There is a common misconception about ball pythons that large enclosures stress them out, and they prefer to be crammed in tiny, dark plastic boxes where they barely have enough room to move or even stretch out. THIS IS A MYTH — and this approach to ball python care often leads to severely overweight snakes with poor muscle tone and no sources of mental stimulation or enrichment.
In other words, keeping adult ball pythons in tiny tubs or racks is not the “best” way you can care for them — it’s actually a borderline violation of basic animal welfare.
Here are the minimum dimensions for your pet ball python enclosure, based on snake size:
- Hatchlings up to 300g can be housed in a 10 gallon enclosure or tub measuring approximately 20″ x 11″ x 13″.
- Juveniles under 3′ long can be housed in a 40 gallon enclosure measuring about 36” x 18” x 18”.
- Subadults and adults over 3′ long do best in a 120 gallon enclosure (48″ x 24″ x 24″) or larger. If you choose alternative dimensions, make sure there’s about 8 sq ft of floor area and at least 2′ of vertical space for climbing.
Types of Ball Python Enclosures
Glass: Contrary to popular belief, glass enclosures (aka aquariums) are not evil. They do tend to be expensive, heavy, not very durable, and can present some trouble with maintaining consistent temperatures and humidity. But it’s because of that latter quality, glass is one of the best materials at dissipating heat, and that it makes creating a temperature gradient much easier. It also helps encourage a natural cycle of drying in the enclosure, which discourages mold growth in a humid environment that could otherwise go out of control very easily.
When done right, glass enclosures are very attractive and easy to clean. For best results, cover 3 of the enclosure’s 4 walls with an opaque material like construction paper to help your ball python feel optimally secure in his/her environment.
ReptiFiles recommends the following brands of glass enclosure:
PVC/HDPE: These enclosures can also be quite attractive, easy to clean, hold humidity well, are lightweight, and are more durable than their glass counterparts. They’re also opaque on all sides but the front, and of course front-opening. The best PVC enclosures have a mesh top for easier and safer lamp fixture placement as well as improved ventilation.
ReptiFiles recommends the following brands of PVC enclosure:
Lock it Down
It’s best to choose a front-opening enclosure, as it makes accessing the snake much easier (and less startling for the snake). Front-opening enclosures are also more secure and more difficult for a snake to escape from.
If for some reason you must use a glass enclosure with a screen top, be sure to get lid locks; like many snakes, ball pythons can be expert escape artists, and it can be very difficult to find a small snake hiding in your house. DO NOT SECURE YOUR LID WITH TAPE! Many snakes have been severely injured through accidental contact with the sticky side of tape.
How often should I clean my ball python terrarium?
The tank should be deep-cleaned with F10SC, Rescue, chlorhexidine, or a bleach solution once a month.
Is it okay to house two ball pythons together?
No. Snakes are solitary animals, so they don’t get lonely. In fact, they’re perfectly happy with their own room. Roommates can make them feel threatened, which can make the snake stop eating and get sick. There have even been some documented cases of ball python cannibalism.
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