Ball Python 101

The ball python is an unusual and unique family pet. If you are considering bringing a ball python into your home, you should consider the cost of the initial investment for housing.

If you are bringing a small ball python home, you can usually keep him or her in a 10 gallon tank until they begin growing. How do you know if your snake is growing? A great way to keep track of your ball pythons growth is by the skin they have shed. As a rule of thumb, it is best to keep a ball python in a cage that is no smaller than 30 gal long. You will also need to ensure the cage has a tight lid/screen and a hiding spot.

A ball python does require a water bowl, and the bowl should be large enough that the snake can get inside of the bowl to take a bath if he or she decides to. Make sure the water is always clean because bacteria can and will grow in the water because of the humidity that is required. This bacteria can cause your snake to become ill.

The next vital part of snake ownership is the bedding that should be used in a ball python snake cage. Most of the pet stores sell bedding that is similar to wood chips. These are good and bad. If you are having problems with your humidity this bedding can help you to get the humidity levels balanced in the cage but are not good for feeding the snake in the cage. If you use this bedding, take your snake out of the cage when it is time to eat.

Ideally, you can use paper bags or a newspaper to line the bottom of the cage. I personally use a combination for my snake. Where my gal hides is over her heating pad in a wooden log. There, I use newspaper because I also feed her on that part of her cage. The rest of her cage is lined with a reptile bedding that I spray once a week with warm water to keep her humidity levels up.

When I feed her, I block off half of her 60 gal tank with cardboard. This keeps her from eating any of the bedding when she eats her rat. This brings me to the next important part of ball python care. Eating.

As you might already know, ball pythons eat mice or rats. Some ball pythons are picky and will only eat a specific rat or mouse. For example, Fluffy (my ball python) only eats live rats. My brother has a ball python and she will only eat frozen rats. Frozen is much safer for your ball python to eat because there is no chance of the snake getting bit while killing the food. However, I personally have tried everything to get my snake to eat frozen and she refuses. At some point you have to give in and feed them what they want.

If the humidity and temperature in the cage is not correct, the snake will not eat and sometimes they will not drink either. You should provide at least a heating pad for your ball python. Do not, no matter what the pet store person tells you, you should not EVER use a heating rock in the cage. These can cause burns on your snake, which will likely end up causing you a lot of money at the vet and possibly getting you bit on top of it (Ball python bites do not hurt)! The ideal temperature for a ball python is between 80-85 degrees during the day and slightly warmer in the evening. You can use a reptile bulb from Walmart or a local pet store. They cost about $7. I leave the light off during the day and turn it on at night, except in the winter. Then I leave it on about 16 hours total.

A ball python can go for up to a year without eating, however it is not a good idea to withhold food from it for a year. You should offer the food to your snake and let him/her determine if it wants to eat. My ball python has gone for 3 months without eating. This is when I tried to feed frozen. I tried putting boiled chicken juice on the frozen, rubbing it on a live rat, chicken broth and she just wanted no part of it.

When I put in the live rat the first time after she began her hunger strike she still would not eat. I am assuming she just was not hungry. I started to get worried so I called the vet. I was instructed that as long as she was not dehydrated I could try feeding her a hamster or gerbil. This is like a candy for snakes, so I did. She has been eating fine since then.

Ball pythons are generally very forgiving pets and require minimal care. It is rare that a ball python bites. At least for captive bred ones. They make great starter snakes for older children and adults. When they feel threatened or scared you can find a ball python in the corner rolled up in a ball, hence the name.

I do suggest you find a reputable breeder to buy your ball python from and find a vet nearby that specializes in reptiles in case you have an emergency. Before bringing your snake into your home, it is always a smart idea to have the vet check him or her for mites and make sure the snake is in ideal health. Especially if you buy him or her from a pet store.

Finally, be sure you do not go straight for the head of your ball python, this will cause him/her to become hand shy. You should also wash your hands thoroughly with warm soap and water before and after you handle it. This will avoid any bacteria from being transmitted from you to the snake and from the snake to you. Do not use the hand sanitizers before handling your snake, normal hand soap is adequate.