birbmememaster24 wrote:i’m thinking about getting a young ball python, and i’m wondering how much i’d cost for the set up roughly (i know it varies)
It depends on quite a bit. The main things that can run expensively are the enclosure, heating elements, the thermostat. Something like PVC are most expensive while tubs are cheapest. PVC, depending on the size, would run about $250 (for a 4x2x2). Tank, if you get it during the 1 gallon/$1 Petco or PetSmart sale, can run $10-40 depending what size you get. A 16qt tub is about $6-10 while a larger one (like 100 qt) may be about $20.
Heating elements being an undertank heater and/or lamps. Depending on what your house temperature is and what type of enclosure you have will influence how many and/or what kind of heating elements you need. Beginners generally have a UTH and a heat lamp. UTH can be anywhere from $15 to $30 depending on size and brand. Zoomeds are popular and generally cheaper, but may not last as long. Ultratherm, one example of an expensive brand, is more expensive and what I personally used when I had UTH. Heat tape is another option that can be used instead of a UTH and is generally used with rack systems or tubs, and that's cheapest (about $3 for 1 foot). Heat lamps depend on what type of bulb (ranging from about $5-20 for the bulb, and then another $20 or so for a dome or lamp cage). CHE is my personal recommendation (make sure you get a dome/cage/clamp with a porcelain socket). Radiant Heat Panels are more commonly used in PVC, but sometimes in tubs. Those are about $65-120 depending on the size/wattage.
Thermostats range a lot. The cheapest, while being semi-reliable, are around $32. The most expensive, but most reliable ones, are ones like Herpstat and Vivarium Eletronics which are about $80-100 for a single output thermostat (there are some that have multiple outputs, such as the Herpstat 4 which has 4 outputs but is $339).
Temperature gun and digital thermometer/hygrometer for measuring temperatures and humidity is a must. Thermometer/hygrometers are cheap, a bit less than $10 for one (two is recommended for warm side and cool side). A temperature gun is about $10-20, but they all generally work the same.
Substrate ranges. Cheapest would be paper towels or newspaper, one or both you likely already have in your home. Reptile carpet, astroturf, aspen, cypress mulch, coco husk, coco chip, forest floor, ecoearth, orchid bark, etc. are all ones I've seen used. The most popular tend to be either paper towels, aspen, or something that holds humidity better (like cypress mulch or coco chip). Aspen is about $17 for 24 qt while something like Reptichip (coco chip, what I personally use) is about $26 for 72qt. Most of those substrates will last a few months.
Hides generally range from $3-20. Ideally, you'll want two at minimum (one for cool side and one for warm side).
Water bowl about $3 for a small snake, $6 for large one (if you go cheaper). More realistic looking water bowls can be like $3 to $15.
So, theoretically, here's a really cheap set up for a young ball python (like under 300g):
- Tub ~ $2 for a 16qt tub with latches from Target
- Small undertank heater ~ $16 from Amazon by ZooMed
- Thermostat ~ $32 from Amazon
- Thermometer/hygrometer ~ $16 for two by Acurite on Amazon
- Temperature gun ~ $10 on Amazon
- IF your house is cold and the ambient temperature is too low, ceramic heat emitter ~ $20 from Amazon by ZooMed
--- lamp cage ~ $24 from Amazon by ZooMed
- Paper towels ~ $2 for one cheap roll from Walmart
- Two hides ~ $6 from Reptile Basics
- Water bowl ~ $3 from Reptile Basics
=== less than $100 w/o lamp and clamp, about $50 more w/ lamp and clamp
Obviously these are super estimated. Doesn't include any tax or shipping. For some you may go to a local store and find it's more expensive (my 16 qt tub was about $7 in person). This doesn't include the snake, feeders, or other supplies you'll want to get (digital scale, tongs, disinfectant, etc.). It also doesn't include decor which I 100% recommend but isn't necessarily necessary at start up (especially when you're quarantining your animal for the first 3 months, after, you'll want to get some leafy vines, branches, etc.). As the snake grows bigger, you'll need to upgrade the enclosure and get bigger feeders. Vet costs may also crop up if you come across an issue. These snakes can live over 40 years, so while the start up costs may seem cheap, they will get more expensive as they get bigger. I upgraded my snake enclosure and some supplies a few months ago, just for two snakes, and I spent about $500.
-fireflii
If you can, see if you can get her to come to an expo. Exposure is one of the best ways to help snake phobia..jpg)
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