Ball Python or python regius whose originated from the Western and Central part of Africa, is considered to be the smallest python ever existed. Royal python is its common name in Europe while Ball python for the American region. It is most active during the dawn and regularly live in the ground and trees. By the way, its name ball python was made up because of its action when it feels frightened where they actually turn into a ball-like shape having their heads hid in the inner part.
Ball python can reach to the size of 4 feet yet in some case, a maximum of 5 feet is also possible. They came up with small spurs which are the evolutionary existence of their hind legs. The size of their spurs can somehow determine their sex. Males tend to have longer spurs than females, in contrary part, males have smaller heads than the females.
Ball pythons love to eat small, wild animals like lizards. They don’t eat much mice in the wild where mainly the reason why captivated ball pythons are too picky with their foods. Pet owners do initially give their snakes a mice for an action way of their pet’s diet. However, they really want much edible prey. They can actually live without foods for a year, but doesn’t even mean a well-good diet for ball pythons.
When you are sure of your interest in buying a ball python, it is much preferable if you buy from a reputable breeder. With this case, you can assure that the ball python is already good in contact with humans. It is also preferable if you buy them from a captive-born hatchling or when they’re still juvenile so that they can be easily trained with their pet masters. Young ball pythons will grow one foot longer for its first year and then get longer as it became older.
When getting started of having your very own ball python, you must consider the following:
great shape ball python, good-housing enclosure, suitable substrate, hiding area, room temperature, proper feeding, Inclusion Body disease and good in handling your snakes.
When choosing your snake, it must contain great characteristics such as firm body, good eye condition, beautiful skin and is active in the sense of flicking its tongue. You must also provide a proper enclosure for your snake. Ball pythons are wise and can easily escape from normal housing. For hatchlings, a 10 gallon tank is enough while for the full adult snake, it may require you to have a 10 gallon tank for its housing. By making some extra decoratives, you should not put any shavings from pines and aspen because it may be lodged inside the mouth of the snake when eating something. When the time of shavings come, they need much attention since you are required to take their shavings if it has soiled or wet because it may harm your snake from unwanted diseases and fungus. A good hiding place is great also for a ball python. You may add extra branch of tress in their tank so that they have something to climb on. A fake greeny thing will be perfect also to allow them feel that they’re in nature. Snakes also acquired proper temperature since they are cold-blooded animal. The proper range temperature for your snakes can maintain his healthy body. Another thing is its food, from a hatchling, you may feed them with a pre-killed mouse. As your ball python grows, the size of its food may also be in larger sized. Then, lastly, the proper handling of your new snake, try to pick it up regularly and handle him gently. At first, it may feel threatened but then just allow it to do whatever the snake wants. With this, they can feel that they’re safe from your hands.
Doing the proper things listed above, you can have a apprentice in your life which may take for a long time depending on how you handle your snake. As their care taker, you must use proper pre-caution on handling them.
