| Ball Pythons, or Royal Pythons, are a ground dwelling | | | | stress on the animal it is important that they are able |
| constrictor snake from Africa so called for their | | | | to fit completely inside dark hides located throughout |
| tendency to roll into a ball when frightened. They are | | | | the temperature ranges in the cage. If the hide is too |
| non venomous constrictors with no fangs but instead | | | | small not all of the snake will fit inside so it is not |
| a row of sharp backwards turned teeth that can hold | | | | sufficient, but also if the hide is too large your snake |
| onto their pray while they wrap their body around | | | | will not feel secure and this may lead to unnecessary |
| and squeeze until the pray asphyxiates before | | | | stress on the snake. |
| swallowing it whole. In the wild they live much of | | | | Ball Pythons in captivity are fed mostly mice and small |
| their life in old rodent burrows underground in the | | | | rats. A rule of thumb is to never feed anything that |
| desert where there is some humidity and the | | | | is larger across its midsection than twice the size of |
| temperature is more constant unlike on the surface | | | | your snake's head across the jaw. Owners often |
| where the days are dry and hot while the nights can | | | | choose to feed multiple smaller pray in one sitting |
| get quite cold. | | | | rather than one larger pray item. The most common |
| For successful housing of these snakes it is important | | | | ailment with these pets is when they go off food. |
| to recognize how their range and adaptations in the | | | | This can happen temporarily when they go into |
| wild impact their needs in captivity. Ball Pythons | | | | shedding or when the temperatures drop during the |
| require some relative humidity, around forty to sixty | | | | winter, but if they stop eating for long periods that |
| percent, and a warm tank of around seventy-five | | | | means there is a problem. It may be stress or illness |
| degrees Fahrenheit with a basking spot in the | | | | so check your temperature and humidity levels and |
| nineties. This allows the snake to regulate its own | | | | make sure your snake has sufficient hides. If |
| temperature by moving from the warmer to cooler | | | | everything seams fine and it doesn't get better you |
| parts of its cage. The most important part of a Ball | | | | may need to force feed your snake while you work |
| Python cage is the hides. To feel secure and reduce | | | | on getting them eating again. |