The Ball Python
DC cichlids awesome pastel ball
droacofish's stunning ball python
Scientific name: Python regius
Common name: ball python
Synonyms: royal python
Genus: Python
Order: Squamata
Class Reptilia
Family: Boidae
Origin: west Africa
Selecting your ball python- some good guidelines to follow when choosing a ball python as a pet are 1. Make sure animal has clear firm skin 2. Clear eyes 3. Clear vent 4. Rounded body shape 5. Actively flicks tough when being handled 6. Snake should be aware of surroundings
Size: to 4 feet, sometimes 5 feet
Life span- 20-30 years, one lived for 48 years at philadephia zoo
Minimum Tank Size: for an adult 30+ gallons, the tank must also be securely fastened because snakes are known for being escape artists.
Substrate- a good substrate for balls is paper towels, they can be quickly removed and replaced when soiled, after your animal is established you may want a more decorative substrate, avoid pine shavings as these may become logged in you animals thought when feeding, Astroturf is cheap and effective also. aspen is a popualr and great susbstrate for balls, you may want to change you aspen shaveings every month to keep them clean for your ball.
Heating- A basking lamp is not required for balls, these may hurt your ball if it comes in contact with it, out of the tank under tank heaters would be best because of this, the air throughout the enclosure should be at 80-85F, the basking area should be at 90F, at night the coolest side should not drop below 75F, and the basking side 80F
Water- keeping a water bowl in your enclosure is important, the snake will use it for drinking, soaking and sometimes defecating, change water daily, and when soiled, the water is especially important while the snake is beginning to shed.
Hiding spot- ball pythons need a good hiding place in there enclosure, a half log or a cardboard box that the snake can fit it's entire body into is needed, they use these for sleep and the hiding places relive stress that the snake may get. clay pots also make great hideing spots
Feeding: after your snake has acclimated to its new enclosure for a few weeks now it's time for feeding. If your snake is a hatchling (15 inches in length) start it off with a 1 week old pre killed fuzzy mouse. If hatchling is smaller try 5 day old fuzzy and so on. Older balls can eat pre killed mice, stay away from live mice if you can, and never leave a live mouse in with you snake in a few days because this can seriously harm your snake because live mice can bite. Also note that some ball pythons are finky eaters, if a snake isn't eating you shouldn't worry too much, many snakes have long periods of fasting, some fasting periods have lasted a year even. a good thing for full grown balls to eat is full grown pre killed rats.
a pic of furious piranah's ball constricting a mouse
Also- Also- Ball python's grow about 1 foot every year. Depending on the animal and how often fed, etc. They are usually full grown by the third year, some are faster, some slower. The name ball python comes from the ball shape they coil themselves into.
Other Variants: ball pythons come in a huge variety of colors and varieties including but not limited to-
Albino, Striped, Spider, Fire Ball, Pastel, Pied, Ghost, Leucistic, and soooooooooooooooooooo many more, some of theses amazing snakes command prices of $25,000+
These snakes are great as pets, but are responsible and don't impulse buy. Read all of this carefully before buying one.
Sorces and great info-
clicky
clicky
click
clcik
clciky
also anybody with ball pythons I would appresite pics that I could use, also I was thinking about adding breeding to the profile should i? any other comments welcome
DC cichlids awesome pastel ball
droacofish's stunning ball python
Scientific name: Python regius
Common name: ball python
Synonyms: royal python
Genus: Python
Order: Squamata
Class Reptilia
Family: Boidae
Origin: west Africa
Selecting your ball python- some good guidelines to follow when choosing a ball python as a pet are 1. Make sure animal has clear firm skin 2. Clear eyes 3. Clear vent 4. Rounded body shape 5. Actively flicks tough when being handled 6. Snake should be aware of surroundings
Size: to 4 feet, sometimes 5 feet
Life span- 20-30 years, one lived for 48 years at philadephia zoo
Minimum Tank Size: for an adult 30+ gallons, the tank must also be securely fastened because snakes are known for being escape artists.
Substrate- a good substrate for balls is paper towels, they can be quickly removed and replaced when soiled, after your animal is established you may want a more decorative substrate, avoid pine shavings as these may become logged in you animals thought when feeding, Astroturf is cheap and effective also. aspen is a popualr and great susbstrate for balls, you may want to change you aspen shaveings every month to keep them clean for your ball.
Heating- A basking lamp is not required for balls, these may hurt your ball if it comes in contact with it, out of the tank under tank heaters would be best because of this, the air throughout the enclosure should be at 80-85F, the basking area should be at 90F, at night the coolest side should not drop below 75F, and the basking side 80F
Water- keeping a water bowl in your enclosure is important, the snake will use it for drinking, soaking and sometimes defecating, change water daily, and when soiled, the water is especially important while the snake is beginning to shed.
Hiding spot- ball pythons need a good hiding place in there enclosure, a half log or a cardboard box that the snake can fit it's entire body into is needed, they use these for sleep and the hiding places relive stress that the snake may get. clay pots also make great hideing spots
Feeding: after your snake has acclimated to its new enclosure for a few weeks now it's time for feeding. If your snake is a hatchling (15 inches in length) start it off with a 1 week old pre killed fuzzy mouse. If hatchling is smaller try 5 day old fuzzy and so on. Older balls can eat pre killed mice, stay away from live mice if you can, and never leave a live mouse in with you snake in a few days because this can seriously harm your snake because live mice can bite. Also note that some ball pythons are finky eaters, if a snake isn't eating you shouldn't worry too much, many snakes have long periods of fasting, some fasting periods have lasted a year even. a good thing for full grown balls to eat is full grown pre killed rats.
a pic of furious piranah's ball constricting a mouse
Also- Also- Ball python's grow about 1 foot every year. Depending on the animal and how often fed, etc. They are usually full grown by the third year, some are faster, some slower. The name ball python comes from the ball shape they coil themselves into.
Other Variants: ball pythons come in a huge variety of colors and varieties including but not limited to-
Albino, Striped, Spider, Fire Ball, Pastel, Pied, Ghost, Leucistic, and soooooooooooooooooooo many more, some of theses amazing snakes command prices of $25,000+
These snakes are great as pets, but are responsible and don't impulse buy. Read all of this carefully before buying one.
Sorces and great info-
clicky
clicky
click
clcik
clciky
also anybody with ball pythons I would appresite pics that I could use, also I was thinking about adding breeding to the profile should i? any other comments welcome