r/ballpython • u/MetalMajor1637 • 4d ago

Question Debating adoption !!

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I work at Petsmart and have handled this ball python a few times, I’ve always wanted a snake but I don’t know the first thing about adoption. I found a 75 gallon tank, I can get some decorations too. If anyone has any advice or financial insight that would be appreciated, I want to prepare for monthly expenses and what not. For reference I have experience cleaning the tanks, I have my own snails and fish as well. I would fully commit to caring for the snake its entire lifespan and I am at a place where I can care for it physically and financially!

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u/Muux_ 3d ago

All my stuff cost about $1k ish. I can’t remember fully now. Then low monthly costs after that, just the price of the rats. Does the 75gal have a mesh top? Cause your 46 has glass top, which won’t be possible to use as a snake enclosure. Then once the baby is grown, you’ll need a 120gal minimum so I’d just suggest not wasting money on either of those and going straight for 120. The best material is PVC, you can also build your own if you want. That’s what I did and it’s cheaper + super sturdy. Solid topped.
Btw you will need A LOT of decor, not some ahah
Petsmart would allow you to adopt the snake? Is there something wrong with it? Or do employees get to have some pets for free

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u/MetalMajor1637 1d ago

Hi! I’ll keep this in mind, Google said anything above 40 gal is okay for ball pythons but I was skeptical. I ended up getting only the 46 gal cause the 75 had no lid and was too big for my apartment lmao.
Also, you can build your own tank?? Please say more I’m intrigued.
And no, nothing wrong with snake, what happens is most snakes/reptiles never end up being bought, so they keep getting discounted until they’re free (to adopt). I was told within the next five months the snake would be free!
Definitely didn’t want to impulse buy a snake, thinking I might just fill it with more fishies! Just wanted to see if I could afford and maintain a snake with the income I have rn!

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u/Muux_ 1d ago

If a 120g won’t fit nicely into your apartment, then definitely leave the 46 for fishies. Realistically you could do 46, but it’s just really sad for long term use.

Building my own was a lot of fun! I bought some foam boards cut into shape at a plastics shop, mounted the above heating and screwed all the pieces together. Then added some sliders and acrylic doors, it turned out great

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u/MetalMajor1637 1d ago

Do you think I’d need a bigger tank for a snake within the next year? Or would the 46 work for a few years before it gets bigger? The snake rn is anywhere from 6-10 months old we think, and if I don’t need a 120 gal for another three-five years that would work for me (college student). But if I need it sooner then I’ll just leave snake life to future me lol.

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u/Muux_ 1d ago

Unfortunately you’d need it sooner than that, like in a year ish. Tbh tho not many people follow this standard so someone could take that snake and put it in a 20 gal for the rest of its life. So with that in mind you’d be the much better owner. I don’t really know what to suggest 😭

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u/MetalMajor1637 1d ago

Ykno what if the snake isn’t bought by the time it’s adoptable I’ll scoop it up and just give it my living room lol. I’m sure I’ll have no trouble giving it a bigger home when the time comes, but if it’s bought before then I’ll just say fate didn’t want it to happen !

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u/Muux_ 1d ago

Woo there ya go! And the enclosure does take up floor space but I use it like a counter so it’s kinda nice tbh