House python snake. How to care for a ball python. Habitat in the wild
Every year the number of people wishing to have exotic animals at home or in the office is increasing. It’s already difficult to surprise us with dogs, cats, hamsters, talking parrots or just fish. People are drawn to mysterious but attractive wild animals, which they want to see not only on TV programs or behind bars at the zoo, but also in close proximity to themselves. This is how a person tries to tame wild cats, Tasmanian devils, wolves, spiders, wild birds, monitor lizards, iguanas, turtles and even snakes. Of course, preference in the choice of reptiles falls on non-venomous representatives, although amendments are possible here too. And one of the most common reptiles in the terrarium is royal python, the maintenance of which at home will be discussed in our article.
Habitat
We all imagine the environment in which reptiles live. This tropical forests with high humidity and sweltering heat, where under the shade of centuries-old trees they hide from the scorching sun rays snakes and other unpleasant creatures. Speaking about the royal python, it can also be argued that its habitat, which lies mainly along the western coast of Africa, fully corresponds to the picture described earlier. 
This snake can also be found in Central Africa, but it is much less common there, because snakes love humidity and water, and arid Africa rarely boasts of these conditions. Senegal, Mali, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Nigeria, Cameroon and some other countries on the west coast have become a haven for the royal python.
Description
Snake royal python - far from the largest representative of its category. Typically, pythons reach somewhat larger sizes than royal pythons. But, nevertheless, this reptile has an impressive size and a very well-developed muscular structure, which helps not only in movement and overcoming obstacles, but also during hunting. It is no secret that pythons are not poisonous, and therefore, to obtain food, they use the impressive strength of the rings of their body, where each segment is endowed with powerful muscle fibers. Contracting, these fibers compress the victim with such force that it is basically impossible to escape or escape. 
Did you know?Like many other reptiles, the female is significantly larger than the male. So the length of the average female snake is about two meters, while males do not exceed one meter. This is one of the few external signs by which the sex of a reptile can be determined.
The color of the royal python fully justifies its pretentious name. The iridescence of black and golden scales creates a truly aristocratic coloring of these snakes. And, as if this were not enough for nature, the python has a golden-yellow triangle on its head, which is called its crown. With such an appearance, the royal python is one of the most memorable and, no matter how strange it may sound, pleasant to look at among other representatives of reptiles. 
Morphs
The morphs of the royal python are quite varied and each species has its own distinctive features. Let's look at the most popular morphs of the royal python. These include:
In general, there are a great many variations of the royal python, each of which stands out for its unique skin tone or unique eye color. Every tamed Living being needs proper care and comfortable living in the same area as the breeder. And royal pythons are no exception to this rule.
Construction of the terrarium
Due to the fact that pythons are terrestrial animals and are extremely rarely drawn upward, The terrarium should be larger in width than in height. So this terrarium should be of a horizontal type with maximum space for the reptile to move. 
Important!The minimum acceptable dimensions of a terrarium for an adult are 0.8 by 0.5 meters. If it is possible to expand these dimensions, then it is definitely worth doing. Your pet will thank you. It should be remembered that with an increase in living space for a snake, you increase the difficulty of maintaining the necessary parameters inside it, such as humidity and temperature.
Not so long ago, the main material for terrariums was glass, but nowadays plastic products, which are characterized by increased practicality and durability, are becoming especially popular. Thus, the plastic terrarium has rounded corners, which will make cleaning it much easier. In addition, tightness and strength, because glass can be broken even by accidentally touching it, but plastic is quite difficult to damage. Therefore, when choosing a home for a reptile, you should give preference to a plastic terrarium with a sliding glass door. 
The bottom of the terrarium for royal pythons is covered with several fillers to choose from. Among them are:
- cypress shavings;
- torn newspapers or paper;
- artificial special substrate.
Important!Contrary to popular belief, it is better not to use sawdust, especially if it is made from cedar. Such bedding is characterized by increased toxicity for snakes, and this will lead to adverse consequences.
Whatever filler you decide to use, the main rule is that there should always be replacement material nearby to make your pet comfortable.
In addition to the soft bottom, it is worth taking care of secluded places in which the reptile will be able to hide from prying eyes. For this you can adapt flower pot or a shoebox, if you consider budget options. But if your funds allow, you can equip the terrarium with special items that are sold in stores: driftwood, an empty tree trunk, rocky embankments and others. The main thing here is not to overdo it, because there should be room for movement and hunting.
Living plants in a terrarium look very ergonomic, but this option will not simplify your task at all, because you will have to care not only for the snake, but also for the greenery. 
Care and hygiene
But, if you think about the choice of materials flooring and the decoration of the home for the royal python is completed, then you are deeply mistaken, because you still have to take care of lighting, humidity and temperature control. Thus, to illuminate a terrarium, wide-spectrum fluorescent lamps are usually used, which will distribute the light as efficiently as possible over the entire area of the home.
In addition, you should adjust the lighting time, because for royal pythons 12 hours is considered normal daylight hours and 12 hours at night. But here, too, not everything is so simple, because in winter this time should be changed to 10 hours of light and 14 hours of darkness, but in summer, on the contrary, the light period will be 14 hours and the night period will be only 10. The main task is select the lighting mode that is as close to real as possible.
It's no secret that wooden terrariums retain heat better, and plastic and, especially, glass ones are much worse. Also in this situation, the rule applies: the larger the terrarium, the more resources will be spent on heating and lighting. 
