Care Sheet for Ball PythonsAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 0 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 01/27/2009 |
Main Category: | Snakes |
Sub Category: | Ball Pythons |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | Josh1 |
Years Experience: | 3 to 5 Years |
Species: | Royal/Ball Pyhton |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | N/A |
Sexing and Characteristics: | Females will generally grow larger than males. Males normally have longer spurs that are located either side of the vent. However these to visual aspects alone are not con-create evidence of the snakes gender. The most accurate way is probing. Probing is a very reliable method of sexing a snake and involves inserting a polished, lubricated stainless Steel probe into the snakes cloaca in the direction of the tail, passing into a hemipenis (if present). Sex is determined by measuring the depth to which the probe enters before meeting light Resistance. Male BP’s probe 5+ subcaudal scales, while females probe 2-3 subcaudal scales. |
Mostly Active During: | N/A |
Substrate and Water Needs: | Fresh water should always be available to your snake. Water should be offered in a water bowel that is large enough for the snake to submerge its whole body in should it wish to. the water bowel should be cleaned and replaced With fresh water every couple of days.
Newspaper is often used among herpetologists as it is inexpensive, easy to clean and highly absorbent. However it is not very aesthetically pleasing. A good alternative to using newspaper is paper towel as it is even more absorbent.
Wood fiber bedding such as cypress mulch or coconut bark also make for very good substrates for BP’s as they retain humidity well and boast a more naturalistic look to your vivarium.
Other keepers may recommend aspen however my opinion of aspen is that it is a great substrate for corn snakes but as soon as it gets wet it becomes an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.
DO NOT USE BEDDING THAT CONTAINS CEDAR OR PINE - THE OILS IN THESE WOODS ARE TOXIC TO REPTILES.
Routinely change substrate and provide a clean environment. |
Lighting and UVB: | As BP’s are nocturnal they do not require supplemental lighting and do well with a simple ambient light from a nearby window. However if you do use a UV light with a BP you may find better feeding and breeding responses. |
Temperatures and Humidity: | Bp’s like every other snakes are ecothermic this means they depend on the environment around them to maintain body temperatures needed for general health, as well as for activities such as digestion of prey. BP’s will thrive at ambient temperatures of 80-85F during the day, and will tolerate 78-80F at night. Additionally BP’s will utilize a basking area of 88-94F. |
Heating and Equipment: | Depending on what type of enclosure you are keeping your BP in will determine the type of heating element that you use. If you choose to house your BP in a glass tank/aquarium then a under tank heat pad would best suit your needs.
If you choose to house your BP in a wooden or plastic vivarium (which i believe to be the most efficient way to house any reptile) then the best heating element available to you would be an incandescent heat bulb. |
Caging Provided: | Baby BP’s will do well in very small enclosures such as small plastic tubs(10"x5"). Juvenile BP’s will do well in a vivarium that is 24"x 12" x 12". Adult BP’s will thrive in a vivarium that measures 36" x 18" x 18". |
Diet: | Carnivorous |
Description of Diet: | Most captive bred snakes will take F/T prey items that are offered to them. For baby- juvenile BP’s the best prey item would be an appropriately sized moused. Once your BP reaches juvenile-adult size then the best prey item would be an appropriate sized rat.
The prey items suggested should not be used more than 1-2 times per week as this will cause obesity and bloatedness.
By "appropriate sized" i mean prey items that are slightly larger than the girth of the snake. |
Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | Snakes get all of the vitamins etc from their food. |
Maintenance: | As long as you provide fresh clean water constantly and ensure that the vivarium is kept at the correct temperature Then there is little else that you need to do other than spot clean daily, ensure that your snake is properly fed and that the enclosure and substrate are clean. |
Some Words on this Species: | BP’s make excellent pets and a widely known for their docile attitude and their enjoyment of being handled. So enjoy your snake! |
How Members Rated
This Care Sheet | Rate This Care Sheet
Please keep all comments constructive to Royal/Ball Pyhton husbandry methods and care. Any degrading, sarcastic, or disrespectful comments will be removed. |
Total Members Rating: 0
| 1 |  ( 0 ) |
| 2 |  ( 0 ) |
| 3 | ( 0 ) |
| 4 | ( 0 ) |
| 5 | ( 0 ) |
|
|
