![]() ![]() The first thing you’ll need to provide your ball python with is a suitable enclosure. Ball Python Cage: What Type of Tank Is Best and What Size Should It Be? Ball pythons spend most of their time in rodent burrows, which provide them with shelter and moderate temperatures. They do not typically inhabit rainforests (or other dense forests), nor do they live in deserts or extremely arid places. Ball pythons may also live in disturbed areas, around human habitations or farms. They primarily inhabit grasslands, scrublands, savannas and open forests. Most imported ball pythons hail from the countries of Ghana, Benin or Togo. The ball python habitat is stretching from the West African coast to central Africa. Incubation time is about three months.□ Further Reading: The Complete Ball Python Care Sheet Ball Python Natural Habitat ![]() Eggs are usually laid in burrows or well placed sweater boxes with moistened vermiculite and peat moss inside. Depending upon the breeder, males are introduced to females either at the beginning of, during, or after cycling. Respiratory infection is most likely if the snakes are not provided a basking spot in their preferred temperature range for at least part of the day and, because of this, the first technique is not recommended. Monitor the snakes carefully for evidence of respiratory disease. It is possible to utilize a combination of these two techniques. Some breeders keep the snakes at their preferred daytime high temperature during this period, but drop the nighttime low to 75 F. The temperature is gradually decreased to 75 F. Ball Pythons are not fed for two weeks prior to cooling. Eggs are usually laid from mid-February through beginning of April. Sexual maturity occurs between 2 and 4 years of age, if appropriately fed and maintained.īreeders begin cycling in either mid-September through mid-November. Males have larger cloacal spurs and longer tails than females. Generally, females probe a distance of 2-4 subcaudal scales and males 8 or more. Either technique should be performed by an experienced person or reptile veterinarian, since poor technique may result in injury. Juveniles may be sexed also by manual eversion of the hemipenes. Sexing can easily be accomplished by probing. These snakes can become obese if their intake isn’t monitored. Adults are fed small to large rats every 7-14 days to maintain a healthy weight. As they reach adulthood it is acceptable to decrease the feeding interval to every 10-14 days. Juveniles should be fed the appropriate sized rodent (s) weekly. Generally, they should be fed prey items no larger than their girth at mid-body. Young snakes are generally fed semi adult mice to small young rats ("crawlers") every 5-7 days. Chicago Exotics recommends feeding properly thawed frozen rodents. It is highly recommended to feed only pre-killed prey as live prey can severely injure or kill a snake. ![]() A separate feeding cage is recommended so the snake associates the cage with feeding and not your hand. Frozen prey should be used within six months of freezing. The prey should be humanely euthanized using acceptable methods. In captivity however, most are fed mice and smaller rats although the largest of them have been known to eat large rats. In the wild, these snakes feed primarily on small rodents especially Spiny mice. Never use pine or cedar shavings as the aromatic oils are irritating to snakes. ![]() However, if a particulate bedding is used it is advisable to feed in a separate container to avoid accidental ingestion of bedding. Aspen can also be used as long as the aspen is large in size, agitated daily and bedding is changed weekly. Ventilation can be added to plastic enclosures via a soldering iron or a drill.īall pythons can be housed on newspaper, butcher paper, paper towel, or reptile carpet for ease of cleaning. Hatchlings and very young snakes tend to do better in smaller areas such as 10-20 gallon tanks or plastic shoe/sweater boxes with appropriate ventilation. Custom enclosures are encouraged and should be at least 3 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 18 inches high. Vision cages are the best for monitoring, humidity support, and ample room for maneuvering.Īdults can also be kept in a minimum 30 gallon tank but larger is always better with these snakes. Adults can be housed in Neodesha, large plastic containers, and vision cages. These primarily terrestrial snakes require more floor space in their cages. There are many different ways to keep Ball pythons, as with any snake. ![]()
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