Ball Python Care Sheet (should I buy one?)

Ball Python Care Sheet:

DIET: Rodents (I feed frozen defrosted mice only, rats are quite expensive, 2 or 3 frozen defrosted mice = a rat, less stress on digestive system).
TEMPS: 75-80 F w/ basking 85-90 F
HUMIDITY: 50%-60%
LIFESPAN: 20-50 + years.
For the born in captivity specimens, with good nutrition, housing and health care, their life expectancy is increasing.
However "Morphing" i.e. genetic intervention (see below) generally lessens the expected life span.

DESCRIPTION
Ball pythons are a relatively small, thick-bodied species of python featuring a slender neck and well differentiated head. Common "wild-type" ball pythons are highly variable in color and pattern, but all feature some version of tan "blobs" on a chocolate or black background, edged with varying degrees of white, with white bellies that may or may not contain some dark speckling pattern.
Thanks to the efforts of breeders and enthusiasts, however, ball pythons are becoming increasingly available in a wide range of brilliant colors and patterns called "morphs."

Ball pythons are found in the wild in central and west Africa and typically make their homes in abandoned rodent burrows or termite mounds. Their common name "ball" comes from their tendency to curl up into a ball and hide their head within their coils when threatened. This un-aggressive defense mechanism, combined with their manageable size (<6') and ready availability make them extremely popular in the pet industry.


HOUSING
The most popular and convenient methods of housing ball pythons includes glass tanks, plastic tubs, or professionally built enclosures. Whether you choose one of these, or choose to make your own, any enclosure must provide the following necessities:

    adequate ventilation to prevent stagnant air
    thermal gradient
    proper humidity levels
    sufficient space without being too large
    security to prevent escape

For juvenile BPs up to 2’ a 10 gallon (or equivalently sized) enclosure is adequate. For adults an enclosure 36x18x12” should provide them with enough room for the duration of their lives.

CAUTION: Never use TAPE inside an enclosure. No matter how secure you think it is, there is a high risk that the snake will find a way to get stuck on it, causing injury or even death.
Never put your reptile outside in the summer inside their container for "fresh air". You will cook it!

GLASS – Aquariums or "Kritter Keepers" (glass tanks made for holding small animals) are readily available, offer the best visibility for viewing your snake and come in a wide variety of sizes. However, it can be difficult to maintain the proper heat and humidity, especially in larger tanks. In addition, the clear sides all around may make a shy ball python feel exposed and insecure. Care must be taken to insure the lid is secured to prevent escape.

PLASTIC – Use of plastic storage tubs (usually by Sterilite or Rubbermaid) has become an increasingly popular option which is cost effective, utilitarian and very functional. I personally do not use these for permanent housing. Their lighter weight makes cleaning very easy, and multiple tubs can be stacked in rack systems to hold multiple animals in a relatively small space. Ventilation can be made in the plastic using an inexpensive soldering iron and can be placed strategically to allow vertical air movement and cross-ventilation, however, it is not optimal ventilation. Another downside is that these plastics lack the true transparency available in glass and this can be an aesthetic deterrent to some.

PROFESSIONAL/CUSTOM - Professional-level snake enclosures from manufacturers. These can be purchased online or at reptiles shows and come either fully assembled or requiring assembly. Many of these can be ordered with custom features such as heat tape, heat panels, ventilation and lighting options as well as featuring great visibility but also tend to cost significantly more than glass or plastic. If you can afford it, fine!

SUBSTRATE
Under no circumstances should you keep these animals on pine or cedar. Pine, cedar and other phenol-containing woods have toxins which can cause significant health problems in a variety of herps and other animals and should not be used. Sand, gravel, and crushed walnut are also very poor choices for ball pythons.

Your choice on substrate should be something readily available and one which lends itself to easy spot cleaning and other cage maintenance chores. You should check your enclosure daily for odors or more visible signs or waste and remove them – replacing the substrate when necessary.

Some viable options for substrate include but are not limited to:

    Repti-Bark or Jungle Bark type chips
    Newspapers/Newsprint
    Paper towel
  
HIDES
Ball pythons typically fairly shy and reclusive nocturnal animals and appreciate a good dark place to curl up and feel safe. It is best to provide two adequate hides in your BPs enclosure – one on the warm end and one on the cooler end so that it does not have to make a choice between regulating its body temperature and feeling secure (to their own detriment these snakes will sacrifice warmth in favor of a hide).

Hides can be constructed or bought in a wide variety of forms shapes materials. For best sanitation you should avoid hides that are very porous, difficult to clean or which could rot mold or mildew. Whether store-bought or homemade, a ball python will prefer a hide that is small and snug-fitting, so that it feels "hugged" on all side and even from above.
I use cardboard boxes, toilet rolls, that I would usually recycle (any suitable size can be used and easily thrown away and replaced when dirty).

