Ron's Ball Python Blog

Many people who purchase their first ball python house them in an aquarium type setting. Aquarium’s work very well for a few ball pythons but it quickly becomes a nightmare as your collection starts to grow. As you start to approach five ball pythons or more, you’ll soon realize that five individual aquariums or tanks begin to take up a lot of horizontal space. Couple this with the fact that cleaning a heavy tank can take a bit of time, you’ll experience first hand that keeping a growing collection of ball pythons in tanks can start to become nerve wrecking.

Several ball python aquariums

Rack Systems
The common question that many ball python keepers ask is, "What’s the best way to house my growing collection of ball pythons?" This question has been answered by quite a few reptile caging manufacturers in the form of a rack system. Rack systems are efficient and practical solutions for housing a growing collection of ball pythons. They work on the principal of vertical housing opposed to horizontal housing, as is the case when dealing with tanks. Each manufacturer has their own style of racks but they all pretty much address the same space issue faced with tanks in their own way.

Ball python rack from Vision Products

Some manufacturers offer rack systems that you have to assemble yourself such as Vision Products for example. Other manufacturers custom make your racks per order and ship them to you as in the case of Boaphile Plastics. Other than the difference in design, cage quality and pricing, an "assemble it yourself" rack can usually be shipped to you quicker than a "custom made per order" rack, which can oftentimes take several months to complete depending on where they are in their work queue.

Ball python rack from Boaphile Plastics

Most racks are made of a durable plastic material that comes in either white or black but there are some racks that are made from melamine wood. These racks are for the most part heavy and can warp over a period of time due to high humidity and dampness in the cage. This warping effect causes the sliding drawers to get stuck and is oftentimes very difficult to pull out or push in. I would strongly advise against purchasing racks made out of melamine wood for these reasons.

Ball python racks made of melamine wood

Many rack manufacturers have designed their racks to fit a number of "tubs" made by Sterilite, Rubbermaid and others. Because Sterilite and Rubbermaid are the two primary leaders in producing plastic organizing products, they can be found at just about any retail store and usually sell for less than $5 per tub, depending of course on how many quarts the tub will hold. What really makes a rack system shine when compared to a tank is the weight of the plastic tub itself. A tank is very heavy whereas a plastic tub is extremely lightweight. This makes for easy cleaning and cage maintenance and gives tubs the upper hand over tanks. They also perform an amazing job at holding in humidity as well.

Sterilite tub used to house a ball python

Racks reserve or provide a "hot spot" area in the form of either belly or back heat. Flexwatt heat tape is a popular source for providing both belly and back heat.

Flexwatt heat tape for ball pythons

Another choice for providing heat is through the use of a "heat cable". Heat cables are very popular in Europe and are included with rack systems from Vision Products. Heat cables work on the same premise as Flexwatt heat tape but they’re fashioned as a cable opposed to a thin tape-like strip. As with all heat sources, you want to make sure you hook them up to a thermostat or rheostat so you can control the amount of belly or back heat for the "hot spot" in your ball pythons' cage.

Repti heat cable for ball pythons

Racks come in a variety of sizes and styles so you need to make sure you purchase a rack that meets your needs and budget. We’ve discussed racks at length in our forum so I invite you to visit our ball python forum to see what other members have said about the rack systems they personally own. Feel free to start a thread if you have questions or would like to discuss this topic in greater detail.

Here's a list of actual names that people have given their ball pythons and other snakes as well. If you're having troubles giving your snake a name, this list just might help you out a bit. :D

