Care

Choosing a Ball Python

Getting Started

Handling

Feeding

Shedding

EMERGENCIES!

Choosing a Ball Python

When choosing your Ball Python, there are many factors to look in to.  The first of these is where to buy the snake.  You could either buy it from a Pet Store or a Breeder.  When buying from a Pet Store, you should ask where they got the Ball Pythons from.  They most likely were brought in from Africa.  It is always better to buy from a breeder because not only do they offer healthier happier snakes, they can also provide you with expert information.  They also often know more about the snake.  When you buy from a Pet Store, they don't know the gender.  Most of the time, the breeders do.  Breeders also usually offer more than one morph.  It is always better to buy from a breeder, but if you don't there are a few things to look for.
Make sure to ask about the eating habits of the particular Ball Pythons.  if they don't keep records, you probably shouldn't buy it.  Also, if you find it wasn't eating, don't buy it either.  Being imported causes a lot of stress.  This stress often causes the Ball Python to starve itself to death.  You have to understand that they don't eat frozen mice in captivity.  In fact, they don't even eat mice.  Make sure the snake is free of mites and other parasites.  This is hard to do at a Pet Store, which is another reason to buy from a breeder.

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Getting Started

When you get your Ball Python home, you should set up the cage immediately.  In fact, you should set up the cage before you go out and buy the snake.  In the cage, you need the following:

  • Hide Log (or box)

  • Water bowl (with water)

  • Heat Pad (correctly sized for cage)

  • Bedding (no cedar chips or aspen wood)

  • Thermometer

You may also put other things in to give it a more roomy feel.  You could put a stick in there for it to climb on, but make sure that it is clean and not jagged.  Use common sense when putting extra things in.  If you put fake plants in, remove them during feeding to avoid the snake swallowing them.  Don't put anything that smells like its food in the cage either.

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Handling

The ball python gets its name for a reason.  When you first get your Ball Python, it will probably curl into a ball whenever you startle it.  Soon, they wont get so scared.  You should always handle your Ball Python with care.  if you are afraid of getting bit or if it is a very aggressive snake, you should pick it up when it is curled into a ball with the head pointing away from you.  This will allow the snake t become used to you without risking a bite from a Ball Python.  please note that a bite from a baby Ball Python does not hurt.  They don't develop real teeth until they are about 3 years of age.

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Feeding

 Perhaps the greatest thing about the Ball Python is that it can go extended periods of time.  Imports have been known to live for over a year without food, not to mention strong healthy snakes.  Even so, you should feed them at least once every week or two.  Most pet stores sell mice either live or frozen.
Buying frozen mice is always better.  Very bad things can happen if you fail to give the snake proper food.  Live rats have been known to kill snakes during feeding and mice often put up a good fight.  You probably are thinking about how they can do it in the wild, but not in captivity.  That is because in the wild, snakes have the element of surprise.  If a rodent is put into a cage with a snake, it knows it's food and it wants to give out one last bite on that snake and it will do anything to cause it pain. Always buy frozen, unless you have to buy live.  In order to thaw frozen mice, you should put a bowl of water into the microwave for three minutes.  Then, put the mouse in a small bag and put the bag in the water.  Take it out when it is thawed out enough and feed.  For live mice, be sure to keep them somewhere and feed them if necessary.  Remember, whatever you feed your mouse, you're feeding your snake.

Clicking here will send you to an image of the result of feeding your snake live prey.  This is gruesome and should not be viewed by those with a weak constitution.

When feeding your snake, you shouldn't just put the mouse in the cage.  Instead, take the snake out and feed it outside the cage.  This makes sure the snake doesn't think anything going into its cage is its food, including your hand.  If your snake refuses to eat frozen mice, try live fuzzies.  (Fuzzies are the younger ones.  To buy them, just ask your Pet Store for fuzzies.)  But remember, they can't live forever on fuzzies, so try and take them to the vet or a professional for help.  

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Shedding

This Ball Python may look like it has a ghostly appearance, but its not a new morph.  It's a stage all snakes go through called shedding.  When they grow and they're old skin gets too small or if their old skin got too old they will shed.  Generally, while they are growing they will shed monthly, but soon it will happen less often.  Once they get so big, they don't shed anymore.
When you notice your snakes belly is getting pink and its skin looks dry, it is ready to shed.  You don't have to do anything, but if you would like, you could give it a bath.  You can never know how your Ball Python will react to a bath until you try it.  Some Ball Pythons will love the bath and stay in it as long as they can, however, there are some snakes that can't stand it and will do everything in their power to get out of it.  To give your snake a bath, fill a mixing bowl three quarters of the way with regular tap water.  Make sure its not too hot and not too cold, but slightly on the warmer side.  Let your snake go through the water and make sure its head doesn't go under the water.  You don't want your snake to drown.  When the snake has been thoroughly washed WITHOUT SOAP, dry it off by letting it crawl through a towel.  Once it is dry, put the snake back in its cage and wait until it sheds.  Don't handle it when its shedding unless you know that your snake isn't aggressive during its shed cycle.  Some snakes are temperamental when they are shedding.  But when it's finished, your snake will have a beautiful new coat.  Make sure to clean up the pieces.  Ball Pythons often shed in many pieces.  Consider yourself lucky if it came out in one piece.

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EMERGENCIES!

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