Ball pythons are docile snakes, making them easy to look after even if you’ve never had pet snakes before. A ball python is a small snake to own compared to other snakes, but you still have to ensure a large enough enclosure for it. How big does a ball python get?
A ball python gets to a size of approximately three or four feet (0.9-1.2m) when it reaches maturity. However, this varies depending on whether it’s male or female and if it’s kept in captivity or left to roam in the wild.
In this article, I’ll take a closer look at what you need to know about ball python size, looking at how large male pythons get and featuring information about how large these snakes grow when kept in captivity vs. experiencing life in the wild.
How Big Do Male Ball Pythons Get?
How big male ball pythons get is about three to 3.5 feet (1m) in size. They will grow to maturity within approximately three years and then stay that size for the rest of their lives.
Genetically, female ball pythons have a faster growth rate than males. Female ball pythons can reach a maximum length of approximately five feet (1.5m). As with their male counterparts, they reach their full size by around the age of three or four years.
Male ball pythons will reach a maximum weight of about three pounds (1.4kg), while female ball pythons tend to weigh a bit more, reaching about five pounds (2.3kg).
How Big Do Ball Pythons Get in Captivity
Ball pythons can get as big as 3.5 feet (1m) in length in captivity. They tend to remain smaller when kept as pets, but ball pythons in the wild generally reach the same length at maturity.
There have been reports of ball python snakes reaching a length of about 4.5 feet (1.4m) and even up to six feet (1.8m), although this is considered unusual.
To ensure that you can accommodate your snake’s size, you need an enclosure that’s 36 inches (91.44cm) in length, 18 inches (45.72cm) in width, and 12 (30.48cm) inches in height. It should have a capacity of 40+ gallons (151+ liters). This will give it a comfortable area in which to move.
By comparison, adolescent ball pythons need smaller enclosures because they have a tendency to become stressed and anxious if their home is too large. An enclosure with a capacity of about 20 gallons (76 liters) is sufficient.
Final Thoughts
If you want to purchase a ball python as a pet, you’ll need to know that this snake can reach a length of about 3.5 feet (1m) for males and five feet for females. Ball python snakes kept in captivity are commonly around the same size as those free in the wild. Ball pythons are snakes that stay short and small, making them easy to house and look after as pets.
