Ball Python Care Guide

Posted on 19 September 2025
By Roger's Aquatic and Reptile Supplies
Posted in ball python, care guide, enclosure, feeding, heating, lighting, substrate, temperament
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PROS
-Calm, manageable temperament
-Moderate size (4–6 feet)
-Minimal odor and low noise
-Wide variety of morphs available
-Very little time needed for pet/enclosure maintenance

CONS
-Can be picky eaters
-Long-term commitment (20+ years)
-Sensitive to humidity & temperature
-Some morphs have genetic issues

Ball Pythons, are among the most popular pet snakes due to their manageable size, docile temperament, and relatively simple care requirements. Native to sub-Saharan Africa, they are known for their habit of curling into a tight ball when stressed or threatened.

Category	Details
Enclosure Size	Hatchlings: 20 gallon tank Adults: Minimum 40-gallon breeder (male) or 75-gallon (female)
Substrate	Coco fiber, cypress mulch, bioactive soils. Avoid pine (toxic oils)
Temperature	Warm side: 88–92°F (31–33°C) Cool side: 72–80°F (21–27°C)
Humidity	50–60% (up to 70% during shedding)
Lighting	No special lighting needed, but a UVB day/night cycle is helpful
Hides	At least two hides (one on each side of the enclosure)
Water	Large enough for soaking
Handling	Gentle, limited to a few times per week, avoid during shedding or after feeding

Temperament

Docile & Shy: Generally calm and non-aggressive.
Balling Up: Will curl into a ball when nervous.
Rarely Bite: Usually only when severely stressed or mishandled.

They make great beginner snakes because of their predictable behavior.

Feeding

Age/Size	Feed	Frequency
Hatchlings	Pinky or fuzzy rats	Every 5–7 days
Juveniles	Mice or small rats	Every 7–10 days
Adults	Medium rats (appropriately sized)	Every 10–14 days

Feed frozen-thawed rodents to reduce risk of injury.
Ball pythons are notorious for fasting, especially in winter or during breeding season. This is normal unless the snake loses significant weight.

Maintenance

Task	Frequency
Spot clean (remove waste)	Daily or as needed
Full substrate change	Every 4–6 weeks
Water bowl cleaning	Every 2–3 days or if soiled
Enclosure disinfecting	Monthly or as needed
Monitor humidity/temp	Daily (digital hygrometer/thermometer)

Lifespan

Captivity: 20–30 years is common; some live over 35 years.
Wild: Typically shorter due to predation and environmental factors.

Additional Tips

Secure Enclosure: Ball pythons are escape artists.
Shedding: Increase humidity and provide a rough surface to aid shedding.
Quarantine New Additions: Prevent introduction of mites or disease to established reptiles.
Regular Weigh-ins: Helps monitor health and feeding response.

Ball pythons are a single species, Python regius, but come in hundreds of morphs (genetic color and pattern variations). These do not typically affect temperament or care.

Popular Morphs:

Normal/Wild Type
Albino
Pastel
Spider - be aware of genetic conditions common in this morph
Banana
Piebald
Blue-Eyed Leucistic (BEL)
Clown