Ball Pythons

Photo by Mary Hinton https://unsplash.com/photos/a-snake-with-its-mouth-open-zHaCQWi70_0

Snakes can be much easier to care for than small furry animals, and ball Pythons are easy snakes to have as pets. Ball pythons tend to be on the small side, so they don’t need a lot of space. They are commonly considered a great snake for a first-time pet owner.

Dangerous?

They are not venomous, they are constrictor snakes. As with all reptiles, you should wash your hands after handling them.

Like People?

They can be shy and will curl up into a ball if they feel threatened. They will do this rather than bite youIf you handle them gently and regularly, they will become relaxed and be comfortable around you. They will wrap themselves around you, but it is easy for you to unwrap them if you are uncomfortable with this

Sleep

Ball Pythons are nocturnal animals.

Photo by Timothy Dykes https://unsplash.com/photos/brown-and-beige-snake-on-white-surface-NzFA2VhY5gg

Size

Usually about 3-4 feet and 3-4 pounds, but can grow larger.  Females are usually larger than males.

Temperature and Humidity

There should be a cool part of the habitat at 80-85 degrees, and a warm part that is 90-95 degrees. Under-tank heating pads work well. A hot rock or direct contact with any heating source could cause burns. Humidity should be at 50-60%.

Habitat

They need plenty of space to move around. A 30 or 40-gallon tank would be enough for one snake.  There should be a secure wire lid for the top that you can partially cover to help regulate the heat and humidity.

They should have a place to hide in both the cool end of their cage and in the warm end. 

The best covering for the bottom of the cage is paper, orchid bark, or reptile carpeting.

Image created by Linda Velwest with https://www.craiyon.com/

Diet

They like to eat mice and rats. They should be given prey that is about the size of the snake at the biggest part of their body.  Live prey might bite or scratch your snake and this could lead to medical problems so don’t leave the prey and snake alone.  You can also feed your ball python frozen mice or rats and they will usually accept this.

They can be choosy about what they eat and might not have a meal for a few months.  Only worry about that if they seem to be losing weight. Generally, you will feed your ball python snake once a week or every other week. Because they don’t eat very often, they don’t poop often and that means less cleanup for you.

They should have fresh water at all times.

Lifespan and Health

Ball pythons can live 20-30 years. They can be examined by a vet who is familiar with snake care at least every year, with a fecal exam for parasites.  They may need treatment for ticks, mites, respiratory problems, parasites, burns, dental problems, skin problems relating to humidity, or shedding problems, but health problems with ball pythons are not common.

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