Ball Python Care Guide

Professional, simple, and sprinkled with light personality.

Species Overview

The Ball Python (*Python regius*) is a calm, hardy snake known for curling into a ball when scared. Perfect for beginners and experienced keepers. Comes in hundreds of morphs.

Enclosure Setup

Enclosure Size

  • Hatchlings: 10–20 gallon  
  • Juveniles: 20–30 gallon  
  • Adults: 40 gallon or 4x2x2 enclosure preferred  

They like tight hides and secure, private spaces.

Enclosure Type

  • PVC/HDPE recommended for humidity control  
  • Glass tanks work with adjustments  
  • Secure lids are essential, ball pythons are quiet escape artists  

Temperature & Humidity

Temps

  • Warm side: 88–92°F  
  • Cool side: 76–80°F  
  • Ambient: 78–82°F  
    Always use a thermostat. No visible lights at night.

Humidity

  • 55%–70% normally  
  • 70%–80% during sheds  
  • Low humidity = poor sheds.

Substrate Options

  • Coconut husk (Reptichip)  
  • Cypress mulch  
  • Aspen  
  • Paper towels (babies/quarantine)  

Avoid pine/cedar

Hides & Decor

  • Two tight hides (warm + cool)  
  • Optional humid hide  
  • Plants, cork, branches, and clutter help them feel secure  

Ball pythons thrive when they feel hidden.

Feeding

  • Frozen-thawed rodents  
  • Hatchlings: every 5–7 days  
  • Juveniles: every 7–10 days  
  • Adults: every 10–14 days  

Prey should be about the snake’s midsection thickness.

Ball pythons may refuse food for many harmless reasons like stress, shed, wrong temps, or simply “being a ball python.”

Water
Provide a sturdy bowl large enough for soaking. Refresh 2–4 times per week (daily preferred).

Temperament & Handling
Calm, slow-moving, beginner-friendly  
Handle 1–3 times per week  
Avoid handling 48 hours after meals

Always support their body, being “dangly” stresses them

Cleaning

  • Spot clean daily  
  • Full clean every 4–6 weeks  
  • Bioactive setups need mainly spot cleaning

Shedding

  • Should shed in one piece  
  • Increase humidity during shed  
  • Dull color + cloudy eyes = shedding soon  
    For stuck shed: use a humid box or damp towel

Common Issues

  • Refusing food: usually due to stress, shed, temps, or normal fasting  
  • Overheating: keep under 95°F  
  • Poor sheds: humidity too low  
  • Hiding constantly: completely normal behavior  

With proper care, ball pythons live 20–30 years or more.