How to take care of Ball Pythons

Ball pythons, also known as royal pythons because of their stately look, have become well loved reptiles pets. These are mild mannered snakes that are easily reared due to their interesting skin patterns making them great pets for most homes. Nonetheless, the care of ball pythons allows these animals to be comfortable under the owner’s control; it is a complex and, at the same time, enjoyable process, especially if the owner is ready to study the features of their life and activity.

For this blog post, we will be discussing the full guide about how to properly care for your ball python. Our aim is to give a comprehensive manual that may servo identify the valuable qualities and specifications required to help these interesting reptiles to abound in our captivity. Whether one is just starting their snake keeping experience, or owns an experienced ball python, the following information will enable the owner to give his or her snake the best environment, diet and health care it deserves.

Worried about how to care for these fascinating pets? Let us introduce you the keys to proper reptile pets ownership.

Natural Habitat and Behavior in the Wild

Ball pythons belong to the genus constrictor and contain a scientific name Python regius; these are good for aspiring snake keepers since they do not grow as long as other pythons; they reach a maximum length of 3 to 5 feet, they contain a variety of color morph and are generally calm. Evidently their natural habitat is in the sub-Saharan Africa where they are mostly found in the savanna and the grasslands, and they are basically terrestrial. These species are much popular as pets due to their moderate size, beautiful colors, and moderate maintenance compare to other species these are the most suitable for beginners and professional collectors as well.

Temperature and Lighting Requirements

In captive conditions, amount of space is also one of the important factors, which must be created to ensure optimal conditions for ball python. Regardless of the choice of the type of enclosure, it has to be chosen depending on the size of the snake and its further growth; thus, juveniles may be kept in a 20-gallon tank, while adult snakes require 40-gallon tank. The medium that the chicks inhabit is, for example, aspen shavings, or coconut husk, influences the relative humidity, which is necessary for shedding and respiratory processes.

The substrate should have a PH of 7 and a temperature should range between 75-85F with higher temperature of 88-92F in a specific area during the day and a proper UVB light source. There should also be more than one hide location, branches for the dogs to chew on or climb and a separate water bowl that is large enough to provide water soak for the dogs since this aids in thermoregulation.

Appropriate Enclosure

Among the hosting conditions, selecting an appropriate enclosure is one of the most important factors influencing ball pythons. And here again, the choice is between the familiar glass tank, and a plastic tub although there is a number of advantages in each. Thus, for young snakes it is more task appropriate to be placed in a small enclosure because it decreases stress for the snake. However, as the animals grow in size, it is obligatory to build large enclosures for the housing of the creatures.

It should also allow the snake some room to move around and stretch out to. But it should not be too big as it may prove to be stressful to the snake. It is important for the welfare of your ball python that you’ll provide just the right type and size of cage to make it safe and happy in captivity.

Feeding and Nutrition for Ball Pythons

The feeding and feeding needs of ball pythons as well as nutrition is one of the most important aspects of its care. These snakes mainly comprise rodents as their diet including mice or an appropriately sized rat. It is also important to know that hatchling pythons ought to be fed in durations of 5-7 days while the full grown pythons should be fed in periods of 7-10 days. The prey should be of the size that should not exceed the width of the body of the snake at its widest point.

Overfeeding also pose a problem as it can cause regurgitation, a phenomenon that is well recorded in ball pythons. As a result, it is very important to control feeding tendencies and guarantee that its meals are well digested within the body of the snake.

Importance of Taming and Handling Ball Pythons

Kept and taming ball pythons, are quite delicate hence requires a lot of time to be able to handle and to tame. The eggs should be handled gently and rarely or not at all until the snake gets used to your presence. This is the reason why trust is established through frequent and calm communication with the pet and is less stressed out. This is important in a bid to prevent incidents that may be detrimental to the life of the snake or that of the handler for instance, identifying signs which may indicate stress or aggression that may include defensive postures and hissing.

Health and Common Issues

It is important to keep your ball python healthy Most vets will recommend that your ball python should be fed at least once a week. The signs that show that the snake is in good health include clear and bright eyes, a shiny skin, and normal pattern of feeding. These cages are however vulnerable to certain health complications such as respiratory diseases and also mite build-up. Some of the ways to avoid bacterias include: Control of environmental factors for instance temperature, relative humidity, light and genetic factors Control of personal hygiene for instance regular wash and use of clean instruments. In an effort of ensuring that these diseases do not spread, the snakes should be taken for regular check-ups and new snakes should be quarantined on arrival.

Overview of Ball Python Breeding

Rearing ball pythons a rather enjoyable activity however one has to be very careful because it may be very challenging. It’s the act of mating a male and a female during the breeding season common in the winter season and then there is a period of infertility. Proper ball python breeding must include the reproductive biology of these snakes and the ability to provide the right breeding environment, hatchling care and feeding.

The breeders should also have the knowledge that comes along with the breeding process like proper genetics and taking the young ones to new homes.

Conclusion

This ultimate resource on ball python has covered everything you will need to know regarding housing, feeding, and handling the snake and also its health issues. In this paper we have explored that having a ball python as a pet is both fulfilling and very challenging at the same time and calls for comprehend hence the need to own one. For the well being of these amazing reptiles one needs to provide proper and safe habitat, good food and attention.

Bear in mind the fact that ball python requires constant learning as you will need to understand more regarding the reptiles as days go by. I recommend that all my readers remain curious, be aware of information that can be found and interact with other snake enthusiasts to try and do the best by their chosen pet, the ball pythons.

FAQs

Which Insect is Harmful for Bearded Dragons?

Fireflies may pose a slight threat to humans should one decide to consume this insects as they contain bioluminescent chemicals that are poisonous. Boxelder bugs also possess toxicity which is lethal for bearded dragons according to my findings. Although ladybugs are not particularly toxic they can cause skin or gut irritation if eaten by bearded dragons due to their protective substances.

What Insects Is It Possible for the Bearded Dragon to Eat?

Bearded dragons can eat crickets, mealworms, superworms, dubia roaches, silkworms, and phoenix worm etc.

The Diet of Lizards: Are Pill Bugs Part of Their Diet? 

Indeed, part of the gecko and skink materials sometimes feed on pill bugs or scientifically referred to as woodlice or roly-polies. However, the type of diet that each of them prefers should be taken into consideration For instance, some of the lizards can feed on fish and beef while others prefer plants.

But can Bearded Dragons eat pill bugs even if their owner is a baby What you should know.

It is important not to feed pill bugs to baby bearded dragons. Adolescent bearded dragons may incorporate pill bugs as an option every now and then but they cannot be a staple feed for the young dragon.