11/05/2025
🐍 Welcome to Lil Ball Peeps!
If you’re new to ball pythons or just looking to double-check your setup, you’re in the right place. This post covers everything you’ll need to create a safe, comfortable, and healthy environment for your snake — from enclosure options to heat sources and humidity tips. Whether you just brought home your first baby or are planning an upgrade, Lil Ball Peeps has you covered!
🐍 Ball Python Setup Guide by Lil Ball Peeps
I’ll attempt to explain and break all this down for anyone setting up their first ball python enclosure.
🧾 List of Absolute Essentials:
Enclosure: Options and breakdown (See Part One: A)
Size Guide: 10–20 gal for babies, 40+ gal for adults (See Part One: B)
Thermostat: (See Part Two)
Heat Source: (See Part Three A & B)
Bedding/Substrate: (See Part Four)
Miscellaneous Setup Items: (See Part Five)
🐍 Part One: A — Enclosure Options
✔ Glass Enclosures
Available in top-opening/mesh-top and front-opening styles (mesh tops need modifying to help with humidity).
Great for smaller sizes (10/20/30 gal), so they’re perfect for a first enclosure.
High visibility — we recommend adding décor or background around the sides and back to reduce stress.
Easy to clean, widely available, and usually budget-friendly.
Compatible with ceramic bulbs or heat pads.
✔ PVC Enclosures
Very popular, easy to clean, and typically front-opening with sliding doors.
Durable, well-insulated, and offer reduced visibility on three sides (which helps your snake feel secure).
Ideal heat source: Radiant Heat Panels.
Pricier than glass, and not easy to find in smaller sizes (10/20 gal), so they’re best as a long-term or final upgrade.
Because there are so many variables, I don’t link specific enclosures. Choose the style that fits your home, budget, and your snake’s needs.
🐍 Lil Ball Peeps Tip: We use both styles here, depending on the age and temperament of the snake. Don’t overthink it — just make sure your setup can maintain steady temps and humidity!
🐍 Part One: B — Size Matters (But Not How You Think!)
Hatchlings: up to ~6 months, 60–100g
Juveniles: 6–12 months, 200–700g
Subadults: 1–3 years, 500–1500g
Adults: 2+ years, 1200–2500g
(These are rough averages.)
Heard it here first — SIZE DOES MATTER! But not the way you think.
We strongly recommend that baby ball pythons be housed in an enclosure no larger than a 20-gallon tank, then upgraded once they’re established eaters and growing into the juvenile range.
Ball pythons need a 90°F hot spot to digest their food. Giving a baby a massive 40-gallon enclosure is like handing them a mansion — they won’t use the space, and they might not find the warmth they need. In the wild, these snakes hang out in tight burrows or termite mounds, rarely moving far.
In your 68°F living room, that “chill” instinct can cause problems — they may not self-regulate properly, leading to feeding issues or digestion problems.
Think of your baby’s setup like a Venn diagram:
You want the hot spot (~90°F), ambient warmth (~80°F), hide, and water bowl — all overlapping slightly so your snake can access every comfort zone without roaming far.
🐍 Lil Ball Peeps Reminder: A smaller, dialed-in space builds confidence and consistency. You’ll have a much easier time with feeding and acclimation this way!
🐍 Part Two — Thermostat
The thermostat is absolutely essential.
Your heat source plugs into it, and the probe monitors and controls temperature.
Without a thermostat, a heat source can overheat and burn or even kill a snake. It works with heat pads, ceramic bulbs, and radiant heat panels to keep things safe and stable.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08PC8NSB1/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?smid=A1CNZ2QMFPDASC&psc=1
🐍 Lil Ball Peeps Safety Tip: Never run a heat source without a thermostat — ever!
🐍 Part Three: A — Heat Source (Glass Enclosures)
You’ll need two items: a ceramic heat bulb and a compatible hood fixture.
These go on the mesh lid and plug into the thermostat.
Cover most of the mesh (except where the bulb sits) with something heat-resistant — like HVAC tape or foil — to help hold in humidity.
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🐍 Part Three: B — Heat Source (PVC Enclosures)
For PVC enclosures, Radiant Heat Panels are an excellent choice.
They mount inside the top of the enclosure and connect directly to your thermostat.
They’re pricier but clean, efficient, and ideal for stackable setups.
https://www.reptilebasics.com/rbi-radiant-heat-panels/vivarium-electronics-28-watt-radiant-heat-panel/
🐍 Part Four — Bedding / Substrate
Coconut bark (also called coco chip or husk) is fantastic for ball pythons.
It holds humidity well and is easy to spot-clean. One block lasts a long time since full changes aren’t frequent.
✅ Humidity: Ball pythons thrive with 60–80% daily humidity, and you’ll want a gentle spike to around 70–80% during shedding periods.
Maintaining humidity helps with shedding, skin health, and overall comfort.
Avoid pine, cedar, aspen, or sand — they can grow mold, dry out too quickly, or cause respiratory and shedding issues.
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🐍 Lil Ball Peeps Tip: Mix a little damp sphagnum moss into your hides during shedding season for perfect humidity control and stress-free sheds.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0157O1CM8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?smid=A2EU6J9NXZJHWG&th=1
🐍 Lil Ball Peeps Tip: Mix a little damp sphagnum moss into your hides during shedding season for perfect humidity control.
🐍 Part Five — Miscellaneous Must-Haves
Thermometers & Hygrometers: Have at least two — one with a probe on the hot side, one on the cool side.
Water Bowl: Large enough for full-body soaking, slightly under the heat source for natural humidity.
Hides: Provide at least one on each side. Adjust sizes as your snake grows.
Décor: Add clutter! Ball pythons feel safer when they can hide. Arrange décor in a loose “C” shape to create cozy overlapping zones (see Part One: B).
🐍 Final Thoughts from Lil Ball Peeps
It might feel like a lot at first, but once your setup is dialed in, ball python care is simple:
Feed weekly, spot clean, refill water, and monitor temps.
Remember — this is a general guide to get you started. Always invest in the best thermostat, heat source, and enclosure that fit your budget and lifestyle.
There are plenty of products and brands out there — the key is finding what works for you and your snake.
💬 Please reach out to Lil Ball Peeps anytime with questions or setup help!
We’re always happy to help new keepers get started the right way.
