You want to pick the perfect snake for beginners and not certain where to begin? Do not look any more than Pied Ball Python!
They are excellent selections for new owners due to the fact that they rarely eat They are extremely calm and patient and are very resistant to biting. This makes them ideal for people who aren’t experienced dealing with reptiles.
Ball Pythons are named after the fact that they defend themselves by curling up into”balls “ball” when they feel threatened.
They are found all over Africa the Pidball Pythons can be found in Africa. They are known for their huge white patches in their brown-colored spotted or striped skin. They vary between three and five feet.
If this seems like a snake that you’d like to adopt and read more to find out how you can take care of them and where you can purchase them.
What is a Pied Snake?
Scientifically called Python regius They live in the subtropical and tropical areas of Africa. Their natural habitats extend from the shores from Sierra Leone all the way west across Ghana and Liberia up to Nigeria and Uganda. Incredibly, they’re not located to the south to the Equator.
Pied Ball Pythons renowned for their huge white patches in their brown spotted or stripe skin. The recessive characteristic of non-pigmented skin makes them a distinct species in the world of Pythons.
They are also renowned by snake owners for their calm disposition and their ease to manage.
Their temperament makes them extremely hesitant to eat, and because that, they are able to be handled easily after they have acclimatized to their new surroundings.
The snake, if they are cared for correctly, is usually healthy in captivity. They can last between 20 and 30 years. The normal diet is to thaw rodents each fortnight. Their tank care isn’t too difficult to keep in check.
| Summary Table | |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Piebald Python, Pied and Piebald Royal |
| Scientific Name | Python regius |
| Adult Size | 3 to 5 feet |
| Lifespan | 20-30 years |
| Diet | A thawed mouse , rat or mouse at least once every two weeks |
| Tank Size | Minimum 60 Gallons |
| Humidity and Temperature | A temperature of 80-85 degrees Celsius and humidity maintained between 50 and 80%. |
| Popular Alternatives | Smaller boa species |
Pied Ball Python Care Guide
In the wild in the wild, in the wild, Pied Ball prefers to spend their time in savannahs, grasslands and farmlands. They are nighttime dwellers on the ground. They be spending their day curled in the shape of a “ball” in burrows sleeping. At night, they hunt small lizards or rodents.
Tank and enclosure
Pied Ball Pythons can to be housed in 60 gallon glass tank or the plastic aquarium that’s larger than its height.
Since they build burrows in daylight hours, they must be given logs, or other areas to rest in throughout the day.
Pythons generally are generally known for their swimming abilities.. The Pied Ball is not an exception. Therefore, the Pied Ball must come with a dish of water large enough for them to soak in but not so small that they leak water each time they want to bathe.
The python in your tank will make use of this dish for drinking and taking a bath.
Make sure to include several exit and entry points to the water dish.
Heating and Lighting
In the daytime when your snake burrows and rests the tank’s temperature should be between 80-85 and with an area for basking that’s between 86 and 90. The temperature at night of the tank must be kept between 72 and 79.
A basking spot may be accomplished by the use of an electric heat source. They are very effective using a 75W Infrared Heat Lamp Your snake must not be in any direct interaction with the source of heat to ensure they don’t cause burns to themselves.
Full spectrum lighting is suggested to replicate the natural light of your Python However unlike particular Lizards it hasn’t yet been proved to be true that UVB illumination is effective to the species.
This Snake ought to have approximately 12 hours of sunlight in darkness for 12 hours. The lights should be shut off at night, to let the snake be active.
The tank’s humidity should be maintained between 55% and 60% which can be kept with misting of the aquarium regularly or setting the dish close to the source of heat. Utilizing a humidity gauge that are available from pet retailers in a wide variety is a useful method of keeping track of the level of humidity in your tank.
Substrate
Pied Ball Pythons don’t seem to be very picky when it regards substrate.
Sand, soil or wood shavings the three primary substrates that are easily found and can closely recreate their natural environment.
They look natural, yet they are maintained regularly. Keeping the tank spotless is an important duty for any owner.
| Tank Tips | |
|---|---|
| Tank Type | 60 gallon glass or plastic tank |
| Lighting | Full-spectrum lighting |
| Heating | 75W infrared infrared lamp |
| The Best Substrate | Wood shavings or soil |
The Feeding of a Pied Ball Python
Pied Ball Pythons carnivores and feed sporadically when they are in the wild, eating just once per month.
In the wild, they hunt in the night, and use thermal radiation to locate their food sources. The animals have 5 pits of the labium on the opposite side of their mouths which detect infrared or heat. They use this distinctive feature to locate their food.
While it is simple to feed them frequently while in captivity is a bit picky about their food. Since they utilize the heat to kill, they’ll only eat fresh or dead prey. In most cases they consume smaller rodents. If the rodent is dead for a long time the snake is unlikely to locate it.
