04/19/2026
Basic Ball python care
🏘️🏚️🏠🛖🏡
There are several ways to house your snake.
Glass tanks
PVC box enclosures
Plastic tote
Rack systems
All can house your new pet with the appropriate equipment and supplies.
There is no maximum size to the enclosure provided the snake has plenty of hides and ample foliage. Ball pythons are known to be shy animals and (like other snakes) will seek comfort in a small and dark space so good dark hides are important in a tank. Minimum for an adult is suggested 36x18x12 space
HEAT-🔥The warm side of the enclosure should be between 87 - 90 F and the cool side should be 77 - 80 F. If your enclosure is too small, creating a proper heat gradient will not be possible. I prefer using under the tank heat tape or a heat mat with a thermostat to control temps. They can easily burn a snake if no thermostat is used. You can also use a heat lamp but they tend to dry out the bedding so you have to keep a closer eye on your humidity. What size bulb will depend on your enclosure size. Having a thermometer in the enclosure will help you determine if you need to change the bulb size.
HUMIDITY-🌧️ The average humidity levels in your own home will be between 35% and 45%. A ball pythons humidity should not drop below 50%. 55% - 70% is best when they are getting ready to shed.
An easy way to adjust humidity levels in your enclosure is by increasing/decreasing the size of the water bowl or adding water to your bedding to keep it damp, not soaking wet. You can also do a humid hide if you are having issues.
BEDDING- 🥥 I personally use Reptichip in my enclosures but things like Eco Earth, Coconut fiber or Mulch type bedding work well. They help hold moisture and keep humidity in the tank.
Aspen can be used but I don't personally like using aspen here in West Texas. We are pretty much dry year round so It tends to mold with the amount of misting required. However if you live in a more humid place it will work fine with regular cleanings. If your humidity is good your snake will shed off all in 1 piece. If your snake is shedding little bits off your humidity needs work.
⚠️Remember that cedar and pine shavings are not a suitable bedding as the oils from the wood can be toxic to snakes of they are left on it too long ⚠️
HIDES- 🫣 Like most snakes, ball pythons seek dark and secure places to spend most of their time and providing the right amount of hides is critical to the snakes sense of security. If the snake does not feel secure, it will stress and give you feeding problems. Provide a hide on both the warm side and the cool side of the enclosure. If your enclosure is quite large, then providing more hides will be necessary. Some people also like to provide a damp hide - a place the snake can go when it needs more humidity. I personally have never provided a damp hide for ball pythons.
DECOR- 🌿 is really whatever you like. Fake plants, rocks, caves, branches, ect . They like to feel like they can hide when they want but also enjoy exploring and climbing on low branches.
LIGHTING- 💡Ball pythons do not need special lighting requirements but most people like to give them a day and night cycle with regular light bulb
FRESH WATER- 💦 Make sure there is always fresh water in the cage of your ball python. A healthy ball python will not typically soak in its water bowl if the humidity is already correct in the tank. Therefore, this does not need to be a consideration when choosing a water bowl for your snake.
FEEDING- 🐁🐀Ball pythons can feed on mice their entire lives but nutritionally speaking, it is better to convert them over to rats as soon as possible. If they are under a year old or a female that is used for breeding they should be fed on a weekly basis and require 1 appropriately sized meal per week . I tend to feed males every 2 weeks after they are about 500 grams. I do have a few adult snakes that are just pets that eat every 3 weeks. The important thing is to regularly weigh them to ensure they aren't losing weight but maintaining where they are.
The mouse/rat should be the same size as the largest part of the snakes body.
I typically try to get all my juvies onto frozen thawed rats as soon as I can. Mostly because it's easier to keep a freezer full of food than take care of so many live rodents.
⚠️ And of course of it's not a pinky\baby NEVER leave a live rodent unattended with your snake ⚠️
I like to feed them in their enclosure typically close to dark to minimize stress. They are very vulnerable during feeding and babies tend to like it dark and quiet to eat.
