6 Best Ball Python Enclosures, Terrariums, Tanks, & Cages

Before you bring home a pet ball python, you will first need to choose a tank/terrarium/enclosure or whatever else you may call it. A good terrarium is essential to keeping a ball python happy and healthy.

But, not all ball python enclosures are the same.

Ball python enclosure should be spacious, secure, and not very expensive. The best enclosure will also be sturdy and well-ventilated.

Finding a perfect terrarium for a ball python can be hard. They range in price, design, durability, and safety. Ball pythons kept in the wrong enclosure can suffer a shortened lifespan, higher stress, and injury.

In this article, we give our review of the six best ball python enclosures. We share in-depth reviews, build quality information, and what we like about each cage. By the end of this guide, you will be able to pick the best terrarium for your ball python.

48″x24″x16″ PVC Panel Ball Python Enclosure

Your ball python will love the size of this cage! The non-reflective bamboo panels not only look attractive but also minimize stress when approaching your snake. The enclosure is easy to assemble and clean. Check Official Website.

A Quick Comparison of the Best Products

Image	Product	Feature	Price
Best Overall	48″x24″x16″ PVC Panel Ball Python Enclosure	Large enclosure Non-reflective surfaces 3 years warranty	Check Price
Strongest Design	Maximum Reptile PVC & Aluminum Enclosure	Equal to 120 gallons Custom ventilation 10 years warranty	Check Price
Best for Beginners	Carolina Custom Cages Terrarium	Durable Easy to assemble Secure	Check Price
Most Affordable	Exo Terra All Glass Terrarium	Waterproof base Dual opening doors Comes with inlets	Check Price
	Repti-Zoo Reptile Glass Tank Double Hinge Door	Mesh top to allow ventilation. Durable Retains humidity	Check Price
	Hagen Exo Terra Snake Starter Kit	All accessories Metal screen Adequate Space	Check Price

The Six Best Ball Python Enclosures

Below are our reviews of the best ball python tanks. The reviews are based on our personal use of the products and feedbacks from other customers on their official websites.

1. Best Overall Tank: PVC Ball Python Enclosure

Zen Habitats PVC Panel Ball Python Enclosure is one of the best snake enclosures available on the market.

Zen Habitats is a US-based company that specializes in building reptile-specific habitats that are tailored to meet a pets’ physical and emotional needs. They offer enclosures for a wide range of reptiles including bearded dragons, geckos, and snakes.

The PVC Panel Ball Python Enclosure is specifically made for ball pythons. It is not only practical, but also attractive, simple to put together, and affordable.

The cage has an 80-gallon capacity, which allows your snake to stretch, climb and exercise. As this is a large enclosure, you will be able to easily add all the decoration items you want without having to compromise the usable space for your snake.

The front-sliding removable acrylic doors facilitate a stress-free interaction with my ball python, while the bamboo-finished panels offer excellent heat retention – up to 10 times better than glass.

Additionally, the non-reflective surfaces help reduce anxiety in my pet, contributing to a more comfortable and safe environment.

The bamboo panels on this enclosure not only look attractive but are also better at retaining heat than glass, which helps to keep ambient temperatures consistent at a cheaper cost.

My only complaint is that it comes with no instructions which was a little intimidating however, the recommended videos on their website are very helpful. It shows step-by-step how to properly set up your ball python enclosure.

Overall, the Meridian PVC Ball Python Enclosure has proven to be a fantastic investment for my ball python. Its user-friendly assembly, customizable design, and stress-reducing features have made caring for my reptile an enjoyable experience.

It also comes with a 3-year warranty making it the most secure investment.

If you’re searching for a versatile and reliable enclosure for your pet snake, I highly recommend giving the Zen Habitat’s Meridian PVC Ball Python Enclosure a try.

2. Strongest Design: Maximum Reptile PVC Enclosure

This is the strogest snake tank you can find on the market. It is made by Maximum Reptile a reputed company in the US that are in the cage manufacturing business for over 44 years now.

Maximum Reptile offer enclosures that are not only built with your reptile’s needs in mind, but also look wonderful in your home.

The Essential 4 PVC & Aluminum Enclosure 2.0 is a top-quality enclosure that is perfect for ball pythons. It measures 48 inches in length, 24 inches in width, and 24 inches in height, providing plenty of space for your pet to move around and explore.