Another necessary component for providing your reptile pet with comfortable living conditions in your home is humidity. It should be maintained with an artificial pond inside the python’s home. Reptiles are very fond of water treatments, and an artificial pond will help fulfill this need in the best possible way. The water temperature should be within 25°C, and it should be replaced every day. 
Feeding and diet
The diet of the royal python is dominated by meat, as these reptiles are known for their hunting skills and silent killing ability thanks to their powerful coils of a long body. As a result, you, as the owner of such a snake, will have to fulfill its whims and supply frozen carcasses of small animals as food for the python. The favorite delicacies of the royal python include:
- a rabbit;
- hamster;
- quail;
- chicken;
- rats;
- mice.
Thanks to this diet, your pet will feel great, and his body will receive everything it needs. nutrients and trace elements that are used to maintain the normal functioning of all organs and systems of the animal.
Important!Pythons, due to their physiological characteristics, prone to overweight and even obesity. Therefore, you should carefully monitor the balance of their diet so as not to overfeed the reptile.
For active young individuals, feeding frequency varies between two to three times a week. This volume will be enough for them to maintain high activity and proper functioning of the body. As for older reptiles, then they should be fed no more than once a week. The process of digesting food in snakes is quite long, and therefore their feeding has such features.
To others important point is the need to feed the royal python in dark time, because snakes hunt exclusively at night. There come times in a snake’s life when it can simply refuse to eat any food. This most often occurs in winter or during pregnancy. In these cases, females may not eat for up to four months until they lay their eggs. 
One way or another, it is important to monitor the animal’s weight during this period so that it does not decrease to a critical level. low level. If this happens, then you need to offer the snake live prey. Often in such a situation they resort to the help of a small mouse. If this does not help and the snake refuses to eat and loses weight, you need to have it checked for stomatitis by a serpentologist.
Reproduction
If you decide to experiment and breed royal pythons right at home, then it is possible. This process can even be further stimulated if the temperature in the terrarium is reduced to 21°C in the autumn. A lower average daily temperature has a beneficial effect on pythons and contributes to the onset of mating games. 
If everything goes well, then after four months there will be a dozen more baby snakes in your terrarium. After the female lays eggs, and there are from three to fifteen of them in one brood, a long (about 55 days) incubation period begins. This can be done either naturally, when the female warms the offspring with her body, or by incubation, when a constant temperature is maintained in the incubator. heat, about 35°C. One way or another, but at the end of the fourth month, your royal python's offspring will appear.
Danger
For every person the snake is associated with a certain danger hidden in it. We are afraid of her bites, we are afraid to even touch her cold skin, not to mention holding her in our arms. And as a consequence of our stereotypes, the question arises: is the royal python dangerous for humans? We can answer unequivocally that our prejudices do not apply here, and the python is not dangerous to humans. On the contrary, he is peaceful and calm in his presence, and in terms of adaptation to life in captivity, royal pythons are one of the first in the ranking of reptiles. 
The only thing you should not do is wrap the python around your neck, because its instincts are not asleep and can easily cut off your breath. Also, you should not let children near him, because his sudden body movements or a sudden jump can greatly frighten them, and a python is not the best toy for a child.
The bite of a royal python is also not dangerous, because these snakes are not poisonous. But it is still advisable to sterilize the bite site and lubricate it with iodine. Along with royal pythons, tiger and reticulated pythons are the most commonly domesticated species. But if the first of them are far from aggressive, then problems may arise with the second. Due to the fact that reticulated pythons exceed a length of 10 meters, they can easily deal with their smaller relatives, despite their royal title. Therefore, you should not keep these two pythons together, because the crown can very easily go to another. 
Character and lifestyle
Although royal pythons are natives of the wild, their disposition is quite calm and laminar, especially when compared with other representatives of the snake kingdom. There is even a certain friendliness in these creatures, but in matters of hunting they are still the same ruthless predators and killers. IN daytime these reptiles, as a rule, find a secluded place where they can relax and soak up the sun. They curl up into a spiral and make themselves comfortable.
And here When night falls, life begins for royal pythons. Their energy, accumulated over the whole day, finds its way out and contributes to the tireless movement of the predator. It is at night that the royal python should be fed, because during the daytime it most often sleeps. Unfortunately, this lifestyle does not give him any advantages as a pet, because during the day you can only watch him peacefully curled up in the corner of the terrarium and rarely witness his movements. 
Shedding
Before the start of this process, all reptiles experience a certain blurred vision. This is due to a special growth that moves over the animal’s eyes like a veil. Literally a few days after discovering a translucent film on the python’s eyes, you will notice peeling and peeling of the skin. There is no need to help the python in this matter, because nature has provided for everything itself. During this period, you need to increase the humidity in the terrarium. You can spray the python a couple of times a day with a spray bottle, but the water should be quite hot, about 27°C. At the end of molting, the peeled skin must be removed.
Health and prevention
Before moving on to the diseases that the reptile can be exposed to, let's find out how long the royal python lives. Average duration The lifespan of these snakes is 20-30 years. But in captivity there are other cases that can surprise. 
Did you know?Royal pythons are one of the longest living snakes. Thus, their maximum lifespan as a pet is 50 years.
The first sign of illness in a python can be considered refusal of food and weight loss. If there is a significant reduction in weight, then you need to force feed your pet. If in this case he refuses, then most likely the reason for this is stomatitis, which is one of the most common diseases in snakes. With a careful examination of the mouth, you can independently detect this disease. You can also contact a serpentologist. 
