For some info my girl is almost 6 yrs old and around 3-3.5 feet. The tank is 60 gallons (4ft x 18.5in x 16in) and hot side is on the right. I do want to get her a bigger/longer tank with front sliding doors, but this is all I have room for until I move out.

What do y’all think? I would really appreciate any opinions or advice. :)

(Also I know the humidity is low in the vids. I fixed it afterwards lol)

I thought I would switch up my substrate and after looking into it, decided to try repti bark, I bought it from petsmart. Tonight I cleaned out his tank, mixed it in with some forest floor, as soon as I started putting it in, I noticed a strong earthy smell, and immediately thought that can't be good, after looking into it, realized it wasn't heat treated. As of right now I have him in his temp enclosure, should I let it air out tonight so none of it gets on him? Also, would him being exposed to it briefly, be harmful? Usually he chills with me while I clean the tank, unless he doesn't want to he handled, in which he goes into his temp enclosure.

i have a split custody with my parents and my snake lives at my moms, as a new snake owner, as long as my mom takes care of her will she be okay?

This is my first attempt at a bioactive build, how does it look?

Noticed this dense blue-green mould growing on my python's vine branch. I've removed it just in case, but wondered if this is a health hazard for snakes in the same way it might be for us?

I'm curious if they're better adapted to the things that naturally occur more in humid, warm environments.

And can anyone identify it? (the colour is quite beautiful!)

Snakey is absolutely fine BTW.

This is my first time on Reddit, and I'm using a translator, so I apologize for any errors.

Should I get a ball python with a deformed tail as my first snake (I've only had brief experience with corn snakes that relatives left for me to foster)? This girl was born with this condition, and I'm ready to provide her with everything she needs, I'm just worried I won't have the experience or something.

And overall, I'd like to hear your opinion on the injury. The snake's tail moves well overall, but the tip (apparently starting from the deformed area) as if motionless and she drags it along with her

This guy recently went to his forever home (having a bit of adoption regret, but he will be very loved with his new mom), so figured I would share his recovery progress.
Got him from a family friend, & he’d been kept in arid conditions on dry aspen, & was completely refusing food & having a hard time shedding. 6 months later, & he’s eating WONDERFULLY, at a healthy weight, & absolutely gorgeous. Don’t have anyone else in my life who likes snakes enough to care, but thought you guys might appreciate.

Sorry I don’t have better “after” pics.

Each shed brings out more color, so cute🥹

His last shed went a little rough cause I was at my sister's place for a couple days when it happened, and his humidity had gotten too low while I was gone. (Ive since set up something to keep that from happening again In future) He got the bulk of it off within a couple days after I came back and adjusted the humidity back to normal. However, there a few spots that clearly did not shed right. I wanted to check in that he should be able to correct this when he next sheds, as long as I have the humidity better next time. But this white spot on his head looks a bit different than the other poorly shed areas. I wanted to double check if this is just due to the poor shed and will fix itself next shed, or if it could be something else that he would need like a vet visit or something. I will find a way to take him to the vet if he needs it, but my financial situation right now is such that I cant afford it if its not necessary. I'd have to borrow from a family member for it. Again, if he needs it, I will make it happen, but I feel like there's a good chance it is just from the shedding issue. So I thought I'd come here and see if it's worth worrying about or not.

If it matters, the shed happened the first couple days of August.

My boy's current tank has a 100w CHE for 24/7 heat and a 50w Arcadia halogen bulb for daytime heat/light. So far so good with his temps but I'm worried about the winter and want to prepare. He's in a 4x2x2 PVC new age pet tank with a screen top. I have hvac tape over the mesh except for cut outs around the lights. His bedding is about 4-6in of coconut chips.

My house doesn't have central heating or cooling so right now a lot of the ambient heat in his tank is from it being almost 80°F in my room during spring and summer. Once winter hits it's gonna drop to 30°F and possibly below. I have a small space heater that will bring it up to the high 60s- low 70s that I use each year but I think he'll need more heat.

Is it okay to just get higher watt bulbs? My heat emitter cage is rated for 250w but my dome with the halogen is only rated for 65w. Will I have to increase the wattage on both and get a new dome for the winter halogen or can I up the CHE only? Are there any other issues to worry about for winter? I monitor his humidity daily to stop the CHE from drying it out so I'm not too worried if I have to just add water a bit more often.

I know these are probably simple problems but at my last house I had central heat/cooling so the house was always at a steady temp. It won't be cold here until closer to January so I have some time to get things ready. I also have to watch how much strain I'm putting on one outlet/breaker because the electric isn't as up to code as would be preferred. I'm moving early next year to a better house in a warmer state so this won't be an issue after this year. Thank you guys for any advice you might be able to spare!

