How to Care for Your Ball Python
Ball pythons are a very popular choice for many people who are looking for a pet snake.  Like all snakes, ball pythons will require you to be fully committed to their care.  These snakes will live for up to thirty years and you must maintain a very specific environment to keep them healthy.  Properly caring for your ball python can be very rewarding and will give them a comfortable life.
1. **Be aware of their size.** All snakes, including ball pythons, will grow quite a bit over the course of their lives.  Ball pythons in particular will grow quite large and will require a proper living environment as they do.  You should be prepared for this before you attempt to care for a ball python.

Female ball pythons will grow to around 3' to 5' in length, males to around 2' to 3'.
You will need to provide enough space for a fully grown ball python.
You will need to feed a snake of this size large rodents. If you are not sure about the appropriate size for your snake, you can see a rat size chart for that.
2. **Understand the long-term commitment.** Caring for any animal is a serious commitment.  You will need to feed, clean and maintain the health of your ball python over the course of its entire life.  Make sure you are ready for a long-term commitment before deciding to care for a ball python.

Ball pythons have lived up to 40 years.
Generally, ball pythons will live between 20 to 30 years.
3. **Look to purchase a ball python.** Once you've decided that you can provide proper care for a ball python it's  time to go find your new friend.  Thankfully, ball pythons are very popular amongst pet owners and they are easy to find in most pet stores.  Start looking for a ball python that is right for you once you feel prepared to care for it.

Reptile breeders will likely have ball pythons available.
Attending a reptile expo can also help you find your new ball python.
Ball pythons should already be eating and well fed before you buy them.
4. **Know how to handle a ball python.** Snakes aren't used to being held in the wild.  As a result, you will need to know when it's acceptable to hold your snake and when it will only cause stress.  Take a look at some of these key ideas when considering if it's the right time to interact with your snake:

Allow your snake to eat one meal in its new home before trying to handle it. Wait at least a week before handling new snakes. Don't be afraid to hold the snake after that week.
Young snakes should be held no more than once a week.
Adult snakes can be held around once a week.
Don't interact with your ball python after it's eaten.  Wait around two days after your snake eats to make sure it is comfortable.
5. **Be attentive.** If you plan on caring for a ball python, you will need to be dedicated to maintaining and protecting its health.  Keeping your snake healthy will require you to watch its behavior and actions for any changes or indications of illness.  Keep an eye out for some of these common signs of illness:

A ball python should normally sit in a coil.  Snakes that lay straight out or keep their head up may be ill.
Ball pythons that spend a lot of time soaking may be ill or uncomfortable.
In the case of respiratory issues, your snake may wheeze or have mucus come out from its nose.
Runny or bloody stool can indicate a digestive issue.  Snakes who don't void after ten days may be constipated.
Refusal of food may indicate an infection.
6. **Ensure the python can stretch out in the cage.** Ball pythons will need just the right amount of room to feel comfortable.  Cages or enclosures that are too large or too small will stress the snake out and make its life uncomfortable.  Keep these tips in mind when you are looking for a new home for your ball python to enjoy:

The container needs to be long enough that an snake can completely stretch out in it.
Mesh cage lids can work.  However, it can be difficult maintaining humidity levels in the cage.
For younger snakes, you will need to find a smaller enclosure.
7. **Spot clean often.** It's important to keep your snakes enclosure very clean.  Keeping the cage clean will help keep your ball python happy and healthy.  Part of your regular cleaning routine should include spot cleaning.  Spot cleaning will allow you to keep up with any messes and require you to fully clean the cage less often.

Remove any waste from your snake every day.
Any other obvious messes left in the cage should be removed.
8. **Clean the cage thoroughly.** A big part of caring for your ball python is fully cleaning its enclosure.  It's generally recommended that you fully clean the cage and everything in it once a month.  Totally cleaning the cage will help keep your snake healthy and prevent any health issues over time.