Others possible diseases Royal python can act:
- dystocia is a disease associated with disruption of the oviposition process and accompanied by the stopping of the egg in the genital tract;
- exhaustion of various origins and severity;
- prolapse of organs from the cloaca;
- disekdis;
- acute or chronic respiratory syndrome;
- Cryptosporidiosis is a protozoal disease accompanied by significant depletion of the reptile.
If all rules of care, hygiene and maintenance of the reptile are observed, The risk of exposure to any of the above diseases is significantly reduced. Therefore, it is important to monitor the condition of your pet and respond in time to the slightest manifestations of ailments. 
As preventive methods, you can use special vitamin complexes, which will help support the immune system and replenish the missing nutrients and microelements necessary to maintain the performance and proper functioning of the animal’s body.
Choice pet has always been an important and responsible step, because after the animal leaves its previous refuge, it will become yours and will be entirely dependent on the decisions and actions you make. Before choosing representatives of the snake kingdom, you need to take a closer look at them and feel whether it is worth associating yourself with them or whether your impulse is momentary and the snake is, in fact, of no interest to you.
After all, you must admit that it is still possible to adopt a kitten or puppy if you suddenly develop a previously hidden allergy, but finding a new owner for a python, even a royal one, is not so easy. In addition, you need to carefully prepare for welcoming a new inhabitant into your home and equip comfortable conditions, properly equipping the terrarium and preparing food and bedding for the first time. And although it seems that the python does not require much attention, in fact, like any living creature, it will also need your care. But, contrary to popular belief, even a snake can become a man's friend, It is only important to give her your love and care.
Royal pythons have become very popular over the past few years. True, this is not surprising. Thanks to its beautiful coloring, size and character, this species has become one of the most commonly found in domestic collections, and tens of thousands of these animals are exported from Africa every year. These snakes can forgive some mistakes in keeping, and are quite suitable for beginner hobbyists.
In a terrarium, these animals need the same things they need in nature. However, it is impossible to reproduce all the conditions of the changing environment in which a wild animal finds itself in nature. Therefore, when keeping in captivity, we focus our efforts on those conditions and requirements that are absolutely necessary for the life and health of the pet.
If we take into account the huge habitat of pythons as a genus, then the same requirements for terrarium living conditions are slightly surprising. Some pythons are terrestrial, others are arboreal; some come from humid areas, others from dry areas. Moreover, most of them feel great in a terrarium under the same conditions. To be fair, the same can be said about most tropical boas.
Thus, providing for the basic needs of a royal python is not difficult, but it does require several pieces of equipment.
In the terrarium
The first and most important element necessary equipment– this is the terrarium itself. Its main function is to safely restrain the snake. Remember that snakes kept in a terrarium have a lot of free time, and if there is the slightest opportunity to escape, sooner or later they will take advantage of it.
My own first terrariums were various cracked aquariums, the lid of which was glass, pressed down with a brick or a book. Today, however, it is possible to buy a huge number of beautiful ready-made terrariums. There is also nothing difficult about building a terrarium for a royal python with your own hands or converting a suitable household container into a terrarium.
Wood, plastic and glass - all these materials are perfect for making a terrarium. Currently, I enjoy using plastic terrariums with sliding glass on the front wall. The inside of these terrariums has a waterproof coating, which makes them easy to clean and disinfect. All edges and corners are rounded, leaving no gaps or corners that are difficult to clean. The terrariums themselves are lightweight and have good visibility. And the best part is that you don’t have to make them yourself! 
Royal pythons are terrestrial animals that rarely climb branches. The area of the terrarium, based on this, is a much more important indicator than height.
A baby python will be comfortable in a small container the size of a shoebox. An adult python can live its entire life in a terrarium measuring 80 by 45 cm. This is the minimum required dimensions. More spacious terrariums are welcome, but too big sizes may cause feeding difficulties; Sometimes it is difficult for a snake to find food in large quantities. In addition, in large areas it is more difficult to maintain the necessary microclimate. 
Despite the fact that the main purpose of the terrarium is to keep the snake from escaping, it must also create the special conditions necessary for the comfortable life of its inhabitant. Correct temperature and air humidity levels are vital for reptiles.
The royal python comes from drier areas than most of its fellow Pythons. However, it is important to maintain sufficient air humidity high level. In nature, royal pythons spend most time in burrows where the air is humid. Wild snakes are not exposed to dry, hot air as their appearance may seem. natural environment a habitat. In captivity, given a choice, they will also choose a wetter place.
Royal pythons, as tropical animals, need higher temperatures than those that are common in our apartments. Because of this, terrariums with animals must be additionally heated. The ideal air temperature in the terrarium is 26-27C.
There are several ways to heat a terrarium. I use heat cords or heat mats. It is also possible to use incandescent lamps or ceramic heaters for these purposes. It is believed that snakes are color blind and cannot see the light of a light bulb colored red. I myself think that snakes see red, but at least they are not constantly exposed white light, as is the case with the round-the-clock use of a conventional incandescent lamp as a heater. Heating mats and ceramic heaters emit no visible light and convert electricity into heat more efficiently.
At first glance, it may seem that the entire terrarium needs to be warmed up, but this is not so. IN wildlife snakes have the ability to choose the temperature that is optimal for them in this moment time. We can provide the snake with a choice of temperature by placing the heating element in only one corner of the terrarium.
