Ball Python Care books for those who simply need to know everything about their new pets.
If you have a kid who wants a ball python, buy the thickest ball python care book you can find here and tell him to read it. If he finishes the ball python care book, he can have a Ball Python. If he doesn't even gets half way, he probably isn't serious.
If you were wondering if Ball Python's are safe for kids, take some time and watch the videos I posted here about that topic.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Ball Python bath
How many baths do ball pythons need in a week? month?
Merry Christmas! I've been emailed a few times asking about ball python baths so I thought I would post about it.
I give my ball pythons a bath every time I clean out their cages. That depends on when they poop, so usually once every week or two.
How do I give my ball python a bath?
Just leave them in the tub, or a big enough container with warm water. Don't make the water too hot, check with your hands for the appropriate temperature. Warm enough water that you'd use to give a baby a bath.
As for cleaning the ball python cage, you can use your disinfectants or scolding hot water. If you use scolding hot water, let the water stay until it cools off. That's all that is needed to kill of any germs dangerous to your Ball Python
That's it you need to know about Ball python baths.
Happy holidays!
Merry Christmas! I've been emailed a few times asking about ball python baths so I thought I would post about it.
I give my ball pythons a bath every time I clean out their cages. That depends on when they poop, so usually once every week or two.
How do I give my ball python a bath?
Just leave them in the tub, or a big enough container with warm water. Don't make the water too hot, check with your hands for the appropriate temperature. Warm enough water that you'd use to give a baby a bath.
As for cleaning the ball python cage, you can use your disinfectants or scolding hot water. If you use scolding hot water, let the water stay until it cools off. That's all that is needed to kill of any germs dangerous to your Ball Python
That's it you need to know about Ball python baths.
Happy holidays!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Ball Python Feeding
Feeding a ball python
Ball pythons, like all pythons, can go on for a long time without food or water. Months without food is not rare for ball pythons. The feeding of ball pythons can range from 5 days, to every two weeks. Younger pythons need to eat every 5 days to 1 week in order to have good growth, and a healthy body.
As a general rule, snake keepers do not often feed anything thicker than the snakes thickest part, as this could lead to your snake's death. Also overfeeding multiple smaller preys are also dangerous to snakes. Unlike us, they take a while to digest food, and they conserve every bit of energy they have, that's why you will always see them sitting in a corner, or a hide.
This Ball Python feeding video will show you what NOT to feed your snakes. This rat is way too big for the ball python, and it is titled "Ball python Vs Monster Rat"
Ball pythons, like all pythons, can go on for a long time without food or water. Months without food is not rare for ball pythons. The feeding of ball pythons can range from 5 days, to every two weeks. Younger pythons need to eat every 5 days to 1 week in order to have good growth, and a healthy body.
As a general rule, snake keepers do not often feed anything thicker than the snakes thickest part, as this could lead to your snake's death. Also overfeeding multiple smaller preys are also dangerous to snakes. Unlike us, they take a while to digest food, and they conserve every bit of energy they have, that's why you will always see them sitting in a corner, or a hide.
This Ball Python feeding video will show you what NOT to feed your snakes. This rat is way too big for the ball python, and it is titled "Ball python Vs Monster Rat"
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Ball Python handling and Ball Python fangs.
How do I handle my Ball Python?
There's nothing complicated about this, just be sure your hands do not smell like it's prey, so wash your hands first before picking your ball python up. After washing, make sure your ball python hasn't recently just eaten, or is in shed. I recommend leaving your Ball python alone to digest for 1-2 days, then start handling again. If it's all clear, you just go ahead and pick him up. If this is your first ball python and you have never picked him up, don't think about it and just do it. The longer you delay, the more you'll get scared (if you are scared), and you'll probably back out.
The only time you will get bit is if your ball python is really stressed out, or afraid. Most bites happen while picking them up, once you get them on your hands, the chance that your ball python will bite is greatly lessened. If you really are afraid, you could buy a snake hook, or use gloves.
Here's a video on how to handle your ball python
First of all, ignore what this "expert" said about Ball pythons and fangs. It's not true. Take a look at this Ball Python picture and tell me if you see any fangs. Doesn't take an expert to see that there are none...
But the "expert" was right about one thing, Ball Pythons are constrictors, good job expert! Too bad our expert doesn't know that constrictors, our ball pythons, don't have fangs, just regular teeth, which are small and needle like to help slide in dead prey into their mouth after constricting.
"Snakes like to be held" Ball pythons, and other snakes, dont really enjoy being handled, they just tolerate it. And the thing she said about holding them on a frequent basis to keep them tame will vary depending on your Ball Python's personality. I've had a male ball python I hold only once a month, still docile, never struck at me, or bit me.
Remember not to handle your ball pythons TOO much, especially if he or she is a new snake, start out with 10-15 minute handling session, then work your way up so your snake won't get stressed.
There's nothing complicated about this, just be sure your hands do not smell like it's prey, so wash your hands first before picking your ball python up. After washing, make sure your ball python hasn't recently just eaten, or is in shed. I recommend leaving your Ball python alone to digest for 1-2 days, then start handling again. If it's all clear, you just go ahead and pick him up. If this is your first ball python and you have never picked him up, don't think about it and just do it. The longer you delay, the more you'll get scared (if you are scared), and you'll probably back out.
The only time you will get bit is if your ball python is really stressed out, or afraid. Most bites happen while picking them up, once you get them on your hands, the chance that your ball python will bite is greatly lessened. If you really are afraid, you could buy a snake hook, or use gloves.
Here's a video on how to handle your ball python
First of all, ignore what this "expert" said about Ball pythons and fangs. It's not true. Take a look at this Ball Python picture and tell me if you see any fangs. Doesn't take an expert to see that there are none...
