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#2215373
Chelsp94
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Questions 
Recently I’ve become more and more obsessed with snakes and other sorts of reptiles. I only have a cornsnake for now but this summer I’m looking into getting a ball python.
I have a few questions about them though.
How big does there tank need to be at full adult size, and how much/what do they eat at full grown size. I’ve seen some people feeding their snakes rabbits and I don’t have the heart to do that and was hoping I can just feed him adult rats?
Any tips or suggestions are much appreciated :)
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04/21/11 01:25pm
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#2215417
Xxxravenxxx
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Message To: Chelsp94 In reference to Message Id: 2215373
Questions
ten gallon for a juvenile/baby and 20 gallon long for adult. food you give them a rat or mouse the size of the fattest part of their body. rats are better for them than mice are. rats have more meat thus more nutrients and is more filling. ball pythons get between 4 and 6 feet long. a 20 gallon tank is fine if the snake doesnt get much bigger than 5 ft. anything bigger than 5 ft you will need a slightly bigger tank. maybe a 30 or 40 gallon long. they are very strong so you will want a locking lid or clips. i have clips on my biggest ball python and a locking lid for my baby. ball pythons are too small to take on rabbits. their natural food is african soft fur rats, shrews and stripped mice. but they do fine on regular rats but some can be picky and will only eat a specific rodent. they need humidity so keep humidity around 60% and raise it to 70-80% during sheds. they need belly heat as well so have a heat pad on hand if the snake gets cold or during digestion. i have a lot more info if you need more. also you can talk to my friend SerpantsHideaway he has helped me a lot with my first ball python. good luck!
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04/21/11 04:16pm
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#2215429
Chelsp94
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Message To: Xxxravenxxx In reference to Message Id: 2215417
Questions
Thanks :) The girl at the petstore was telling my mom and I that the ball python they had got over 12 feet long and would be eating rabbits at full grown size. It’s nice to know they at least won’t. My cornsnake is in a 40 gallon so I could just get the same one for the ball. :)
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04/21/11 04:55pm
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#2215434
Xxxravenxxx
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Message To: Chelsp94 In reference to Message Id: 2215429
Questions
most people at pet stores dont know crap when it comes to snakes. ball pythons wont get much bigger than 6 feet so yea, really shows how much they know about reptiles. if you are getting a baby ball python then get a smaller cage at first. the bigger the cage means more stress if the extra space is just open. if you get a large cage like that, put a lot of furnishings in it like vines, a few hides, maybe a couple stones and standing plants. it will help prevent stress on the baby and will also make it feel more like home.
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04/21/11 05:16pm
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#2216044
Chelsp94
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Message To: Xxxravenxxx In reference to Message Id: 2215434
Questions
:P Yeah. We found a 5 year old ball python online with his 35 gallon tank and we’re going to pick him up on I’m guessing Friday. Only problem is that he eats live. Do you know if it’s easy to get him to eat frozen? I read that it isn’t that hard but since he’s five years old I don’t know if it will be.
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04/26/11 02:25pm
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#2216079
Xxxravenxxx
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Message To: Chelsp94 In reference to Message Id: 2216044
Questions
it shouldnt be too hard. just heat up the frozen one to where it has heat (due to heat pits on side of the snakes head, they can see it) and wiggle it in front of him to make ot look like its alive. eventually the snake will learn that its food will eat f/t just fine. i plan to get my snakes on f/t to save money. i might keep some live just in case which is always good to have.
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04/26/11 06:15pm
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#2216133
Edf
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Message To: Chelsp94 In reference to Message Id: 2216044
Questions
It could be hard to switch him to f/t, or he could have no issues, since hes been eating lvie a long time.
I would let him adjust, an doffer him a few meals live. You want to make sure he is comfy in hius new home before making a change on him. Once he eats a few good meals, try offering a p/k rodent ( you could go right to f/t, but if he refuses f/t, try p/k) You may have to let him miss a few meals in oder for him to take f/t.
Also, you can feed him a small meal live, then offert another small meal f/t or p/k. while in fee dmode he may be more prone to take the rat offered differently.
I would focus on getting him set up and comfy first, then work on making sure he will eat live for ya, then try switching.
Good luck!
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04/27/11 08:41am
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