Recommended Supplies for Ball Pythons
This list includes all the basics, plus a few helpful extras, with a variety of budgets in mind. Some of these products are better than others, but the quality is at least mid-range if not high-end. The goal here is to give you some suggestions to get you heading in the right direction of buying supplies that are worth your money. Some links may have editor's notes regarding the brand, either praise or warnings.
The product/brand links on this list will take you to the brand's website (if available), not necessarily a supplier where you can purchase the item. If there is no link, the item is relatively basic and common, and there are many decent quality options available. There is a list of recommended online shops for reptile supplies in the last section of this list! Be sure to check various sources for purchasing these products, you might be able to find them locally or for lower prices. Keep in mind that many of these products will vary in size, wattage, etc. This list will not tell you which specific item is best suited for your individual needs. If you need more guidance to help you figure out exactly what you need, please refer to the Ball Python Basic Care Guide. This list is primarily based in the US and does not include creative alternatives or do-it-yourself options.
Enclosures
PVC and Wood Cages
Tub Suggestions for Temporary Enclosures
Glass Terrariums, Covers, and Cover Clips
Thermostats
Thermometers & Hygrometers
Radiant Heat Panels (RHP)
For use inside a solid-topped enclosure:
Heat/Light Lamps & Fixtures
For use inside a solid-topped enclosure:
For use outside a screen-topped enclosure:
Halogen Lights
Deep Heat Projectors (DHP)
Ceramic Heat Emitters (CHE)
UVB Lighting
Under Tank Heaters (UTH)
Hides
Water Dishes
Substrate
Feeding
Health & First Aid
Emergency Supplies
Online Shops
Enclosures
PVC and Wood Cages
Tub Suggestions for Temporary Enclosures
Glass Terrariums, Covers, and Cover Clips
Thermostats
- Spyder Robotics - Best quality on the market with fair pricing. Top recommendation.
- Vivarium Electronics - Similar to Spyder Robotics, second most recommended.
- Ranco ETC - On/off type. Decent quality for temporary use or emergency backup.
- Inkbird IPT 2CH - On/off type. Decent quality for temporary use or emergency backup.
Thermometers & Hygrometers
Radiant Heat Panels (RHP)
For use inside a solid-topped enclosure:
- Vivarium Electronics / Reptile Basics
- Pro Heat - High quality product, difficult to purchase due to convoluted ordering process, inconsistent customer service, not compatible with multi-output thermostats such as the Herpstat 2/4/6.
Heat/Light Lamps & Fixtures
For use inside a solid-topped enclosure:
For use outside a screen-topped enclosure:
Halogen Lights
Deep Heat Projectors (DHP)
Ceramic Heat Emitters (CHE)
UVB Lighting
Under Tank Heaters (UTH)
For temporary use when overhead heating is not possible, not recommended as sole/primary heat source!
Hides
Water Dishes
Substrate
Feeding
Frozen Feeder Suppliers:
Hemostats:
Health & First Aid
- Digital scale. Useful for weighing the snake and prey items.
- Povidone-Iodone. Useful for treating scale rot, burns, and other wounds.
- A plastic tub with a locking lid that can be used for diluted iodine baths.
- Triple antibiotic ointment - NO ANALGESICS. Useful for treating scale rot, burns, and other wounds.
- Provent-a-Mite. Kills reptile mites and ticks.
Emergency Supplies
- A snake bag, pillowcase, or small tub with a locking lid and air holes. Useful for containing the snake during enclosure maintenance or transport.
- Uniheat packs. Useful as a heat source during transport and power outages.
- Spare heat sources (UTHs, CHEs, whatever you're using), at least one spare simple thermostat (such as Inkbird), and spare fuses and probes in the case of Herpstats or VE thermostats. Useful when something malfunctions and a replacement may not be easy to purchase immediately.
Online Shops
These are some of our favorite places to buy some of the supplies recommended above!