Pet ball pythons are mostly fed domestic mice, rats and chicks. Just as wild pythons eat a variety of prey, it is important for your pet snake to have variety too. Mice and rats are the staple of a ball python’s diet, but adding the occasional chick, quail, or young rabbit can provide enrichment.[1]
Why Does My Ball Python Hiss For No Reason
Ball pythons may hiss at you because they’re scared, they’d rather be left alone, they are defining their territory, or they are uncomfortable or anxious. If your ball python not only hisses at you but randomly hisses, they may be suffering from a respiratory infection.[2]
Why Is My Snake Suddenly Hissing At Me?
As previously mentioned, hissing is a form of communication. If your snake is missing at you, it means it’s feeling afraid, upset or annoyed. Any time your snake hisses at you, stop handling it and give it some time alone.Jan 26, 2022[3]
What Does It Mean When Your Snake Hisses?
‘The hiss is just to keep that distance or maintain being intimidating and things like that.’ Unlike other animals, snakes make just one sound for one purpose: defense. The hiss doesn’t convey information or even vary much from situation to situation, Penning said. ‘It comes out almost no different than white noise.'[4]
What Are Signs Of A Stressed Ball Python?
14 Signs That Show That Your Snake Is StressedLoss Of Appetite.Weight Loss.Rubbing Their Nose Against Objects In Their Tank.Hissing.Striking.Attempting To Escape. Make Sure To Check The Following To Keep Your Snake From Escaping:Tail Rattling And Vibration.Regurgitation.[5]
How To Clean A Ball Python Cage
Monthly cleaningGet your cleaning materials together (reptile disinfectant, paper towels, etc.)Place your python in a temporary holding container. … Empty the enclosure of everything, including accessories. … Unplug all the electrical devices, such as heating and lighting.Remove the old substrate.[6]
How Often Do I Clean My Ball Pythons Cage?
Thoroughly clean and disinfect the habitat at least once a month, if not more. Place your snake in a secure secondary habitat while you scrub the tank and furnishings with a 3-5% bleach solution. Rinse very thoroughly with clean water and continue to rinse until the smell of bleach is completely gone.[7]
How Do You Clean A Python Cage?
The best way to clean the enclosure is with clean hot water, and if you want to use a cleaning product stick to dish soap and elbow grease. Once cleaned off, you can sanitize your décor and terrarium with 10% bleach solution, then rinse with hot water and allow to dry.[8]
How Long For A Ball Python To Be Full Grown
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.[9]
How Big Is A 2 Month Old Ball Python?
In general, ball python hatchlings are around 8-18 inches (20-46 cm). By 2-6 months of age, ball pythons reach 16-27 inches (40.6-67cm).[10]
How Big Should A 6 Month Old Ball Python Be?
1.5 – 2.5 feet | 150-500 grams
A healthy 6-month old ball python may weigh as little as 100 grams or as much as 300. At this life stage you will begin to notice that your juvenile female balls is growing a bit faster than your juvenile males.Apr 9, 2021[11]
What Age Is Considered A Juvenile Ball Python?
Juvenile ball pythons are also between two-six months in age.[12]
How Do You Know When Your Ball Python Is Hungry
What is this? You can tell a snake is hungry when it exhibits specific behaviors such as: Prowling the front of the tank, being more active, focussing on you whenever you are near the enclosure, flicking its tongue more often, and hunting at a similar time each day or night.[13]
How Do I Know If My Ball Python Is Hungry?
Snakes will let you know when they’re hungry. They will start prowling their enclosure and their tongue flicks will increase in frequency and number.[14]
How Do I Know When To Feed My Snake?
How often should I feed my snake? That all depends on your snake’s age, size, and activity level. 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.[15]
What Time Of Day Should I Feed Ball Python?
Ball pythons are happy to eat frozen-thawed prey, but snakes that have previously eaten live prey may take some time to adjust to dead prey. Ball pythons are nocturnal, so the best time for feeding is in the evening or just after you have turned out the lights.[16]
How Long Can A Ball Python Go Without Being Fed?
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.[17]
What Is The Most Expensive Ball Python Morph
The most expensive ball python ever was sold by the breeder, Peter Kahl, when he sold it to Chad Brown for a cool $125,000. The ball python was a new morph known as an “ivory” and was a combination of two yellowbelly morphs. The resulting snake was totally white with black eyes.Mar 17, 2022[18]
What Is The Most Popular Ball Python Morph?
List of the Most Common Ball Python MorphsGhost.Yellow Belly.Lesser Platinum / Butter.Pinstripe.Clown.Scaleless.Banana / Coral Glow.Black Pastel.[19]
How Much Is A Morph Ball Python Worth?
Just like the Albino Corn Snake, this python is one of the more recognizable morphs with its pink eyes and has become fairly affordable over the years. Expect to pay anywhere from $200-400 on average for this popular morph.[20]
What Is The Rarest Python?
