Take your new ball python to a reptile veterinarian for a general health exam and to test for parasites. Leave a newly purchased snake alone in its enclosure for 1-2 weeks to acclimate to its new home.[1]
How Do You Tell The Sex Of A Ball Python
Probing uses a slender metal rod to determine a snake’s sex based on the placement and size of its reproductive organs. If the rod inserts only a short distance into the vent (toward the tail), the snake is female. If the rod goes further, it’s male (the extra distance suggests the presence of hemipenes).[2]
How Do I Tell If My Ball Python Is Male Or Female?
The vet will insert a small metal probe into the cloaca and measure how far he can safely insert it toward the tip of the tail. In male ball pythons, he can insert the probe farther than in females. For a popping test, he presses on either side of the cloaca to see whether male genitalia pops out.[3]
How Old Does A Ball Python Have To Be To Be Sexed?
What is this? While some of these methods can be used to determine a snake’s gender from the first day of their life, others require that a snake reach or nearly reach sexual maturity (snakes generally reach sexual maturity between two and four years of age).[4]
How To Make My Ball Python Eat
Here is a list of methods to get your reluctant ball python to eat.Check Your Python’s Enclosure. … Heat the Prey. … Feed at Night. … Offer More Security. … Change the Size or Color of the Prey. … Change the Prey Type. … Try Scenting. … Try Braining.[5]
What Do You Do If Your Ball Python Won’T Eat?
If your ball still doesn’t eat, try cutting the pre-killed prey open to expose the blood and entice your snake with the scent. Using long tongs, hemostats, or feeding forceps to dangle and wiggle the food in front of your snake can also be helpful, especially if your ball prefers eating live prey.Feb 24, 2022[6]
How Long Will A Ball Python Go Without Eating?
Smaller snakes tend to feed more often than larger ones, but species like the ball python can go for as long as two years without needing a meal.[7]
Why Is My Ball Python Refusing To Eat
Stress is an often-overlooked reason why snakes won’t eat. New enclosures, other snakes in the enclosure, or too much handling can cause your ball python to get stressed out and not want to eat. Differences in prey will also cause a picky snake to stop eating.Feb 24, 2022[8]
What Does It Mean If My Python Won’T Eat?
Refusing to eat is a signal that your snake is stressed. It should come as no surprise that snakes are routine animals and don’t like change so very much. If your snake has just been brought to his new home and is not eating, there are very high chances that your snake is refusing food due to the stress of moving.[9]
How Long Can A Ball Python Without Eating?
An adult ball python can survive up to 6 months without eating, but such a long period can be disastrous for the health of the reptile. Let’s break down how long ball pythons can and should go in between meals—and how often you should feed them for an ideal diet.Jul 29, 2022[10]
What Size Tank Should I Get For A Ball Python
Adult ball pythons do not require exceptionally large or elaborate enclosures either. A 36-inch by 18-inch by 12-inch enclosure will more than comfortably house an adult ball python. Spot-clean your ball python’s enclosure as necessary.Jun 4, 2021[11]
Is A 40 Gallon Tank Good For A Ball Python?
While younger and smaller ball pythons can often do well in smaller enclosures, a 40-gallon option is an optimal ball python enclosure size for adults.[12]
How Many Gallon Tank Does A Ball Python Need?
Hatchlings up to 300g can be housed in a 10 gallon enclosure or tub measuring approximately 20″ x 11″ x 13″. Juveniles under 3′ long can be housed in a 40 gallon enclosure measuring about 36” x 18” x 18”. Subadults and adults over 3′ long do best in a 120 gallon enclosure (48″ x 24″ x 24″) or larger.[13]
Is 50 Gallon Too Big For A Ball Python?
The adult ball python needs a home that is large enough to fit in comfortably and tall enough to climb. It should be between 40-55 gallons and three to four feet in length. There ideally should be a slight temperature gradient from a warm to a cooler side.[14]
Ball Python How To Take Care Of
Always have fresh, clean water available for your ball python. Check the water daily. The size of the water dish is up to you. If it is large enough for the ball python to crawl in to and soak, sooner or later your snake will make the most of the opportunity – ball pythons seem to enjoy a nice soak from time to time.Jun 4, 2021[15]
Are Ball Pythons Easy To Care For?
Ball pythons are among the most popular pet snakes. They are good beginner snakes because they are docile and easy to care. Housing for a ball python can vary from simple to elaborate. The most important thing is that you follow several rules and check in on your pet often to ensure it appears to look and act healthy.[16]
How Do You Maintain A Ball Python?
Housing for your Ball Python should:
be a relatively large enclosure. maintain ambient daytime temperatures of 80-85°F (27-29°C). provide for a basking area of 90-92°F (32-33.3°C ). provide hide boxes. ● have access to fresh water in a bowl that is large enough for the snake to soak.[17]
Can I Handle My Ball Python Daily?
Handle your snake at least 1-2x weekly, but no more than once daily. Snakes do not require social interaction for their mental health, but regular handling helps the snake stay tame and can be a good opportunity for exercise.[18]
Why Would A Ball Python Not Eat
Stress is an often-overlooked reason why snakes won’t eat. New enclosures, other snakes in the enclosure, or too much handling can cause your ball python to get stressed out and not want to eat. Differences in prey will also cause a picky snake to stop eating.Feb 24, 2022[19]
When Should I Worry About Ball Python Not Eating?
They can easily go months without eating.