The temperature will be high near the heat source, and will decrease as you move away from it. And the snake will be able to choose the temperature it currently needs. A temperature gradient of 26-32C is ideal for royal pythons. The temperature of the heat source itself may be higher, but this is not a problem as long as the specified warm and cold corner temperatures are maintained.
When night falls on the earth, under natural conditions the air temperature always drops. Therefore, a slight drop in temperature at night in the terrarium is quite possible, and even desirable during the breeding season.
If you use a heating element located under the bottom of the terrarium (cords, mats), then its area should not exceed 1/4-1/3 of the bottom surface. If you notice that the snake spends most of its time in one corner, then most likely the temperature regime needs to be adjusted.
The temperature in the royal python cage can be controlled using a thermostat, a dimmer, or simply selecting the required heater according to the size of the terrarium.
The thermometer in the terrarium is very important when monitoring temperature regime. I get a lot of calls from new breeders who are having problems with animals that don't even know what the temperature is in their snake's enclosure.
Sticker thermometers, which are sold everywhere, are not suitable for measuring the air temperature in a terrarium: they, in fact, show the temperature of the wall to which they are glued, and this is not the same thing.
Thermometers should be placed in areas where the snake spends most of its time. For the royal python, this is floor level. Temperatures in other places are less significant. If you don't use a thermostat, keep in mind that fluctuations in indoor temperature will cause the temperature inside the terrarium to change.
The amount of heat that the heating element must produce to provide desired temperature in a terrarium depends on several variables. First of all, it depends on the size of the terrarium and its design, as well as its location and the size of the ventilation and any other openings. Obviously, larger terrariums require a more powerful heater, and terrariums made from wood retain heat better than plastic or glass. 
The terrarium must be provided with ventilation holes, but do not forget that it is easier to maintain heat and humidity at the proper level if you reduce the size of the ventilation. The location of the ventilation holes also plays an important role.
Since warm air rises, ventilation holes located at the top of the terrarium will lead to unnecessary heat loss. In this case, the heating element will work more intensely to heat the terrarium, and this, in turn, will lead to a decrease in air humidity. Ideally, small ventilation holes should be located at the ends of the terrarium.
The snake should always have access to clean water. Heavy ceramic bowls that will be difficult for the python to tip over work well. If the bowl is large, the evaporation of water in it will help maintain the required level of humidity. For maximum evaporation of water, it is better to place the bowl in a warm corner. 
But we must not forget that in warm water Bacteria multiply quickly, so it is necessary to regularly change the water and wash the bowl.
There are several terrarium substrates that are perfect for royal python terrariums. I myself use newspaper because it is a cheap adsorbent, relatively sterile and easily available.
Some shredded wood substrates (mulches and chips) have a more balanced combination of utility and aesthetics than newspaper. Aspen and pine-based substrates can be used, but cedar should be avoided. Cedar shavings, which are often used in rodent substrates, can be toxic to some reptiles.
Artificial turf mats and similar products can also be used as terrarium backing. They are easy to clean and sterilize, and can be cut to size.
Live plants in a terrarium are very beautiful, but they are difficult to grow and also make cleaning difficult.
Choosing a pet.
Ideally, the royal python should be bred in captivity. I’m not saying this because I breed them myself - it’s true. the best option. Buying an animal bred in captivity will not harm the natural population. Snakes born in captivity do not have the acclimatization problems that plague wild-caught specimens.
Baby royal pythons are some of the most readily available reptiles in the trade today, and most are “farm bred.” In late May-April, baby snakes hatch from eggs laid by pregnant females caught in the wild in Ghana, Togo and Benin. These baby snakes are exported to large quantities. Despite the fact that they were conceived in nature, they were essentially born in captivity. Most are exported within a few days of hatching. If you care for them properly, they make wonderful pets. A beginner who buys his first snake will most likely get exactly this one.
When choosing a royal python, pay attention to the fact that the baby has good weight and muscle tone. Should not appear dehydrated or have any remnants of previous shedding. If possible, obtain confirmation that the snake is feeding on its own.
Royal pythons are highly undervalued in the reptile market and, as a result, do not always receive the care and attention they deserve. If it is not possible to adopt a snake that has been well cared for, you should try to adopt one that was recently imported.
Dinner time
Adult royal pythons caught in the wild usually have difficulty acclimatizing in captivity. They often refuse to eat for long periods.
Royal pythons are long-lived. The record for living in captivity for them is 50 years. Therefore, some of the adult animals caught in the wild may well be very old. And getting used to new conditions can be very long and difficult for such animals. Using your imagination, it's not hard to imagine the shock of a wild snake finding itself in a Cincinnati bedroom aquarium.
Almost every one of these stubborn snakes starts eating sooner or later. To help your snake acclimate, there are a few things you need to do. First, make sure that the temperature and humidity in the terrarium are within the optimal range. In addition, it is necessary to provide the snake with a place where it can hide. Remember that these snakes naturally live in burrows, so the ideal hiding place should have a small opening, be dark, and allow the snake to feel securely hidden. This simple condition will reduce stress in their lives as much as possible. The shelter should be tight enough so that the snake can feel the walls while inside.
You need to understand that in the wild, snakes can rarely be found on open surfaces, where they are easily accessible to predators. And according to the snake’s understanding, you are a predator! Do not touch the snake until it begins to feed regularly on its own. Attempts at domestication will only increase stress and prolong the adaptation period.
