Some fake plants but mostly real, i started this a year ago, and let all the plants grow in. I did have a setback, needing to move 10hours away from home and lost a few plants in that transition along with quite a bit of time. But alas, i can finally say im pretty much done lol.

Im so excited for my old girl to use all the space and get to climb all her lil heart desires (even tho shes not built for it) I built it so she could climb and not hurt herself if she falls. (52x58x18, roughly 230gal) also plan on turning a closet into her forever home now (it will be a walk in closet purely for her, we’re adding to the new house floor plan 😬🤞🏻so excited) so this will unfortunately only be used for a few years if that. but ill probably put something else in after.

edit: forgot to add that there is a misting system and eventually ill get to hooking up the trickling waterfall but for now just the misting will be used.

This is my ball python that my parents got me around 5 years ago, she's been in this tank since we got her and they won't listen to my advice about how she needs a much bigger tank and we can't be feeding her tiny mice anymore because of her size but they just won't listen to me. I offered to use my money to buy what she needs but they ignore me and I don't know what go do and I really don't want to re-home her. I love my snake but they don't care for her needs and don't let me because she's in their bedroom

I’m a 14 year old owner of my first pet, who is a ball python named atlas! I’ve owned her for a year and a month now, and this is her full set up, the desk is a bit dirty cause I work there but other than that how is it? Also the sticker is a joke she is the sweetest, most cuddly creature ever, I got it for Christmas,

Info on the tank! She is in a 119 gallon, bio active tank, we got isopods, I’ll be getting more later cause there is a small amount (like 25), and we have springtails, there’s also plants and the big stick in there is growing and stuff, we do have thermometers but they ain’t visible {and she knocked two of them down

I own her by myself (cause my parents don’t know anything about snakes and my mom used to be terrified) and so I just want some help on how to give her the best I can!!! ^^

Thanks in advance for the help!

Ps: first photo is her activity board

Edit! She is a year and a 7 months old

Edit 2! I talked to my mom and with our current house our landlord isn’t allowed us to make anything bigger [and we are going through a tough financial situation so hopefully once everything gets better we can upgrade it] and she is currently growing into her tank!

Edit 3! We are Canadian, meaning we use Celsius to measure temperature, so that no one is worried that she’s freezing

So I found out a couple months ago that my fiancé (we've been together 3 years) has a pet ball python that has been living at his mom's house this entire time.

Apparently this absolute dork genuinely thought that if I knew he had a snake I'd freak out and leave him... so instead he just never mentioned the snake. 🤦‍♀️

Fast forward to now, and we brought Mr. Pickles home. Turns out I didn't leave—I became snake mom.

When we moved him, we set his enclosure up exactly how it had been before to make the transition as stress-free as possible. It's been about 2 months now though, and honestly I feel like he deserves an upgrade.

I've fully embraced my role and am currently revenge-decorating Mr. Pickles' enclosure.

So far I've figured out:

- Heat pad is under the hide on the left.

- He probably needs a second, snug hide on the cool side.

- More substrate.

- More plants/cover.

- I already bought some branches for him to climb on because it felt pretty barren.

Mr. Pickles is (probably) male, about 9 years old, and around 3'9" long. I don't know his weight yet.

What else would you recommend? Anything in the enclosure that immediately jumps out as something I should change or improve? I'm still learning, so I'd love any advice to help give Mr. Pickles the best home possible.

EDIT: "emphasis on other hides are coming in the mail" yes i have more stuff and clutter coming in the mail and will buy in the store soon so dont worry :) and thank you for the concern!!

no need for uvb or thermal gradient because my country has the perfect heat and humidity for my bp (yes i have a thermo-hygrometer). ordered some hides still coming in the mail. my bp keeps sneaking behind the grass wall. i think he likes it. he definitely likes climbing too. he's almost 4 months old. he also loves going through the flowers. my concerns are if he poops or sheds in hard to clean spots.

another edit: these are information from proper breeders in my tropical country that i find to be different from western advice: (not saying i'd follow this per say. but id like to put it out there for anyone to give feedback on) - no heat lamps needed bc my country is already hot and humid - no temp gradient needed (idk the rationale) - the simpler the better. the less clutter the better. - an enclosure as big as 4x2x2 is not necessary and realistic in our country which doesnt have the luxury of space as the US does

Slasher’s bioactive enclosure has been gutted, bleached, and completely redone twice now because ants won’t stop making it their home. I’m at a complete loss. I literally wiped out the whole thing less than a week ago and they’re back at full force WITH FUCKING EGGS

I rescued my ball python three years ago after she was found outside in the cold and was going to be euthanized. I had never had pets before and did my best at first. I bought her an enclosure, then later upgraded her to a larger terrarium.