TEMPERATURE
75-80 F
w/ basking 85-90 F
Night drops in temps are not necessary.

HEAT SOURCES
You should NEVER use a heat rock with your ball python/any reptile or put any sort of heat source inside the enclosure with your pet that it can come into contact with! These animals are not very sensitive to dangerous heat levels and can easily burn and injure themselves.

Ball pythons do very well when heated from below (UTH = under tank heat). This can be achieved with heat mats made specifically for this purpose and found in most pet stores.

When using any sort of UTH, make sure there is some clearance beneath the enclosure to allow air circulation to prevent a build-up of excess heat. Also, no UTH should ever be used without some sort of control on the amount of heat it puts out. A reliable thermostat purchased from the hardware store can work as well.

Human heating pads should never be used.

Bulbs and CHEs can work, but tend to dry out the air making it difficult to maintain healthy humidity levels. Also keep in mind that ball pythons are nocturnal creatures, and therefore a bright white light shining into their enclosure can cause stress. Red or blue "night" bulbs are best.
Make sure that all such heat sources are out of reach of your snake or they will get burned!


HUMIDITY
50%-60%
60%-70% during a shed cycle

Providing the proper humidity required by your Ball python is important in maintaining good health and non-problematic sheds. Both excessive and inadequate humidity levels can lead to illness in the form of respiratory infections and a very damp environment easily lends itself to the growth of mold and fungus which can contribute bacterial or fungal infections, scale or belly rot.

As with measuring temperature, gauging the humidity with a hygrometer is quite important. Again a digital solution is far superior to an analog one – the accu-rite unit mentioned above will handle measuring your humidity as well.

Methods to raise humidity in the enclosure include but are certainly not limited to misting, or maintaining a daily changed water bowl. Do NOT sacrifice ventilation or otherwise contribute to stagnant air conditions!

LIGHTING
Neither UV lighting or supplemental lighting is required for ball-pythons. They do well with ambient room light, so long as the light is not constant and some sort of day/night schedule is provided. Excessive lighting can induce high stress levels in these nocturnal creatures.


WATER
Your BP should have a readily available supply of fresh water at all times. When possible use a relatively weighted bowl or dish to prevent it from being overturned. Ball pythons are not often known for soaking in their water sources so an oversized container is not necessary unless needed as a means for maintaining adequate humidity. Often snakes who do enter their water supplies for the occasional soak will also defecate in it – so be prepared to clean and replace as needed. It is recommended the water be replaced (not just “topped off”) and the dish cleaned while doing so every few days at a minimum.

FEEDING
Ball pythons are primarily rodent eaters. In captivity, the most common diet is either domestic mice or rats. Other rodents may be offered, but bear in mind that ball pythons tend to "imprint" on a favorite prey item and may refuse anything else, so it's best to figure out not only what your snake will eat, but what is most readily available and convenient for the keeper to obtain.

What size and how often to feed is always up for debate. Many keepers hold to the standard of feeding a rodent that is as big around at its widest point (the hips) as the snake is at its widest girth. With ball pythons, though, the best way to have a consistent eater is to feed smaller-than-typical prey sizes. A fully mature ball python can thrive on nothing more than two mice (~50-60g) offered weekly.

How often to feed : a feeding schedule of every seven days works well. Excessively large prey items will cause the ball python to refuse food on its own for an extended and unpredictable length of time. Rats are too large for pythons.

Ball pythons seem to do well on a regular feeding schedule. Feeding every seven days on the same day of the week is a good way for the keeper to track the feeding schedule as well as being a routine the snake can become accustomed to. However, there is no one right way to go about it.

In the reptile world, there will always be an ongoing debate about whether it is best to feed live or pre-killed prey. We will leave that up to each keeper to decide for themselves. I only feed frozen mice to all my snakes. Period.

Live: Never leave a live rodent unattended in your snake's enclosure. And do not leave it in for longer than 20 minutes or so. If the snake does not eat it within that time, remove it and wait until the next scheduled feeding day before attempting to feed again. It will NOT hurt your snake to miss a meal.

Frozen/thawed (f/t): There are many sources for rodents already killed and frozen. Commercial pet stores often carry them, as well as online vendors that can ship them out in bulk as needed. Local herp shows are another good source. Many snakes will readily accept prey that has been properly thawed and warmed. Rodents can be thawed overnight in the fridge and then warmed with either hot water or a blow dryer on feeding day. They can also be thawed in hot water (while zipped into a plastic bag). Be sure to never use boiling water or a microwave for thawing rodents, as you do not ever want to cook any part. Feel the belly and up under the ribs of the rodent to make sure it is warm all the way through.

