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Summary: Spotted pythons need a large enough cage or enclosure to grow into as they can get three to four feet long. Learn more about picking a python cage with tips from a reptile expert in this free video for snake owners.
Cordell Jacques has worked in the pet industry for more than 10 years. He is also a reptile hobbyist in one form or another. Jacques keeps more than 20 various reptiles, frogs, fish...read more
"The next thing we're going to talk about is the proper size cage for your spotted python. So you've picked him out, you've got the right one, but you haven't brought him home yet, though, because we don't have the cage. So what we need to start you off for a baby, you'll be fine with a 15 gallon tank. It's just fine. Again, for a spotted python we're looking for mainly floor space, we're looking for the footprint. You don't need to be necessarily so high, though a little bit of height probably wouldn't be bad, they like to climb just a little bit. A 15 gallon is the absolute smallest I would go. A spotted python is only going to reach 3 to 4 feet long, they don't get large by any stretch of the imagination, so they're a nice small snake. An enclosure this size would be just fine, though a 20 long, which would be just a little bit longer than this guy, would probably be just a little bit better for an adult. So, you know, if you have that at your access, at your pet store or whatever, you might want to go ahead and buy the 20 long right off the bat and just get it done and over with. Generally, I'm a fan of just going ahead and getting the adult-sized cage right away. That way you've got it, you're ready for it, and you don't have to worry about buying it later down the road. Never expect to be in money later on to be able to afford that. If you can't afford the cage now, don't get the snake. Another thing you want to make sure is that it has a nice, good screen top, make sure it has a hard, wire mesh, nothing cloth or plastic because you are going to be putting heating elements on there. And you're also going to want a good cage clip, a good screen top clip for your tank. Spotted pythons and all snakes really are pretty strong, they're like one giant arm muscle, so you want to make sure that he can't lift that screen top off and get out. They only need a tiny little, tiny little bit to get out. If he can get it that much off, your snake's on the loose. Plus, it keeps other people from getting into the tank as easily as say like maybe cats, or dogs, or if you have a little brother or sister with little hands who likes to look and touch things that maybe aren't theirs."
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