Ball Python Care Sheet
Ball Python Care Sheet
By Reptitrader
NEW!! Scroll down to the bottom of the page for a ball python video from You Tube
Picture By Mokele at en.wikipedia
Ball Pythons
(Care Sheets are a simplified guide to caring for snakes, for a more thorough guide get the relevant book from our book store)
General Information: Ball pythons are found throughout western and central Africa. Their habitat includes open forests, grasslands, and rocky areas. Ball Pythons are a shy snake and will curl into a ball when being handled.Ball python males reach a size of about 4-5 feet and females are slightly larger and can reach 6 feet in length. Ball pythons are very long lived and one can live 20-40 years.
Temperature: Ball pythons should be maintained at 85-90 degrees during the day, with a hot spot reaching 95 degrees. Nighttime temperatures need to range between 75-80 degrees. Humidity should be maintained between 65-80%. Maintaining the correct temperatures are vital to your snakes well-being.
Enclosure: Juvenile Ball pythons can be maintained in a 20 gallon terrarium whereas adults can be kept in anything 40 gallons or larger . Hiding spots are necessary for your snake to feel secure. Ball pythons are secretive (as are all snakes) and will do best if provided with some sort of hiding place.
Substrate: Bark, coconut husk, newspaper as well as sisal are all good substrates
Feeding: Ball Pythons are known to be sporadic feeders and your snake may often refuse to eat. Juvenile Ball pythons can be fed once every four days or 1-2 times per week. Adult Ball pythons can be fed once every 7-10 days to maintain proper body weight. Never leave any snake unattended with live prey.
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Cleaning: The terrarium should be cleaned thoroughly at least once a month. Any fecal matter should be cleaned as soon as it appears. The Substrate should be completely changed once a month and fresh clean water should be provided at all times. Remember to always wash your hands after handling any reptile.
Ball Python by Wingedwolfpsion
