Care Sheet for PythonsAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 5.00 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 04/01/2007 |
Main Category: | Snakes |
Sub Category: | Pythons |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | LZ1271 |
Years Experience: | 10 to 15 Years |
Species: | African Rock Python |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | Python sabae |
Sexing and Characteristics: | Males: 8’-15’
Females: 10’-25’
(Females usually are more heavier than males as well) |
Mostly Active During: | Both |
Substrate and Water Needs: | These snakes can be found in a dry Savannah as well as a humid jungle. I prefer cypress bedding. It holds humidity and looks good as well. You could also use care-fresh, aspen, and even newspaper. Make sure to provide a large enough water dish so they can submerge themselves in. |
Lighting and UVB: | They do not need UV light. I use a basking light on one side of the tank 24 hours a day. This allows for the snake to regulate it’s body temperature by moving from the basking side of the cage to the darker cooler part. |
Temperatures and Humidity: | Temperatures
Basking: 95-105F
Shade: 80-85F
Humidity: 40-70% |
Heating and Equipment: | I use basking lamps. They provide heat as well as light. |
Caging Provided: | Juveniles will do fine in a 20 gallon. Once they reach about 4’ I would recommend that you move out of tanks and into custom cages. They hold heat and humidity better. They also look better. For an adult a 7’x30"x2’ should do the job. |
Diet: | Carnivorous |
Description of Diet: | Newborns can start off with rat pups. This is much healthier than mice. As they get older you can move up to large rats, guinea pigs, and eventually rabbits and chickens. |
Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | Just give them a variety of food. It will do wonders!!! |
Maintenance: | Not a hard animal to manage. Just change the water daily and clean the cage when needed. |
Some Words on this Species: | This is not a snake for beginners. They are known for having nasty temperaments. Though they are aggressive. I’ve noticed that unlike most pythons they usually don’t bite, but instead put on a show. Hissing, lunging, and puffing up their bodies is quite common in this species. |
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