Additionally, keep an eye out for any treated bedding or substrate that has been processed with chemicals. well if you really want a tamed snake you might want to hold it often. Be sure to avoid any fast movements when handling your Ball Python. In fact, you’ll want to keep your hands away from the ball python’s head at all times. REPTIZOO Reptile Glass Terrarium,Double Hinge Door with Screen Ventilation Reptile Terrarium 36″ x 18″ x 18″. In Greek, the word “Axanthic” means something that lacks the color yellow. This will ensure that your snake becomes comfortable with you and remembers all of your smells.   Being too cold is a common problem for many pet ball pythons, especially in the winter months, but is easily corrected by providing a heat light. Cons: Doesn’t come with a lid. They will either sit motionless in your hands or will gently explore their surroundings. If you haven’t purchased your Ball Python yet, ask the breeder about the temperament of the different available snakes. However, if your snake is in an area that doesn’t get a lot of natural light, you could absolutely opt for lighting to help simulate day and night cycles. While every snake is an individual, most specimens calm down nicely and can be held without risk even by beginners. ... Watch for signals that the snake gives you; if it doesn’t seem to want to be held, it’s best not to handle them. How convenient is that? A snake that is just removed from its enclosure may also be curious about its new environment. The right size food really depends on a case-by-case basis, as some Pythons prefer different sized rodents. Don’t ever try to pick it up from the head. Also, all the females have been popped by me and two other people, so they are females lol. Plus, you don’t have to worry about what to do with a 10-15 foot long snake that still has growing to do down the road.It’s important to know what sex your Ball Python is before purchasing, because the sizes can be quite different. Although it can be unnerving to the owner of the snake, it’s completely normal for this to happen. Ball Pythons like to be held, and are normally friendly and docile snakes. To make sure they stay friendly and approachable, it’s best to handle your Ball Python at least a few times a week. It’s large enough to help minimize the chances that your ball python will ingest it. Enrich The Enclosure. Many snake owners see these pythons as close to an ideal pet. Everything you need to know about getting your Ball Python up and running in it’s new home is right here. (Hint: the two options are frozen mice and live mice). Plus, you can get quantities of up to 100 frozen mice in one package, which should be enough to feed your snake for years to come. In this section we will outline how often to feed a Ball Python, how big of mice to feed a Ball Python, and what type of mice you should feed a Ball Python. Such as if a snake doesn’t want to be held, it’s probably not that it doesn’t like you, more just the fact its scared and doesn’t want to be hurt. Ball Pythons make GREAT first time snakes for aspiring owners! If the issue is related to health or cage aggression, it can usually be remedied … So instead of being fertilized right away, the female ball python will hold onto the … Ball pythons can hold their waste for long periods of time, and some normally poop only once in 1-3 months. They sell a lot of their mice through Amazon, which makes buying your Ball Python’s dinner very convenient. While there are many things worse than a ball python bite, I can’t say that I’d let them bite me for fun, either. Yes – Here’s What You Need to Know. Plus, you can buy frozen mice in large quantities on Amazon. Relatively early in my snake-keeping career, I had the “opportunity” to work with thousands of imported ball pythons (in those days, captive-bred ball pythons weren’t widely available). You essentially have two options when it comes to feeding your Ball Python: live mice or frozen mice. Happy Serpent is not a medical resource. Try not to go any smaller than that, because you’ll run the risk of underfeeding your snake. Although it’s recommended to handle your Ball Python frequently, there are certain times when it’s best to leave them be. While your Ball Python is growing, the best practice is to feed it once every 7 days. Assuming your ball python is fine with handling then the process is pretty simple. i feed live prey in my ball pythons enclosure but i place the mouse in a deep flower pot, the mouse cant get out and when my snake is ready he will do his thing. Ball Pythons need a basking area of around 88-90 degrees Fahrenheit. This is very common for wild-caught Ball Pythons but bred Ball