Care Sheet for Ball PythonsAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 0 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 09/28/2007 |
Main Category: | Snakes |
Sub Category: | Ball Pythons |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | Anonymous |
Years Experience: | 3 to 5 Years |
Species: | Ball Python |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | Ball/Royal python |
Sexing and Characteristics: | Females usually have thinner tails. |
Mostly Active During: | Day |
Substrate and Water Needs: | I recommend aspen/cypress shavings but bark or astro turf will do just fine. NEVER use pine/cedar shavings as bedding, it is toxic to reptiles. When you feed your snake be sure it does not eat any of its bedding as this can harm your snake, I recommend putting in another container for feedings. be sure to change the water at least every other day and bedding at least once every 2 months, and after your animal defecates try to use toilet paper to take it out or bacteria will grow and make your snake sick. Make sure the water bowl is not to high or the snake may not find its way in, and make sure the water bowl is deep and wide enough for the snake to fit its entire body into as they may bath and drink from it |
Lighting and UVB: | Snakes do not require UV lights just something that will give off enough heat and light to keep your snake warm during the day. Red or black heat lights are good for night time and will not disturb your snake as he sleeps |
Temperatures and Humidity: | You should have a water sprayer which you can get from the dollar store to mist the tank a few times a week. Daytime temperatures should be kept at around 90 degrees in its basking spot and back round temperature of 78-85 degrees and 75-80 at night. |
Heating and Equipment: | An under tank heating pad can be used to keep a good temperature in your cage they cost about $30 dollars average and can be bought at pet stores and keep a thermometer on each side of the cage so you can have a "hot side" and a "cool side" so the snake can choose between what temperatures it wants. |
Caging Provided: | I provided a 30 gallon aquarium for my ball python and he is doing very well in it. |
Diet: | Carnivorous |
Description of Diet: | For hatchlings feed them pink or fuzzy mice every 6-10 days and gradually make the prey bigger as you go. Always make sure that the prey item is not wider than the widest part of the snakes body, that is a good rule of thumb for all pythons and boas. If the prey item is an adult mouse or young/adult rats and rabbits then be sure that they are either pre-killed or slammed on counter and made dizzy, this may sound cruel but they can actual harm your snake so it is a good idea. |
Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | Once every other feeding i sprinkle some calcium powder on the mouse, calcium powder can be bought at pet stores just ask the clerk. |
Maintenance: | Ball pythons are good "beginner" snakes because they only grow to about 3-5 feet long and are fairly easy to maintain. |
Some Words on this Species: | Ball pythons are usually quite lazy and get there name because when they are frightened they curl up into a ball to hide. Be sure to have at least two hiding boxes on different sides of the cage so they can choose between warm and cool and because hide boxes make them feel safe and secure. |
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