Care Sheet for Ball PythonsAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 0 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 06/13/2007 |
Main Category: | Snakes |
Sub Category: | Ball Pythons |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | Bazzer |
Years Experience: | Under 1 Year |
Species: | Ball Python |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | N/A |
Sexing and Characteristics: | N/A |
Mostly Active During: | Night |
Substrate and Water Needs: | Aspen. orchid bark, newspaper. (Definitely NO cedar or pine shavings as toxic).
Change water daily. |
Lighting and UVB: | No specific lighting required. If I use a lamp to assist in warming the hide, i use an infra red 50watt lamp, fitted with a lamp guard to prevent burns) in warm end. |
Temperatures and Humidity: | TEMPS
Cool end approx 80 - 82f.
Warm end measured inside the hide approx 90 - 92f.
Air temp in warm end outside the hide approx 89f.
Temps remain constant day and night and only differ at night if considering breeding. In that case, speak to a good breeder.
HUMIDITY
Between 40 - 60, raising to 70 during shed cycle. |
Heating and Equipment: | HEATING
Depends on your set up really. I have 2 wooden vivariums, therefore use a power plate on ceiling in warm end, with a 50watt infra red lamp, if required. Underneath the warm end hide approx 1cm beneath aspen bedding, I use a 20watt heat mat, which provides belly heat. This size mat will not cause belly burn, but is affixed to the floor preventing them from getting underneath it. I have habistat thermostats controlling the heat plate and heat mat.
EQUIPMENT
2 x identical hides, snug fit to make the snakes feel secure. One in each end of the vivarium.
Water bowl in cool end, but can be placed towards warm end to assist in humidity.
A lock for the window.
Decor such as artificial plants and branches to climb.
Thermometers/ hygrometer - use the digital one’s fitted with a probe so you can measure both cool end and inside the hide at the warm end. Those dial one’s aren’t accurate enough. Make sure the thermometer/ hygrometer is at the bottom of the cage. |
Caging Provided: | I have 2 x vivariums for 2 Ball Pythons.
Size shouldn’t be too big as to make the snake feel insecure. They are agrophobic (hate open spaces). My Viv for the 2 foot python is 36 x 15 x 15. My Viv for the 3 1/2ft python is 36 x 24 x 24. |
Diet: | Carnivorous |
Description of Diet: | Medium to large mice for the 2 foot python approx 1 every 67 days.
I small to medium rat for my 3 1/2 foot python every 1 - 2 weeks. |
Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | Nil |
Maintenance: | I clean out every week with a spot check daily and water change daily. I disinfect all equipment and cage weekly. |
Some Words on this Species: | Excellent for beginner upwards, but do read up on them before purchasing and seek advice from other owners with experience, such as those on this forum. |
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