Whatever type of tank you choose, make sure it has a secure lid. A front-opening enclosure is easiest to keep securely closed, but many enclosures have a screen top instead. The problem is, a ball python is a curious animal that loves to poke around, which can lead to it getting out of the enclosure.
Clamps and locks can hold a lid securely in place, preventing your ball python from escaping. Now that you have a home for your ball python, it is time to furnish it. A ball python needs substrate to crawl on top of, hides to take cover under, and other furnishings as well. A ball python is most comfortable with a substrate which holds in moisture well for humidity purposes, without becoming damp or outright wet.
Provide your ball python with enough of a layer of substrate for it to burrow around in if it so chooses. Your ball python will not enjoy feeling like it is exposed out in the open. It is a good idea to provide your snake with a few places to hide. This will allow your ball python to feel comfortably hidden no matter what temperature it needs at the moment. A hide can be anything that a ball python can completely hide itself under, as it would hide in a log or a cave in the wild. You can make your own hide at home by cutting some holes into an old cardboard box, plastic container, or even a ceramic flowerpot.
You can also buy a hide pre-made for your ball python. This Exo Terra Reptile Den looks like a natural rocky cave. It is a stable structure that will provide a good hiding place for your ball python without you having to worry about the rocks falling over and hurting the snake. Your ball python needs a source of fresh, clean water all the time. This can be a simple water bowl. Just be sure that the bowl is big enough for your ball python to completely soak itself in if it so chooses.
At the same time, do not put in a bowl so deep that the python will get trapped inside. Replace the water with fresh water every day. Tap water should be fine, but if you are concerned about the safety of your local tap water, bottled water will work as well.
The glass frontage will allow light to get in but will ensure a relatively low level of ambient light for your pet snake. But of course, there are many more. A quick online search will produce plenty of results!
Ball pythons are a little more sensitive than other snakes. They require warmth — too cold and they will struggle to digest their food. They can also become very ill. Like all other pet snakes, ball pythons need a temperature or thermal gradient, i. This allows them to find their ideal temperature, however they are feeling! To maintain the perfect temperature, there are a variety of gadgets you can use—thermostats, thermometers, heat lamps, head pads and heat tape.
Here are some kit recommendations:. Important to remember: most snakes do not need UVB, ball pythons included. This is because they are naturally nocturnal, so they have evolved to live without it. With the exception of a few rare pet snakes, UVB lights are unnecessary for captive snakes. If you do decide to use one, make sure it is inches away from your snake, and change it every 6 months.
What is UVB? Many reptiles require UVB to produce vitamin D3. However, for the most part, snakes do not require it, as the majority of species are nocturnal. Internal heat producers will affect the humidity of your tank. Excessive humidity leads to the development of potentially fatal skin diseases ; insufficient humidity inhibits shedding and results in dehydration. Too high or too low, and your snake is prone to respiratory infections.
So, how do you manage humidity? In my second tip, I mentioned using a substrate which promotes humidity. What are some examples of good substrates for ball pythons? The substrate is the floor lining. It is an essential part of the enclosure setup. Ball pythons like humidity, so substrates which retain humidity are best. Here are some examples:. Aspen is an ideal substrate material for ball pythons. It retains moisture, encourages burrowing, and does not have an overpowering smell.
The one downside is that it can become moldy if it becomes too wet — like if the water bowl is spilled. Aspen is very popular. Lastly, natural coconut substrate performs well too. It retains moisture excellently, and is easy to handle. The downside is that it is a bit more expensive than the other two. Avoid sand. It is cheap, but sand can get very messy, and your ball python may actually ingest it—not good!
There are also cheaper options like carpet or paper towels. These are OK for hatchling and juvenile snakes, but not good for adults, as they do not allow the snake to burrow. Your ball python enclosure can be as simple or elaborate as you want it to be. Just remember, the more you put in the cage, the more maintenance and cleaning you will have to do! Regular disinfection is vital in snake enclosures, so bear that in mind when decorating yours. Can I let my ball python roam around my room?
No, do not let your ball python roam around your room. There are better ways to entertain your pet and keep them secure and healthy. Q: Why is my Ball Python hissing? A: When some snakes feel the need to defend themselves they will puff up and expel air with force, which causes a hissing sound. With time, your snake will settle in and learn that you are not a threat to it. Ball pythons are among the most popular pet snakes. They are good beginner snakes because they are docile and easy to care.