Over time, I became complacent and careless. I started checking on her less often. Instead of staying on top of her water and daily care, I let myself slip into checking every five or six days, sometimes longer. The last time, I did not check on her for nine days. Her water bowl although big was empty. She escaped through a gap in the enclosure, and I later found her dead in the basement.

I am posting this because I want to say it plainly: my neglect cost my snake her life.

I loved her. Rescuing her was real. Loving her was real. But love does not cancel out carelessness, and good intentions do not replace consistent husbandry. These animals depend on us completely for water, security, and basic care. Missing “just a few days” can matter.

Please do not get a ball python, or any reptile, unless you are prepared to be consistent every single day. Do not get lazy with water. Do not assume the enclosure is secure enough. Do not tell yourself you will do it tomorrow. Tomorrow turns into days, and the animal pays for it.

I am not posting this for sympathy. I am posting it because I want at least one person to read this and take better care of their snake than I did.

Most of y’all probably already know not to get these due to them being inaccurate and hard to read but now let me introduce an even more important reason to avoid them-

I got these as a temporary solution a couple days ago and last night I woke up to my bp frantically trying to pull it off of her face. In the night she must have been climbing the walls and knocked it off and then she got it stuck. For the first time I am grateful that I am such a light sleeper and was able to remove it quickly. I can’t imagine what would’ve happened if she yanked it off herself and removed some scales.

So yeah even as a temporary fix or for your backup enclosure these are a big no go. Also for my personal situation I believe she is fine seeing there is no damage but should I still take her to the vet anyways???

Side note: on the bright side of all of this somehow this was traumatic enough to knock her back into eating rats. After I pulled the thermometer off and let her go she went and ate the rat I had left in her enclosure.

Hi!

I’ve had a ball python for over 4 years now and I was really negligent towards anything besides the bare minimum.

I fed him, he has water and a heating stone.

Gets 2-3 mice every few weeks. I never pet him since we grew apart in the past 2-3 years when I was barely home. Now I’m afraid to feed him or take him out. I know I shouldn’t feel like this but I do.

After the last feeding he looked like he’s in a really bad shape (i can’t explain and i might be wrong, not the point).

I now know that I should feed him only one at a time so one doesn’t hurt him while he’s occupied with the other.

I feel really bad for what I did to him and want to fix this relationship and keep up in the long term. (Thus I am writing this post.)

I am looking for any advice to make it as comfortable as I can for him in the future. I want to pet him more but not overdo it.

I attached photos of the living situation so it’s realistic space-wise.

Things I should do, stuff I need to buy, anything really.

Thank you for reading

Hey all. I’m going to be getting a ball python in the near future. Last weekend I picked up a 2 ft x 14 in x 16 in enclosure with a front opening door, preloaded light, and ventilation in the back. Today I swung by a pet store and picked up some substrate, decor, and other items. I know I still need to get a heating mat and thermostat, as well as a few hides. Does anyone have any other suggestions, recommendations, or advice?

So I’ve been away from home for a long time and I knew that he got a snake but didn’t see any pictures or anything

But I just came home to visit and this is what I find

There no humidity or temperature control and I hate everything about the snake’s little house (based on the research that I did)

And it’s kinda cold around here this time of year but he refuses to let me do anything do the snakes enclosure

What can I do to make sure he’s warm and safe without putting anything in there? Is there a way to protect him from outside of the cage? Like does a blanket work or is that silly? (Putting it on the glass)

He seems to be doing okay though (to the naked eye)

EXTRA INFOS:

He has very strong external validation of his behavior. Including vets (ignorant ones, at least in the realm of reptiles)

About the snakes behavior: it just sits in that little house, even at night.

Gets really defensive (and mad) when I bring it up, I don’t know how to get my point across to him (if it helps understand the situation he’s almost 70 and I’m 22 so he doesn’t respect what I say at all)

He also seems to think the rules don’t apply to him and that he knows best. So even if I bring up the comments in this post he will still be stubborn.

This snake is like 2-3 years old and hasn’t had any major health issues apparently (which only makes it more difficult for him to listen to me) and its skin also looks good.

He also has other reptiles but they don’t stay in this house, I haven’t had the courage to ask to see them yet. Probably same or worse situation. Probably worse.

