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Ball
Pythons
Ball Pythons are one of the most popular varieties of pet snakes. The website
"Pet Support USA Reptile Reference Library", in the article entitled
"Ball Python", tells why the Ball Python is so well-liked. It says the
Ball Python is smaller than most pythons, which makes it
easier to care for, and its colors and patterns are quite impressive. According
to the website article "Python Regius - Royal or Ball Python", which
was written by Elisia Lynn Rangel and published by The Regents of the University
of Michigan, Ball Pythons, also known as Royal Pythons, have various markings
and colors. The Ball or Royal Python can be varying shades of brown, tan, red,
light yellow, or yellowish-orange. These beautifully colored snakes can have
spots, stripes, or a combination of both. The same article says this gentle
creature reaches an adult length between three and six feet.
According to the website article "Ball Pythons", written and published
by Melissa Kaplan in 1996, the Ball Python originates in western and central
Africa. It lives in the outskirts of wooded areas in trees and grasslands. It
says the Ball Python, which is known as the Royal Python in Europe, was given
its name due to the fact that it curls into a ball when it is frightened or
alarmed. The same article says how to tell a male Ball Python from a female. On
the Ball Python's underside near the tail there are spurs which are claw-like
remnants of back legs. These back legs were eliminated when the python and the
boa evolved from the lizard. It says the male snakes have spurs that are longer
than the females. Also, the female typically has a larger head than the male
Ball Python.
"Ball Pythons" tells what to be aware of when choosing a snake as a
pet. It says the snake should appear to be lively, alert, and flick its tongue
when touched or picked up. Also, healthy snakes will have tight skin that
appears clear and vibrant. A healthy snake's body will be round in shape, and
its eyes and vent will be clean and clear. The same article says the healthy
Ball Python instinctively reacts to having its head touched by pulling back.
Specific types of housing and accessories are suggested by "Ball
Pythons" and are as follows. It suggests a twenty gallon aquarium for an
immature Ball Python, and an aquarium between thirty and fifty gallons for a
fully grown Ball Python. Pet stores also sell cages designed specifically for
reptiles. If you choose an aquarium to house your Ball Python, it should have a
screened lid that fastens securely to the top to prevent escape.
The air temperature of the enclosure should range from eighty to eighty-five
degrees Fahrenheit throughout the day. At night the air temperature should range
from seventy-three to seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit. A basking light should be
provided for a portion of the habitat that maintains a temperature of
approximately ninety degrees Fahrenheit throughout the day and no less than
eighty degrees Fahrenheit throughout the night. It is wise to invest in
top-quality lights and thermometers to keep your Ball Python's habitat at the
proper temperature in order to maintain good health.
The substrate of the habitat should be either reptile bark or bedding labelled
safe for a snake's habitat. A more economical bedding would be untreated, plain
brown paper. Sterile soil is also acceptable, but it is dirty and somewhat
impractical. Sand and cedar shavings should never be used as substrate. Sand can
get underneath a snakes scales and cause irritation and skin problems. Cedar
shavings contain cedar oil and can be fatal to snakes.
Ball Pythons like a cool place to hide and sleep during daylight hours. This
gives the snake a feeling of security within its habitat. Most pet stores sell
reptile trees, logs, and other accessories designed for snakes. Also suggested
are platforms and ledges to add space to your Ball Python's habitat. Recreating
a natural environment for your Ball Python will keep your snake's environment
clean. Soiled bedding should be removed often and completely changed on a
regular basis.
"Ball Python" tells what the nutritional needs are and the methods of
feeding a Ball Python. Your Ball Python should be moved to a different enclosure
for feeding and digestion of its food. Doing so will help condition the snake
not to bite when handled or removed from its habitat. They mainly eat rats,
mice, and other small rodents, but they will also eat small birds and small
reptiles such as frogs and snakes. A young Ball Python needs to feed about once
every week in a dimly lit location. Tiny mice are suggested for a young snake.
As the Ball Python grows, its meal should be larger, but the size of the prey
should never exceed the diameter of the snake's body. A shallow bowl of clean
water should always be accessible to your Ball Python for drinking and bathing.
A heavy ceramic dish works great for this purpose.
You can expect a healthy Ball Python to shed approximately every two to three
months says "Ball Python". The snake's eyes will become covered with
shedding skin, and it should be left alone since it may strike at any movement.
Ball Pythons do not eat while they are shedding so food should not be offered.
The same article says to provide rough objects to assist your Ball Python with
the removal of shedding skin.
Ball Pythons are enjoyable to own and care for. They are also interesting to
observe, and they will provide valuable knowledge for adults and children alike.
With proper care your Ball Python can live for many years and will make a
wonderful pet.