You can determine whether a snake is happy and contented in your company based on its body language. A comfortable snake is calm and relaxed, moving slowly around its enclosure and gently draping itself around your hands when you handle it. Aspen shavings are relatively affordable, and they absorb moisture rapidly, which will help reduce odors coming from the enclosure.
They also allow snakes to burrow. This mulch is very affordable although the price varies by geographic region , permits burrowing and retains moisture well, which can make it easier to maintain the proper enclosure humidity. Cypress mulch also smells nice. Orchid bark is somewhat similar to cypress mulch in that it is helpful for maintaining a high humidity level. It also looks great and allows snakes to burrow. Just be sure to weigh the pros and cons of these substrates before making your choice.
Just be sure to start with a suitably sized enclosure, heat the habitat appropriately and choose a good substrate. Instead, I recommend that first-time snake keepers maintain a simple and straightforward habitat for six months to a year before setting up a natural-looking vivarium. This will give you the chance to learn the basics of habitat design and maintenance, which will help you avoid a number of common problems.
Thank you A lot of information about the questions I had. Looking forward for my snake baby,but still need more,and more. Overall, this is a pretty great care guide! Firstly, the temperatures are a little off. The warm ambient temperature of the enclosure should be from 90 to 94 degrees, and the cold ambient should stay at 78 to 82 degrees.
It is stated in this article that climbing enrichment is not required for ball pythons, but that I believe is false. Ball pythons have been observed climbing trees in the wild, and they benefit greatly from climbing space.
An extremely important thing that was left out in this care guide that is possibly the most important, a thermostat. With any heating device, whether it be a ceramic heat emitter or a heat mat, you need a thermostat, and it is not optional. A friend of mine conducted an experiment, she ran various types of heating elements for a couple hours, all without thermostats, and measured the surface temps of each element. I have pictures to prove this if necessary.
That can kill even the most heat resistant snake in a matter of minutes. You can find thousands of dead or injured snakes online with extremely serious burns because of beginners who do not use thermostats. Having the light flicker on and off constantly will stress out your snake. Regarding the feeding guide for Ball Pythons, the feeding instructions are also considerably off.
A hatchling ball python is big enough to take fuzzy rats after their yolk sack is absorbed and they have their first couple meals, and by the time they are a year old they are big enough to take small rats once a week. And adult ball python is going to need a medium to adult rat once every 2 to 3 weeks, depending on their body condition and size.
The prey item should be a bit bigger than the thickest part of their body. Ball pythons quickly outgrow mice, and mice hold less nutritional value than rats. And lastly, I do not recommend aspen for ball pythons at all, nor do I reccomend using a completely barren enclosure for the first six months to a year.
Stuck shed on their entire bodies. Ball pythons do not do well with barren enclosures for long term. A quarantine enclosure 2 hides, 1 water dish, paper towel substrate is ideal for no more than one month to check for illnesses. I appreciate you reading this, and have a wonderful day! The temperature range I described is accurate. Surface temperatures in the mids are ideal, while ambient temperatures in the mids may prove too warm in some cases — particularly for fledgling keepers.
Additionally, 70 degrees is perfectly fine for the cool side of the habitat. You do not need a thermostat with all heating devices — specifically lights. However, it is imperative that keepers monitor temperatures consistently to ensure the heating devices are operating properly.
The food guidelines are designed to offer beginners a good starting point. Snakes occasionally injure themselves sometimes severely so by trying to consume prey items that are too large. And because this is a brief article providing instruction to beginners, it is better to err on the side of caution.
I know these kinds of statements are bandied about on message boards, but the truth is far more subtle. Moreover, it is advisable to provide snakes with prey items that have fully formed skeletons.
The quarantine protocol I described is similar to that employed by zoos and professional keepers across the country. Aspen is perfectly suitable for ball pythons in many cases, provided that their temperature, relative humidity level, and water reservoir are properly maintained.
I loved this care sheet! And you handled their post very diplomatically! I have used the same Temps and aspen is fine. Their natural habitate is dryast of the year and they hidrate them selves by finding moist places to hide in. Like termite mounds. Thanks for your informative care sheet! I have two and I am very interested in and researching how to start a vivarium!
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