The air temperature of the enclosure should range from eighty to eighty-five degrees Fahrenheit throughout the day. A basking light should be provided for a portion of the habitat that maintains a temperature of approximately ninety degrees Fahrenheit throughout the day and no less than eighty degrees Fahrenheit throughout the night. It is wise to invest in top-quality lights and thermometers to keep your Ball Python's habitat at the proper temperature in order to maintain good health. The substrate of the habitat should be either reptile bark or bedding labelled safe for a snake's habitat. A more economical bedding would be untreated, plain brown paper.
Sterile soil is also acceptable, but it is dirty and somewhat impractical.
Sand and cedar shavings should never be used as substrate. Sand can get underneath a snakes scales and cause irritation and skin problems. Cedar shavings contain cedar oil and can be fatal to snakes. Ball Pythons like a cool place to hide and sleep during daylight hours. This gives the snake a feeling of security within its habitat.