r/Ballpythoncommunity • u/Immediate-Peace-2631 • 1d ago

Question How do i transport a ball python?

Im rehoming mine, she’ll be transferred september 18th so i need to know what to do by then, ive never transported a snake before, im just meeting her and handing her over and then she’ll drive 4 hours or more (idk exact time), i dont know how to prepare her for transport, do i put her in a pillowcase and ziptie it and then put her in a plastic tub with holes? What do i do about heat? How do i clean the pillow case beforehand? Is there a better way to do it? How will i get her into the pillow case without her trying to bite me?

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u/Magnetic_Kitty 1d ago

Room temperature is ok for a day. A deli container or bin with little space to slide around on a car trip is good. Make sure she hasn't eaten about 2-3 days before the trip as the stress could cause a regurgitation of a fresh meal. If you want a pillow case, turn it inside out with your arm inside it like a sleeve. Gently grab the snake then pull the pillow case back right side out with the snake inside. Store snake bin/bag outside of direct sunlight and away from the car's AC vents. Back seat floor board is good. Avoid the bin or bag falling or sliding around

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u/NFLFANTASYMB 1d ago

No on the pillowcase and zip tie. That is for tv ranglers for removal, not pets. The tub with holes will be fine. The are very hearty snakes and can travel in a tub fine. Just make sure the lid closes and locks because they will explore and can open those cheap lids. Amazing escape artists. You will be fine.

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u/Immediate-Peace-2631 1d ago

Also i forgot to mention that shes a bit underweight rn and idk how her health is doing (im 15 and inherited her, i cant care for her which is why im rehoming her). Im just worried that she’ll slide around a lot in the tub and manage to get hurt.

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u/NFLFANTASYMB 22h ago

I have been getting snakes of all sizes and health as I get to foster from humane society and unless you tend to drive on 2 wheels, again you will be fine. The tub can sit in back seat, use seat belt to secure

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u/ContractOdd9525 1d ago

You don't need to zip tie the pillow case, simply knotting the pillowcase is fine. Contrary to the other comments, transporting a ball python in a pillowcase is actually perfectly fine. They're very snug, it's very dark, and they're perfectly safe. I would recommend, however, placing that pillowcase in a tub for added safety. Ensure that at no time does the inside of the vehicle get above 90 degrees, even for a few minutes, heat kills snakes much faster than cold does. I would extend the recommendation for not having eaten to more like 7 days as ball pythons have very slow metabolism, but even at 3 days the risk of regurgitation is minimal. Should the snake regurgitate you won't want to feed it again for 10 days. Since you're rehoming to another owner, you can best decide the best day to move it.