Based in the size the Pied Ball Python they must be fed either a mouse or an adult rat each two or four weeks. Large snakes can be more frequent eaters (i.e. twice a week) However, their weight should be assessed to determine the frequency they should be eating.
Read more What human Foods Can Leopard Geckos eat?
The hatchlings will draw energy in their egg sacs for at least the initial 10 days their lives. Following this, they must be fed a suitable-sized rodent every week for a minimum of one hour.
Their prey must be approximately similar to the middle girth on their bodies.
Rodents must be dead or frozen. Live feed is an option however it is much more challenging to deal with than food which is deceased. These rodents are more difficult to locate for your snake and any uncooked food items should be removed within 2 days.
Foods for children and adults can also be sprinkled with vitamin D or calcium However, it isn’t necessary.
| Diet Summary | |
|---|---|
| Fruits | Zero percent of the diet |
| Insects | The diet is 0 percent. |
| Meat | 100% of the diet Small rodents |
| Supplements are required | Vitamin D and calcium |
Common Health Problems
Pied Ball Python Pied Ball Python is relatively healthy reptiles and one of the majority of health problems arise from poor care. The following health issues are typical issues that result from poor husbandry practices:
- Anorexia
- Mouth Rot
- Respiratory Disease
- Tick Parasitism
Anorexia, also known as a refusing to eat, may occur if the rodent isn’t sufficiently fresh. If your snake is losing weight you can try changing the diet (e.g. frozen or thawed). If they are still refusing the treatment, it is possible to bring your snake in to the vet’s office for further evaluation.
The mouth rot and respiratory diseases are both caused by the growth of bacteria within the cage, which is why it is important to clean the cage regularly ( more on this below).
Tick-borne parasites must be dealt with like any other animal even humans! Ticks must be removed properly and your snake might require evaluation by a veterinarian following the removal. Tick parasites have an higher incidence in males than females.
Pidball Python’s life span is around 20-30 years in captivity. However there have been reports of some to live until 40 years old.
Tank Cleaning
Because a variety of health problems result from a septic enclosure, maintaining a healthy environment and a well-maintained cage is an absolute must to protect your pet!
Feces must be cleaned as often as feasible, and any excess food is to be removed after two days following the first feeding. The waste should be big and brown like that of skinks. Urate should be white on the outside and, if broken, either yellow or green on the inside.
At least once per week or more often, the enclosure needs to be completely cleaned.
- Get rid of your pythons, substrate, and the material (or real) logs or plants
- Clean the cage thoroughly with bleach that is very dilute
- Rinse thoroughly with water.
- The material you pick must be replaced completely
- Return your snake back to their cage
The process of cleaning and grooming must be repeated If there is evidence of bacteria growth.
| Health Signs That They Are | The symptoms of sickness |
|---|---|
| Hide in the daylight | The pieces are arranged in multiple pieces instead of a single piece |
| Body condition in good shape and weight | Notably overweight with an obvious spine |
| Food provided in the evening | Bacterial growth or infection within the cage |
| Basking and savoring | The signs of ticks or other parasites |
Behavior and Temperament
When confronted with the choice of a decision between flight or fight choice in the wild The Pied Ball Python will choose flight.
They got their name “ball” because they curl up into a ball whenever they feel threatened. One of the most uncommon ways to communicate is striking and hissing that the snake prefers not to engage in.
Pied Ball Pythons seek out for prey by the detection of thermal radiation (hence the reason they consume living rodents). They are night creatures, so when in captivity they’ll be quiet throughout the day and active during the night. Inactivity could include a bath or relaxing into their water dishes.
When it comes to living together, two Pythons should not be kept together unless you’re breeding males and females. One male and one female could be inside the same burrow within the natural world, however that’s the extent of their cohabitation.
Women who are brooding their eggs could be unable to eat during this period.
Handling Advice
As a pet, they are very docile and tolerant of handling. They are naturally reluctant to bite.
Snakes, as well as other reptiles such as Geckos are carriers of this bacteria Salmonella. This is why it is essential to you (and your Python) to clean your hands prior to as well after you handle.
It has been demonstrated that the handling of the Pied Ball Python in 10 minutes intervals is not stressful on the animals. Always be conscious of your snake’s level.
Pied Ball Pythons are able to be handled every week or daily once they are accustomed to their new environment. They may require about one month to adapt to their new environment and get comfortable. During this time , it’s recommended to avoid handling.
You must handle the task with both hands, assisting both the sides and their backs.
He’s not likely to bite, however, it is more likely for him to bite:
- If you’re hanging food directly in his face (so it is best to feed right into the cage rather than feeding him by hand)
- In the beginning and throughout shedding the capsule covers the eyes of the snake, and they are unable to see. This makes him more likely to bite or strike to defend himself.
