Makin Ophidian Morphs
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  • boa
  • ball python
  • corn snake
  • hognose
  • king snake
  • milk snake
  • garter snake
  • water snake
  • green tree python
care guide
  • Snake care guide
  • disabled snake care guide
Makin Ophidian Morphs
Home
About us
FAQ
Feeder rats
Popular Snake Species
  • boa
  • ball python
  • corn snake
  • hognose
  • king snake
  • milk snake
  • garter snake
  • water snake
  • green tree python
care guide
  • Snake care guide
  • disabled snake care guide
More
  • Home
  • About us
  • FAQ
  • Feeder rats
  • Popular Snake Species
    • boa
    • ball python
    • corn snake
    • hognose
    • king snake
    • milk snake
    • garter snake
    • water snake
    • green tree python
  • care guide
    • Snake care guide
    • disabled snake care guide
  • Home
  • About us
  • FAQ
  • Feeder rats
  • Popular Snake Species
    • boa
    • ball python
    • corn snake
    • hognose
    • king snake
    • milk snake
    • garter snake
    • water snake
    • green tree python
  • care guide
    • Snake care guide
    • disabled snake care guide

About Ball python's

Key Characteristics


  • Non-venomous: They kill prey by constriction.
     
  • Small to medium size: Adults typically grow 3–5 feet (0.9–1.5 meters), much smaller than many other pythons.
     
  • Docile nature: Known for being calm, which makes them popular as pets.
     
  • Variety of colors and patterns: Many morphs exist in captivity due to selective breeding.
     

Where They Live

 Ball pythons are native to savannas, grasslands, and lightly wooded areas of West and Central Africa. They spend a lot of time underground or in burrows to escape heat and predators. 

Diet

  

  • Primarily small mammals: rats, mice, and sometimes birds.
     
  • Eat infrequently: adult ball pythons may eat once every 1–2 weeks.

Behavior

 

  • Nocturnal: Most active at night.
     
  • Shy: They prefer hiding over confronting threats.
     
  • Defensive curling: Instead of striking, they curl into a ball when scared.

Are They Dangerous To Humans

  

Not really. Ball pythons are gentle and non-aggressive, making them one of the most popular pet snakes in the world. Bites are rare and usually minor.

As Pets

 

  • Easy to handle if socialized.
     
  • Require warm, humid habitats with hiding spots.
     
  • Can live 20–30 years in captivity, sometimes longer.

Ball Python care guide

introduction

Ball pythons are small-to-medium, non-venomous constrictors native to West and Central Africa. They are known for their calm temperament and their tendency to curl into a ball when scared—hence the name.

Adult Size

3-5 ft (females are larger then males)

temperament

Calm, Shy, Easily Handled

Lifespan

20-30 years in captivity

Lifestyle

mostly terrestrial

activity level

nocturnal 


Enclosure set up

Ball pythons prefer smaller, secure spaces and do poorly in overly open setups.

tank size

 

  • Hatchlings/Juveniles: 20–40 gallon
     
  • Adults: 40–120 gallon equivalent (minimum 4x2x2 ft)
     
  • Height not very important, but floor space is.

Enclosure type

 

  • PVC enclosures recommended
     
  • Must be escape-proof
     
  • Front-opening doors make handling easier
     


Heating & Lighting

Temperatures, Heating Equipment, and Lighting

Temperatures

 

  • Warm side: 88–92°F (31–33°C)
     
  • Cool side: 75–80°F (23–27°C)
     
  •  Ambient nighttime: no lower than 72°F (22°C) 

Heating Equipment

  

  • Under-tank heat mat (commonly used)
     
  • Radiant heat panel
     
  • Ceramic heat emitter
     
  • Must use a thermostat with any heat source

Lighting

 

  • 12-hour day/night cycle
     
  • UVB is optional but may improve activity and appetite


Humidity & Water

Humidity

 

  • Normal humidity: 50–60%
     
  • During shed: 65–75%
     
  • Use a digital hygrometer

Water

  

  • Medium or large water dish
     
  • Big enough for the snake to curl inside
     
  • Change water every 2–3 days


Substrate (Bedding)

Spot clean Weekly; full clean every 1-2 months. Ball pythons benefit from humidity-retaining substrates.

Recommended

  

  • Coconut husk or fiber
     
  • Cypress mulch
     
  • Reptichip
     
  • Paper towels or newspaper (quarantine)

Avoid


  • Cedar
     
  • Pine
     
  • Sand


Enclosure Furnishing

Ball pythons must have places to hide. Avoid open, empty setups—they cause stress and feeding issues.

Tank Items

 

  • Two hides minimum: warm side + cool side
     
  • Tight, secure hides they can squeeze into
     
  • Cork bark, logs, or half logs
     
  • Fake or real plants to create security
     
  • Optional low climbing branches or ledges


Cleaning and Maintenance

cleaning Tips

 

  • Daily: remove waste
     
  • Every few days: clean water dish
     
  • Monthly: full substrate replacement
     
  • Use reptile-safe disinfectants only


Handling

They generally tolerate handling very well once acclimated

 

  • Handle gently and support the full body
     
  • Ball pythons are shy—move slowly
     
  • Avoid handling when in shed
     
  • Avoid handling on feeding days


Health & Veterinary Care

Find an exotic veterinarian experienced with snakes.

Signs of good health

  

  • Clear eyes except during shed
     
  • Smooth scales
     
  • Strong muscle tone
     
  • Consistent feeding habits (outside of fasting season)

Signs of illness

  

  • Wheezing or popping sounds
     
  • Refusing food for long periods outside normal fasting
     
  • Soaking constantly
     
  • Mites (tiny black dots)
     
  • Scale rot (reddened belly scales)
     
  • Weight loss
     
  • Lethargy
     


Shedding

Never pull the shed; assist only if stuck on the tail or eyes. If shed comes off in pieces, increase humidity.

Shedding Tips

 

  • Occurs every 4–6 weeks in young snakes; less frequent in adults
     
  • Pre-shed signs: dull color, cloudy eyes
     
  • Increase humidity during shedding
     
  • Provide rough surfaces like cork bark


Safety Precautions

tips to protect you and your snakes

  

  • Wash hands before and after handling
     
  • Keep enclosure securely locked
     
  • Do not cohabitate ball pythons
     
  • Supervise interactions with children
     
  • Quarantine new snakes for 60–90 days


Record keeping

Documenting

 

  • Feeding log
     
  • Shed dates
     
  • Weight tracking
     
  • Health notes
     
  • Vet visits

sneklog is amazing for tracking weight and when they last ate

Add a footnote if this applies to your business

Feeding Guide

Diet


  • Frozen-thawed rodents
     
  • Mice for young snakes; rats for adults
     
  • Prey size: width of the snake at its thickest point


Feeding Schedule


  • Hatchlings: every 5–7 days
     
  • Juveniles: every 7–10 days
     
  • Adults: every 10–14 days


Feeding Tips

  • Use feeding tongs
     
  • Never feed live unless absolutely necessary
     
  • Ball pythons sometimes fast seasonally (normal)
     
  • Avoid handling after eating. Juveniles 3-5 days, adults 5-7 days


Still unsure about what to feed your snake? 

you can contact us and we will help!

Contact Us

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