Many people who are looking for a pet snake choose ball pythons.Ball pythons require you to be fully committed to their care.You have to maintain a specific environment to keep these snakes healthy.It is very rewarding to properly care for your ball python.
Step 1: Be aware of their size.
Ball pythons will grow quite a bit over the course of their lives.Ball pythons will need a proper living environment if they want to grow large.You should know how to care for a ball python.Female ball pythons will grow to 5' in length, males to 2' to 3'.Enough space is needed for a fully grown ball python.You will need to feed the snake.
Step 2: Understand the long-term commitment.
It is a serious commitment to care for an animal.Feed, clean and maintain the health of your ball python is something you will need to do.Before deciding to care for a ball python, make sure you are ready to commit to a long-term commitment.Ball pythons can live up to 40 years.Ball pythons will live between 20 and 30 years.
Step 3: Look to buy a ball python.
It's time to find your new friend once you've decided that you can provide proper care for a ball python.Ball pythons are very popular with pet owners and they are easy to find in most pet stores.Once you feel prepared to care for it, start looking for a ball python.Ball pythons are likely to be available.If you attend a reptile expo, you can find your new ball python.Ball pythons should be well fed before you buy them.
Step 4: Know how to hold a ball python.
Snakes are not used to being in the wild.When it's acceptable to hold your snake and when it will only cause stress are two things you will need to know.If you want to know if it's the right time to interact with your snake, take a look at some of the key ideas.Wait at least a week before handling snakes.Don't be afraid to hold the snake.Young snakes should only be held once a week.There are adult snakes that can be held once a week.Don't talk to your ball python after it's eaten.Make sure your snake is comfortable after it eats.
Step 5: Be attentive to what's happening.
You will need to be dedicated to maintaining and protecting the health of the ball python if you plan on caring for it.Keeping your snake healthy will require you to keep an eye on it for any signs of illness.A ball python sitting in a coil is one of the most common signs of illness.Ball pythons that spend a lot of time soaking may be ill.mucus may come out of your snake's nose in the case of respiratory issues.A bloody stool can be a sign of a problem in the bicyle.Snakes may be constipated if they don't void after ten days.The refusal of food may indicate an illness.
Step 6: The python needs to stretch out in the cage.
The right amount of room is needed for ball pythons.The snake's life will be uncomfortable if the enclosure is too large or small.When looking for a new home for your ball python, keep these tips in mind: The container needs to be long enough that an snake can completely stretch out in it.The mesh cage lid can work.Maintaining humidity levels in the cage can be difficult.You will need to find a smaller enclosure for younger snakes.
Step 7: It's a good idea to spot clean often.
It's important to keep your snakes enclosure clean.Keeping the cage clean will help keep your ball python happy.Spot cleaning is a part of your regular cleaning routine.You need to fully clean the cage less often if you want to keep up with any messes.Every day, remove any waste from your snake.There are obvious messes left in the cage.
Step 8: The cage should be cleaned thoroughly.
Cleaning your ball python's enclosure is a big part of caring for it.It's a good idea to clean the cage and everything in it once a month.Cleaning the cage will help keep your snake healthy.During the time you are cleaning, take your snake out of the enclosure.The cage needs to be cleaned.There are decorations that need to be cleaned.Water and bleach can be used to clean the cage.Make sure the bleach content is less than 5%.Wait for the cage to fully dry before putting it back together.
Step 9: Don't let the snake escape.
Snakes are escape artists.Ensuring that your ball python's cage is secure is a must.When securing your snake's cage, keep in mind that any doors or openings need to be closed and locked.There needs to be a secure lid.The lid should not be pushed away from the cage.There should be no gaps or openings for your snake to escape from.
Step 10: Keep the temperature steady.
In a natural environment, your snake will move between different areas.The temperature will affect the activity of snakes.Maintaining your ball python's enclosure will be necessary to replicate this.The basking area should be warm.The temperature in the cage should be between 78 and 80 degrees.The cool and warm areas of the cage should be monitored.Warming pads or heating lights can be used to heat the cage.
Step 11: Consider more lighting.
Supplemental lighting can be used in the enclosure.It is not required.Use a full-spectrum UV light if you want to use additional lighting.Adding supplemental lighting will help make your enclosure more comfortable.12 hour cycles of lighting are used.During the day and night, keep the light on for 12 hours.The light should not be left on at night.Your snake will be stressed out if you leave the light on too long.
Step 12: The humidity needs to be maintained.
Maintaining the right level of humidity is important for the health of your snakes.Humidity will allow your snake to shed its skin.To best care for your ball python, keep an eye on the humidity levels in the cage.It needs to be between 50% and 60%.
Step 13: Provide a high quality material.
In order to be comfortable and safe in its home, your ball python needs the right substrate.Keeping your ball python happy and making the enclosure easier to clean are two things that certain substrates will do better than others.If you want to learn what's okay to use, take a look at some examples.It's okay to use Cypress mulch.mulch can be a good choice.cedar or pine shouldn't be used in substrates.
Step 14: Hide boxes are provided.
A place to hide and be alone is what your ball python wants.If your snake is left out in the open, it will become stressed out and nervous.Provide a hide box for your ball python to make them feel at home.Clean the hide box when you clean the cage.You can buy premade boxes.Cut a small door out of a plastic container or bowl to make your own hides.
Step 15: Find the correct prey.
It's important to give your ball python the right size prey.Prey that is too large will cause problems for your snake.When introducing prey into the cage, make sure it's the correct size.Prey shouldn't be bigger than the widest part of the snake.Prey that is too large can hurt your snake.Prey that is small may not provide enough nutrition.
Step 16: After feeding, do not touch the snake.
Snakes need time to digest their meal.If you disturb or handle your snake after a meal, it can cause them to eat it.Wait at least one day before handling your ball python.
Step 17: After every feeding, remove the food that is not eaten.
You will need to remove a prey item if your snake doesn't eat it.If you leave dead or living prey items in the cage, it can pose a health hazard to your snake.The best way to care for your ball python is to remove old prey items from the cage.Feeding pre-killed items to your snake is a good idea.These items need to be removed if they are not eaten.Live prey animals can cause harm to your snake.Ball pythons are known to be attacked and killed by mice or rodents.
Step 18: Feed on the schedule.
Feed your ball python on a schedule.The regularity will benefit your snake and allow you to notice any changes in it's appetite.For adult ball pythons, offer food once every two weeks.Food can be offered once or twice a week for young ball pythons.Over the year, appetites may change.Lower appetites are usually caused by cold months.
Step 19: Provide some water.
The ball python needs a place to find water.A place for your snake to relax and enjoy a good soak is provided by providing water.Young snakes should only have 1” of water, so keep some of these tips in mind.Make sure the container isn't tipped over.The water temperature should be between 72 and 78 degrees.In the water, your snake will defecate.The water should be changed at least once a week.