Protecting Your Pets
Care Tips For A Ball Python
Deanna Vasquez
Reptiles are very popular as pets, as they aren't required to be let outside, can be kept at most types of homes (including rentals), and aren't loud pets. Snakes are a popular reptile pet, in particular the ball python, as they can live very long lives. Reptiles (including the ball python), like most pets, still require care and commitment in order to give them a long and healthy life. See below for tips to help you care for your ball python.
Housing
Ball pythons can get up to five feet long, so a small enclosure is probably not going to work throughout your pets entire life. A smaller cage is fine when your snake is still small, but as your pet gets larger, you'll need to upgrade. Your pet is going to need a big enough enclosure in order to be able to move about freely as he grows. Cages that are not the proper size (too large or too small) can actually stress out your pet.
Temperature
The temperature of your snakes enclosure should be based on two different temperatures. One for basking (88 - 96 degrees Fahrenheit) and another temperature for the overall temperature of the cage (78 - 80 degrees Fahrenheit). You'll want to use two different thermometers in order to keep track of these temperatures. You can find heating lights or pads at your local pet store to help you control the temperature.
Cleaning
Your pet's cage will need to be cleaned often. Clean up waste messes daily, and other debris should also be cleaned at this time. Deep clean the cage at least once per month by removing everything from the cage and spraying it down with a bleach and water solution. If your pet has items in his cage to "play" with, these will also need to be deep cleaned with the bleach/water solution. Allow the cage and the play items to dry completely before placing your pet back inside his enclosure.
Feeding
Ball pythons, because of their size, will eat prey (rodents). Be sure not to feed it food that is too large or too small; too large and it can cause injury, too small and it may not be enough to keep your reptile nourished. The size of the prey shouldn't be any larger than the widest part of the snake. If you happen to feed your snake something that he doesn't want to eat, be sure to take that food out of the cage. You can ask your veterinarian about what type of prey is best for your python.
Before bringing a ball python (or any reptile or pet of any kind) into your home, know that it is a live animal that needs to be cared for for quite some time and requires a certain level of commitment and care.
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My husband’s mom absolutely adores playing with her pets. She currently has 2 dogs and 12 cats. Every day she spends at least two hours feeding and caring for her animals. My mother-in-law keeps a couple of her cats inside of her home. The rest of her animals aren’t allowed inside the house. However, this sweet lady always ensures they’re warm during the harsh winter months. Each of the canines have a spacious dog house to lounge in. At night, my mother-in-law places her cats in an old shed. Whenever one of her pets displays the signs of a potential illness, she immediately takes him or her to a nearby veterinarian. On this blog, I hope you will discover tips to help you protect your beloved pets from harm.