Feeding, Housing and Handling a Pet Python Snake

Some will tell you that a pet python snake is a lot of work. These are the same people that think everything is hard work! A pet snake is actually a fairly low maintenance pet. They need food every week, month or couple months, depending on it's size and age, water, a hide box and a secure enclosure to live in. Of course as with anything, you need to do your research before making a purchase, so you know ahead of time what you are getting into. They can get very large so know what to expect.

There are about 25 known python species. Most popular as pets are the ball python, reticulated python and the Burmese python. Reticulated pythons get very long and the Burmese is the heaviest of the pythons. Here is a basic feeding schedule by weight. They will need to be feed once a week until they reach four feet in length, every two weeks until six feet long, every three weeks until 8 feet in length, at ten twelve feet feed once a month and so on. I have found that they have a healthier appetite on live food as opposed to pinkies or prepared chicken. Don't get a python if you don't want a big snake. If this snake is underfed in an attempt to keep it small it will become aggressive. If overfed in an attempt to speed growth, the snake will become obese and unhealthy and sickly. A python can live for at least a year without a meal but it is not recommended for a pet and is even cruel. I recommend that you take your pet snake from the cage before feeding and handle her a bit to get her used to a touch before a meal so as not to confuse the two! Of course you should handle your python often from a young age, any chance you get. As your python grows toward six feet long it is advisable to tap her head with a dow rod before reaching in with your hand. This is simply to prevent startling the snake and receiving an accidental bite.

A python should not be handled by a lone person once it is big enough to wrap itself around your neck. Have someone else present when handling a larger snake. You can use a push stick between yourself and the snake but this should not replace another person's presence. These are constrictors and can squeeze the breath from a body very quickly.Yes, they have their own personalities but even a sweet, calm natured snake can act on instinct or become confused or frightened out of the blue. Use caution around children. Never allow a child to handle a python without supervision. Some, including myself, as a snake owner, would not even allow a snake in the home with a baby or toddler. They are notorious for escapes!

Make sure your enclosure is size appropriate for your snake and secure enough to keep in a very sneaky creature! Include a water container large enough for her to curl up in as they enjoy water at certain times. Cleaning the cage is mostly as simple as removing the feces. Perhaps monthly or so you will need to completely clean the cage, bedding and all. My Burmese python is around 8 feet long and her feces is as large as a small horses so be prepared! A snakes temperament will not change once it is an adult so if you don't buy a baby, make sure you are getting a good natured pet. Pictured is our python, Pearl. She has never bitten or shown aggression but I have owned others that have! They are an interesting pet but can be dangerous.

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