Made from a combination of durable PVC and aluminum materials, this enclosure is perfect for maintaining optimal temperatures and humidity levels, and is also easy to clean and maintain.

The cage is super water resistant made with real PVC and strong Anodized Aluminum that ensures this enclosure will never break, catch fire or rot. The front sliding doors makes it easy to clean and offers perfect viewing.

The enclosure also has front sliding/removable acrylic doors for easy access, as well as a galvanized steel screen top with support bars and wire grommets for lighting options. The screen top is super sturdy so your ball python will have no chance of escaping the enclosure. Also, it provides great ventilation.

This pvc tank for ball python also comes with several optional features to enhance your pet’s living experience. The optional humidity shield helps to retain humidity while providing ventilation, and the optional substrate shield helps to keep loose substrate in the habitat when the door is open.

One of the reasons why we like Maximum Reptile PVC & Aluminum Enclosure so much is that they offer 10 years warranty making it one of the safest investments.

3. Best for Beginners: Carolina Custom Cage

The Carolina Custom Cages Terrarium is one of the best snake enclosures. It is spacious and easy-to-assemble enclosure that is perfect for ball pythons. It measures 36Lx18Dx18H, providing plenty of room for your pet to move around and explore.

The enclosure is made from high-quality materials and has a sleek, modern design that will look great in any home.

One of the things we like about this enclosure is its ease of assembly. It comes with clear, step-by-step instructions and can be put together quickly and easily, even by those with little to no experience.

The enclosure is also lightweight and easy to move around, making it convenient to place in any location. I can assemble, disassemble and move it without have to call for any help.

The Carolina Custom Cages Terrarium is made from durable materials that are built to last. It has a strong and sturdy frame that can withstand the weight of your pet and their accessories. The enclosure’s glass panels are thick and resistant to breaking.

The enclosure is also designed with ventilation in mind, with plenty of airflow to keep your ball python comfortable.

Overall, the Carolina Custom Cages Terrarium is a great choice for those looking to provide a comfortable and secure living space for their ball python. It is spacious, easy to assemble, and made from high-quality materials that are built to last. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced reptile owner, this enclosure is sure to meet your needs and exceed your expectations.

The door is secured with a simple keyed latch, making it impossible for your ball python to open. The top grate is made of metal and works well with ceramic heat lamps and other similar items.

4. Most Affordable: Exo Terra All Glass Terrarium

Exo Terra Short All Glass Ball Python Terrarium is a great choice for a baby ball python. But not recommended for a large adult ball python.

The front-opening doors make feeding very easy. The doors can be opened separately and are secured by a specially designed lock.

One of the things we like about this terrarium is its all-glass design, which allows for a clear and unobstructed view of your pet.

The enclosure has ventilation slots on the sides, which help to regulate temperature and airflow within the terrarium.

The top of the screen is totally removable for simple access for decorating or cleaning and allowing UVB and infrared penetration.

Heat Wave Rocks, Waterfalls, Sensors, and other items can be installed inside the terrarium through the 5 closable wire or tube inlets on both sides of the screen cover.

The terrarium’s bottom plate is raised to accommodate a substrate heater that will heat a portion of the enlarged ground surface. The extra-high fixed front glass is perfect for thick substrate layers (burrowing reptiles), aquatic portions (paludarium), or mounting an Exo Terra reptile den.

Overall, the Exo Terra Short All Glass Terrarium is a well-designed and durable enclosure that is perfect for baby ball pythons. Its all-glass design and front-opening door make it easy to access and observe your pet, and its ventilation slots and raised bottom design help to create a naturalistic and comfortable environment for your pet. It is suitable for use with a substrate heater and has a built-in wire mesh top for the installation of lighting and heating fixtures.

5. Repti-Zoo Reptile Glass Tank Double Hinge Door

The REPTI ZOO Reptile Glass Terrarium Tank is a spacious and durable enclosure that is perfect for ball pythons and other reptiles. It is made from high-quality glass and features a double hinge door with screen ventilation for optimal airflow.

The enclosure is large, measuring 36″ x 18″ x 18″, and has plenty of space for your pet to move around, run, jump, and climb.