If your snake refuses to eat mice, try offering rats. If rat doesn't work, try giving gerbil - many stubborn hungry people are tempted by this food. Remember that although a snake in nature eats rodents, our rats and mice are completely different species and may seem completely unfamiliar to it.
Baby royal pythons may start feeding on teenage mice. Newly hatched baby snakes are small, and many new snake keepers feel that a smaller meal would be more appropriate. Although some pythons will eat mouse pebbles, a larger, more active mouse will more quickly trigger feeding behavior in a snake that has never eaten before.
Growing pythons can be given larger mice, two mice, small rats and eventually adult rats. I have one large royal python that sometimes gets baby rabbits.
Never leave a live food rodent unattended in a terrarium. If the snake refuses to eat it, it may seriously bite it.
Feed your snake once a week or so. I keep a record of snake activity, noting dates of feeding, molting and rutting. Such recordings can be used to better understand snake behavior depending on the time of year.
Some royal pythons, especially if they are not bred animals, will fast from time to time even if they have previously been feeding regularly. This is usually not a cause for concern. Just make sure the conditions are optimal and continue to offer food weekly. And don't lose patience. Most of the pythons will start feeding again after some time.
Basics about breeding
Most captive-bred royal pythons breed readily. Sexual behavior can be stimulated by lowering night temperatures to 21C in autumn. After such a temperature drop, partners often begin to show interest in each other.
Mating occurs over several weeks. Females develop follicles, ovulate and lay eggs over the next three or four months. Clutch sizes vary from three to twelve eggs, usually seven. The eggs can be incubated by the female herself, but an incubator can be used for this purpose. At a temperature of 32C, the eggs hatch into baby snakes after 55 days.
The coloring and pattern of wild-caught royal pythons are almost identical, although there are exceptions. Some of these exceptions turned out to be hereditary. Currently, these unusual color traits are genetically fixed and available for purchase. Many of the morphs are scarce and have a high price. Most morphs are bred from one, sometimes two, unusually colored snakes caught in the wild.
Because royal pythons have few offspring and breed only once a year, it takes a long time to breed and make a new morph available. Some interesting morphs can be found on sale, and new ones, although not often, continue to appear.
The royal python, due to its attractiveness, availability and low price, has become one of the most popular reptiles kept as a pet. They have a calm disposition, are unpretentious and live well in captivity. In fact, I have kept king pythons for about 30 years and they are still one of my favorite snakes.
In this article I will tell you everything about how to keep royal python at home, what kind of terrarium he needs, how to arrange a terrarium so that the python is comfortable and what to feed the royal python.
Royal python is not very major representative kind. With a rather small size (males reach a length of one and a half meters, females up to almost two meters), this species has a very powerful body. The body thickness of an adult snake can be fifteen centimeters. With such a thickness, if the python shrinks, even an adult man will not have enough strength to unclench it.
Due to its small size, amazing coloring and its many forms, the royal python is becoming a popular pet among exotic lovers.
Before purchasing a snake, you should find out whether it was born in captivity or caught from the wild. I recommend buying only those snakes that have already been born in captivity and with early age. There are several reasons for this:
- A snake that was born in captivity adapts much more easily to home conditions. While she is small, she tolerates changing conditions relatively painlessly, which cannot be said about adult snakes. Snakes caught in the wild very rarely get used to home conditions and in most cases die.
- When buying a snake that was born in captivity, you can definitely find out its age, and knowing this data already, you can understand whether the snake was kept normally or was underfed. There are cases when the snake, on the contrary, is overfed. This is very harmful if you want to breed a royal python. I was very lucky when I bought my python. I took him literally two weeks after he hatched and I personally monitor his growth.
Keeping this snake at home is not very easy; you need to especially carefully monitor the living conditions of young snakes. After you buy a python, it may be stressed for the first week and may refuse to eat. That's exactly what happened to me. Then I transplanted it into a small container, 40x40x40 centimeters, put an incandescent lamp on top and maintained the temperature at least 27 degrees and high humidity 80 percent. Plus there was a container of water inside so the snake could bathe.
A week after these conditions, my python ate its first mouse and began to eat steadily. To keep an adult snake you need enough large terrarium. The dimensions of my terrarium are 70x40x50. One corner of the terrarium must be heated to 32 degrees. You can use either artificial litter or coconut as bedding. I prefer to use coconut. It retains moisture much better and the aroma of pure coconut is pleasant.
It is necessary to put several shelters in the terrarium. These could be empty pots, snags (driftwood), a piece of bark, caves, and much more where the snake can hide. In nature, royal pythons climb onto branches and can hunt from them. It would be a good idea to place a large branch so that the snake can hunt from above. Also in the terrarium there should be a cup with clean water. Pythons not only drink water, but also love to swim in it. As the snake grows, increase the volume of the cup.
Young royal pythons should be fed twice a week with an adult mouse, provided that the temperature is maintained high and the snake has had time to digest the food. Adult pythons can be fed once a week or two weeks with a large rat. When snakes begin to feed on rats, they begin to grow much faster, this is due to the fact that they are more nutritious.
From my experience I can suggest the following feeding regimen:
- While your python is small, buy him one adult mouse once a week and keep the temperature around 27 degrees and humidity 80 percent.
- As soon as your snake grows 30 centimeters, you can try offering it a small rat, slightly larger than an adult mouse. And so gradually increase the size of the food object.
