Aloha Pet & Bird Hospital

Ball python

   Snakes do not respond to their owners like dogs and cats do, and generally prefer to be left alone. Ball pythons are exceptionally shy. Because they are small and docile, they may appear to be good beginner snake, however the new ball python owner must be prepared to deal with potential feeding problems, parasites and secondary health problems. The beginner should acquire only young captive-bred specimens or imported specimens that are proven eaters. A frightened snake may lash with its tail, hiss, or in rare cases, bite.

   The ball python (Python regius), or royal python, is a small, attractive and gentle snake native to western and west-central Africa. These nocturnal pythons prefer mixed grassland and trees (savannah) as their habitat. During daylight hours they hide underground in rodent burrow. In captivity, this behavior is interpreted as secretive. When they are frightened they coil up into a ball- thus , the name "ball python".

   Free - ranging ball python are considered a threatened species, resulting from habitat destruction and collection for the pet trade, skin trade, and as food item. Permits are required for their exportation from Africa. Ball pythons can be relatively expensive pets to maintain because of their requirements for large enclosure, special heating elements to regulate temperature, and live prey items for food.

Vital statistics

Body Length (adults): 36-48 inches

Body weight: varies with length / age

Age of sexual maturity: 3-5 years

Maximum life span: 50 years Average

captive life span:20-30 years

Housing for your ball python should:

• be a relative large enclosure
• maintain ambient daytime temperatures of 80? -85? F through the use of heating elements
• provide for a basking area of 90?F
• have access to fresh water in a bowl that is large enough for the snake to soak
• maintain high relative humidity (large plastic container with moist sphagnum moss may help proper shedding)
• include suitable substrates that are easy to clean: newspaper, paper towels, indoor-outdoor carpet, Astroturf®
• provide a climbing branch with greenery for basking
• be escape proof

   Proper temperature is even more important than the physical enclosure in maintaining a healthy snake. Room temperature is not adequate for the digestive process and health of the snake. Heating may be provided by special reptile heating pads or incandescent light bulbs in reflector hood, placed to avoid direct contact with the snake .

   Proper levels help ensure successful sheds for your snake. Although the idea; humidity of the enclosure should be between 60 - 80% , this is difficult to maintain in a dry climate. An alternative is to provide a shedding box  (eg, Tupperware container with the two opposite corners cut out for entry ands exit. Sphagnum moss placed in the box maintains an agreeably moist environment.

Diet

  
Ball pythons are fed at night. A prey item appropriate to the size of the snake should be fed at each meal.  Ball pythons are constrictors: that is, they coil around their prey and suffocate it. Only stunned  or  pre killed prey should be offered to avoid injury to the snake. Gerbils are the initial prey of choice, although dark-colored mice or hamsters might work as prey items in a reluctant eater. Some snakes do not recognize red eyed mice as food item. Rubbing mice with a gerbil can impart the scent of the gerbil to the mouse and aid in converting the snake to a mouse diet. As your snake get larger, small rats are ideal.

Feeding Guidelines

• First  3 years (18" - 36" long) : feed every 7-10 days
• Older snakes: feed every 2-3 weeks.

• Buy from a reputable breeder because a young, captive-bred ball python is less stressed and more willing to eat than a frightened, wild-caught snake.
• Take your new ball python to a reptile veterinarian for a genera health exam and test for parasites.
• Leave a newly purchased snake alone in its enclosure for 1-2 weeks to acclimate to its new home.
• Provide heat to your snake by special reptile heating pads or incandescent light bulbs in reflector hoods.
• Interact with your ball python during the evening hours when it is becoming active.
• Use a pillowcase as transport container for short trips.

Most common disorders of Ball pythons:

   Ball pythons can flourish as long-lived pets when attention is given to certain aspects of husbandry, including temperature and humidity. Regular visits with your exotic animal veterinarian should be scheduled to check for parasites and other early signs of disease and to promote a satisfying relationship with your pet.

• live prey that may injure them
• normal household temperatures (cooler than 75?F)
• unsuitable substrates such as corncob, wood chips, shavings, gravel, dirt or rocks
• "hot rocks" which are considered a potential hazard
• direct contact with heating elements
• soiled water bowl
• Cats, dogs, other pets
• Unsupervised children