The 5 Best Enclosures For Ball Pythons

The 5 Best Enclosures For Ball Pythons

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Ball pythons are a popular species for beginner reptile enthusiasts for a number of reasons. These snakes tend to be fairly docile and gentle by nature, which is a major plus, and they also don’t grow as large as many species.

This being the case, you shouldn’t have to upgrade to a larger enclosure as long as you start with one big enough for your juvenile ball python to grow into.

We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.

Compare Best Enclosures For Ball Pythons

Overall Best 1. Exo Terra Glass Natural Terrarium Kit View on Amazon Read Review	Best Glass Terrarium 2. REPTI ZOO Reptile Glass Terrarium Tank Double Hinge Door View on Chewy Read Review	Best Custom Cage 3. Carolina Custom Cages Terrarium, Extra-Long View on Amazon Read Review	Best 20-Gallon Aquarium 4. Exo Terra Outback Terrarium View on Amazon Read Review	Best Aquatic Turtle Kit 5. Tetra Aquatic Turtle Deluxe Kit View on Amazon Read Review
Materials Glass	Materials Glass	Materials Glass	Materials Glass	Materials Glass
Size 24x18x12 inches	Size 36x18x18 inches	Size 48x24x24 inches	Size 24x18x12 inches	Size 20 gallons (30x12x12 inches)
Features Hinged doors, front ventilation	Features Hinged doors, screen top	Features Sliding doors, key-lock security	Features Hinged doors, front ventilation	Features Screen top, heat lamps

What To Look For In Enclosures For Ball Pythons?

Ball pythons require a warm, moderately humid environment. This being the case, you’ll need to choose an enclosure that retains heat and humidity well. Of course, you’ll need to install heating and lighting elements to maintain the proper temperature but starting with the right kind of enclosure is important.

Here are some important things to look for in ball python enclosures:

• Appropriate size. Juvenile ball pythons seem to do well in small enclosures, but an adult needs an enclosure at least 36x18x12 inches, larger in many cases. An adult snake needs an enclosure at least as long as the full length of its body so that it can stretch out fully. Aim for a total of about 6 to 8 square feet of space.
• Correct dimensions. Ball pythons do not tend to climb as much as some species, so you should choose an enclosure that has more horizontal than vertical space.
• Durable materials. Your ball python is unlikely to damage its enclosure, but it doesn’t hurt to choose one durably constructed so it will hold up for many years. Considering that ball pythons can live 30 years or more, durability is important.
• Easy to clean. You’ll need to clean your ball python’s enclosure often to keep your pet healthy, so choose a material that doesn’t absorb liquid or odor and is easy to clean.
• Secure. Ball pythons are explorers and escape artists by nature. You’ll need an enclosure that’s designed well to keep them inside.

Our Top Picks For The Best Enclosures For Ball Pythons

Now that you have a better idea what to look for in your ball python cage, it’s time to start shopping! Keep reading to see our top 5 picks for the best ball python enclosures.

Overall Best

1.

Exo Terra Glass Natural Terrarium Kit

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Materials: Glass
• Size: 24x18x12 inches
• Features: Hinged doors, front ventilation

Pros

• Ideally sized for juvenile or young adult
• Durable all-glass construction with mesh top
• Hinged doors open separately to prevent escape

Cons

• May not be quite big enough for an adult
• Mesh top may not retain humidity well

If you’re looking for a moderately sized terrarium perfect for a juvenile or young adult ball python, consider this Hagen Exo Terra Short All-Glass Terrarium. It features an all-glass construction with dual hinged doors on the front which can open separately to prevent escape. The terrarium is extra-long rather than tall as well, which is ideal for ball pythons. Plus, it has a 4-inch waterproof base with plenty of room for bedding and to contain accidental spills from the water bowl.

Best Glass Terrarium

2.

REPTI ZOO Reptile Glass Terrarium Tank Double Hinge Door

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Materials: Glass
• Size: 36x18x18 inches
• Features: Hinged doors, screen top

Pros

• Durable all-glass construction with mesh top
• Hinged front doors open separately
• Raised bottom to fit under-tank heater

Cons

• Screen top may not retain heat well
• Somewhat expensive compared to other options
• Too small for large adults

Slightly larger than the previous model, the Repti Zoo Reptile Glass Terrarium is one your ball python can grow into. It also features an all-glass construction with hinged doors and a screen top, but it doesn’t have the extra ventilation on the front which is good for humidity retention. The front doors can open separately to prevent escape and the tank has a raised bottom to fit an under-tank heater.