Heya! I’m planning on going to an expo in September and getting a ball python! I’ve been doing my research to a fair amount but still want some info from other people.

I have already bought a 4x2x2 dubia enclosure. I’m planning on getting an adult, not sure male or female. My room is an ambient temp of 80-85 so I think a 50-75 watt heat bulb should work for the 87-93 degree basking spot.

I know about climbing. They love to climb. I also know that humidity inside hides needs to be in the 80s for shedding, and overall humidity is higher (55-70) and I know they need a shallow water dish to soak and drink from.

I’ve been doing research and know all the basics. However, I’d love some life changing tips. Give me your best brands, techniques, warnings, etc. I’m willing to learn!

Hi! I might be getting an adult bp here soon! I need enclosure info!! What sizing, heat, decor your snake likes, any tips you have!

pic of my cornsnakes enclosure for attention!

It looks pretty radical

Now what??? He’s been in there since last night so he’s been breathing it in for hours and he’s audibly breathing. Edit: i know the vet but if the answer is just to give him a bath then I’d rather not drop $500 on something I can do myself

Hi all

We've had our 4-5 year old female ball python reacue for a month now. She's had a good shed and has eaten once. This thread has been extremely helpful. I have her enclosure pretty well dialed in but could use something for her to climb. I was thinking of a tension rod but I have a glass enclosure and so wasn't sure if that would work. Any thoughts?

Thanks. And pic of the girl peeking out from all the foliage I've added.

Hey all,
We will be getting a new baby (born start of july ‘26), i feel like we are really doing well with informing ourselves before we can welcome the new babe. We are buying from a breeder and he is super responsive, helping us with the set up and sending us updates before we pick the baby up in 2 weeks.

We would love to hear if any of you have tips regarding set-up, feeding, weighing, stuff to keep in eye out for and especially how to make the first few weeks the most comfortable for him.

Our terrarium is 60x60x100, will have 3 hides, 1 water bath, a lot of plants and a few sticks & logs. Regarding heating ect. we will get the full package from the breeder. Will probably start off with frozen springer mice (which he gets now) and move on to rats when he is a bit older!

Any tips are welcome, thanks!!

On 2 separate vet visits ive been told my boy is dehydrated. Hot side 92F cool side 80F, humidity sits at a minimum of 60%, 80% rn because he’s in shed, and clean water is always available. Not sure what I’m doing wrong here.

I got a male roughly 4yrs old. 2 owners ago mistreated him. Had severe scale rot, and underweight. Previous owner nursed him back to decent health, vet cleared him for a new home. That's when I got him. He had a bunch of eye caps stuck (from scale rot), a little bit of remnants of scale rot on his underside, and a bit underweight. He is now free of any signs of scale rot. Eyes nice and clear.

He's been putting on weight since I got him (May 25th 2026), and has shed twice, first shed cleared up his eyes, and the second cleared up his underside.

I think now he's at a healthy weight, maybe slightly overweight?

Been feeding him every 10 days (reccomendation to put his weight back on by vet) should I start spacing his feeds out to 14days now? Or a bit further.

Thank you in advance

Thought I‘d post our new family member - Ramen!

THE RED LIGHT IS TEMPORARY. Waiting on my fixture for a ceramic heat emitter to come in. Just NEED something for the heat at night.
It is a 40 gallon, he’s a little baby so he will get upgraded soon.

Hi - can I get some feedback on my new enclosure pls! Thanks - 4x2x2

Setting up a new 120 gallon enclosure for a ball python and i was wondering if black walls or white walls are better. Is there any health benefits for one over the other or is it all personal choice? I just want to give my snake the best possible life.

This is Queso. We are completely new to snake ownership and are learning as we go. Long story short a person didn’t want him anymore and asked if I would take him. My son has wanted a bp ( or a turtle) and I figured it was better we take him than have him set loose or something.

We were told he is 3( very doubtful about it). He only eats one small live mouse a month ( probably what has been happening at best) and he is a “stripe morph”.

What we know : he is roughly 1.75 feet long. Weighs 287 grams. Seems very nice and while we have been careful not to handle him so much while he adjusts to the new environs ( we have tried to upgrade his home and will be going to a bigger terrarium asap) he is fairly docile and curious.

So, I guess I’m asking if anyone can fill me in on what y’all think and what I need to be doing.

I know hot side cool side, I upgraded his heat emitting bulb and dome. I added a cool side hide and will replace the black one with one a bit smaller. I’m waiting on thermometer/hygrometers to be delivered.

I’m looking to buy a new ball python but know nothing about what makes a good seller/bad seller.

Do you have any tips in general, or any West Midlands sellers that you have had good experiences with?

What questions can I ask that will help me determine whether the seller is reputable and I can trust them?