How to Care for a Royal Python

Royal pythons, or Python regius, is also referred to as the ball python due to its propensity to curl into a ball when scared. As with exotic pets, caring for a royal python calls for specialized knowledge. The primary issues include housing, humidity and temperature levels, food and water supply, and veterinary care.

Things You'll Need

  • Housing
  • Water
  • Mice or rats
  • Substrate: newspaper or paper towel
  • Hygrometer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Procure housing, which should achieve two critical goals: provide enough room for the python and prevent escape. Melissa Kaplan at the web site Anapsid calls the ball python to the consummate "escape artist," so take heed.

      Tanks can be made, from a combination of wire netting and glass, or purchased. Kaplan suggests tank sizes of 10 gallons for hatchlings; 20 gallons for adolescents or young adults; and 30 gallons for full-sized, mature specimens. The structure should include a hide box.

    • 2

      Offer fresh water. Ball pythons may use the water for bathing, drinking, or as a receptacle for excrement. You should monitor the state of the water every day and change it frequently or if it is unclean.

    • 3

      Regulate humidity using a hygrometer, available at hardware stores or garden centers. If humidity levels are too low, then the royal python can suffer from health problems like dehydration, appetite loss and unnecessary shedding cycles.

      General humidity in the tank should be between 50 and 60 percent. Provide an upper level to the structure which is held at a higher humidity (70-80 percent). The snake will likely alternate between the two levels.

    • 4

      Observe the snake's feeding habits. Newly born snakes may need to be force-fed, but get advice or visual instruction from a trusted snake owner, pet salesman or vet on how to perform this task.

      Give the snake an appropriate-sized rodent: smaller snakes may need smaller mice, such as five-day-olds, while adults need larger versions. Any sustained or concerning irregularities in your snake's eating habits--including weight loss--should be mentioned to the vet as soon as possible. Check with the vet to see whether live or pre-killed food is best for the snake.

    • 5

      Use a substrate (a substitute for ground cover). While the snake is getting settled in its new environment, you may opt for paper towels or newspaper. Remember to replace frequently to keep a clean environment. If you decide to advance to a more ornate ground cover, avoid shavings made from pine or aspen, as these can harm your snake.

    • 6

      Regulate the temperature. Daytime interior should be between 80 and 85 degrees; nighttime, 70 to 75 degrees. Kaplan suggests a basking area holding at 90 degrees during the day and 80 at night. If you enhance the heat with either lighting or warming pads, keep them enclosed (bulbs) or covered (pads) to ensure that neither present a burn risk to your royal python.