Abihu
Adamall
Ahktar
Akasha
Akeyra
Aldrea
Alice
Allister
Ariadnae
Arcamedis (aka Archer)
Arnie
Asmodeus
Athena
Ava
Baby
Bailona
Balthazar (Zar for short)
Banana
Banda
Basilisk (Basil for short)
Bear
Beast
Beauty
Belle
Belka
Belt
Beetlejuice
Bijou
Blaine
Blizz
Boffo
Bogavich
Bohemian Tightsqueeze (Boh)
Boomerang (Boomer)
Bruce
Brutinie
Bubba
Canibus Sativa
Carley
Casandra
Chocolate
Chopper
Chowder
Cleo
Cleopatra
Cloriece
Conan
Cornflakes
Cristail (Cristy)
Crusher
Cutie
Dakota
Damian
Diablo
Dopey
Dragar
Drago
Earl
Eddie
Elaith
Elvis
Eve
Evra
Executioner (nickname Q)
Falcor
Fluffy
Focker
Gerald
Gorderan
Grinch
Guiness
Gutata
Hades (aka Bo)
Hannibal
Henry
Hera
Hitler
Homer
Hoover
Hunny Nut
Hunter
Hurcules
Igor
Isabeaux
Isabelle Antoinette
Isela
Isis
Istral
Ivan
Jade
Jafar
Jaja
Jake
Jay
Jelly
Jeremiah
Jessimbo
Jormungand
Juliet
Kaa
Kali
Kane
KChalise (pronouned "Chalice")
Kellog
Kendra
Kermit (Kermie for short)
Kingki
King Tut
Kinky
Kisses
Knot
Kraken
Kuddles
Kumasi
Lady Pryditor
Lamia
Layla
Legolas
Leevii
Lerk
Lestat
Levi
Lilith (Lily for short)
Little Squzzeser
Lokki
Lucy
Lun
Madusa
Mai Tai
Matilda
Max
Medusa
Merlin
Methos
Mikhail
Mini
Mitch
Mocha chocha llama hottie
Mojo-jo-jo
Montique
Monty
Monty the Python
Moon
Morgana
Moses
Mr. Crowley
Ms. Anaconda
Murphy
Murray
Naga
Nathen
Nefertiti
Neiko
Nigel
Noodles
Nofeet
Nuba
Okolo
O'Malley
Oscar
Pandora
Panther
P. Diddy
Peublo
Pink
Pinky
Pliskin
Pockets
Posidion
Pray
Pretzel
Pretzyl
Puppy
Q (sort for Executioner)
Rajah
Red
Ribbion
Rocky BalBoa
Roger
Romeo
Rose
Roswell
Ruban
Ruby
Rumplesnakeskin
Sage
Sasha
Satan (aka Moo)
Sauron (aka Nibbs)
Scarlett
Serpico
Sheila
Shika
Sir. Cornelius Slithers
Sir Hiss
Sizzle
Slip
Slap
Slash
Slinkster
Slinky
Slithers
Slyder
Slyther
Smiles
Smoo (aka Smee or Smee-Smoo)
Snake
Snap
Snickers
Solomon (King Solomon, Sol)
Spazz
Spike
Squzzeser
SSSSSam
Star
Streak
Sun
Sunshine
Suspiria (Ria for short)
Sybil
Syther (SY-ther)
Tangle
Tango
Tarzan
Terminator
Thanatos
The Beast
The Strangler
Threat
Tiny
Tokie
Tootsie
Trendi (Accent over the "i")
Trinity
Turkish
Unger
Upir
Veneno (aka Venenito)
Vittorio
Whiskey
William Snakespeare
Willow
Xena
Xibalba
Yayo
Zack
Zaffle
Zakk
Zap
Zeus
Ziggy
Zippy
Zobique
Zoe

A recent post in our ball python forum prompted me to write a blog about this topic. It’s very cold now so it’s natural to wonder how to correctly transport your ball python in such harsh weather. The task is a bit easier if you’re traveling by car opposed to flying. The process that I’ll discuss will work well with traveling by car or flying but flying is trickier because airlines have certain rules and regulations that apply to reptiles. You have to check with your airline to see if you can transport your ball python as cargo.

How to properly pack your ball python
You should have the following items in preparation for packing a ball python for transport:

1. Cardboard box large enough to comfortably house your ball python.
2. Sheets of Styrofoam lining that can be purchased from Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart or from a similar retailer.
3. Heat packs
4. Soft pillow case
5. Plastic tie wraps
6. Newspaper
7. Packing tape
8. Razor blade or comparable cutting tool. Seek adult supervision if you’re a minor.

You need to cut the Styrofoam so it will fit comfortably within the cardboard box.

Styrofoam sheets

Make sure you cut out six pieces that will be placed on the bottom, the sides and the top. You’re effectively making a Styrofoam box within the cardboard box.

Box and Styrofoam sheets

Once you’ve assembled your box, you need to secure the ball python in a soft pillowcase using plastic tie wraps. You can actually tie off the pillowcase in a knot if you’d like but you need to make sure it’s very tight so your ball python can’t escape. Plastic tie wraps will pretty much guarantee a secure locking mechanism that will prevent your ball python from getting out of the pillowcase. Before tying off the end of the pillowcase, place a sheet of paper towel in with your ball python. This will help soak up any urine if your ball python decides to relieve itself during transit.

Plastic tie wraps

Before placing your ball python in the box, place ample sheets of crumbled newspaper in the box to help further insulate the box and provide a nice soft cushion during transport. You need to add one single heat pack to the box that will generate heat and keep your ball python nice and warm during travel if it’s cold outside. When using a heat pack, wrap it in a sheet of newspaper before placing it in the box. DO NOT place the heat pack in the box directly without first wrapping it in a sheet of newspaper because the surface temperature of the heat pack can often exceed 100 degrees Farenheit.

I sell 40-hour heat packs in 5-pack bundles for $14.95 + $5.95 S/H within the United States. Either phone or email me if you need one or more 5-pack bundles of 40-hour heat packs. You can also PayPal $19.90 to info@RCReptiles.com and we’ll send your 5-pack bundle of 40-hour heat packs to you at once. On a side note, heat packs are also good to have in the event that your power shuts off due to extremely cold weather conditions. You can place a heat pack in with your ball python while the power is off and since they’re 40-hour heat packs, it will provide heat for upwards of 2 days while the electricity is out!

=Heat packs for ball pythons

Your ball python is now packed for transport and there’s a heat source in there as well so it’s good to go. You just need to add the top layer of Styrofoam, close and seal up the cardboard box and you’re done! Your ball python can now be safely transported with you.

Happy traveling! :)