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Ball Python Care
Enclosure Types
Hatchlings to 200 grams: 6 quart tub or 10 gallon tank/ 18x18x12 front opening
200 grams to 800 grams: 15quart tub or 10 to 20 gallon long tank/ 24x18x12 front opening
800 grams and up: 32 quart to 41 quart tub or 20 to 40 gallon tank/ 36x18x12 or 36x18x18 front opening
Heating
Ceramic dome fixture, dimmer switch style is ideal for temperature control
Ceramic heat emitter or deep heat projector, no red/blue/purple bulbs
- 60-75 watt for 10-20 gallon, 100 watt for larger enclosures
Undertank heat pad, large enough to cover 1/3rd or more of the tub/tank bottom. The colder the room, the larger the pad.
Thermostat is a necessity to control the output of the heat pad. Inkbird is a passable cheaper thermostat, Vivarium Electronics and the Spyderrobotics Herpstat are far superior for safety and features.
Combined heating should maintain at least 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit across entire enclosure. The hotspot should measure 86-88 degrees.
If ambient heating is used with no cool side and hot side, 84-86 degrees is ideal.
Substrate
Coconut chunk bedding such as Cocoblox, Reptichip, similar is superior. Do not mist, pour a cup of water directly into bedding away from heat periodically to rehydrate. Frequency varies depending on ambient humidity. Do not use cold water in heated glass enclosures, the glass can crack.
Cypress bedding such as ZooMed Forest Floor is second best. Same rehydration method as coconut
Aspen can often be too dry and will mold with moisture. Fine ground coconut can sometimes get in heat pits and nostrils. Reptibark is difficult to rehydrate and can be stained.
NEVER use pine or cedar or fragranced bedding.
Hides
Exoterra rock hide, black plastic hide, anything large enough that has a single entrance. Logs and other open type hides are tunnels and do not provide the security ball pythons enjoy.
Foliage, branches, décor add to the enrichment and security.
Feeding
15% of the snakes bodyweight is a good rule of thumb, or the thickest part of the body plus 50% more.
Hatchlings to 200 grams: every 5-7 days
200 grams to 800 grams: every 7 days
800 grams and up: every 7-14 days depending on snake body condition.
Frozen thawed tips: thaw in hot water from the sink until rodent reaches 105 degrees. Offer straight from heat, preferably while snake is in the hide. Do not move to feed, avoid touching shy snakes before feeding. "Zombie dance" the rodent with feeding tongs, rattle it in the bedding outside hide entrance a bit to encourage hunting response. Do not microwave, do not overheat.