This means you don’t need to worry right away if your ball python refuses a few meals. However, if they continue to refuse meals for several months or if they are showing other signs of illness, you should definitely consult with your veterinarian.Oct 28, 2020[20]
How Long Can A Ball Python Without Eating?
An adult ball python can survive up to 6 months without eating, but such a long period can be disastrous for the health of the reptile. Let’s break down how long ball pythons can and should go in between meals—and how often you should feed them for an ideal diet.Jul 29, 2022[21]
How Long Does A Ball Python
How big do ball pythons get? Ball pythons generally grow between 3-6 feet long in adulthood, with females growing slightly larger than males. They are the smallest species of python. The largest pythons can grow over 20 feet long!Aug 27, 2020[22]
How Long Does It Take A Ball Python To Reach Full Size?
A Ball Python will reach its full-grown size between two to three years old. Most pet Ball Pythons will grow at least three feet long. A male will typically top off at only 2.5 to 3.5 feet long, while a female can grow anywhere from 4 to 6 feet long. Both sexes are fully grown within three years.[23]
How Long Does A Ball Python Get?
Physical Description. Captive ball pythons typically reach a length of 4 to 5 feet, although 6-ft wild specimens have been found. Hatchlings range from 10 to 17 inches (25.4 to 43.2 cm). Captive-raised ball pythons grow to more than 3 feet in length within 3 years.[24]
How Long Does A Ball Python Get In Captivity?
Ball pythons live an average of 20-30 years in captivity.
They are popular pet snakes, so it makes sense as to why we are more aware of their captive lifespan! The oldest ball python lives in a zoo in St.Jan 26, 2022[25]
How Long Do Male Ball Pythons Get?
Adult female ball pythons average 3 to 5 feet long, and adult male ball pythons average 2 to 3 feet in size. This is a species in which mature females are typically much larger than the males. A 5-foot ball python is considered big, although lengths of 6 feet or more have been reported.[26]
How Often Should A Baby Ball Python Eat
Generally, smaller or younger ball pythons need to eatevery five days, while larger ones usually eat once every week or two. As they get older you feed them more at one time so they don’t need as many feedings. Cost of feeding a ball python. The annual cost of feeding a ball python can range between $100 to $150.Jul 7, 2021[27]
How Long Can A Ball Python Baby Go Without Eating?
Once again, it is difficult to give precise estimates of the length of time a hatchling ball python can go without eating, but it is likely at least one month. So, don’t worry if your baby ball python refuses food for a week or two – he’ll likely resume eating quickly enough.[28]
Can You Overfeed A Baby Ball Python?
This is also the time when you should make sure their feeding response is strong and that they are able to strike at prey accurately. Overfeeding hatchling ball pythons is not an issue because of their extremely high metabolisms.[29]
How Often Should I Feed My Baby Snake?
Smaller or younger snakes usually eat twice each week, while larger, more mature snakes typically eat once every week or two. Female snakes approaching breeding season can be fed more frequently. Your veterinarian can give you more specific advice about feeding based on your snake’s individual requirements.[30]
Resources
[1]https://amccorona.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ARAV_trifold_ball_pythonv2_2.pdf
[2]https://reptifiles.com/ball-python-care-guide/ball-python-diseases-health/ball-python-sexing/
[3]https://animals.mom.com/determine-ball-pythons-gender-2570.html
[4]https://www.reptiledirect.com/how-to-sex-a-snake/
[5]https://pethelpful.com/reptiles-amphibians/Ball-Pythons-Eat-Frozen-Dead-Prey
[6]https://www.thesprucepets.com/feeding-ball-pythons-1239265
[7]https://a-z-animals.com/blog/how-long-can-a-snake-go-without-eating/
[8]https://www.thesprucepets.com/feeding-ball-pythons-1239265
[9]https://piscespets.com/blogs/news/why-is-my-snake-not-eating
[10]https://petkeen.com/how-long-can-ball-pythons-not-eat/
[11]https://reptilesmagazine.com/ball-python-care-sheet/
[12]https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/category/reptile/ball-python-supplies/ball-python-cages-terrariums
[13]https://reptifiles.com/ball-python-care-guide/ball-python-terrarium-size-lighting/
[14]https://www.everythingreptiles.com/how-big-do-ball-pythons-get/
[15]https://reptilesmagazine.com/ball-python-care-sheet/
[16]https://www.avianandexotic.com/care-sheets/reptiles/ball-python/
[17]https://amccorona.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ARAV_trifold_ball_pythonv2_2.pdf
[18]https://reptifiles.com/ball-python-care-guide/ball-python-handling-tips/
[19]https://www.thesprucepets.com/feeding-ball-pythons-1239265
[20]https://www.reptiledirect.com/ball-python-wont-eat/
[21]https://petkeen.com/how-long-can-ball-pythons-not-eat/
[22]https://explore.berkshiremuseum.org/digital-archive/fact-sheet/are-ball-pythons-popular-pets
[23]https://www.morereptiles.com/how-big-do-ball-pythons-get/
[24]https://www.vetfolio.com/learn/article/ball-python-care
[25]https://a-z-animals.com/blog/how-long-do-ball-pythons-live/
[26]https://www.snakecountry.com/learn/ball-python/
[27]https://pets.webmd.com/feeding-a-ball-python
[28]https://www.terrariumquest.com/ball-python/how-long-without-eating/
[29]https://www.everythingreptiles.com/ball-python-feeding/
[30]https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/snakes-feeding