Ball Python Care Sheet

Ball Pythons are one of the most popular snakes in the U.S. Their docile disposition, relatively small size and simplicity are why they are great for young to old and beginner to expert. Then you throw in the assortment of patterns and array of color morphs that are available and the addiction begins!  This guide will teach you everything you need to know about taking care of your pet Ball Python including housing & enclosures, feeding, and temperatures & humidity.

Ball Pythons are native to central west Africa in countries like Ghana, Togo and Benin. Today most of the Ball Pythons in the pet trade are produced in the US. They grow to about 3.5 – 4.5 feet and range from 1500-4500 grams in weight (females are typically larger than males). Ball Pythons have a longevity of 8-25 years.

Enclosure: Basically Ball Pythons need a very basic set up. How you like to decorate is personal choice. The basic items to house a Ball Python would be the enclosure, water bowl, heating element and a hide.

The types of enclosures most commonly used are aquariums/terrariums, storage bins and assortment of reptile caging. Make sure that any enclosure being used has a lid or door that locks to prevent the snake from escaping the enclosure. Most collectors/breeders keep snakes in a rack system that allows you to house multiple snakes in a limited amount of space.

Substrate: There are several options for substrate and choosing one will depend on both personal preference and a number of other factors such as humidity. Many keepers like to use paper towels, newspaper, aspen shavings, cypress mulch or any kind of reptile bark substrate. We recommend cocoblox as it is low dust and holds humidity well.  Remember not to use any cedar shavings as the oils can be toxic to reptiles.

Heating: To keep the snake warm when it needs to thermo-regulate. Best item to use will be a heat pad, that will be placed on the underside of the enclosure. Heat rock and heat lamps are not recommended. The reason why we don’t recommend them is that the heat lamp dries out the cage. Further down we will go over the importance of humidity. ALL HEATING ELEMENTS NEED TO BE REGULATED WITH A THERMOSTAT!

Other: Two basic items you’ll need are a water bowl (which should always have clean water) and a hiding place for the snake to retreat and feel secure.

Ball Pythons feed on mice and rats. They should be fed at least once a week to maintain proper weight and growth. Yes, Ball Pythons can go long periods of time without feeding but for their well-being, feeding once a week is the proper regimen. Babies start off on hopper mice or rat pinkies and move up to larger size meals as the snake gets larger. The meal should leave a small lump and the snake should not be handled for two days once being fed. That will reduce the chance of the snake regurgitating the meal.

Ball Pythons are cold-blooded animals. This means they cannot produce heat or regulate their body temperature. However they do need heat for cellular activity like digestion. This is what makes heating elements a vital enclosure accessory. Ball Pythons prefer ambient temperatures around 78-82°F and a hot spot of 89-92°F. When their enclosure temperatures are not in these ranges it can cause a myriad of problems, the most common being refusing to eat.