Ball Python, Python regius
There are many variations of feeding,
husbandry and breeding protocols, These
are the protocols practiced here at
Roussis Reptiles that have helped us
successfully maintain and reproduce
these pythons.
Feeding: Usually begin feeding
on mouse hoppers or fuzzy rats and start
around 3 to 4 weeks after birth, typically
after the first ecdydis (shed), which
is usually 2-3 weeks after birth. Hide
box recommended. Adults feed on live
and frozen thawed medium rodents or
large adult mice. Fresh water is always
available and replaced twice a week.
Temp/Humidity Requirements: Ambient
cage temperature in the spring and summer
seasons are kept mid to high 80's in
the day, mid to high 70's at night.
A hot spot is provided under 1/3 of
the enclosure reaching 90 to 100 degrees.
These temperatures can be attained with
the use of Flexwatt heat tape and any
reliable thermostat. We use Helix Controls
and Ranco thermostats. Under floor heating
preferred. We prefer to keep the rear
of the cage where the hide box and hot
spot are on the damp or humid side.
Cage Setup: We individually house
and breed our adult Ball Pythons in
Freedom Breeder Racks, and although
we have successfully maintained and
bred these animals in Rubbermaid tubs
in the past. We still maintain some
Ball Pythons in melamine racks with
Rubbermaid tubs, we find that excessive
humidity and mold is a problem due to
the lack of ventilation, in these cages
we use aspen bedding which is drier
than Cypress. The Freedom Breeder enclosures
are 5" deep, 27 inches long, and
14 inches wide. Our preferred substrate
is 1 ½ to 2 inches of damp Cypress
mulch, which can be sprayed once weekly,
this helps keep humidity at appropriate
levels, the open screen tops aid in
proper evaporation and ventilation.
The hide box offers a secure hiding
spot, which aids in feeding and provides
an area of increased humidity, which
aids in shedding. We use disposable
deli cups for water. The cups are disposed
of weekly and replaced with new ones;
this cuts down on the possibility of
disease transmission and allows for
quick and efficient maintenance.
Neonates are housed in Freedom Breeder
9' x 18" enclosures with a hide
box and can easily out grow this space
in as little as 6 months if fed heavily.
The hide box offers a secure hiding
spot, which aids in feeding and provides
an area of increased humidity, which
aids in shedding. We keep them on a
thin layer of damp Cyrpress mulch and
use disposable deli cups. The cups are
replaced of weekly; this cuts down on
the possibility of disease transmission
and allows for quick and efficient maintenance.
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