Ball Python Care Sheet

Ball Python Care Sheet

Temps: day ambient 80-85F Basking 90F-93F Night 75-80F

Humidity: they come from africa a very arid area (not in shed cycle) 30-50% In shed cycle 60-65%

Shedding: increase humidity and hydration. After eyes clear, bathe in water 10 min. they should do a complete shed within 24 hrs.

Pinkbelly: getting ready for a 7-14 day shed cycle. (usually 10 days but I have one that has taken up to 14 days)!

R.I. Signs(respiratory infection): Clear fluid coming from nostrils or mouth, wheezing or

popping as it breathes, open mouth breathing. Increase the humidity & get it to a vet!!!!

Interaction: Ball or as in Europe they are commonly called Royal pythons are sensitive so I

recommend a 7 day period before you handle them or feed them so they can get acclimated to their new home. Before the 7 day period, I only handle them @ night because that is when they are naturally awake in the wild. After that week of getting used to it's new enclosure and surroundings, you can handle them anytime after that.

Feed Schedule: up to 2-3 yrs. of age(18-36") 7-10 days appropiate sized meal. ADULTS 2-3

adult mice or appropiate sized rat.(how I tell correct size is look at the middle of the snake and if it isn't bigger than that size, it's ok to feed it. Only use f/t (frozen/thawed) because live mice and/or rats can seriously hurt or even kill your snake.(www.rodentpro.com) They are humanely euthanized.

Housing: min 20 gal(30x12x12) Good is 30 gal(36x12x18) 40 gal breeder is best!

Size: 3-5 ft. Largest was 6 1/2 ft.

Waste Cycle: usually every 4-6 weeks, but it depends on feeding schedule and animals

metabolism.

Important Note: If recently fed, no hotter than 92F or no cooler than 75F! When empty

of food, are generally more tolerant of a wider range of temps. Also may not eat during the breeding season(Nov.- Mar.)

I have been to alot of DVM's web sites and they seem to agree Natural Chemistrys-Healthy Habitat is a top notch cage cleaner. ( Lianne McLeod),DVM

As with all care sheets some variances do well than others,as these are just meant for guidelines... :-)