Pythons are not all the same, in the manner that you can see them almost being kind, but sadly these won’t be necessarily true. Rule of thumb, try to feed your Ball Python a rodent that is 1-1.5 times the size of the largest part of your snakes body. Why take the risk? Ball Pythons make a great first snake for owners of all ages. This makes them easier to feed, maintain, and care for. A standard enclosure that is at least 36 inches long by 18 inches wide should do the trick.Also, if you are purchasing a baby Ball Python, you can start out with a smaller tank, shoebox, or any other temporary enclosure. As mentioned above, it’s best to get at least a 20 gallon tank that has a length similar to how long your snake will get. You can continue to feed your Ball Python once every 7 days throughout it’s life, too. Snakes, in general, don’t need extra vitamin D to absorb calcium. It’s a Specific Season. In the wild, they tend to hold it in so that they don’t … Ball Pythons also require an ambient temperature of 76-83 degrees Fahrenheit. Is your BP acting aggressive, or is resisitent to being picked up? While adult ball pythons can get up to 5 feet, they actually don’t need that large of an enclosure. While the breed tends to be friendly, there are a few best practices to note when it comes to handling your Ball Python. I have a male pastel over 2k grams and he doesn't want to breed. Ball Python enclosures come in many shapes and sizes, and this is the one we think is best. Sometimes a girl just isn’t ready for kids. There are a few types you can use, and definitely some you should avoid. Place the water bowl on the cool side of the tank in a water bowl that cannot be tipped over by the ball python. Just to reiterate, we want to give a little more info on our recommended tank for Ball Pythons. Below are the specs for how big Ball Pythons typically get:Average Male Ball Python Length: 90-110 cm, or around 3-3.5 feetAverage Female Ball Python Length: 120-140 cm, or around 4-4.5 feet. These snakes are very “head shy.” Such as if a snake doesn’t want to be held, it’s probably not that it doesn’t like you, more just the fact its scared and doesn’t want to be hurt. Below are the absolute must-knows when it comes to Ball Python care and ownership. Here are the main reasons, the last being rather uncommon: Recommended Water Dish for Proper Ball Python Care. It can be done, but it usually more consuming than the alternative. There are several reasons why Ball Pythons are a popular choice when it comes to snake ownership. To ensure proper Ball Python Care, be wary of handling your snakes during the following times: My brother loves reptiles and since he is now living alone, he would like to get a snake as a pet. In general, avoid substrate that is too fine. That doesn’t mean they’ll be trying to cuddle you. We highly recommend starting your Ball Python off with frozen mice as their regular diet. Although they lack forms of emotion this does not stop the snake from “feeling” in a sense. Don’t be alarmed if your BP rejects food during this time. Ball pythons are so docile that they usually wouldn't try to strike at your hand, so a separate feeding box isn't usually needed. All snakes like at least enough space to stretch out 3/4ths of their max length. Most ball pythons poop around 6-10 days after eating, but it can be longer than 10 days depending on ball python’s environment. Some will likely be more friendly and social than others. He also isn't eating and had refused food the last five or six feedings. Trust us, frozen mice are much easier to manage than live mice. REPTIZOO makes a solid product, and when it comes to a Ball Python terrarium setup, this one comes highly recommended. Also, the doors open from the front, so this terrarium makes it easy for you to feed your Ball Python. This isn’t the case with ball pythons. Mid-body hold: When you handle your ball python for the first time, try to pick it up by the middle part of its body. For starters when your snake comes over to lay on you, or around you it’s more so going over because of the Dopamine being released and telling it to go over and the warm up. Another good method to feeding your snake is to feed it based on how much it weighs. Most snakes will thrive without them, but you may want to include them anyway to help show off your snake. That checks all the boxes when it comes to the best Ball Python bedding. You can even feed some Ball Pythons crawlers or baby rats at a young age. Feeding your snake the right meals at the right time is key to ensure the proper Ball Python care. they will become pretty nippy if not held and you don't want a full grown 5-6 foot snake sinking its teeth