All Pythons, ball or otherwise they are not poisonous..
Pied Ball Python Appearance
There are many patterns in Python However, one of them is the Pied Ball. Pied Ball means that they have large patches of white skin.
This pattern is extremely rare in wild populations but it is becoming more common in captives. These white patches appear on a medium-to-dark brown snake, with stripes and spots.
They are easily identifiable by the huge white patches, they have thin necks and small heads. The gender differences are usually not noticed when hatchlings are born, however females have a greater postnatal growth rate, and they may begin to appear bigger than males when they are young.
Females in adulthood tend to be more slender as well. They have more favourable physical condition than men in addition to having larger jaws relative to their body weight.
How Big Are Pied Balls? Pythons Grow?
Newborns measure 10-14 inches in height. Females grow faster than males however males will are able to sexually mature earlier. They’ll be sexually mature around 12-18 months. Meanwhile, females will attain sexual maturity in the age of 24-36 months.
Adults can range from three and five feet long, males are closer to three feet while females will be closer to 5 feet (this is about the average for the majority of pet snakes).
They range from 1,000-2,500 grams. But, the larger Pied Ball Pythons have been observed to reach 4000 pounds (nine pounds) and, just like the size, females tend to weigh heavier than males.
More information: How Big Do Ball Pythons Get? The Size & Growth Rate
Coloring and Morphs and
Pied, also known by the name “piebald,” is a popular color pattern found in the world of animals, including horses, dogs and even reptiles as in this instance.
Pied Ball Pythons can be described as either orange or brown snakes that have huge white spots and stripes on non-pigmented skin.
This snake sheds frequently and is likely to soak when they shed. Make sure they have access to their soaking dishes as they shed. They will shed in one piece, so it is best to let them on their own during this time.
How Do You How Do You A Pied Ball Python?
Ball Pythons, generally can be breed in captivity however, typically imports in the wild. However, as the Pied Ball Python is not as common in the wild the Pied Ball Python will likely be a result of breeding in captive.
A competent breeder for captives will know where exactly their snakes came from and the health status of all their snakes.
As one of the most sought-after snakes for beginners breeders aren’t too difficult to locate.
How Much are Pied Ball Pythons?
They are typically priced between $400-$600 USD.. However, rarer variations (e.g. Scaleless Albino as well as Banana) will cost you anywhere between $2,000-$8,000 USD.
Breeding
If males and females couple up, they’ll join during the process of copulation. When the female lay her eggs, they continue to incubate for two years.
At this time the females brood eggs. They don’t consume food at this time and will wrap themselves around their eggs to ensure high temperatures incubating between 86 and 88.
Every clutch could contain anywhere between three and fourteen eggs The most common being between five and nine eggs.
Eggs from larger clutches could struggle to survive due to the difficulty to get the momma wrapped her arms around the eggs.
In Africa These clutches hatch in rodent or tortoise burrows. The eggs in the wild are likely to hatch in February and the breeding season occurring between November and January.
In captivity breeding is feasible all throughout the year. A lot of breeders prefer to breed their Pythons between September through February, and eggs are laid from February through August. Certain breeders may reduce the temperature in the enclosure by 10-12 degrees for a few weeks prior to introducing the snakes to one another.
If the eggs are in the process of hatching, they could require more than 24 hours to emerge from their shells. At this stage, they’re approximately 10-14 inches long. When they are born, their mother is no longer able to brood them.
For the first 10 days of their life the animals will use the rest of their energy sources from eggs. Following this, they’ll follow a strict diet, eating a rodent that is size-appropriate each week.
Care Guide Summary
| Why We Our Hearts | What is it that makes them difficult? |
|---|---|
| Reluctant to bite and not docile | Females have brooding eggs. |
| Consume frequently so they are easy to take care of | It is possible to be selective if their food isn’t as fresh. |
| Ideal for those who are first time snake owners. | Forms that aren’t as common may be more costly |
Pied Ball Pythons are excellent pet snakes for anyone’s degree of experience particularly for beginners.
They are gentle, won’t strike, are simple to handle and are simple to handle.
Certain boa constrictor snakes are also very gentle (and are great pets) however, they are typically bigger and take up a lot of space, and therefore may not be the right option for those who don’t have the space for the size of a reptile. See more about Rosy Boa
Unique in their color They eat very little and are manageable for those who have little knowledge of handling snakes.
Their personality makes them ideal snake to have captivity. As a result they are a common sight among breeders. Finding the best one for you shouldn’t be a problem.
If you choose to adopt, be sure that you’re prepared to keep a reptile that is exotic in the coming 20-30 years.
