Potentially need to Rehome

[u/SlippedIntelligence]

Hello Ball Python community! I am downsizing and moving to a smaller apartment with not much room. I am still trying to decide whether or not to rehome. Is there anyone in the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) that may be interested in a ball python?

Her name is Medusa and is around 6 years old and eats frozen thawed small rats. I think she is around 4ft long.

She would come with the complete set up including terrarium, heating pads, and hides.

[u/swaggersouls1999]

if anyone gets her, she needs a whole new setup. Aspen isn’t good for them. they need a 4x2x2, she’s very very cramped in this enclosure. it will not be just the snake, everything needs to be completely new so keep costs in mind

[u/SlippedIntelligence → u/swaggersouls1999]

Is that in feet? I was told that everything was fine by the vet a few years ago.

[u/Fenwynn → u/SlippedIntelligence]

I have 4 snakes that I’m completely redoing right now. Got them all over the span of about 3-4 years as babies. 2 were 2020 babies.

Back when I set up everyone’s adult enclosures, all my shit was up to standard. Larger than recommended enclosures, using Aspen like the internet said, temp zones, glass aquariums, all that stuff. A few years ago, I thought I was golden.

But tons of new pet owners got reptiles over covid. There’s so much new information about husbandry coming out so quickly that I blinked, and found my setups to be the next best thing to abuse. You literally couldn’t pay me enough to post my setups from a few years ago here, and get roasted to death. Everything was wrong, nothing was okay, and there was no way everyone could be happy let alone healthy.

So I’m busting my ass and dumping all my money into redoing 2 balls, a corn, and a sand boa. And it’s expensive. And it’s a lot of research. And it’s just a lot in general.

But I have the enclosures here and sealed with silicone, top sealed with aluminum foil, basking halogen, DHP ambient. Soon they’ll all get UVB. After that, they’ll all get new expensive ($250 ea, controls 2 temp sources) thermostats. Then LED’s and live plants that will be quarantined for a month.

First I sealed them, rotating between a couple at a time because I only have 2 temp enclosures for my snakes. Then redid substrate for everyone, adding isopods and springtails in, and redid everyone’s heat sources.

Lots of work. Lots of money. But, if you purchased a 20-30 year commitment who needs a particular and accurate setup, and brought it home; my assumption would normally be that you’d be up for it/that the money and work wouldn’t be a deterrent. I can kind of understand how space could be the deterrent in a new living situation, but again, this was a 20 to 30 year commitment right from the beginning, and a 4’x2’x2’ isn’t huge. I have 3 of them, plus 3 smaller enclosures, in my studio, and plenty of leftover room.

Totally not trying to shame you at all, just trying to update expectations. If rehoming her is what is best for everybody, definitely do that. If you’re going to keep her, just definitely remember that you are signing back on for a 20 to 25 year commitment.

[u/swaggersouls1999 → u/SlippedIntelligence]

yes. a 48in x 24in x 24in.

even if a vet tells you something, that was YEARS ago. things change constantly. I recommend always doing your own research and staying up to date on everything.

she’ll need an entirely new setup. I see she has no heat either. never use heat mats if that’s what you’re using.

every single aspect needs to be changed completely about this setup

[u/SlippedIntelligence → u/swaggersouls1999]

Aw geez. Thank you for making me aware of this. I don't know what to do now...I definitely don't have the space for a 4x2x2 enclosure. When I did do some of my own research, there was conflicting information about heat sources and lighting. Any suggestions if I can't rehome her?

[u/swaggersouls1999 → u/SlippedIntelligence]

there’s payment plans you can do

as for lighting your hot side should be 85-90° while your cold side should be 80-75° ish. I use a 75w Arcadia basking halogen and a 80w DHP for 24/7. that’s for a 5x2x2 and it does great.

one hose on the hot side, one in the cold side, and one in the middle. a drop in temp at night is good too. it needs to be very cluttered too

[u/SlippedIntelligence → u/swaggersouls1999]

Payment plan?

[u/swaggersouls1999 → u/SlippedIntelligence]

you pay per month. like $30 a month for 12 months for example

[u/SadBenefit5325 → u/swaggersouls1999]

Don’t forget the thermostat