- Adult rats can only be given when the python has reached its maximum size of one and a half or two meters and has a massive body, otherwise the rat may damage it. In my opinion, it is better to give several young rats in turn than to risk the animal.
- My royal python is very good at eating chickens, plus they are cheaper than rats and won't harm your animal. So if you can get chicks of the right size, feed them instead.
Do you like royal pythons? Do you already have such a pet or are you just looking to get one?
53 comments: Royal python. Features of keeping at home.
Python is non-venomous snake, which belongs to the class reptiles, order Scaly, suborder snakes, family pythons (lat. Pythonidae). This article describes this family.
The word “python” came into Russian from Greek mythology. It comes from the name of the mythical Python, a monstrous serpent of the underworld, killed by Apollo, the sun god.
Python - description and characteristics. What does a python look like?
Pythons are known as very large snakes, reaching up to 10 meters. According to some scientists, the reticulated python (lat. Malayopython reticulatus) is the longest snake in the world. The weight of large individuals can exceed 100 kg. According to the Guinness Book of Records, the largest and heaviest python living in captivity is the dark tiger python (Python bivittatus) called Baby. Its weight is 182.8 kg. Most long python, listed in the Guinness Book of Records, is the reticulated python Samantha (lat. Python reticulatus) measuring 7.9 meters.
According to information from the website www.nationalgeographic.com, the length common anaconda(lat. Eunectes murinus) can reach 9.1 meters and weigh 249 kilograms. It is considered the heaviest snake in the world, but is in second place after pythons in size. True, Soviet biologists (Akimushkin I., Zenkevich L.A. and others) can argue on this score, noting that the longest anaconda caught reached 11.43 meters.
The smallest representative of the python family is the small spotted python (lat. Antaresia perthensis, syn. Bothrochilus perthensis), which lives in Australia, which grows to only 30-50 cm in length. An adult reptile weighs only 200 grams. Newborn snakes of this species reach a length of 17 cm and weigh 4 g.
Representatives of the family do not have massive bones, so the body of reptiles consists mainly of muscles. Their strength is such that large pythons easily break bones, for example, a crocodile or a leopard.
The snake's body is slightly compressed from the sides, while the python's head is clearly separated. Pythons have vertical pupils.
The premaxillary bones have teeth. The palatine bone in some species is toothless (for example, in black-headed pythons), in others it has teeth, the number of which reaches hundreds. Pythons' teeth are directed backwards; there are 4 rows of teeth on the upper jaw and 2 rows on the lower jaw. Representatives of the family do not have poisonous glands.
Pythons have a good sense of smell. On the upper and lower labial scutes of many species there are 2-4 pits located in front of the muzzle. These are some kind of thermolocators. With their help, pythons detect infrared radiation from warm-blooded animals and can hunt using only these organs.
Black-headed pythons do not have thermolocators.
Representatives of the family have developed both lungs, which are unequal in size. On both sides of the anus of reptiles there are small keratinized claws, slightly protruding above the scales - these are rudiments pelvic bones, called false legs. In males they are more developed than in females. Their size can be used to determine the sex of the snake.
The coloration of the representatives of the family is very beautiful and varied. There are species that are more or less uniformly colored, for example, the olive python. But, basically, the skin of pythons is decorated with stripes, spots, speckles or fancy patterns. The names of the species indicate this: carpet, hieroglyphic, tiger, mesh. The color contains the most different colors: red, green, white, yellow, fawn, black, brown, cream, olive, orange and others. There is skin with iridescent tints, such as that of a reticulated python.
Among pythons, there are albinos with light or white skin, red eyes and a pink tongue. It is difficult for such reptiles to survive in nature: they have no camouflage, they can be seen from afar, and they easily become prey for predators.
Albinos are often found in zoos and terrariums.
In captivity, thanks to long-term selection work, numerous morphological changes in the colors of the skin of pythons were obtained, which was a consequence of genetic mutations. For example, the royal python has a huge number of morphs.
The colors of captive-bred snakes include white, yellow, gray, brown, black, reddish, and the spots have different shapes. Some morphs have no spots at all: instead, there are stripes on the python’s skin.
Royal Python morphs: 1. Reduced Pattern Banana Clown; 2. Spider Clown; 3. White Wedding; 4. Banana. Taken from: www.morphmarket.com
Is python dangerous for humans?
Existing rumors about python attacks on people are exaggerated, although several cases have been officially recognized in which a fourteen-year-old boy and an adult woman became victims of pythons. The reticulated python can be considered potentially dangerous, since recorded cases of attacks on people relate specifically to this snake. But even this python can be more dangerous for a child or teenager than for an adult, since Weight Limit its production does not exceed 15 kg. Basically, these large snakes prefer to avoid people and are content only with snatching pets.
Where do pythons live?
Pythons live mainly only in Eastern Hemisphere. They are common:
- in Africa: in sub-Saharan Africa;
- in Asia in the south and southeast of the mainland (India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Brunei, Bangladesh, southern China) and island states (Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Papua -New Guinea, East Timor);
- in Australia,
- Some types of pythons were brought to the United States: for example, in the 80s of the 20th century, dark tiger pythons (lat. Python bivittatus) were first seen in the Everglades National Park in South Florida. In the 2000s, it was officially recognized that snakes successfully reproduce and increase their numbers in this area.
The habitats of pythons are located near water bodies. Snakes are found both in mountainous areas (up to 2000 m above sea level) and on plains; they feel good in humid tropical forests and in woodlands of arid zones. Some species live almost constantly in trees, others mainly crawl on the ground.