Feed your snake on paper, not bedding as they will ingest the bedding.

WHY WON'T MY SNAKE EAT?
In almost all cases, a ball python refuses to eat due to husbandry issues. Especially a young one. If your snake misses more than 2-3 meals (sometimes they won't want to eat while in shed) please check the following possible causes:

Over Handling! - These snakes are usually bought as pets, usually for family with children. New owners want to interact with their new pet. Too frequent intrusions into the enclosure, changes to the enclosure, and/or long frequent handling sessions can cause a shy snake to feel vulnerable and refuse to eat.
This can also cause them to get scale-rot from over-handling by hot, sweaty, unwashed hands. They can also die from stress due to over-handling. Adults should always supervise children interacting with the animal, and limit play-time.

Lack of Security -- No hides, or hides that are too large or exposed (ie: half logs). They prefer dark, tight hides they barely fit into. Also, if the enclosure is too large, or too open (glass) or in a high traffic area with a lot of loud noise or movement. Another snake in the same enclosure can also cause serious security issues.

Improper Temps -- Temps that are too high or too low, or temps that fluctuate too much. Make sure you have an accurate and consistent read on your temps.

Improper Lighting -- Bright white lights shining directly into the enclosure, or 24 hour lighting can cause stress. Make sure there is some sort of day/night cycle.

Offering New Prey -- Changing prey species (ie: mice to rats) or methods (ie: live to f/t) can cause refusal. Such changes can be made, but may require patience and persistence.

Improper Offering of Prey -- Offering prey too frequently can do more harm than good. If a snake refuses, do not attempt to feed again for a week. Also, changing environments by moving to a feeding-box or removing hides and "furniture" can cause refusal in these shy snakes.

Prey Too Large -- Too large an item may intimidate a snake and cause refusal, or even a regurgitation if it is eaten. Also, if a ball python has eaten large meals in the past, it can cause a sudden and indefinite period of fasting.

Mites -- An external parasite common to snakes that must be treated and eradicated.

Seasonal - Sexually mature ball pythons may fast for anywhere from a few weeks to a few months during their mating season (typically anywhere from late fall to early spring) especially if a sexually mature snake of the opposite sex is in close proximity.

Illness -- If all other possible reasons are eliminated, a vet check may be in order to look for internal parasites, as well as possible infections to the skin, scales, mouth or respiratory system.

Fortunately, ball pythons are extremely hardy snakes that can go for months (if necessary) of fasting without suffering any ill effects. This gives a responsible keeper plenty of time to figure out why the snake refuses to eat and get them on a regular, consistent feeding regimen.


SHEDDING
Given good husbandry practices and properly maintained humidity your Ball python should have no problems shedding successfully. Many folks believe “one-piece-sheds” to be a hallmark of good husbandry, but this is sometimes heavily dependent on how the snake sheds and what items within the enclosure can be used to rub against. So long as the snake sheds completely without retained patches, eye-caps or partial/incomplete sheds requiring special attention or intervention you are doing just fine.

Signs of an imminent shed include a pink or reddish belly, eyes that turn a milky blue-white, and fading colors. These signs clear up a few days before the actual shed. During this time it is a good idea to pay special attention to your humidity levels – bumping them to 60%-70% to ensure there is enough moisture present to assist in the process.

Soaking prior to a shed is not necessary and can actually make the shed go poorly. However, if a shed has already gone bad, soaking can be very helpful in removing the retained skin.

There's lots of snakes in Ontario, right?

There's lots of snakes in Ontario... Think again!

Sadly, 11 of Ontario's snake species are at immediate risk of disappearing from Ontario. It is just a matter of time until we eliminate all 17 species. Their lives certainly are not getting any easier.

Many people try to kill snakes because they think the animals are dangerous - though only one very rare Ontario snake, the Massasauga rattler, is venomous. (Even then, Massasauga snakebites are extremely rare, and haven't caused a death in Ontario in more than 40 years.)

Blue Racer (Coluber constrictor foxii)

Status: endangered

Factoid: The Blue Racer is among the most graceful and swiftest of Ontario’s snakes, though it only reaches a top speed of 12 to16 kilometres per hour. It is easily startled and will flee if threatened. It will also imitate a rattlesnake by vibrating the tip of its tail in leaf litter to produce a buzzing sound.

Butler's Gartersnake (Thamnophis butleri)

Status: endangered

Factoid: The Butler's Gartersnake exhibits a peculiar behaviour called side-winding. When excited, it will vigorously wriggle from side to side, making little forward progress.

Eastern Foxsnake (Pantherophis gloydi)

Status: endangered (Carolinian population), threatened (Georgian Bay population)

Factoid: If frightened, this harmless snake will mimic a rattlesnake by vibrating the tip of its tail in leaf litter to produce a buzzing noise.

Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)

Status: threatened

Factoid: Unlike other snakes that tend to hibernate in groups, the Eastern Hog-nosed Snake usually spends the winter months alone. It may hibernate in a pre-existing burrow or dig a burrow in the ground with its snout.

Eastern Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis sauritus)

Status: special concern

Factoid: Many species of snakes lay eggs, but Eastern Ribbonsnakes give birth to live young.

Gray Ratsnake (Pantherophis spiloides)

Status: Endangered (Carolinian population), Threatened (Frontenac Axis population)

Factoid: This snake is an excellent climber and may be seen up a tree or bush sunning, preparing to shed its skin or hunting for prey.

Lake Erie Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon insularum)

Status: endangered

Factoid: Lake Erie Watersnakes can be a paler colour than watersnakes found elsewhere in Ontario. This is believed to be an adaptation that helps the snake camouflage on the pale limestone beaches characteristic of the islands it inhabits.

Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus)

Status: threatened

Factoid: The Massasauga is very shy and prefers to hide or retreat from enemies rather than bite them. If threatened, it will shake its tail as a warning and strike only as a last resort to protect itself if it can not escape.

Milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum)

Status: special concern

Factoid: The Milksnake got its name from the false belief that it takes milk from cows in barns, which it often inhabits. Milksnakes cannot drink milk, and are attracted to barns by the abundance of mice.

Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)

Status: extirpated

Factoid: We killed them all!

Queensnake (Regina septemvittata)

Status: endangered

Factoid: Queensnakes are excellent swimmers and can often be seen swimming and hunting underwater for their main food source – freshly-moulted crayfish. When freshly moulted, crayfish are soft, defenceless and easier to swallow. Ironically, during winter hibernation, crayfish turn the table and will eat juvenile and hibernating Queensnakes.

RATTLESNAKE OR LOOK-ALIKE? How to recognize Ontario's only venomous snake . . .

Many snakes are killed in Ontario because they resemble the Massasauga Rattlesnake.

There is NO need to kill any snake!

Here is a quiz... can you spot the real Massasauga?

Link:  How to recognize Ontario's only venomous snake . . .

Ontario’s last rattlesnake species slithering toward oblivion

Oh No... Why do they write this stuff?

Perhaps you've seen what is in the news in Ontario. If you haven't, you probably will: " ‘Unusual’ number of snake bites in Ontario this summer, official says" released by A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Natural Resources. They're blaming all of these bites (six, not proven) on the rare, elusive Ontario Massasauga Rattlesnake.

I've seen more full grown rattlesnakes out in the open in the past 2 years, than in the last 50 or so years. 
They have been wandering helplessly because their natural habitats have been destroyed for new developments. Two places I know that still have (had) populations now have been clear cut & bulldozed. These snakes have lost their natural range and the ones that were not run over by machinery are now roaming around lost... just right pickings for some idiot to come up and annoy it until it strikes back. I've also seen many avoidable ones purposely run over. I caught 2 kids killing one with a canoe paddle, too late for the poor thing by the time we got there. 
I have seen many killed, but have yet to see anyone get "one year in prison and a $250,000 fine". Has this ever been enforced?
I've escorted many, many a rattlesnake off of a road, ATV trail, walking path (basically anywhere where they will run into a human, or their illegally off-leash dog) and I've never been bitten or has the animal even attempted to strike. 
What in the world do these people do to provoke these poor things? 

This MNR statement will only encourage the ignorant to kill more of these poor things. If you don't want to see a rattlesnake, stay in YOUR natural habitat... the city. 

P.S. Are these proven rattlesnake bites?? The areas where these people claimed to have been bitten are populated by the much more aggressive, populous, harmless, Watersnake.

                                                                                 Don't Kill Snakes!




Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Info:
http://lakehuron.ca/index.php?page=eastern-massasauga-rattlesnake

Thanks, my friends!

I am amazed at the positive response regarding this "blog"
Happy to know you are actually reading it!!

Thx!

Save the Animals Poster by WWF

 Open the picture in full-size (by clicking on it) and see how many hidden animals you can find. Let the games begin!
http://www.moillusions.com/2011/07/save-the-animals-poster-by-wwf.html

Top 10 Ways Man Is Destroying the Environment

We hurt the environment in more ways than you could possibly imagine. Misguided construction, irrigation and mining can deface the natural landscape and disrupt important ecological processes. Aggressive fishing and hunting can deplete entire stocks of species. Human migration can introduce alien competitors to native food chains. Greed can lead to catastrophic accidents and laziness to environmentally destructive practices.
So what are the worst offenders? Here are the top 10
http://curiosity.discovery.com/topic/pollution/10-ways-man-destroying-environment.htm