Firefly ball Pythons are bright yellow with dark brown spots. Ball pythons can be found in West and Central Africa. The first introduction of the firefly breed was made in 2007 when pastel and fireball pythons were bred.
Firefly ball Pythons are easy to care for due to their gentle temperament. They also require less space than snakes similar in size and have simpler habitat requirements.
Firefly Ball Python Overview
| Common name | Python Firefly ball |
| Scientific name | Python regius |
| Natural habitat | They live in open forests and grasslands in West and Central Africa. |
| Size for adults | 4-6 feet long |
| Average life expectancy | 25-30 Years |
| Diet | Mice and rats |
| Housing | 30-40 Gallon Tank, Humidity Level Between 50 and 60%, Temperature Above 75degF, Basking Area 88-96degF |
| Experience level | For Beginners |
Origin
The Python regius firefly ball Python was first created in 2007, when a pastel and fire python were bred.
Ball pythons can be found in West and Central Africa. They prefer to live in grasses and savannas and forests. Because they only mate once every two to three years, these snakes are endangered in the wild.
Behavior & appearance
Firefly ball Pythons are well-known for their bright yellow skin and dark brown or black bands. As they age, the pythons’ coloring may change. Young firefly ball Pythons might not have the expected color.
Male snakes have their organs stored in the tail. This makes it hard to distinguish between males and women. Although the female pythons are larger than their male counterparts, it is not possible to distinguish the two sexes by their size.
See more: 45+ Ball Python Morphs: A-Z Morph Color Chart
Lifespan and size
Firefly ball Pythons live between 25-30 years, and can grow up to 4-6 feet in length.
Temperament
Firefly ball-pythons have a gentle temperament that makes them very popular with snake owners. These pythons can be shy and spend their days hiding in boxes or other shady areas in their tank.
Although these snakes don’t bite, they can bite owners occasionally. Ball python bites don’t have any venom so, if it does bite, you can wash the area with soap and water before applying an antiseptic.
Firefly ball Pythons bite more often before and after shedding or feeding, so it is best to avoid handling them.
Housing Firefly Ball Pythons
Ball Pythons are a native species of Africa’s warm climates. They require high humidity and heat.
Securely cover your firefly ball Python in a vivarium.
Size of the enclosure
A 30-40 gallon tank is required for adult firefly ball Pythons, while a tank with 20-30 liters is sufficient for young snakes.
Lighting
A small amount of UVB can brighten your snake’s coloring and increase its activity. You might consider adding one UVB light to your tank. Firefly ball Pythons do not require special lighting.
Humidity and Temperature
Firefly ball Pythons are ectothermic. This means that they can’t regulate their body temperature. Therefore, their enclosures must be maintained at the right temperature to ensure their survival and health.
Make sure the area where your pythons bask is warmer than the rest. This area should have a temperature of 85-96 degrees F, while the rest of your tank should be between 75-80 degrees F. You can create the basking area by placing an appropriate reptile heating pad in the tank.
For the health of your ball python, it is important to keep the tank at 75 degrees F or higher.
To allow your snake to shed its skin, the humidity in the tank should be between 50-60%. A hygrometer can be used to monitor the humidity in your tank.
Substrate &Decoration
Because they are easy to maintain and control humidity, orchid bark and cypress mulch are great substrates for firefly ball Python enclosures.
Use cedar and pine products only in snake tanks. They can cause death.
Hidden firefly ball Pythons love to hide so it’s a good idea to put boxes in the tank. Two boxes, one at each end of your tank, will give the snake the option to choose whether to hide in the basking or regular areas. It is likely that the python will sleep in the hiding spot.
Cleaning
Regularly vacuum your firefly ball Python’s tank. Make sure to get rid of any feces or urine as soon as possible. Perform a thorough clean of the snake’s enclosure once a month.
For a deep clean, remove the substrate and all accessories. Then, use bleach to clean the tank. Before removing the accessories and snake, rinse the tank with plenty of water.
You should treat your python gently when it is being removed. Also, avoid cleaning the tank after feeding as the snake will bite more if the tank has been recently cleaned.
Firefly Ball Python Care
Firefly ball Pythons are easy to maintain, making them a great choice for beginners.
Water and food
Firefly ball pythons are young and should be fed one mouse every two weeks. Once the snake has reached full maturity, you can feed it a large mouse, rat, or even a rat every other week.
Avoid keeping live rats or mice in the snake’s enclosure. Also, avoid preying on snakes that are larger than your snake’s body circumference. Prey that is too thick can cause digestive problems.
Your python should always have fresh water. Young snakes should not be allowed to drink from a bowl that is more than 1 inch deep. A bowl that is only a few inches in depth is acceptable for mature snakes.
Handling
Firefly ball-pythons can be shy and owners need to build trust before they allow them to interact with others. Your python might perceive your fast movements as threats if you are handling it.
To remove any food or scent residues, wash your hands after handling the snake.
Do not handle your snake after it has hatched or eaten. This could cause problems with its digestion and increase your chances of getting bitten.
Firefly ball Pythons should not be kept with other pets, and should not be handled by strangers.
Common Health Problems
Respiratory infections are common in firefly ball Pythons. This is often due to prolonged exposure to cold environments. A respiratory infection can be characterized by gurgling sounds when breathing and mucus around the mouth.
Contact a veterinarian immediately to get antibiotics. Keep the snake’s enclosure at the right temperature and humidity to avoid respiratory infections.
Firefly ball Pythons can also be infected with hookworms and tapeworms. You can remove ticks with tweezers. However, if your snake is showing signs of another parasite, you should consult a veterinarian.
Breeding
It is difficult and complicated to breed firefly ball Pythons. This is why it’s best left to skilled snake owners or breeders.
brumation is the best time to introduce male and female snakes. Even then, they may not be compatible.
If you place a male and a female snake in the same enclosure, and they are not compatible, they will fight. If they start fighting, you should immediately separate them and keep them in separate enclosures.
Separate the pythons immediately after they have mated. After laying 12 eggs, the female should move them to their individual enclosures.
How to Choose and Buy a Firefly Ball Python
A firefly ball Python typically costs between $100 and $250, and can usually be purchased at a trusted breeder or reptile shop. You can also purchase these pythons online.
Firefly ball Pythons that are captive-bred and not wild-caught will be healthier and less likely to have parasites.
To ensure that the snake is ready to be taken home, verify with the breeder that the young python has not yet started to eat.
Because baby pythons can be difficult to care for, it is better to buy a young snake than a baby.
Do not buy a snake who appears to be lethargic or does not want to eat because this is a sign of illness.
