So I posted about this a few months ago when I got my fourth and fifth ball python. At the time they were just babies and didn’t really need new cages as they were fine in 10 gallons. They’ve moved more into a juvenile stage and I am looking into this more now.
I have mostly been looking into he 8016 Hybrid and the 8514 from ARS Caging. I currently have three of the five pythons ins 36x18x18 fifty gallon PVC tanks. So the 33x26.5 would add floor space. However, the 8016 Hybrid only has 7 inches in height and the 8514 9 inches. Is this enough for ball pythons? I want them to have enough space to move around but I also want them to have real substrate that they could maybe burrow in a bit and have space on top of their hides to fit so they can get off of the ground.
I feel like 8514 might be able to handle this with he extra 2 inches, but that comes at the cost of another thousand dollars because it’s not a Hybrid model. What do you guys think? And what do you guys use? Any suggestions are great. I just want to save space and money as I’m not looking forward to another $300+ enclosure for one snake when the rack systems are $300 for two tubs on the 8016 Hybrid.
Well… Do remember that if you aren’t local or able to pick up at a show, shipping on this can be pretty crazy. I’ll give a screenshot example here for if I were to order it.
And ARS does recommend that if you are purchasing a single level you do still purchase the base instead of keeping it alone on a floor. Especially if upgrading to more levels later. Could just be up selling, but I prefer my critters to be off the floor anyway.
That said… Even though space is a concern, the main issue is still the care you would provide. 7in is still ‘fine’ if you’re offering some opportunities for time out and about. And the tub floorspace is still greater than most keep their BPs in. The 9" will offer more space to put a hide or something they can get over and under on and work a bit of a small climb into the tubs if they don’t get that elsewhere.
I am definitely aware of the shipping, I found that buying an entire rack really doesn’t cost that much more in shipping than a single level so it would still come out cheaper than 16 $300+ cages.
I would most definitely do my best to provide the care they need. I refuse to use paper as a substrate as in my personal opinion that is cruel and I would hate to see my animals in an enclosure like that. So I want to be able to use at least an inch to two inches of substrate. I just don’t know if anyone has had experience with ball pythons having 5 inches of head room or if that just isn’t enough. One of the pythons is Volta so definitely staying in a 120 gallon and the other is a classroom per normal ball that I have to a parent. So the three that would be going in would be juveniles so I know they can fit as of now. But I don’t know if 5 inches of height is sufficient in the long run. It’s just hard to justify spending a thousand dollars for two inches of height and the same floor space. I also plan on breeding so that is why I am looking into a rack rather than just stacking the tanks.
I love my ARS rack cages. I don’t breed ball pythons, but I do breed boas. They do seem to like the ARS cages, too. I know you said you don’t like paper for cages, but it makes it easier to clean for me. I have around 40 boas. I do use cypress much in large dishes in my cages. Helps with humidity.
My bad! I misunderstood it as you comparing just purchasing by the level atm and not the full rack. Yeah then shipping definitely isn’t as bad… just still more than I’d like XD;
Thank you for the pics, I don’t hate on people who use paper, I just don’t like seeing my animals on paper. I also would feel extremely lazy using paper when I only have maybe ten to twelve reptiles as opposed to forty or fifty. I would also use paper myself for a pregnant female for the gigs safety and especially for live birthers so I understand that purpose. I think I’ll end up going with the 8016 hybrid for budgeting reasons and then if it’s too small in the long run I’ll upgrade to the 8514 and using the 8016 Hybrid as an oversized baby rack with dividers in the tubs. And who knows, I’ve always loved hognose snakes so maybe I’ll get into those and use it for them instead.
People always say reptiles hate racks but I feel like in my experience there are plenty of signs that reptiles give you if they are unhappy. And ball pythons especially because they get their name from literally balling up underground for 12+ hours a day anyways.
Also I’d love to ask about the retic. I feel like it’s hard to understand how big they really are unless you see them in person. Are they really as massive as people say? Or are they more super long and slim. Because anacondas from what I am aware are shorter than retics but are the heaviest snake in the world.
I am only 20 minutes or so from ARS! I go there to buy my rodents. The guys are super nice! Not that this is pertinent to this thread. I just thought I would throw it in!
I heard they were super nice. I’ve seen videos of people like Snake Discovery meeting them at shows and the guys are always super nice to everyone. I totally wish I lived closer so I could and check them out.
I was talking to them on Saturday at a show here. Can confirm. Very nice, even when there are far too many people nearby and needing to go down a line of questions. hahah.
I always take my little dog Rudy and the men who build the cages always take time to acknowledge and pet him so that’s kinda nice too. Rudy loves it because he’s a big hambone!
One of the guys in the office has a few tarantulas so I usually check them out. One of the T’s is a beautiful red knee of some sort…
I took no offense to your comment about paper. I’m just saying what I like.
Yes, mainland retics can get big. However, adult green Anacondas will get heavier than retics. The biggest retic I have owned was 16 feet and 120 lbs. Have held a 22-foot, that was 220 lbs retic my friend owed.
