Ball Pythons are great as pets. While some people stay away from reptiles, many prefer to have them as pets in their homes. It’s not tough to take care of python. There’s nothing to fear about them too. No report says that pet snakes have made severe attacks on their owners. Therefore, anyone can have them with proper knowledge of the snake.
Description:
Ball pythons grow to about 4 feet in length, and some may grow to about 5 feet in length. They become nicely rounded if adequately fed. They have anal spurs. These are single claws that appear on either side of the vent. Males have longer spurs than females, and males also have smaller heads than females. They have blotches on a brown or bluish-brown background color. Colors may vary, but there will be shades of yellow found in all ball pythons.
Basic Care:
Glass tanks can be used for housing with a fixed glass top. Ball pythons are more cunning than other pet snakes when it comes to escaping from the cage. A ten-gallon tank can be used for a hatchling. A young adult will need a 20-gallon tank, and a full-grown adult will need a 30-gallon tank.
These snakes will adjust to the environment it is housed in but will normally require a more humid area when it is shedding. If one notices that the snake has not eaten for a very long time though it is necessary and begins to lose weight, it must be shown to a veterinarian.
Diet:
In the wild ball pythons eat amphibians, other snakes, small mammals, and birds. They do not eat mice in the wild. In captivity, one has to let them grow into the activity of being fed with mice. These snakes do not need to eat regularly, and some may even live for up to a year without any food.
Baby ball pythons can be fed with mice that have already been killed. If the hatchling is smaller than usual, a smaller mouse can be used as the feed. Adults may be fed with larger mice. Most pet reptiles do not need a regular feeding timetable. Freshwater must be provided daily, as the ball python, like others, drinks and soaks itself in the water.
Heat and light:
For the snake to be healthy proper temperature range must be maintained. A temperature of 80 to 85 F with a 90-degree spot for basking must be maintained in the daytime. The temperature may be around 70 to 75 F in the cooler area. Heating pads may be used under the glass enclosure.
Hot rocks will not be suitable because ball pythons are susceptible to thermal burns. Special lights are not needed, and a low wattage bulb can be used to view the snake in the daytime. Ball pythons are especially prone to get burned and so the light must not be kept directly above them.
Environment:
Ball pythons in the wild are found in generally temperate to arid areas. Initially, paper towels can be used as substrate in the housing. This will also help determine if there are any mites present, and also, the feces can be monitored.
Shredded cypress or fur bark can be used after the ball python is used to living in the enclosure. Pine and aspen shavings are not recommended, as they may get lodged in the mouth, causing respiratory problems. Soiled shavings must be removed to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus.
An empty cardboard box or a log must be placed inside the cage for the ball python to use as a hiding place. One must make sure the box is large enough for the entire snake to fit inside. The hiding place should not be too big as the snake likes to have a small place to hide. Fake branches and greenery may be placed inside the cage for the snake to climb and hang on.
Cage:
Ball Pythons remain inactive most of the time. Therefore they don’t require much space. A small cage with a dark corner will do perfectly. However, they tend to escape often. It mostly happens when the ball python is in a new environment. Therefore, the cage should be built with strong materials. Especially the top part.Pet reptiles always try to hit the top part of the cage to break out.
You have multiple options for the substrate. If you’re new to pet snakes, astroturf is probably the best option. They’re easy to cut and handle. Also, put a few sturdy branches inside the cage. The python can hide behind these as it will make them feel secure.
Health Care:
Usually, exotic pets refuse to eat anything at all when they come into a new home. Ball pythons are no different. They can fast for as long as two months. It might worry you as the snake owner. But if the python looks healthy with maintaining proper weight, there’s nothing to fear. However, if the ball python stays in your home for sometimes, and suddenly stops eating, then you may need to check what’s wrong. They mostly do it for the unstable environment. If you fail to find anything wrong, contact a vet.
Nonetheless, if you already have pet snakes in your home, you may want to keep them away from the new ball python. That’s because new snakes can come with diseases that they can spread. Quarantine the python for at least 2 to 3 months. You can go for up to six months. During these periods, regularly check the behavior of the python if it’s adapting to the new environment well.
Behavior:
They are active around dawn and dusk. They are comfortable on the ground and in the trees. Ball pythons curl up tightly and put their heads in the centre when they become nervous. They are curious and gentle. Some ball pythons will not shed for a few months when they are initially in captivity. This means they are highly stressed with the surroundings.
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