I have some Ball Python related Questions....?

Question

Alright, so, I'm hoping to buy a ball python as a pet soon, but I have a few questions I need answered and problems ironed out to prepare my house for the snake.

So, first of all...

My room is in the attic and it gets VERY hot. What is the ideal temperature for a ball python in it's basking and cool area? If my room is very hot during the day, can I go without a basking lamp, and just rely on the heat?

and...

How hardy are ball pythons? How will I know if it's too hot or too cold for them?

Thank you! ~Bella

Answer 1

They need 80-85 cool area and 90-95 basking area. If ur room gets 90-100 durring the day, u shouldn't get the snake.

Answer 2

Ball pythons make great starter snakes. They require a basking spot of about 90degrees and a warm spot of about 85 degrees. They require a hidebox of some sort also. Just set the tank up first and keep a thermometer in it and check the temperature before you buy the snake and put him in the tank. I would even watch the temp for a few days to a week. Ball pythons are nocturnal so you wont need an ultra violet light either.

As for hardiness, ball pythons are very hardy in my opinion. The only problems ive experianced is their pickiness when it comes to eating. For instance: MY ball only eats rats that are a majority white. If its too dark brown or black he wont eat it. Sometimes they can even go as long as 6 months without eatting, so dont be alarmed if this happens.

Ide also recommend feeding him thawed mice/rats to start out with. If they start on live they tend to only want live animals to eat. It is cool to watch them stalk and kill, but you risk the danger of your snake being bitten and even dying due to infection or a punctured lung. So, for the sake of your snake feed it dead rodents. I thaw mine and put them under the heat lamp, so he senses the heat on them like they would if it was live. He eats just fine.

I hope this is enough info. Good luck with your snake!

Answer 3

If your cage is at the right temp during the day you don't need the extra heat from a lamp that is what they make thermometers for.  like the other answers say they need 85 + degrees.