UPDATE:

Just bought a heating pad and it will get delivered in 2-3 days. I’m really worried because the temperatures here will drop to 60 degrees next week and I swear on my life this man does not care.

When it arrives I’ll put it in there, and when he notices (he doesn’t check on the snake everyday) I’ll stand my ground

DOOOOO NOTTTTT I REPEAT DO NOT GET A MOSS COVERED HIDE FROM PETSMART. I got one and luckily it didn’t cut my snake but the more I look at it the more I’m angry with myself for even putting it in there. It was nowhere near this bad when I got it just the stuff falling off of it over time. I’ve attached pics to the metal sticking out of it. I have taken it out of my babies enclosure now and will get him a different one tomorrow for the hot side . Why they made it with this much metal for a snake idk but hey just trynna spread the word and see if there’s anything else I should do like contact petsmart and if so which dept ?? Thanks also pic of my noodle for attention as well.

For reasons I cannot figure out my BP hates her tank all the sudden, I upgraded her from a 40 gal to a 6x2x1.5 back in January. Shes about 5ft long so I wanted her to be able to stretch out more. And things seemed until June, she began pacing and glass surfing which caused some nose rub I ended taking her to the vet for. After talking to some people on here my first thoughts were her temps were too low.
So I bought some additional heating and now her temps are 72F on the cool side and 88-90F on the warm side. Shes still drinking and eating as normal (ate on Sunday august 16th). And she has a clean bill of health from the vet. Despite all of that the pacing continues. When I open her tank door she almost immediately leaves the tank. Looking for some advice I’m making myself crazy trying to figure out what’s causing this.

Ps don’t mind the tape, paper and towels it was the attempt at a visual barrier which also didn’t solve the issue.

(please don’t mind the thermometer/hygrometer, they’re currently not accurate as I just had the enclosure open so I could replace some hooks with safer suction cups in the tank!) I’d like some feedback on the tank and what I can improve on :] I ordered a hammock for her and some hoops that I’ll hopefully be able to attach to the ceiling of the enclosure for her, but they haven’t come in yet. she never wants to use her hides so I’m a little worried. She’s 10/11 and lived her whole life at a breeder laying clutches before I bought her.
specifics:
- 150 x 60 x 60 cm PVC tank
- Basking Light: Arcadia 75W Halogen Heat Lamp
- UVB: 2,5% Arcadia Shade Dweller MAX Pro T5
- Nighttime heat: Arcadia 80W Deep Heat Projector
- Hides: one hollow cork tube (reaches from warm to colder side), reptile hide (warm side), moss hide (cold side)
- Coco husk bedding
- Long branch to climb on
- fake plant clutter (she likes hiding behind the wall panels)
Snake tax at the end :] I realised we have same colours so now I don’t wanna dye my hair again lol

My wife’s ball python lavender in her new tank that I bought my wife as a birthday. The stand I handmade using 2x4’s, plywood and trim molding and stained it a black cherry color. My wife did all the decoration inside the tank. What’s y’all’s thoughts?

Hello!

My husband and I got this 3 year old ball python tonight. The snake is 3 years old and around 3 feet long. This is our first snake.

This is the enclosure it came with. It is 36" x 18" x 18". It has a heat mat, heat lamp, and thermostat controlled lamp. It also has a temperature/ humidity guage mounted to the glass. There are fake plants as well. The water dish is shallow and in the middle. There are hides on either end. We have extra coconut coir substrate as well.

We plan to get a 4x2x2 or 5x2x2 soon. I want to make sure the new enclosure is set up appropriately and feel a bit intimidated with where to start.

I've ordered an infrared heat gun to check the temperature. We plan to move the tank to a different room and further from the window once we get the new tank. The room it is in is kept at 72 degrees, but we can increase that if need be.

Also, the snake is starting to shed. What humidity should we try to keep the enclosure? It is currently at 66%. Are there specific red flags to watch out for?

I did make sure the exotic vet near us is taking new patients, and we plan to take the snake in for an initial check up (likely first week of November).

Any advice would be appreciated!

So I’m shopping for a new enclosure and I found the PERFECT one and it’s a 4x2x2 full PVC solid top enclosure with double swing out acrylic doors. HOWEVER…. It’s $629. If I absolutely have to eat that cost for my python I will, but I wanted to check if anyone knew of something similar for a better price tag?😅 attached is a picture of the one I’m looking at.

