Are you getting a pet ball python? Ball pythons can make great pets. However, as exotic animals, it’s important that they have an enclosure built to more or less replicate the conditions of their natural habitat. Otherwise, they can’t survive.
If you haven’t read our article “How to Care for Your Ball Python” yet, start there. Once you’ve read that and have a basic understanding of what your new pet needs from its environment, you’re ready to start setting up your ball python enclosure.
Always set up a reptile enclosure well before you actually have the animal! This gives you more time to save up for the supplies you need, which in turn benefits your pet because you’re less likely to take shortcuts that may decrease its quality of care.
Bringing home a ball python is an exciting experience! However, it’s important to put careful thought and effort into creating the perfect habitat for your new slithering friend. Ball pythons are one of the most popular pet snake species, and for good reason – their docile nature, manageable size, and incredible variety of morphs make them a delightful reptile companion.
When setting up their enclosure, a tub habitat is a top choice for many ball python owners. Tubs provide a secure humidity-friendly environment that’s more affordable and lightweight compared to glass tanks. With the right tub size, heating elements substrate, decor, and humidity control, you can create a habitat that will keep your ball python healthy and comfortable.
In this complete guide, we’ll walk through all the steps and components needed to set up the ideal ball python tub habitat. Let’s get started!
Choosing the Right Tub
The first step is selecting a high-quality plastic tub of the appropriate dimensions. As a general rule, the tub’s length and width should be equal to or slightly longer than your ball python when stretched out Here are some size recommendations based on age
- Hatchlings (under 1 year): 10-20 gallon tub
- Juveniles (1-3 years): 20-40 gallon tub
- Adults (3+ years): 40+ gallon tub
Make sure to select a tub with transparent sides so you can observe your snake. It should have a secure, tight-fitting lid to prevent escapes. Locking latches on the lid are highly recommended.
For adults, front-opening tubs are preferable over top-opening tubs, as they allow much easier access when maintaining the habitat and handling your snake.
Adding Ventilation
Proper airflow and ventilation helps regulate temperature and humidity while preventing mold or mildew buildup. Use a soldering iron or power drill to melt/drill a series of small holes around the tub’s sides and lid. The holes should be concentrated more heavily on the “cool” end of the tub that won’t have the heating elements.
Space the holes a few inches apart in a checkerboard pattern. Smooth any sharp edges with a lighter or sandpaper so your snake doesn’t get injured.
Heating Elements
Ball pythons require a basking spot temperature of 88-92°F and an ambient temperature of 78-82°F. This temperature gradient allows them to self-regulate their body temperature.
The easiest way to heat a plastic tub is by installing a ceramic heat emitter (CHE) bulb over a mesh panel in the lid. Use a thermostat to control the CHE and keep the temperatures in the ideal range.
Place a digital thermometer probe on the tub’s floor to monitor the temperature. If supplemental heat is needed, an under tank heater on the outside of the tub can help warm the environment.
Choosing Substrate
Substrate refers to the material that lines the floor of your snake’s habitat. There are several options when it comes to ball python substrate:
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Aspen shavings: Very popular due to being affordable, absorbent and easy to spot clean. Avoid cedar shavings as they contain oils harmful to snakes.
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Cypress mulch: Holds humidity well while giving a naturalistic look. Can mold if allowed to be too damp.
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Coconut husk: Helps maintain humidity levels. May cause respiratory irritation in some snakes.
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Newspaper: Budget friendly but not very attractive. Replace frequently to keep clean.
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Reptile carpeting: Easy to clean but can harbor bacteria over time. Don’t use loose strand fabric carpeting.
No matter the substrate, spot clean waste and change it completely every 1-2 months. 3-4 inches of substrate is sufficient.
Adding Hides and Decor
Ball pythons are reclusive snakes that appreciate clutter and hiding spots. Provide at least two snug, enclosed hides – one on the warm end and one on the cool end. The hide openings should be just large enough for the snake to fit through.
You can also decorate the habitat with branches, artificial foliage, cork bark, and other reptile-safe décor. This makes your snake feel more secure and provides enrichment. Just be sure there are no small decor pieces that could be swallowed.
Maintaining Proper Humidity
Ball pythons thrive at humidity levels between 50-60%. Low humidity can lead to poor sheds, respiratory infections, and dehydration. Follow these tips to maintain ideal humidity inside a plastic tub:
- Use a moisture-friendly substrate like coconut husk
- Place a large water bowl on the warm end of the tub
- Lightly mist the enclosure 1-2 times per day avoiding over-saturation
- Cover 50-75% of the mesh lid with HVAC tape to trap humidity
- Monitor humidity levels daily with a hygrometer
Proper humidity is key to your ball python’s health, so invest in a hygrometer and adjust as needed to hit the 50-60% sweet spot.
Final Touches
Once you have the tub fully setup with temperature regulation, substrate, hides and humidity control, you’re ready to add the final touches!
Install thermometer/hygrometer probes, a heavy water bowl, enrichment items like branches and fake plants, and any other decorative elements you want.
After triple checking all the temperatures and parameters are where they need to be, you can introduce your ball python into its new habitat! Monitor your snake closely at first to ensure it is adjusting well to its new home.
With the right tub size, heating, substrate, decorations, and humidity, you can create the perfect living space for your beloved ball python. Following this setup guide takes the guesswork out of assembling your snake’s habitat. Before you know it, your ball python will be thriving in its comfortable tub home!