What do pythons eat?
Pythons eat various mammals: ungulates (, muntjacs, etc.), rodents (,), (macaques, langurs, etc.), feast on livestock (goats, etc.). Snakes also catch birds (pheasants), including domestic birds (chickens). The diet of these reptiles includes reptiles (, others, including pythons) and amphibians (,). Species native to Australia eat marsupials.
The python strangles its victims and then swallows them whole. Due to the extensibility of the mouth and body coverings, pythons can swallow prey that is 2-3 times the thickness of their body. But even this ability has its limits. The largest animals that a huge ten-meter snake can swallow are the size of a pig or a roe deer, but not or.
The weight of food consumed by a snake per year does not exceed its own weight. After each “lunch”, the python fasts for a long time: weeks or even months. At the zoo, these giants sometimes starved for up to 2 years.
Pythons lead night look life. At dusk, these snakes see much better than during the day. Hunting in the cool of the night, they feel the thermal radiation emanating from animals much more strongly. Typically, a python attacks its prey from ambush, making a sharp lunge in its direction and throwing out a third of its body. Then the snake strangles the helpless prey, overwhelming it with 2-3 coils and additionally clinging to it with its teeth. If the throw is unsuccessful, the python will wait for a new victim: the snake crawls quite slowly, so the prey may well escape from it. If a python has eaten, it generally does not pay attention to living creatures nearby. But if he is hungry, his blood composition changes, which affects nervous system and triggers the attack reflex. When attacking, the python strangles the victim; in defense, he only bites. Most young pythons easily climb trees, overtaking prey among the branches or rushing at it from a height. It is more difficult for adults and large individuals to climb a tree, so they hunt on the ground.
Pythons love water and can lie in it for a long time. Some individuals swim across rivers and even sea straits. Photo credit: Paul Asman and Jill Lenoble, CC BY-SA 3.0
How long does a python live?
The lifespan of pythons in the wild varies depending on the species. In zoos they live for about 20-30 years.
Types of pythons, names and photos
Below is a description of several varieties of pythons.
- Royal python (ball python, ball python) (lat.Python regius) It is small in size, reaching no more than 1.82 meters in length. The average length of males is 0.9-1.07 m, females - 1.22-1.37 m. The body of the reptile is dense and thick. The head is wide, flattened. The tail is short. In nature, the royal python has a spotted body color, which consists of alternating dark brown and light brown or golden spots. Sometimes the spots are separated by a thin border white. On the top of the python's head there is a dark triangular spot, and on its sides there are dark stripes, separated by a narrow yellow stripe. The abdomen is usually creamy white with spots scattered across it. Additionally, there are numerous morphs of the royal python that vary in color.
The ball python received its second name because of its ability, in moments of danger, to curl up into a tight ball, sticking its head inside. Thus, the snake takes the form of a ball, which even a person cannot unfold. The reptile is nocturnal. The python feeds on small mammals (rats, shrews, African striped mice), and sometimes eats birds. The snake knows how to climb trees well and lies in wait for prey, hiding on the branches and hanging down the front part of the body. Swimming in warm water brings pleasure to the reptile.
The royal python mates from June to November. Pregnancy lasts from 120 to 140 days. The female lays 4-10 white eggs measuring 75-80x55-60 mm. Incubation continues for 68-70 days. The hatched snakes have a body size of 43 cm and a weight of 47 g.
The royal python lives in equatorial forests West and Central Africa. The habitat covers the following countries: Senegal, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau, Republic of Guinea, Republic of Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Niger, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo , Mali, Uganda, Sudan. Representatives of this species can often be seen in zoos. They reproduce well in captivity.
- Tiger python (lat.Python molurus),
presumably has 2 subspecies:
- Light tiger python, or Indian python (lat. Python molurus molurus),
- Ceylon tiger python (lat. Pythonmolurus pimbura).
There is an opinion that the second subspecies is not a subspecies, but simply a local island form, which is distinguished by its smaller size. The third subspecies was the dark tiger python (lat. Python bivittatus), but then it was isolated as an independent species.
Tiger pythons usually reaching a length of 3 meters. The maximum length is 4.6 meters. The color of the snake is spotted: red-brown or brown-red spots are located against a background of yellow tones. Sometimes albino tiger pythons are born, whose white body is covered with large and small yellow spots.
The tiger python's habitat is India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Vietnam. Reptiles are found in all landscapes of their range: in tropical and foothill forests, on plains with sparse vegetation, in mountainous areas among bush-covered stones, rising up to 2000 meters above sea level. Snakes prefer to be close to bodies of water and are excellent tree climbers. Tiger pythons feed on monkeys, various rodents and small ungulates. Among the birds they like are pigeons, pheasants, and ducks. The remains of jackals and even leopards were found in the stomachs of these reptiles. Females incubate a clutch, which can contain up to 100 eggs, without leaving or feeding for two months. Then babies appear, 50-60 cm long.
Tiger pythons are large, calm, peace-loving snakes. They are kept and bred in many zoos around the world and on special farms. In the homeland of tiger pythons, they are eaten and their skin is used to make shoes and clothing. Reptiles are also kept as pets. They are no worse at killing rats and mice. Tiger pythons reproduce well in captivity: this gives hope that it is possible to restore their population, which has noticeably declined as a result of human activity.
