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Ball Python Care Guide

Ball pythons require a minimum 30-gallon aquarium with paper towel substrate, a thermal gradient from 85-90F on the hot side and 75F on the cold side, 60-70% humidity, and hiding areas on both the hot and cold sides. They should be fed pre-killed prey items once a week for juveniles and every two weeks for adults in the late afternoon/evening and have constant access to water. Owners should monitor their ball python's weight and contact a veterinarian if it drops by 10% or if other health issues are noticed.

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66 views2 pages

Ball Python Care Guide

Ball pythons require a minimum 30-gallon aquarium with paper towel substrate, a thermal gradient from 85-90F on the hot side and 75F on the cold side, 60-70% humidity, and hiding areas on both the hot and cold sides. They should be fed pre-killed prey items once a week for juveniles and every two weeks for adults in the late afternoon/evening and have constant access to water. Owners should monitor their ball python's weight and contact a veterinarian if it drops by 10% or if other health issues are noticed.

Uploaded by

niranjan
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Ball Python Care Guide

Prepared by Dr. Lucy Haile on behalf of Wellesley Animal Hospital


HOUSING
Substrate:
• We recommend using paper towel, newspaper or repti-carpet to line the
bottom of the cage
• Avoid sand, gravel, or small particle materials as your ball python may
ingest these and this can lead to constipation.
Cages:
• A single adult ball python requires a minimum 30-gallon aquarium, larger if possible.
• Ideally the cage should be as long as the snake.
• Ball pythons are solitary animals and should be kept separately
• Snakes are good at escaping so be sure to have a mesh screen that can be secured on top of the
aquarium
Heating:
• Always ensure there is a thermal gradient in the cage i.e. there is a hot and cold side
• Temperatures:
Hot side: 85-90F Cold side: 75F
• Ideally have a separate thermometer in each of these areas.
• Avoid hot rocks as these can burn your ball python
Humidity:
• Ideal humidity is 60-70% for your snake. This can be hard to establish in an enclosure and having a
humid hide may be a good alternative to help with shedding and hydration. Snakes should always shed
in one piece. If your snake is shedding in multiple pieces, please contact your veterinarian for advice.
• These can be bought or easily created with an appropriate size plastic container such as a yoghurt
container or Tupperware box. Cut a small hole in the container just big enough for your snake to get in
and out. Place sphagnum moss or paper towel in the bottom and keep this damp. Your snake will go in
and out as they please.
Hiding Area:
• Provide dark hiding areas for your snake to hide such as a wooden hut or commercially available hide
• Provide at least one hiding area in the hot side and one on the cold side.
DIET
Food
• Feed juveniles once a week and adults every 2 weeks
• An appropriate sized prey item should be no larger than the widest part of your snake
• Only feed stunned or pre-killed (frozen/thawed) prey. Live prey can cause severe injuries to your snake
and is not recommended.
• Always feed whole prey items
• Snakes tend to not eat while they are shedding
• We recommend feeding your ball python in the late afternoon/evening, being a nocturnal snake they
are sometimes uncomfortable being fed during the day

3430 Lauderdale Drive Call us for assistance: 804.364.7030


Richmond, VA 23233 www.wellesleyexoticpetvet.com
20180301
Ball Python Care Guide
Water
• Provide water in a shallow dish at all times. Ensure this bowl is large enough for your ball python to
completely fit in and to easily get in and out of.
•Soak your ball python two times a week in warm shallow water for 10-15 minutes. This increases
hydration and helps with shedding. When shedding increase soaking to once a day.
HEALTHCARE
• Your ball python will hide all signs of illness from you so we recommend a new patient exam and then
yearly wellness examinations and fecal testing to help detect the first signs of sickness.
• Weighing your ball python on a monthly basis can help to detect early signs of illness. We recommend
purchasing a kitchen gram scale or baby scale depending on the size of your snake and placing your
snake in a plastic container on this. Try to do it at the same time of day each time.
• If you notice that your ball python’s weight drops by 10% of its previous body weight contact your
veterinarian immediately.
• If you notice a gradual decrease in weight contact your veterinarian to discuss causes.
• If you notice a decrease in appetite, decreased in droppings, trouble shedding or your ball python
acting more lethargic please contact your veterinarian.

3430 Lauderdale Drive Call us for assistance: 804.364.7030


Richmond, VA 23233 www.wellesleyexoticpetvet.com
20180301

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