Things You'll Need
- Enclosure appropriate for the animal you want to buy
- Heating source
- Water dish
- Hide box
- Appropriate food
Instructions
Things to Consider About Smaller Pythons
There are many advantages to choosing a small python over a large species. The most obvious, of course, being size. Unlike their relatives, smaller species such as the Ball Python seldom reach 6 feet in captivity. And their normally docile dispositions add to their manageability for even inexperienced handlers. Most are easily tamed with mild temperaments.
Their smaller size and less active natures allow for smaller enclosures, too, which can be placed in almost any room of the house. For younger snakes,10 to 20 gallon tanks work well, graduating to a 30 gallon tank for the full grown adult.
Being smaller, the prey items required are much smaller (and much less expensive), taking up a lot less space in your freezer. (And the snake poops will be much smaller as well.)
Things to Consider About Larger Pythons
The giant pythons are beautiful, awesome creatures. But owning a huge snake is not "cool", and there are lots of issues to think about and resolve before bringing home what will become a huge snake. They are significantly more work to care for than smaller pets.
Do you really want a snake that may grow to more than 20 feet long and weigh 200 pounds? That pretty baby Burmese that you cradle in the palm of your hand will, at 3 years of age, be 10 feet long and weigh over 40 pounds. It will be eating rabbits twice a month and will be very hard for you to handle alone. Do you have the "personnel" lined up to assist you? Handling these giants will probably require more than just one person. Experts generally agree that it requires two people to safely handle any snake longer than 8 feet.
It's a good thing this big snake will have its own room, since it pees and poops more than my Great Dane does. But I'll bet you have lots of friends willing to help you clean its enclosure for the next 25 years. And surely they'll be more than happy to help you kill mice, rats and rabbits. Or, you could get your mom to help you.The rule of thumb for enclosure size, by the way, is: "Length + 2 x Depth = slightly greater than the total length of the snake's body." This means that for an adult Burmese python 12 feet long, a cage measuring 8' x 2' is just barely enough room.If you have children (any ages) that may be able to enter the snake's room, you'll want to be sure that you can properly secure the snake so that little fingers can't open its enclosure. Giant adults can kill people. Children have been swallowed whole.
Do you have plenty of time to spend with this large animal? These guys require an large amount of handling just to keep them gentle. And you'll want an agreeable snake. After all -- do you really want a cranky, hungry 12-foot, 100-pound python mistake part of your anatomy for its dinner?
Let's Check Out Some of the Smaller Pythons
Ball Pythons roll themselves into a tight ball (hence the name), and tuck their heads inside the coils. Youngsters grow about one foot per year for three years, and seldom reach 6 feet in captivity. They are well known for their pleasant dispositions and reluctance to bite.The pet store employee will probably tell you that the Ball Python is easy to care for, which is pretty much the truth; however, they can be somewhat of a challenge. They are infamous for occasionally being problematic feeders, and they are without rival when it comes to being escape artists.Avoid animals that repeatedly strike at you aggressively whenever you approach the cage. Choose a snake that is not shy and doesn't stay coiled up in the defensive "ball" position the entire time you're holding it.
(By the way -- it's not named because it likes kids: that's the surname of the guy the species was named for.) I personally have never seen one, and it's certainly not an item you might see in the average retail pet store.The Children's is a relatively non-aggressive animal that seldom exceeds 3 feet. They are reputedly easy to care for in captivity, good-natured and rather undemanding, and described as becoming docile with frequent handling. I have often seen Children's Pythons described as being "nippy" hatchlings, and that's intimidating to the beginner when the snake hisses, strikes and acts up. Something else that bothers me is that these snakes look far too similar to their slightly larger close relative called the Spotted Python. The Spotted is often a very "bitey" youngster -- and that they are often mistakenly sold as Children's.
The Jungle Carpet Python is a medium-sized Python, reaching 5 to 7 feet long. A more slender animal than most of the Pythons, the head appears to be somewhat flattened.They have prehensile tails for occasional climbing, as they are semi-arboreal. It's a good idea to place some tree branches in the enclosure for this snake to climb on. Carpets tend to have docile temperaments and become very tame with careful and regular handling.
Let's Check Out Some Larger Pythons
The giant reticulated python in particular is known for its "irritable" nature, and the animals are potentially dangerous. Probably the most beautiful species available, this stunning creature is the longest snake in the world, exceeding 32 feet length. Large "retics" have eaten monkeys, deer, wild pigs, and even people. I don't consider them as suitable pets for any but the most experienced snake keepers.
Sumatran Blood Pythons are large, growing up to 9 feet in length. They can be picky eaters -- some will only eat if they "hunt" their prey, and some won't eat with the lights on.
Bloods can be unpredictable. Some are docile and calm while others can be nervous, high-strung and quick to bite.
Preparing For Your New Python
Make sure that the enclosure you have chosen is appropriate for the snake you wish to obtain. Be aware, also, that some species, such as arboreal (tree) pythons, require extremely strict humidity and temperature conditions. A secure, escape-proof enclosure is an absolute necessity for all pythons. These guys are really persistent when trying to escape. If you're not interested in becoming a snake-tracking expert, then ensure that the enclosure has no gaps and that it closes and locks securely.
Be sure that you have appropriate food on hand when you bring your new pet home. Feeding pre-killed prey is always preferable because live rodents can inflict serious damage upon your snake. There may be frozen prey items made available by your pet supplier. It's also more convenient to just keep your snake food in your freezer ... Sure beats raising them, or buying them alive.
Remember that you will need to quarantine your new addition if you already have a snake at home. Generally speaking, 6 months is advised, although expert opinions vary on this.
Selecting a Healthy Python
Contact your local health inspection department to ask if they have anything on file about the supplier your are considering. Many pet stores, particularly larger chains, stock healthy, guaranteed captive-bred baby pythons. Take a close look at the snake cages when you arrive at the store. They should be clean and dry with no snake poop lying around. Clean cages generally indicate healthy snakes.
Choose a young python that has a well rounded body with clear, firm skin, and that shows no wheezing or bubbles around the nostrils. That would be indicative of respiratory problems. The eyes should be clear, and the vent should be clean with the anal scale lying flat against the body. Examine your choice closely for visible signs of disease or parasites. The mouth should be clean with no signs of mucous or sores, and have a pinkish tint. Check the spine for any lumps or bumps. Look very closely over the entire body for ticks or mites, both of which are quite tiny. Mites are harder to see than ticks, but the easiest place to see them is around the eyes and mouth. If you see even one of either -- walk out of the store. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before handling another snake.
The snake should be alert and curious, actively flicking its tongue when it's handled. The animal should grip your hand or arm gently but firmly as it moves around. Since the young snake is at the bottom of the food chain and knows it instinctively, it may be a little nervous at first. However, it should settle down after a bit of handling.
It is a very good idea to request a feeding demonstration (especially ball pythons) to make sure that the snake is not a problematic feeder.