But the "expert" was right about one thing, Ball Pythons are constrictors, good job expert! Too bad our expert doesn't know that constrictors, our ball pythons, don't have fangs, just regular teeth, which are small and needle like to help slide in dead prey into their mouth after constricting."Snakes like to be held" Ball pythons, and other snakes, dont really enjoy being handled, they just tolerate it. And the thing she said about holding them on a frequent basis to keep them tame will vary depending on your Ball Python's personality. I've had a male ball python I hold only once a month, still docile, never struck at me, or bit me.
Remember not to handle your ball pythons TOO much, especially if he or she is a new snake, start out with 10-15 minute handling session, then work your way up so your snake won't get stressed.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Popular Ball Python Morphs
Here's a video with all of the popular ball python morhps.
Prices range from hundreds of dollars to thousands, so for those of you who plan on breeding ball pythons, it's good to start reading up on what type produces what.
My personal favorite ball python morph is the black eyed leucistic.
Popular Ball Python Morphs
Black eyed leucistic
FireBall
Pinstripe
Lemon Pastel
Piebald
Spider
Mojave
Genetic Striped
Jungle Pastel
Ghost
Caramel albino
Lesser Platinum
Cinnamon Pastel
Ivory
Yellowbelly
Albino
Clown
Butter
Prices range from hundreds of dollars to thousands, so for those of you who plan on breeding ball pythons, it's good to start reading up on what type produces what.
My personal favorite ball python morph is the black eyed leucistic.
Popular Ball Python Morphs
Black eyed leucistic
FireBall
Pinstripe
Lemon Pastel
Piebald
Spider
Mojave
Genetic Striped
Jungle Pastel
Ghost
Caramel albino
Lesser Platinum
Cinnamon Pastel
Ivory
Yellowbelly
Albino
Clown
Butter
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Where is my Ball Python's ass?
"Where is my ball python's ass?" A guy I met at a local pet shop who was trying to probe his Ball Python asked me this.
Once I saw what he was trying to do, I volunteered to probe his ball python for him. It looked horrible, for the snake, as this guy was randomly poking at the underside of it's tail, I think the ball python, which turned out to be a girl, was about to strike at him already lol. He did have lube, but was poking around instead of trying to find the "ass". It just made me want to write something here about probing your snake.
If you have no experience sexing snakes, please ask a vet or someone experienced to do it for you. And avoid asking questions like "Where is my ball python's ass?" lol
Here are some excellent video to help you learn more about sexing your ball pythons (don't break your ball python when you try popping it).
Once I saw what he was trying to do, I volunteered to probe his ball python for him. It looked horrible, for the snake, as this guy was randomly poking at the underside of it's tail, I think the ball python, which turned out to be a girl, was about to strike at him already lol. He did have lube, but was poking around instead of trying to find the "ass". It just made me want to write something here about probing your snake.
If you have no experience sexing snakes, please ask a vet or someone experienced to do it for you. And avoid asking questions like "Where is my ball python's ass?" lol
Here are some excellent video to help you learn more about sexing your ball pythons (don't break your ball python when you try popping it).
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Ball Python feeders, how to breed?
If you're thinking about breeding your own feeders for your Ball Python, you should go with rats, not mice. Because mice stink AND bite. Rats are smart, friendly and don't stink as much. And a full grown adult will need more than one mouse, it will be better to feed your Ball Python rats at a young age so he doesn't imprint on mice.
If you own one or two ball pythons, breeding your own feeders for your ball pythons will not be worth the effort. And rats know how to breed. Once you get to breed once, there's no stopping them (unless you separate them of course). You'll have an excess of rat pups if you only have two ball pythons to feed. Of course you could also sell them to your local pet shop / snake keepers for some extra. I usually freeze some rat pups that can be fed to baby ball pythons.
You'll need a 40 gallon tank or tub, any size will do, it depends on how many you breed, for a 40 gallon I use 3 females and a male. I don't really separate any of them, just leave them all there and separate the male once the babies are born and I don't need any more. I also separate the babies once they can eat on their own, I either feed or freeze them and sell it to other snake keepers. Make sure when you start breeding feeders, the aquarium you use will be ESCAPE PROOF. Rats can jump real high, so better have a screen top that locks on, or a rubbermaid tub.
I feed my feeders rat pellets, and some fresh fruit. Put a water dish that you refill everyday, a hide to make them feel secure and you're all done. If you only have one or two ball pythons, you really should not breed rats, it will be cheaper to just buy from a pet store. If you aren't worried about the price, then breeding is great because you can give your ball python quality feeder rats.
Here's a video on How your rat setup should look like
If you own one or two ball pythons, breeding your own feeders for your ball pythons will not be worth the effort. And rats know how to breed. Once you get to breed once, there's no stopping them (unless you separate them of course). You'll have an excess of rat pups if you only have two ball pythons to feed. Of course you could also sell them to your local pet shop / snake keepers for some extra. I usually freeze some rat pups that can be fed to baby ball pythons.
You'll need a 40 gallon tank or tub, any size will do, it depends on how many you breed, for a 40 gallon I use 3 females and a male. I don't really separate any of them, just leave them all there and separate the male once the babies are born and I don't need any more. I also separate the babies once they can eat on their own, I either feed or freeze them and sell it to other snake keepers. Make sure when you start breeding feeders, the aquarium you use will be ESCAPE PROOF. Rats can jump real high, so better have a screen top that locks on, or a rubbermaid tub.
I feed my feeders rat pellets, and some fresh fruit. Put a water dish that you refill everyday, a hide to make them feel secure and you're all done. If you only have one or two ball pythons, you really should not breed rats, it will be cheaper to just buy from a pet store. If you aren't worried about the price, then breeding is great because you can give your ball python quality feeder rats.
Here's a video on How your rat setup should look like
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