The Ball Python (a.k.a. The Royal Python) is one of the smaller members of the python Genus, all of which are members of the Family Boidae, which includes the boas. In the wild, Ball Pythons are found ranging from Western to Central Africa. Primarily crepuscular (active around dawn and dusk) in nature, P. regius can be found in the trees and on the ground along the edges of tropical forests in both wet and arid conditions. It is there that P. regius hunts its prey—lizards, smaller snakes, birds amphibians, and small mammals. Specimens reach about four feet in length and grow at approximately a rate of one foot per year. The longevity record in captivity is 48 years of age, but a life expectancy of 25 years is reasonable with proper care.
Captive Environment
Snakes are always potential escape-artists and are best kept in secure glass tanks with screen and glass tops. Some custom made enclosure designs are good, but the careful choice of construction materials is essential. P. regius should be housed in a size-appropriate enclosure (10 to 30-plus gallon tank) with a safe substrate (ground covering) and adequate ventilation. Safe materials to use as a substrate include newspaper, cypress or fir bark, or one of the many brands of “reptile litters”. All substrates are a potential problem if accidentally ingested by a snake while feeding, so snakes should be fed off a dish, or in an area that does not have pieces of substrate.
P. regius is a secretive species, and it is important to provide a hide box that the snake can crawl into when it feels threatened or insecure. In addition, because P. regius has arboreal tendencies it is important to provide branches to climb inside the enclosure. Humidity is not extremely important to Ball Python health, but it is important to provide the opportunity for P. regius to soak in a water dish large enough to accommodate the snake’s entire body. In this way, then snake can regulate its own exposure to humidity. Proper environmental temperature is absolutely essential to the maintenance of reptile health.
P. regius prefers to live with a daytime temperature of 85 to 90°F and a nighttime temperature of 70 to 80°F. These temperatures may be achieved through the combined use of buried hot rocks or undertank heating (preferred) and the use of a daytime basking light. UV lighting is not essential for this species. If P. regius is to be cooled down for the winter, an environmental temperature of 60 to 70°F is adequate. Winter cool downs should only be done on empty guts and with snakes in optimal health. Cooled snakes will not feed, and indeed food should not be offered.
Diet
P. regius should be fed size-appropriate stunned or killed mice and/or rats. It is extremely important to not overfeed. Offering food one to two times over a two-week period is sufficient to provide for all of a snake’s nutritional needs. Obese snakes are prone to many health problems and should be totally avoided. Keeping records of when a specimen is fed, and when it voids feces is helpful when the health of a snake comes into question.
Suggested References
Here are two well-written books on the Ball Python. The associated links will allow you to review and possibly purchase the displayed book via online retailer Amazon.com.