The Oenpelli python, (Python oenpelliensis) described by some as the rarest python in the world, has been added to the Australian Reptile Park’s snake collection as part of a captive breeding program. The park recently took in three pythons and officials are hoping they will successfully breed.[21]
What Is A Super Morph Ball Python?
By. Jul 27 2022. The Super Pastel ball python morph is a unique type of the pastel gene with extreme yellow coloration. The name is derived from the fact that they are extremely light in color and have a clear pattern. They’re typically accompanied by blushing, which makes them stand out even more![22]
How To Hold Ball Python
Pick it up with two hands, one behind the head and one supporting the rest of the body. NEVER pick up a snake by its tail — this can cause severe damage to their spine. During handling, continue to support the snake’s body and use a loose grip to enable it to move freely.[23]
Do Ball Pythons Like To Be Held?
Yes, ball pythons like to be held and pet, primarily based on the average amount of human contact they receive. Traditionally, snakes are fearful of humans, which means that ball pythons don’t like being held. However, the same concept does not apply to captivity because the snake gets socialized differently.[24]
Can I Hold My Ball Python Everyday?
Tame snakes can be handled daily as long as they haven’t just eaten, are shedding, or show stress signs. However, there are instances when you shouldn’t handle your snake for a day or a couple of days. In this article, we’ll look at what these are, as well as precautions that you should take when handling your snakes.[25]
Why Is My Ball Python Shedding In Pieces
If your ball python is shedding in pieces, that means that humidity in the cage is too low or that it’s dehydrated. Make sure to increase humidity to 60-80%. Other causes could be internal or external infections and even nutrient deficiency.[26]
What Does It Mean If Your Snake Sheds In Pieces?
There are many problems that can contribute to shedding problems or incomplete sheds, but the most common problem in inadequate humidity levels. Other factors include skin infections, injuries to the skin (including old scars), parasites, malnutrition, and inadequate heating or lighting.May 31, 2022[27]
Do Snakes Shed Their Skin In One Piece?
While humans “shed” millions of skin cells every day, snakes and other animals shed a layer of skin in one continuous piece, a process called ecdysis, which occurs between four and 12 times a year.[28]
What Size Tank Does A Baby 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.[29]
Can A Baby Ball Python Live In A 40 Gallon Tank?
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.[30]
Resources
[1]https://www.everythingreptiles.com/ball-python-feeding/
[2]https://reptilecraze.com/why-your-ball-python-hisses-at-you/
[3]https://www.thesprucepets.com/reasons-why-snakes-hiss-5215794
[4]https://www.livescience.com/how-snakes-hiss
[5]https://reptilecraze.com/signs-that-show-that-your-snake-is-stressed/
[6]https://thepetenthusiast.com/how-to-clean-a-ball-python-tank/
[7]http://www.caringanimalhospital.net/storage/app/media/ArchivedDocs/ball-pythons-handout-pdf.pdf
[8]https://www.zillarules.com/articles/how-to-clean-your-reptile-tank
[9]https://www.morereptiles.com/how-big-do-ball-pythons-get/
[10]https://www.lizards101.com/ball-python-growth-and-weight-chart-by-age-and-tips/
[11]https://www.reptileadvisor.com/ball-python-size/
[12]https://a-z-animals.com/blog/how-long-do-ball-pythons-live/
[13]https://reptilecraze.com/how-to-tell-that-your-snake-is-hungry/
[14]https://www.petplace.com/article/reptiles/general/feeding-your-snake/
[15]https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/snakes-feeding
[16]https://www.everythingreptiles.com/ball-python-feeding/
[17]https://a-z-animals.com/blog/how-long-can-a-snake-go-without-eating/
[18]https://a-z-animals.com/blog/at-445800-this-is-the-most-expensive-snake-in-the-world/
[19]https://www.terrariumquest.com/ball-python/morphs/
[20]https://reptile.guide/ball-python-morphs/
[21]https://reptilesmagazine.com/australian-reptile-park-houses-three-pythons-described-as-rarest-in-the-world/
[22]https://petkeen.com/super-pastel-ball-python-morph/
[23]https://reptifiles.com/ball-python-care-guide/ball-python-handling-tips/
[24]https://beingreptiles.com/do-ball-pythons-like-to-be-held/
[25]https://reptilecraze.com/how-often-should-you-handle-a-snake/
[26]https://www.lizards101.com/ball-python-shedding-stages-signs-problems-eye-caps/
[27]https://www.thesprucepets.com/incomplete-sheds-in-reptiles-1239394
[28]https://www.iowadnr.gov/About-DNR/DNR-News-Releases/ArticleID/158/Why-Do-Snakes-Shed-Their-Skin
[29]https://reptifiles.com/ball-python-care-guide/ball-python-terrarium-size-lighting/
[30]https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/category/reptile/ball-python-supplies/ball-python-cages-terrariums