Description:

 

Python Regius, better known as the ball python or royal python, is a species of snake native to central and western Africa.

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Having a long history in the pet trade, they have been selectively bred by professional breeders to produce many different morphs and mutations, many of which exhibiting beautiful and unique patterns. The price of these pythons vary widely between the rarity of these variations, of which there are thousands.

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The name ball python comes from their tendency to tuck in their heads and curl themselves up into a tight ball as a means of defense when they feel threatened. These animals are typically more defensive than other types of snakes and tend to go out of their way to avoid confrontation.

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All pythons are constrictors, meaning they rely not on the use of venom (of which they do not possess) to subdue their prey, but by the wrapping and tightening of their bodies around another animal. This causes the restriction of blood flow and asphyxiation, which is followed by the targets eventual death and consumption.

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Ball pythons, as with other snakes and reptiles, will regularly shed the entire length of their skin. This is a necessary process for their growth and should be considered a healthy behavior. Before it undergoes this process, a ball python may become lethargic, refuse to eat, and its body and eye color can become dull and cloudy in appearance. 

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Size:

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Typically an adult ball python will reach an average size of 3-5 feet in length, with females usually growing significantly larger and heavier than their counterparts. 

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Their overall size at maturity will be influenced by their genetics but also outside factors, such as diet, feeding schedule and environmental conditions. Ball pythons kept under ideal circumstances, have sometimes been known to exceed 5 feet in length.

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These are thick bodied snakes, which although not reaching the length of some other larger snake varieties (and being the smallest of pythons), can grow quite heavy and large due to their girth.

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Temperament:

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Ball pythons are widely regarded as a good beginner pet for someone looking to own a snake know to be fairly docile, but also large enough to be an impressive and intimidating specimen.

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Investing time into your ball python is crucial to building a bond of trust, and respect if your goal is to have a well adjusted snake which can be readily handled.

 

Given the opportunity, these animals will become accustomed to regular human interaction, but always bear in mind that they do not posses the capacity to feel affection towards their handlers. Any bond built will be one of tolerance or simply the comfort they take from body warmth, and this tolerance should never be abused or taken for granted.

 

Ball pythons generally will not attack human beings, but being snakes, they should be expected to bite when provoked or startled. They are known to have relatively poor eye sight - instead relying much on their ability to sense heat patterns. This is accomplished by utilizing what is known as a pit organ - a sensory organ located between their eyes and nostrils. Because of this, consideration should be given to the fact they will also have difficulty differentiating between prey and a carelessly placed hand.

 

A full grown ball python can easily inflict a bit significant enough to cause bleeding and damage to the skin of their target when biting. So treating these animals with respect and a degree of caution should always be kept in mind, regardless of your comfort level.

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Ball pythons are nocturnal animals - doing most of their hunting at night - and as such will become much more active within their enclosures during night time hours.

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Housing:

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It is generally believed that the size of your ball pythons enclosure should be determined by the size and age of your snake. Juvenile and smaller snakes should be kept in a more confined space, as this helps to make them more feel secure and reduces their stress level.

 

As a juvenile, well ventilated, and properly secured plastic storage boxes are an acceptable form of containment. As they grow larger, you should consider gradually moving them up to a 40 gallon tank. With a 75-90 gallon tank, in my opinion, being more than adequate for a full grown adult ball python.

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Proper humidity is essential for the health of your pet snake. Snakes kept in an overly dry environment will not be able to properly shed their skin and, in time, can develop health and breathing related problems.

 

Regular misting, and providing a dish of standing water will help to keep the humidity level within their enclosure to healthy level of 50-60%. Use of a Hygrometer fastened within the enclosure for the purpose of measuring this humidity is recommended.

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many keepers tend to shy away from glass terrariums for storage of these animals, believing the they don't hold humidity well. Although I do believe PVC is preferable when available, I find glass works just as well when using a screen top that has been partially covered to help contain evaporating moisture.

 

The one key thing you will need to consider when using a glass tank with a screen top is ensuring the top is securely fastened. Ball pythons will test the boundaries of their enclosure at night, and can easily escape by pushing on the top their tank. Clips or other locking mechanisms should be purchased if a screen top is the option you intend to use.

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Ball pythons do not require much in terms of decoration or entertainment, spending most of their time in one spot and conserving energy. They will however need one or two hiding places to provide them with a sense of security. Elaborate or minimalistic setups are really more a personal decisions from keeper to keeper.

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Snakes are cold blooded animals and require a constant heat source in order to properly regulate their body temperature. Basking bulbs can be utilized if attached to one side of their enclosure to allow for a heat gradient, but I typically favor the use of under tank heating mats, as overhead lighting will quickly dry out the surface of their enclosure and lead to an inadequate humidity level.

 

Aim to keep the temperature of your ball pythons enclosure around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, falling no lower than 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and provide a well heated area of 90-95 degrees Fahrenheit as a basking spot. 

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Being nocturnal, ball pythons do not benefit from UV lighting - making the use of which unnecessary. But a proper day and night time light cycle should be allowed to facilitate their nocturnal instincts. If kept in a room that will be lighted during daytime hours, this should be sufficient to meet this need. 

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Diet:

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Captive ball pythons are usually fed a regular diet of mice, chicks and rats, with the size of their meal being dependent on the size and age of the snake. A general rule of thumb is that the food offered should be relatively sized to the circumference of the widest portion of your snakes body.

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It is advisable to always feed you ball python pre-killed prey. This will insure that no injury occurs to your pet snake during the feeding process. A live rat or mouse can inflict substantial damage through biting, which can be particularly damaging to the vulnerability of a snakes eyes.

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Ball pythons are known to be picky eaters, and sometimes have difficulty adjusting to, or even seeing frozen-thawed prey as a food source. This is particularly true if they have been wild caught and sold into the pet trade. Some simply will starve themselves before taking a pre-killed offering. Live food should only be used under this circumstance as a last resort, but always make sure every attempt is taken to acclimate you pet snake to frozen food as soon as possible.

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Ball pythons need to eat every week at most, with bi-weekly feedings also being acceptable. Some captive pythons are known to go for extraordinarily long periods of time between feedings. If you find your python will not eat, it is recommended to try offering a new or live food source.

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Ball pythons require access to fresh drinking water. Their provided dish should be large enough for them to wade in, as they frequently and instinctively like to spend time soaking.

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Lifespan:

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The average lifespan of a captive kept, healthy ball python is about 30 years of age. However, if all of their needs are well provided for, they have been known to live considerably longer than this. 

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