Care Sheet for Ball PythonsAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 4.38 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 07/20/2007 |
Main Category: | Snakes |
Sub Category: | Ball Pythons |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | Montey |
Years Experience: | 1 to 2 Years |
Species: | Ball Python |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | NONE |
Sexing and Characteristics: | Both sexes of ball pythons have cloacal spurs. The spurs of older adult male ball pythons are often worn, their tips blunt and rounded, and sometimes they appear smaller than the spurs of a similar-sized female;however, in adult specimens, the spurs of males, when intact, are larger and have a more inward hook than the spurs of females. |
Mostly Active During: | Night |
Substrate and Water Needs: | Substrate- Aspen shavings, mulch-type commercial material; unbleached paper towels, soil, dampened sphagnum moss, and bark;avoid gravel and artificial turf (to harsh for skin). You should take special precautions when using pine shavings. First be sure no cedar shavings, which are toxic to snakes, are mixed in;second avoid pine shavings with a strong pine scent, as they are high in phenols and not recommended for use with snakes. when using aspen shavings (what I use), apply a thick layer and allow the snake time to compress the shavings before feeding. If you use either pine or aspen shavings, it is highly recommended that you inspect the snake’s mouth area regularly to make sure that shavings have not become lodged in its mouth.
Water- Ball pythons should always have available to them a container such as a medium-sized dog water dish, half to three-fourths filled with clean, chlorine-free, water for drinking. Providing a larger water bowl when a snake is in shed may help facilitate shedding; at other times a smaller container is best in order to discourage excessive soaking. A water bowl may be placed over or under a heat source to increase relative humidity within the vivarium, which may be beneficial at various times.Take care to assure the vivarium has proper ventilation, so that moisture does not accumulate as result of condensation. |
Lighting and UVB: | Lighting- Snakes need a photo period light cycle;provide 8-12 hours of light daily;do not leave white light on at all times; to view snakes at night use a black or infrared light. If you use incandescent bulbs over a basking area to provide a heat gradient, you should use red incandescent bulbs. |
Temperatures and Humidity: | Temperature- Temp gradient (up to 95degreesF for the warm end and 78-80degreesF for the cool end);recommend radiant heat;use an incandescent light or ceramic heater as primary heat source, use under tank heater as secondary source.
Humidity- maintain a 60 percent humidity for comfortable living and a 80 percent humidity for shedding snakes. (see Substrates and Water) |
Heating and Equipment: | Heating- To create a basking area use sub tank heating pads and strips(Zoo Med). Be sure the hot spot is not burning hot to the touch. There have been cases were the pine shavings on the floor of an enclosure caught fire as a result. Another method of heating ball python enclosures is the use of red incandescent light bulbs in fixtures with aluminum reflectors or ceramic infrared heaters. A thermostatic control is recommended. |
Caging Provided: | Caging- The minimum enclosure for housing a juvenile ball python should have a floor surface area at least as large as that of a standard ten-gallon aquarium(20in long by 10in wide). For small adults the enclosure should have a floor area of a standard 20 gallon aquarium(24in long by12in wide); a larger size is preferable. For very large adults, an enclosure should have a floor area of at least a standard 30 gallon aquarium(36in long bu 12 in wide); a larger size is preferable. |
Diet: | Carnivorous |
Description of Diet: | Feeding- Hatchling and sub adult ball pythons should be offered food every 5 to 7 days;adults, every 7 to 10 days. Hatchlings should be offered one food item of suitable size(apparent body girth of prey animal nearly equal to thickest girth of snake). Adults can be offered 2 or 3 prey items, such as adult mice or just-weaned rats, or a single larger pray, such as a small rat. |
Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | NONE |
Maintenance: | Maintenance- Clean out water dish and replace water daily. Remove feces daily, or food if dot eaten immediately. Thoroughly clean the tank at least once a month, or when snake sheds: Set snake aside in secure habitat; scrub the tank and furnishings with a 3% bleach solution;rinse thoroughly with water, removing all smell of bleach; dry the tank and furnishings; and add clean cage carpet. Snakes will regularly shed their skin; if old pieces of skin remain after shedding, mist the snake and gently rub off the old skin. |
Some Words on this Species: | Signs of a Healthy Animal-
Active and alert
Clear eyes
Healthy skin
Eats regularly
Regular shedding of skin
Sheds skin in one complete piece
Signs of a Unhealthy Animal(Red Flags)-
Unusually frequent or infrequent shedding
Lethargic or reluctant to eat
Abnormal feces
Difficulty shedding
Vomiting
Bumps or spots on skin
Labored breathing
White, cheesy substance in mouth |
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