| When you decided to own a pet python, every detail | | | | and most cost effective solution. (There are other |
| about your pet is invaluable in making sure your pet is | | | | options). |
| healthy and comfortable. Python owners, like owners | | | | The Door: |
| of other pets, are usually keen to provide everything | | | | What about the door? |
| their pet needs. | | | | You can have a transparent thick glass sliding door or |
| To keep both the owner and the pet happy, in this | | | | opaque glassed solid door. Your choice :-) |
| article, I focus on the habitat of pythons and what | | | | Keep two cages: |
| needs to be done when they are reared as pets in | | | | Ideally you would have 2 cages so that when one is |
| an artificial environment. Many pythons suffer silently | | | | cleaned, the python could be in the other one. Also |
| if they don't get a warm, cozy place to live in that | | | | ensure that your cage has a good interior coating. |
| approximates their natural habitat in a few important | | | | Ventilation is very important: |
| ways. | | | | Arrange to have near perfect ventilation for your pet |
| So how can you rear python in a friendly setting? | | | | cage. Good ventilation gives fresh air and lighting |
| What type of habitat should you provide? How do | | | | inside the cage, and is a strong component in keeping |
| you get your pet to enjoy your company? | | | | your python healthy and happy. |
| Your Python's Cage Size: | | | | Rubber coated wire mesh is generally the most |
| Python husbandry begins with getting a proper cage: | | | | commonly chosen material. It's important to get the |
| One that is the right size, has proper lighting and | | | | rubber coated variety ... the non-coated mesh will |
| ventilation, facilitates humidity and temperature | | | | hurt your python's nose when it tries to test the |
| control and is absolutely secure. | | | | boundaries of the cage :-( |
| Choosing the right size is critical. Too small, and the | | | | Wooden and plastic pegboards also provide good |
| animal will feel cramped. Too big, and the animal can | | | | ventilating materials. |
| feel stressed. | | | | Heating: |
| How to tell? | | | | One of the primary causes of python respiratory |
| There are basically two types of pythons ... those | | | | problems is improper cage temperature. So not only |
| that live on land, and those that live on the branches | | | | will you need heating arrangements in your cage, but |
| of trees. | | | | you'll also need to be able to easily monitor it from |
| If your python is predominantly terrestrial, the rule of | | | | outside. |
| thumb for its cage size is that the perimeter | | | | The right choice of a temperature system will help |
| (distance measured all the way around the cage) | | | | your python to stay healthy. There are several |
| should be at least TWICE the length of the snake, | | | | commercially available options, from low cost to high |
| and the ratio of the length to width should be 3 to 2. | | | | cost. |
| For example, a 5 foot (1.5 meter) python would | | | | Heat panels are ideal for larger snakes. They cost |
| require at least a 10 foot perimeter cage ... applying | | | | more, but last longer. (Make sure to monitor the |
| the 3: 2 ratio, that would mean a minimum cage size | | | | temperature closely when you use them ... they are |
| of 3' x 2'. | | | | very effective). |
| A 10 foot python would require a 20 foot perimeter | | | | Heat tapes are good also, but you have to be very |
| ... 6' x 4' cage would be the minimum. | | | | careful to insulate the wiring, or you can electrocute |
| Complexity of the Cage: | | | | your snake :-( |
| Most Pythons do very well in a simple cage. All | | | | Heat emitters (light bulbs that emit no light!) are good |
| require a water bowl and some sort of hiding place. | | | | for pythons that are only active during the day ...but |
| And the water bowl must be disinfected regularly, | | | | are used less frequently. |
| since the python may have unwittingly used it as a | | | | Heat lamps are great for arboreal pythons. When you |
| bathroom. | | | | provide them at the top of the cage it helps them |
| Material the Cage is Made From: | | | | relax while coiled around a branch. |
| Cages are made of different materials like acrylic, | | | | Heat rocks are not really recommended because of |
| plywood, melamine and compressed shelving board. | | | | reports of thermal burns to pythons, and sometimes |
| Each has its advantages and disadvantages. | | | | electrical shocks. |
| Acrylic .. strong, transparent, and light weight. Pliable | | | | Lighting: |
| and easy to clean. The only disadvantage is its higher | | | | There is still a debate about lighting the python cages. |
| cost :-( | | | | It is argued that pythons do not require any artificial |
| Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) and High Density | | | | lighting as most of them shy away from it. |
| Polyethylene (HDPE) also make excellent cage | | | | If you're going to use lighting, though, I recommend |
| materials, ... but can also be very expensive. | | | | low watt fluorescent lights for the cage. But please |
| Plywood can also be expensive, but you can select a | | | | remember to shield ANY lighting you use ... serious |
| 2nd grade material to reduce your costs. | | | | injury to your pet can result otherwise. |
| Melamine is generally the material of choice for | | | | Since your pet Python will be spending almost all the |
| python owners. They are good looking, & less | | | | time in its cage, it's a very important to know more |
| expensive, ...but HEAVY! (So it's kind of hard to move | | | | about 'Python Housing" as this will help you get |
| ... a trade-off most people are willing to live with | | | | started. |
| given the lower fees). | | | | The above is an excerpt from the free newsletter |
| Bedding/Substrate: | | | | on "Python Secrets" published by Geostar Publishing |
| Pythons need a substrate. Newspaper is the easiest | | | | & Services LLC. |