Best Custom Cage

3.

Carolina Custom Cages Terrarium, Extra-Long

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Materials: Glass
• Size: 48x24x24 inches
• Features: Sliding doors, key-lock security

Pros

• Generously sized to accommodate adult pythons
• All-glass construction with sliding front doors
• Key-lock security to prevent accidental escape

Cons

• Significantly more expensive than some options
• May be too large for juveniles to be comfortable
• May be difficult to maintain the needed humidity

If you want to provide your ball python with ample space to grow, consider this Carolina Custom Cages Extra-Long Terrarium. It measures a full 48 inches long and stands 24 inches tall and wide, making it ideal for a ground-dwelling snake like your ball python. This cage is durably constructed from glass with a mesh top and it has sliding front doors with key-lock security.

Best 20-Gallon Aquarium

4.

Exo Terra Outback Terrarium

View on Amazon

View on Petsmart

Product Info

• Materials: Glass
• Size: 24x18x12 inches
• Features: Hinged doors, front ventilation

Pros

• All-glass construction with mesh cover
• Dual hinged front doors, front ventilation
• Limited edition hand-painted 3D rock background

Cons

• May be more ventilated than necessary
• Mesh top may not retain heat and humidity well enough

You don’t necessarily need to spend a small fortune on your ball python enclosure. If you’re looking for something more affordable, consider this Exo Terra Outback Terrarium. It may not be as large as some of the others, but it is perfectly suitable for a juvenile or young adult ball python. It features an all-glass construction with hinged doors, a 3D rock background, and a stainless-steel mesh cover.

Best Aquatic Turtle Kit

5.

Tetra Aquatic Turtle Deluxe Kit

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Materials: Glass
• Size: 20 gallons (30x12x12 inches)
• Features: Screen top, heat lamps

Pros

• All-glass construction with mesh screen top
• Comes with two dome lamps
• Appropriately sized for juvenile ball python

Cons

• Screen top may not retain heat well
• May not be large enough for adult ball python

Another affordable option in starter ball python enclosures is this Tetra Deluxe 20-Gallon Aquatic Turtle Kit. It may not be specifically designed for pet snakes, but the size is appropriate for a juvenile snake and it is an all-glass tank with a mesh top. Plus, it comes with two dome lamps that you can use with your day and night lights. Plus, it is affordably priced under $150.

Tips For Caring For Ball Pythons

Ball pythons are a gentle species and generally fairly easy to keep as pets. Even so, they do have specific requirements for their care including an appropriate habitat and a healthy diet. You can expect your ball python to reach its adult size within about 3 years, so it may be best to start with an enclosure your snake can grow into rather than having to purchase a larger one down the line.

Here are some simple tips for caring for ball pythons:

• Choose an enclosure that provides at least 6 to 8 square feet of space – most of it should be horizontal space, as ball pythons don’t tend to climb much.
• Keep one side of the cage at an ambient temperature in the mid-70s (the cool side of the tank) and the other side around 95 degrees Fahrenheit as a basking zone.
• Feed juvenile ball pythons about once a week, ideally in a separate feeding tank, with appropriately sized rodents warmed to just above room temperature. Adults need to eat less often.
• Mist the habitat once or twice a day to maintain a humidity level between 40% to 60% – the humidity should be a little bit higher when your snake is shedding.
• Provide 8 to 12 hours of light each day, ideally on a timer to create a day/night cycle – use a red light, ceramic heater, or no light at night.
• Thoroughly clean and disinfect your snake’s enclosure once a week and spot-clean on a daily basis to keep things tidy.

Now that you have a better understanding of how to care for ball pythons, you are ready to start shopping for your ball python enclosure. Take what you’ve learned here and put it to work in making the smartest choice for your new pet.

Final Remarks

Ball pythons are a great reptile for beginners because they remain fairly small and are gentle at heart. Though they are by no means a difficult pet to keep, they do have certain requirements – especially when it comes to their housing.

By now you have a good idea where to start in looking for a ball python enclosure, but you may want to do more research of your own just to be sure. Or, you can simply try out one of the top 5 best enclosures for ball pythons we’ve reviewed above. Good luck!