One of the things we like about this terrarium is its double hinge door, which provides easy access to your pet and allows for easy cleaning and maintenance.

The screen ventilation also helps to regulate temperature and humidity levels inside the enclosure, ensuring that your pet is comfortable and healthy.

The REPTI ZOO Reptile Glass Terrarium Tank is easy to assemble, with the enclosure coming in a knock-down design that saves on shipping costs.

It is also lightweight and easy to move, making it a great choice for those looking to provide a comfortable and secure living space for their reptiles.

Overall, the REPTI ZOO Reptile Glass Terrarium Tank is a high-quality enclosure that is perfect for ball pythons and other reptiles. It is spacious, durable, and easy to maintain, making it a great choice for those looking to provide the best care for their pets.

6. Best Starter Kit: Hagen Exo Terra Snake Starter Kit

The Hagen Exo Terra ball python starter kit is a comprehensive and convenient package designed for keeping baby ball pythons in a healthy and comfortable environment.

It includes everything you need to get started, including a 28 gallons terrarium with a front-opening door for easy access, a basking spot lamp and ceramic heat emitter to provide necessary heat and light, a water dish, and a thermometer and hygrometer to monitor temperature and humidity levels.

The terrarium itself is made from sturdy materials and features a front-opening door for easy access, as well as a screen top for ventilation.

It is designed to mimic the natural habitat of ball pythons, with a rocky background, a hideaway cave, and a climbing branch to provide plenty of opportunities for exploration and climbing.

The basking spot lamp and ceramic heat emitter provide the necessary heat and light for your ball python, while the water dish allows your pet to stay hydrated. The thermometer and hygrometer help you to monitor the temperature and humidity levels in the terrarium, ensuring that they are at the optimal levels for your ball python.

Overall, the Hagen Exo Terra Snake Starter Kit is a great choice for those looking to provide a comfortable and healthy environment for their ball python. It is easy to set up and includes everything you need to get started, making it a convenient and hassle-free option for new reptile owners.

This terrarium kit is a good starting point for you; it doesn’t have a few elements such as hygrometer, hiding spots, and other snake products, but you can always add them up in this kit to make it perfect for your reptile’s needs.

If you do want to go with a terrarium kit then this would be a great option to consider.

What To Know Before Buying a Ball Python Enclosure

There are dozens of different terrariums available, depending on the age of your ball python, the type of setup you need, and your budget. When it comes to choosing a terrarium for a ball python, it’s easy to assume they’re all the same.

A ball python tank’s design and size have a huge impact on its safety, effectiveness, and longevity. Despite their differences, good ball python enclosures have a few things in common:

• Size (80-gallon to 120-gallon).
• Design (made from sturdy material, good ventilation).
• Security (front opening doors with functioning latches).
• Safety (sturdy with well-fitted top).

When purchasing a ball python enclosure, size and safety are the most important considerations. An 80-gallon enclosure is recommended for an adult ball python. If you get one that’s too huge (Bigger than 120-gallons), it’ll be difficult to heat, clean, and keep an eye on your ball python.

The greatest ball python terrariums are strong and escape-proof. They also feature places on top of the tank for lights and heaters with no gaps or openings. Excess heat can cause the tops of low-quality tanks to get overly hot or even bend. This can result in burns and perhaps the heater falling through the enclosure’s top.

Ball Python Enclosure Size

Ball Pythons need a safe and well-ventilated cage to live in. An ideal way to set up an enclosure for ball pythons is using a purpose-made enclosure with a locked ventilated top (screen wire or punctured metal sheets).

Selecting the right-sized ball python terrarium is a crucial part. Ball pythons are shy species so you don’t want to overexpose them by putting them in an oversized enclosure.

The cage should not be very tiny either. As a general rule, the length of the cage should equal the length of the body of the ball python and the width should be half its body size.

Please refer to the chart below in regard to various cage sizes:

Python Size	Cage Size Requirement
Hatchlings up to 300g	10-gallon enclosure  (20″ x 11″ x 13″)
Juveniles under 3′ long	40-gallon enclosure  (36” x 18” x 18)
Subadults and adults over 3′ long	80-120-gallon enclosure (48″ x 24″ x 24″)

An important note is that while most adult ball pythons can live quite happily in an 80 to 120-gallon-long aquarium, Hatchings need a smaller space environment to feel secure.