Step 2: Set Up Lighting and Heating
For a ball python, you will need the following equipment to meet your ball python’s light and heat needs:
- Heat lamps (at least 2)
- UVB lamp
- Heat mat
- On/off thermostat
The two heat lamps should be placed directly next to each other on the far right or left of the enclosure. The UVB lamp should be placed on the same end, very close to the heat lamps so the beams of light overlap. All lamps should be arranged on the enclosure’s mesh top.
If the enclosure you are using does not have a mesh top, the lamps will need to be mounted inside. This requires manually installing ceramic sockets and wire caging for the heat bulbs to protect your ball python from contact burns. The UVB lamp can be installed with fluorescent fixture mounting brackets or zip ties.
Because ball pythons are crepuscular, it’s also best practice to provide a warm hide. This can be as easy as placing a hide box or cave directly under the heat lamps. However, if the heat lamps don’t get the hide to 88-90°F, then you will need a heat mat roughly the same size as the hide under the substrate and an on/off thermostat to keep it at the right temperature. The thermostat probe should be placed inside the warm hide for accuracy.
6500K lighting is not necessary for a ball python enclosure unless you plan to use live plants as part of the décor.
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Step 3: Quarantine Period
Your ball python will need to be quarantined for 3-6 months to make sure that it’s healthy. This involves testing for parasites and IBD, administering medication as necessary, and generally monitoring the animal for concerning symptoms. It’s best to maintain fairly minimalistic conditions during this stage for easy cleaning, as having a fully set-up, naturalistic enclosure can make quarantine more of a hassle than it needs to be.
All you need equipment-wise for a quarantine setup is:
- disposable or easily-cleaned substrate
- sphagnum moss
- hide box or cave (at least 2)
- large water dish
- pressure sprayer
- artificial foliage
- climbing branch
- digital thermometer/hygrometer device (x2)
Make sure the climbing branch can’t bring the ball python too close to the UVB lamp, as UVB levels get stronger closer to the bulb.. It’s ideal to buy or borrow a Solarmeter 6.5 if you can to double-check your basking distance and the UVI that your snake is being exposed to. However, generally speaking:
- Minimum distance over mesh — 6-9”
- Maximum UVI — 3.0-4.0
Place one digital thermometer/hygrometer so the probe is in the warm hide, and the other on the cool side of the enclosure. Temperatures should be as follows:
- Warm hide temperature — 88-90°F
- Cool hide temperature — 72-80°F
- Nighttime — 70-78°F
If your warm hide temperatures are too high, now is a good time to either reduce the wattage of your heat bulbs or dial down your thermostat. If you need higher warm hide temperatures, you will need more powerful heat bulbs.
This minimalistic setup will need help staying at the right humidity:
- Average humidity: 45-75%
- Cool hide humidity: 80-100%
Use a pressure sprayer to wet down the enclosure every morning and evening, and place a thin layer of moistened sphagnum moss inside the cool hide.
You will also need a good disinfectant to maintain sterile conditions during quarantine. This can be as simple as a bleach solution (¾ cup bleach per gallon of water) or veterinary-grade disinfectants like F10SC and Clean Break.
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How To Set Up A Ball Python Tub!
FAQ
Can you keep a ball python in a tub?
Tubs are a really great tool for keeping these tropical species. They are much easier to maintain the temperature and humidity in, compared to a tank. They are also much less transparent, so the snake doesn’t feel quite as exposed.
What size tub is best for a ball python?
Adult ball pythons will need at least a 41 quart sterilite bin or equivalent, whereas younger ball pythons will need a smaller space to feel comfortable. I, personally, raised all my hatchlings in 28 qt bins that were crowded with items and hiding places, which kept them happy.
How should I bathe my ball python?
Provide clean, fresh water daily on the cool side of the enclosure. Soaking – Soak your ball python 1-2 times a week in a warm bath for 15-20 minutes. This encourages drinking, helps improve hydration, and helps with shedding. When your snake is shedding, increase the soaking to once a day.
How do you house a ball python?
When it comes to housing ball pythons, there are many options available. One of the most popular options is a plastic tub with a lid and drilled air holes. This enclosure is known as an “enclosure tub” or “tub setup” and is preferred by many experienced keepers due to its simplicity & affordability. Photo Courtesy by Collectors Ball Pythons
How do I choose a ball python tub?
There are some important factors to consider when selecting a tub for your new ball python. The tub should have clear sides, so you can see your pet. The lid should be flat without ridges, which will allow you to install mesh for the CHE (Ceramic Heat Emitter). Locking latches are essential. Ideally four latches, one on each side of the tub.
Do ball pythons need a tub?
Tub setup tends to be easier when it comes to maintaining humidity and temperature levels for your ball python. It is affordable and due to the sides not being as transparent as glass, your pet will feel more private and secure. As with any enclosure, there will be some good points and some not so good.
Should you bring a ball python home?
Before you bring your new ball python home, you have to focus on the type of enclosure you want to set up, which can be daunting. Many experienced ball python owners choose a plastic storage tub over a glass enclosure. Tub setup tends to be easier when it comes to maintaining humidity and temperature levels for your ball python.
How to set up a ball python’s habitat?
The first thing you need in order to set up your ball python’s habitat is the actual enclosure. The general rule is: the bigger the better. You may have read that snakes get nervous if their enclosure is too big. That is completely false. Think about it: they have unlimited space in the wild.
How to create a safe tub enclosure for a Python?
Follow these steps to create a safe Python enclosure in a plastic tub. 1. Obtain a tub of appropriate size. Get the right size of tub for your snake. Always go for flatter and longer rather than wider or taller, although a tub should not be so short that you cannot fit a water bowl inside.