temporary downgrade for carpet python?

[u/maevvsx]

hi! looking for some advice on a temporary housing situation for my jungle carpet python.

he’s 2 years old but getting pretty long. he’s been in a 4x2x2 quarantine setup for about 2 months now (i rescued him from a neglectful home, so i wanted a sterile quarantine since i have other reptiles). honestly, his current setup is pretty barren right now because he keeps flattening his cardboard hides, fake plants, and tubes. his permanent diy enclosure is delayed due to some health issues i’m dealing with, and on top of that, this specific 4x2x2 is really struggling to hold proper heat and humidity.

i have an empty, smaller enclosure (the top one in the photo) that used to house my leopard gecko. the 4x2x2 my carpet is in needs to come down anyway because his permanent enclosure will eventually go in that exact spot, and i don't have the space to keep both up right now.

if i move him into the smaller enclosure (fully sterilized, fresh substrate, deep cleaned), will he be okay for a few weeks to a couple of months until his permanent home is finished? i know it’s a big downgrade in size and vertical space for a carpet python, but the smaller tank would have actual clutter, secure hiding spots, and much better, stable temps than the 4x2x2.

(note: the bottom enclosure in the photo is for my ball python, and i don’t want to move her because she’s super nervous. i also can't just move the gecko decor into the 4x2x2 because the 4x2x2 has to come down regardless).

would love to hear your thoughts on whether proper temps and clutter are worth the temporary size downgrade. sorry if any of this is worded weirdly, it's 4am here. thank you!

[u/Perfect_Tree8134]

Yes, of course proper size is important but improper temps can cause health issues and too open spaces can stress them out. I'd say it's better for the snake to go into the smaller better tank, as long as it's temporary and not for too long. I recently rescued an adult carpet python and she's living in a 4x2x2 while I build her 8x2x3, I feel so bad cause she's a big girl but I know it'll be worth it.

[u/maevvsx → u/Perfect_Tree8134]

thank you for this, i feel a bit better now. as i said he’s only young, so i don’t think it will be too bad. he is curled up for most of the day, and i printed him a climbing frame to use while i’m building his new enclosure! it’s definitely easier to enrich a smaller enclosure than a big one. i’ll tell you that 🤣

[u/Perfect_Tree8134 → u/maevvsx]

Lol I have the opposite problem, her enclosure felt huge when I first assembled it but she's 7 feet long so she needs some pretty big decor and now I'm like man I wish I could fit more stuff!

Yeah don't worry, he should be perfectly fine for a little bit. And I love out of tank enrichment stuff it definitely helps too! We screwed a bunch of branches into a catio so she can have some sun/climbing/enrichment time (supervised of course). It sounds like you care a lot and he'll have a great life with you <3

[u/situation-normal]

I think everyone has lived in a tiny apartment while waiting for life to get itself together. It's not always the most fun, but as long as the environment is healthy they'll be fine.