If Hatchings are placed in an environment larger than the recommended 10-gallon, they may feel afraid thus affecting their feed. Therefore it is highly recommended to use the chart above as guidelines, in order to provide the best living conditions for your Ball Pythons.

Design

Your ball python isn’t a good climber but can latch onto something if provided and surprise you by climbing to the top. In this case, the top design is important to be included in the cage of your pet python, which can be done by adding a solid piece top or something with a securing latch that can help the python to climb.

Safety

Snakes are master escape artists because of their ability to pass through small holes and edges. Providing a tank with big holes and an open stainless steel mesh top means an open invitation for them to escape, and you will lose your dearest reptile pet.

Key lock hood fixings or cover clips should be included in any ball python cage. These lockable fasteners are a must-have if your terrarium opens from the top and assist to keep screen-top tanks secure.

Front-opening terrarium doors should have a sturdy latch to keep them in place.

Durability

The tank that you’re purchasing for your python needs to be durable so that the enclosure can last for a few years. A good and durable material terrarium will last for the whole lifespan of the ball python. You can find the most durable one by taking opinions from those who have already used different products for their pet reptiles.

Correct Dimensions

Ball pythons aren’t tree climbers in the wild; they like to spend their time moving and slithering on the ground. For this reason, you must ensure to get a tank that is long instead of being tall.

Easy to Clean

Cleaning the ball python’s tank is essential for the reptile’s health, so you should get a tank that’s easy to clean and doesn’t absorb liquid.

Type of Enclosures for Ball Python

There are a number of different types of enclosures available for ball pythons made out of different materials. All cages come with their own pros and cons, however, so are simply better than the others. Below is a list of the most suitable options used today in the ball python community.

• Plastic Cages
• Glass Tanks
• Wooden Enclosures
• Homemade Or Customized Cages

Plastic/PVC Cages

Plastic or PVC cage is the most papular in the ball pythons community. Cages made out of plastic are easy to clean, hold humidity well, more durable, lightweight and are more attractive to look at as compared to glass cages.

Glass Tanks

A glass tank is also one of the most popular options for ball pythons. However, it comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. Glass enclosures are easy to clean, are durable and offer excellent visibility for viewing.

But glass terrariums are heavy which means you won’t be able to move them around in your house. Also, the lid tops are usually not very strong in most of the glass tanks thus creating an opportunity for your ball python to escape.

Wooden Enclosures

Wooden enclosures for ball pythons are not as popular as plastic or glass enclosures however, many people still use them because of their ability to retain temperature and humidity easily. Wooden cages are also easy to modify.

Homemade Or Customized Cages

Custom-made enclosures could be very effective. If you have the DIY skills you can build a perfect size enclosure for your ball python with reduced cost.

Common Terrarium Issues

A common mistake made by first-time keepers when searching for the best tank for ball python is selecting an enclosure that is too small.

Smaller terrariums are typically less expensive and appear to be a better fit for younger ball pythons. But don’t be tempted! Ball pythons grow quickly. Only a ball python under the age of three months will fit in a 20-gallon terrarium.

The greatest ball python terrariums are made of glass, although the glass can be overly thick and reflective at times. If a ball python catches its reflection in the back or sides of the glass, this can be stressful.

Reptiles should not be kept in terrariums that are not designed especially for them.

They are not properly constructed and will not be safe for ball pythons. Parts of these models frequently scratch, pinch, or fall on your lizard.

Heat and light bulbs should also be able to sit safely. Reptile lights and heaters are frequently not secured on the tops of non-purpose tanks.

Also, avoid the “All in One” kits if you can. Because the equipment that comes with the kits is usually of lower quality. You will be better off buying a stand-alone enclosure and then decorating it with the right good quality equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Best Ball Python Enclosures, Cages, Terrariums and Tanks

Final remarks

Ball pythons make great reptile pets for beginners because of their silent and gentle nature. However, they require a specific cage setup in captivity,  which forms the essential environment for ball pythons.

So, as you plan to bring a ball python home, you must set up an appropriate cage environment for the reptile. Ensure to check the terrarium against the provided checklist to get the perfect durable enclosure for your ball python.

Finally, ensure to provide the closest replication of nature while setting up the cage to keep the reptile happy and healthy.