What kind of bedding is best for a ball python?

Good Ball Pythons Substrates
  • Newspaper.
  • Paper towels.
  • Commercial paper cage liners.
  • Recycled paper beddings.
  • Cypress mulch.
  • Orchid bark.
  • Bioactive substrates.
  • Aspen shavings.


Do ball pythons need a heat lamp or mat?

What sort of heat does it need? A ball python will require both a heat lamp and an under tank heater. This can be done by placing a heat mat such as the Habistat Heat Mat underneath the terrarium and a Daylight Exo Terra heat lamp.

Can I use paper bedding for ball python?

If you choose not to provide a natural substrate, newspaper or paper towels are safe and easy to clean, making them a go-to bedding option for many snake owners, since it's easy and readily available.


What do ball pythons like in their enclosures?

Enclosure must provide adequate room to move around (e.g. a 30 gallon/113.5 liter glass aquarium would be suitable for most adult ball pythons). Cage should have a cool end that is 80-85ºF (26.7-29.4ºC) and a warm end that is 90-95ºF (32.2-35ºC), so the snake can thermoregulate.

Is sand a good bedding for a ball python?

Do Not use Sand. Sand is another enemy of snake health and safety. Silica sand and play sand can cause irritation of eyes, nasal passages, skin between scales, and even silicosis.


What Substrate is Best for your Ball Python?



Is a heat lamp or pad better for ball pythons?

Heat lights offer a more natural day/night cycle for your pet snake than heating pads. You can have two separate heat lights, each on a 12-hour cycle. Leave the daylight heat light on during the day and turn the "night-glo" or nocturnal red light on at night.

How often do you change ball python bedding?

Change the substrate completely every 1-2 months, or more often if needed. Ball Pythons are generally very easy to handle. After you have brought a new snake home, allow it to eat successfully several times before regularly handling it. Don't handle young snakes more than once a week or so.

Should you mist a ball python enclosure?

Ball pythons require localized areas of high humidity within their cages. Once or twice daily misting of the entire enclosure with room temperature water in a hand spray bottle should be adequate in most situations.


How often do you need to handle a ball python?

Handle your snake at least 1-2x weekly, but no more than once daily. Snakes do not require social interaction for their mental health, but regular handling helps the snake stay tame and can be a good opportunity for exercise.

How do you make a ball python happy?

be a relatively large enclosure. maintain ambient daytime temperatures of 80-85°F (27-29°C). provide for a basking area of 90-92°F (32-33.3°C ). provide hide boxes. ● have access to fresh water in a bowl that is large enough for the snake to soak.

What bedding is toxic to ball pythons?

However, make sure that it only has cypress mulch inside. Sometimes these mulches are mixed with cedar or pine chips. Cedar and pine are toxic to ball pythons.


What do snakes like in their cage?

They need a range of temperatures to regulate their internal body temperature. Ideally, the cage should be set up so that a heat gradient is established, with one area of the tank warmer than the other end. In this way, the snake can move around its environment and warm or cool itself as needed.

What can I use as snake bedding?

  • Bedding Alternatives. Newspaper. Paper Towels. Carpet. Cypress Mulch.
  • Other Great Snake Bedding Materials. Aspen Shavings. Coconut Husk. Coconut Fiber.
  • Bedding to Avoid. Cedar and Pine. Sand. Crushed Walnut Shells.
  • Summary.


Should I have a light on for my ball python all day?

Because ball pythons are crepuscular, additional light beyond what illuminates the reptile room is not widely considered “necessary.” However, it is best practice to keep a light on to mimic nature's day/night cycle.


Is it OK to leave heat lamp on overnight for ball python?

Although snakes benefit from heat at night if the temperature gets too low, the heat lamp is not the best method to keep them warm when nightfall arrives. What is this? To mimic their natural environment as best as possible, turn off the heat lamp at night. Other alternatives will not emit as much light.

How do you keep a ball python warm without a heat lamp?

Use a hot water bottle.

Hot water bottles are a great way to provide heat. Just make sure that it isn't too hot for you to touch. If it is too hot for you to hold, it's definitely too hot for your snake. You don't want to risk burning your little friend.

Can you hold a ball python too much?

A healthy, well-adjusted adult ball python can be handled a couple times a week if necessary. Just remember the post-feeding protocol. After the snake eats a meal, you should leave it alone for a couple of days so it can digest. I know there are people out there who handle their ball pythons on a daily basis.


At what age will a ball python be fully grown?

Around 3 years of age your ball python will reach their full length.

How long should a ball pythons soak in water?

Reptiles are homeotherms, meaning they adjust their body temperatures to that of their surroundings. Thus, if they soak in water, it should neither be too hot nor too cold. Fourth, a 10-minute soak is adequate for most reptiles, regardless of species.

How often should you mist a ball python cage?

Regardless of the morph, Ball Python humidity should range from 55% to 60%. If you need to increase humidity, your best options are misting the tank daily, moving the snake's water bowl over the under tank heat mat, changing the substrate to cypress mulch or cover 75% of the screen with tin foil.


Do ball pythons need a big water bowl?

The size of the water dish is up to you. If it is large enough for the ball python to crawl in to and soak, sooner or later your snake will make the most of the opportunity – ball pythons seem to enjoy a nice soak from time to time.

Should I soak my ball python while shedding?

Your python should have access to a moist hide in order to aid the shedding process. If the skin does become stuck, bathe your snake in lukewarm water for 15 minutes, if skin still remains attached to your snake, gently try to remove it by hand.
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