Okay so I've been saving up for a few months for my snake, and I went to buy the stuff but I saw that they raised the prices so I didn't have enough for what I actually wanted, so I don't have much.

(I got the tank from someone I know, that's why the inside and rails look like that)

But is this enough ''clutter'' for now?. I know it's not a lot but im planning on getting more next month or so. My snake is around 1-2 months old, so im js stressing on if this isn't enough.

The soil I placed in a plastic container thingy is just for the meantime until my other stuff arrive which I bought online.

Please, I need help!!

Hi all!

My male beep is currently living in a 100x50x80cm (40x20x32"), he's a year and 2 months old and he is already over 100cm (40") long and weighs around 750gr.

I told myself I'd upgrade when he'd outgrow the length of the enclosure, which happened faster than I thought😅

I'm going to upgrade him to a 150x60x60cm (5x2x2'), which will most likely be his forever home.

I can easily get a high quality glass enclosure for €295,- ($343), from a shop I know makes good terrariums.

I can also have one made of PVC which will cost me €495 ($575).

I've now experienced all the seasons and weather/climates my country has to offer while having my snake. I've never struggled with keeping humidity or temperatures within the correct parameters.

Would it still be worth it to upgrade despite it costing almost double? Or should I just stick to glass terrariums because it works just as well?

Thanks in advance :)

I'm trying to decide whether to build or buy her next enclosure. In the meantime, would adding shelves to her current enclosure help with space, or would it just cramp her?

This is my female Ball Pythons 4x2x2 (120 gallon) naturalistic enclosure! If you have any questions regarding anything please feel free to ask!

I rescued her from a neglect situation in June of 2025. I’ve had her for a full year now and she has done a complete 180. She’s gained about 700grams and 1.5-2 feet within the past year. I’m very proud of her progress and my ability to aid her back to health!

The last photos show the enclosure before I added all the plants and clutter. I wanted to build the climbing structure and hardscape first, then fill everything in around it!

Substrate:
I use a mixture of Repti-Soil, Forest Floor, and sphagnum moss. She has a deep 4-6-inch gradient of substrate (shallower in the front, deeper in the back).

Heating/Lighting:
I use overhead heating attached directly to a thermostat. During the day, she gets a daytime basking bulb paired with an Arcadia T5 UVB bar. At night, I turn all heating and lighting off (my room stays at a safe, stable ambient temperature, so a nighttime drop is perfectly natural for her!).

Thermo/Hydro-Meters:
I use a combination of Govee digital monitors and standard backup meters placed on both sides. I like to compare the readings to ensure her thermal and humidity gradients are 100% accurate. My humidity never drops below 60%. I keep it stable by pouring water directly into the corners of the deep substrate to keep the lower layers damp while the surface stays dry.

Hides:
She has 5 distinct hides to choose from across the temperature gradient. She utilizes every single one of them! She definitely has her favorite spots, but she loves having options. Fun fact: I bury the back/bottoms of the half-logs deep into the substrate so they function like real burrows, and in the past she has actually dug out her own little tunnel system between them!

Climbing opportunities:
She has 5 sturdy branches and a suspension bridge. I securely anchored them with zip-ties to make sure they won't slip or collapse under her weight. For safety, I thoroughly sanitized the wood by pouring multiple pots of boiling water over them and scrubbing with Dawn dish soap until the water rinsed completely clear. As for the Hammock I will be removing it! It’s more hassle to clean than to keep in there lol.

Clutter:
I used two massive packs of fake plants from Amazon to make sure she has plenty of coverage to feel comfortable. If anyone wants the link to the exact packs I used, just let me know and I’d be happy to drop it!

Water Dish:
I use a ceramic dog water bowl that is large enough for her to fully submerge in if she ever wants to soak. She rarely does, but it’s always there just in case, and the large surface area helps keep the humidity up.

Let me know your feedback on my set up! I love constructive criticism!

Hey yall,
Meet my first ball python. There name is Juno. I bought her today at a reptile expo in the Netherlands . What do you guys think?
He is just a month old.
Any tips on improving the setup is always welcome ☺️

First time keeper here, and don’t know what to do. Tried 3 different Arcadia lamps/holders and all are too risky, my snake keeps climbing around them and he is going to burn himself. I was told that this latest purchase (Ceramic Reflector Clamp Lamp) would NOT get too hot inside the enclosure and around the dome (only the bulb) but that was BS (I do have a thermostat). How can I heat his warm side successfully in an oak, solid top vivarium? Or am I being too anxious? Really don’t want to hurt him.