in to you. Ball Pythons are by nature docile and reclusive animals. Every time i try putting him with a female he starts flailing his body against the lid and then he tries to smash all the females. That will give them a chance to build up an appetite. If you specifically want a spider ball python you can handle then it’s worth asking to hold any snake before you make a purchase to ensure it is calm. Snakes have a very slow metabolism, and when Ball Pythons become adults, it’s fairly common to stretch out their feeding frequency with longer periods in between meals. No two snakes have patterns that are exactly like another. There are easy ways to measure and regulate this. Getting the proper substrate (fancy word for bedding) is key to a happy Ball Python. Firstly, you want to ensure that your snake doesn’t … This is another reason why Ball Python care is fairly low commitment. It’s best to identify ones that could possibly be mean or aggressive before purchasing. RECOMMENDED BALL PYTHON SUBSTRATE: ReptiChip Premium Coconut SubstrateThis Ball Python bedding is highly recommended. So just why do Ball Pythons soak in their water dish? Newspaper: Many hobbyists and breeders choose to use newspaper to line their Ball python habitat. The light colored interior makes water mold and other residue easy to see, which is a huge plus. Glad to hear you found our article interesting, Derek! Treat the “wound” (it’s a series of pinpricks, really) with soap and water and you’ll be fine. Ball pythons clearly fall into the latter category. They don’t get too big, and are fairly docile and shy. UG Rodents has a great product that comes in many different quantities of frozen mice. Lastly Glutamate, when this chemical is present it determines how sensitive the neuro-receptors are to any other transmitters. Banana ball pythons, like all snakes, need a good amount of space and respectful distance, especially after eating. I found it interesting when you said to ask the breeder about the temperament of the different available snakes so that he can pick the most friendly one. If you don’t have a pet store near you in a convenient location, or you don’t want to have a cage full of mice, steer clear of feeding your snake live ones. Being Albino Isn’t Actually All That Rare. It’s really a no-brainer. If you choose to get an infant Ball Python, you’ll need to change the size of mice you feed it over time. Ball Pythons can sometimes ingest substrate, and fine bedding like sand or wood chips that are too small can be dangerous for them. A ball python will likely wrap its tail around your wrist or forearm. Ball Pythons, like all animals, go to the bathroom. Ideally, you can get the proper size Ball Python terrarium right from the get go. Your ball python needs plenty of floor space! At very least, this will get you off the ground and able to house your new Ball Python! Live mice are one route to go, although you will have to either plan a weekly trip to the pet store or breed your own. Aside from major medical conditions, snakes can refuse to eat for a multitude of reasons. In the wild, they spend a lot of time hiding out in trees and in enclosures. The Exo Terra Water Dish is a great option for Ball Pythons of all sizes. Before buying your Ball Python, ask the breeder about it’s eating habits. 3. Do Snakes Sleep? A Ball Python enclosure is very easy to maintain. Don’t hurry along the process by bathing, spraying, or rubbing the snake. At this point, you’re probably wondering if a Ball Python is right for you your kids. For a medium-sized ball python, 15 gallons will be enough. Many ball pythons have a sort of internal clock that tells them to stop eating … Feeding isn’t difficult with Ball Pythons, and you will have two options when it comes to how and what you feed them. So if your Ball Python weighs 300 grams, go with large mice/small rats that weight 25-33 grams. They enjoy drinking it, soaking in it, and they also enjoy the humidity emitted from the water bowl it self. That will be everything you need to get set up for your first Ball Python’s enclosure. If it seems abrasive or skeptical, it might be best to leave them be and try again a different day. As for the solution you should use to disinfect the enclosure, we recommend Carolina Custom Cages Chlorhexidine Solution. While you don’t need each specific branded product above, it’s recommended to at least get those items in general. If you want to use a separate enclosure, use a bin that you can place inside his daily aquarium after he takes the food so you don't have to handle him, then remove it once he's swallowed and has exited the box. 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