What size tank for a baby ball python? Is 30 gallons too big?

Use whatever wattage bulb will attain a 90F to 96F basking spot. Usually an 80 or 100 watt bulb on a dimmer switch, easily purchased at most home improvement stores, will get the desired results. Be sure he cannot come into contact with the bulb as this can result is serious burns or injury. No nighttime lighting is required. A 12-14 hour light cycle is recommended.

She is stunning. The best way to confirm good health is to have her examined by an experienced herp veterinarian. Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites. In the meantime, make sure she is active and alert. Look for missing scales or injury along the length of her body. Check in and around her mouth for discharge, redness or swelling. Offer appropriately sized prey. At her age, she is probably eating hopper or weanling mice depending on her weight. When feeding any reptile, it is important that the temperature is species appropriate. A cold snake will not eat. If you feed pre killed, be sure to completely thaw it and allow it to warm to at least room temp. Some owners choose to feed in a container other than the enclosure. A snake should not be handled after feeding to prevent regurgitation. Follow the link below for more information regarding care. http://www.anapsid.org/ball.html

Once he acclimates to his new home, he may become more active. Ball pythons are mostly nocturnal also, so if the room is bright he may seek dark spots and come out at dusk or overnight. Keep a large bowl of water in the tank. A deep layer of porous substrate may hold moisture longer. You can even add some moss. Use a hygrometer to monitor humidity. If it's too high, you can predispose your python to respiratory infection.

Yes, I think a 40 gallon tank will be sufficient for now and may be enough long term depending on hiow big he gets. Just make sure to properly control his environment with temperature, an area to eat, and an area to hide away. Good luck! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

A healthy ball python will have smooth skin, clear eyes, no discharge from the eyes, nose or mouth, have a clean vent and be active and we'll muscled. If you buy from a shop, be sure the snake has been kept in an appropriate, clean enclosure. This is a great article about what to look for before purchasing a python: http://royalpython1.tripod.com/id13.html

Corn snakes can grow to as long as 5 feet. On average, they grow to 3-4 feet. A 10 gallon tank is too small. At minimum, a 20 gallon enclosure is recommended. A temp range of 75F-85F is best. They do not "need" a UVB light source but seem to be healthier with one. At 2 years of age, it should be eating adult mice. If it can't, feed whatever you can to get it back into a positive plane of nutrition so it can grow properly. Consider an exam with your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet to diagnose and treat any pre exiting conditions. Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites. More information regarding care can be found here: http://www.anapsid.org/corn.html

It depends on who you ask, but I would consider Strangle to be a juvenile python. When he reaches about a year old, he would them be considered an adult python. Since he is still growing, consider feedin him every 5-7 days. When he is older/bigger, you can stretch out that time between feedings.