Take your snake out of the enclosure during the time you are cleaning.
Remove everything in the cage for cleaning.  Any sticks, hiding boxes, or other decorations will need to be cleaned.
You can clean the cage with a water and bleach solution.  Make sure the bleach content is only 5%.
Wait for the cage to fully dry before putting it back together and reintroducing your ball python.
9. **Ensure the snake can't escape.** Snakes are well known for being escape-artists.  You will need to make sure that your ball python's cage is secure, keeping it safely inside.  Keep some of these things in mind when securing your snake's cage:

Any doors or openings need to be closed and locked.
Lids need to be secure.  Your snake shouldn't be able to push the lid away from the cage.
Make sure there are no small gaps or openings that your snake can escape from.
10. **Keep a temperature gradient.** In a natural environment, your snake will move between areas that have different temperatures.  Snakes are cold-blooded and the temperature will change their level of activity.  To replicate this, you will need to maintain your ball python's enclosure with a temperature gradient.

The basking area should be 88 to 96 degrees Fahrenheit.
The overall temperature of the cage should be 78 to 80 Fahrenheit.
Use two thermometers to monitor both the cool and warm areas of the cage.
You can heat the cage with under-cage warming pads or heating lights.
11. **Consider additional lighting.** Supplemental lighting can be used in your ball python's enclosure.  However, it is not a requirement.  If you want to use additional lighting, try using a full-spectrum UV light. Consider adding supplemental lighting to help make your enclosure feel even more natural and comfortable.

Use 12 hour cycles of lighting.  Keep the light on for 12 hours during the day and off for 12 hours at night.
Do not leave the light on at night.  Leaving the light on too long will stress your snake out.
12. **Maintain the right humidity.** Creating and maintaining the right level of humidity is very important for your snakes health.  Humidity will help keep your snake healthy and allow them to easily shed their skin.  Always keep a close eye on the humidity levels in the cage to best care for your ball python.
Humidity needs to be between 50% to 60%
13. **Provide a quality substrate.** Your ball python will need to have the right substrate in order to be comfortable and safe in its home.  Certain substrates will work better than others, keeping your ball python happy and making the enclosure easier to clean.  Take a look at some of the following examples of substrates to learn what's okay to use:

Aspen shavings will work well.
Cypress mulch is okay to use.
Most other mulch based substrates can be a good pick.
Never use substrates that contain cedar or pine.
14. **Provide hide boxes.** Your ball python will want a place to hide and be alone.  If your snake is forced to be left out in the open, it will become nervous and stressed out.  Always provide a hide box for your ball python to help them feel comfortable and at home.

Make sure you clean the hide box whenever you clean the cage.
You can buy premade hide boxes from pet stores.
Make your own hides by cutting a small, round door out of a plastic Tupperware container or bowl.
15. **Find the correct size prey.** It's important that you provide the right size prey to your ball python.  Prey that is either too small or too large will present problems for your snake.  Always make sure that whenever you introduce prey into the cage that it's the correct size.

Prey should be no bigger than the widest part of the snake.
Prey that is too large can cause injury to your snake.
Prey that is too small may not provide enough nutrition.
16. **Do not touch the snake after feeding.** Snakes need time to be alone and digest their meal after they've eaten.  Disturbing or handling your snake after a meal can cause them to regurgitate that meal.  Always wait at least one full day before handling your ball python after they've eaten.
17. **Remove uneaten food after every feeding.** If your snake doesn't eat a prey item, you will need to remove it.  Leaving dead or living prey items in the cage can pose health hazards to your snake.  Always remove old prey items from the cage to best care for your ball python.

Feeding pre-killed items to your snake is safer.  However, these items will decompose and need to be removed if left uneaten.
Feeding live prey animals can bring harm to your snake.  Mice or rodents have been known to attack and kill ball pythons.
18. **Feed on a schedule.** It's important that you stick to a schedule when feeding your ball python.  The regularity will benefit your snake and will allow you to notice if your snake has any changes in its appetite.  Try to follow these basic feeding schedules to best care for your snake's dietary needs:

For adult ball pythons, offer food once every one or two weeks.
For young ball pythons, offer food once or twice a week.
Appetites may change normally over the year.  Colder months usually result in lowered appetites.
19. **Provide water.** Your ball python will also need a place to find water in their enclosure.  Providing water will give your snake a place to relax and enjoy a good soak.  Keep some of these tips in mind when providing water for your ball python:

Young snakes should only have about 1” of water.
Make sure the container can't be tipped over.
Water temperature should be between 72 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit.
Your snake will often defecate in the water.  Change the water at least once a week.
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