrendering banana bp

This is mango she is a littler over 3 years old I got her from and Indiana reptile expo she has a respiratory infection she has been to the vet 3 times this is her second round of antibiotics and they don’t seem to be helping. I keep her temperature above 75 and never past 94 degrees her humidity is always between 40-70. She has a 40 gallon tank with live plants and 3 different hides for her, she has a water bowl that she can fit her whole body in, I feed her every week. She has never bit anyone I try to handle her everyday she likes to be out of her tank exploring so she has plenty of enrichment. I’m not sure what I am doing wrong…

12 Comments
2024/12/02
15:36 UTC

10

what do you think?

i wanted to show my new tank and get thoughts its not entirely done but here it is

4 Comments
2024/12/02
14:29 UTC

4

What temperature should the water be inside the tank?

My hot side is like 31 to 29 degrees and my water (when I put the heat gun on it) is 29°. Is that normal? My water is on the hot side. Sorry im a tad bit paranoid

3 Comments
2024/12/02
13:25 UTC

14

Water temp for bath to help shed?

21 Comments
2024/12/02
13:04 UTC

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