- Reticulated python(lat.Malayopython reticulatus) - This is the longest python in the world, reaching 10 meters. It has 4 upper labial scutes, 297-330 ventral scutes and 78-102 pairs of subcaudal scutes. The reptile's back is covered with light brown spots in the shape of a diamond with rounded corners; on the sides there are dark brown triangles with a light center. The skin of the reptile has iridescent tints.
The reticulated python is found in Indonesia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Malaysia, East Timor, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Prefers moist forests. On the island of Java it is found in mountains up to 1200 m, but usually does not rise high in the mountains. The reptile loves damp forests and climbs trees well. Pythons are excellent swimmers and are not embarrassed salty water. Some individuals go on sea voyages on their own or on driftwood or trees: this is how these snakes settled across the small islands of the Sunda archipelago. Reptiles can be found near human habitation, they crawl into courtyards or settle along the banks of rivers in large cities.
Reticulated pythons eat birds, reptiles, mammals, and attack domestic animals and birds: dogs, pigs, goats, chickens.
Females lay, on average, 50 eggs, but sometimes there can be 100 eggs. Snakes incubate the eggs, warming them with their bodies for up to 80-82 days. Hatched python cubs reach 60 cm in length.
The reticulated python is a commercial object for the population of the countries in which it lives. This snake is eaten. In zoos, the python takes root well and reproduces, but at the same time it has a quarrelsome character: it can even bite the person who is constantly caring for it.
The longest python in the world is the reticulated python (lat. Malayopython reticulatus). Photo credit: Kaushik Parui, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Green python (tree python) (lat.Morelia viridis) - a small snake with a slightly laterally flattened body ranging from 1.5 to 1.8 meters in length. Rarely grows up to 2 meters. The reptile's neck is quite thin, and its tail is very tenacious. The tree python has highly elongated front teeth, with which it holds prey caught above the ground. The color corresponds to the name of the snake: bright green with small white spots along the ridge. Rarely found specimens blue color. Young tree pythons are also covered with white spots, but the background can be of different shades: bright yellow, bright red, brown with a white pattern.
The second name of the snake indicates its way of life, since the reptile lives mainly in trees in tropical rainforests.
The green tree python eats small mammals and birds. The food of young individuals consists of frogs and small lizards. When hunting, the python uses the bright tip of its own tail as bait.
Green tree pythons breed from May to July. The female incubates the clutch for 50-60 days.
The pythons' habitat covers New Guinea, Indonesia, Australia, and Eider Island. The snake is used by the local population in ceremonies and holiday rituals.
- Carpet python (carpet snake, diamondback python) (lat.Morelia spilota) has several subspecies, the color of which varies from olive green to black with spots of white, cream and gold.
Various subspecies of carpet pythons are found in separate parts Australia, as well as New Guinea. In the east and north of the mainland, the snake lives in damp forests, hiding among the branches of trees. In central Australia, reptiles are found in desert areas, lead a terrestrial lifestyle and occupy the burrows of various animals.
The python feeds on mammals, and less often on birds and reptiles. Active at night. Females lay 25-40 eggs and incubate them for 2-2.5 months. Carpet pythons are protected in national parks and nature reserves.
- Bradley's diamondback python (lat.Morelia bredli) - a species native to northern Australia.
The maximum length of a python reaches 3 meters. The snake has several names: Central python, Central carpet python, Bradley carpet python. The reptile's body is reddish in color with a pattern of beige, cream or yellow spots surrounded by light gray and dark stripes. The dark pattern intensifies towards the back of the body. The python's belly is light cream or yellowish in color.
The reptile lives in rocky areas, found both on the ground and on trees or bushes.
- Australian Ramsey's python(lat. Aspidites ramsayi) lives in the west and southwest of Australia, as well as in the central part. Lives in arid regions, found among forests and thickets.
The length of the python is 1.5-2.7 m. The snake is active at night. The color of the reptile is yellowish-brown, darker on the back, with frequent brown-red stripes across the body. The head is reddish in color.
The python, like other species of the family, feeds on mammals, reptiles, and birds.
- Hieroglyphic python (rock python)(lat. Python sebae) has an average length of 3-5 m and a mass of 44-55 kg, 269-286 abdominal and 63-77 pairs of subcaudal scutes. Some individuals, when growing, can reach 6-7.5 meters in length and weigh almost 100 kg. There is a reliably known case when a hieroglyphic python measuring 9.81 m was found. The snake received its name because of its bizarre coloring: its skin seemed to be dotted with hieroglyphs, which allows it to be perfectly camouflaged in the grass. On the top of the python's head there is a dark triangle, and on its sides there are dark stripes.
This African resident distributed in countries such as Senegal, Gambia, Mauritania, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Cameroon, Mali, Niger, Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Rwanda, Tanzania, Angola, Somalia, Burundi, Gabon, Eritrea. The hieroglyphic python is nocturnal and hunts birds, large rodents, and small antelopes. Inhabits savannas, woodlands, bushes, rocky ridges. In some places in Africa, the python is destroyed for its meat and skins, while in others it is worshiped and temples are built.
During the breeding season, females lay 50-100 eggs. The incubation period lasts 2-3 months. Newborn python cubs are 70 cm long. Young pythons become sexually mature in the fifth or sixth year of life, upon reaching 3 m in length.
The hieroglyphic python is not dangerous for humans: it can attack a person and injure him with sharp teeth only during self-defense, but not for hunting purposes. Usually, when it sees a person, a python hides or crawls away. In captivity, a non-venomous snake easily gets used to people, behaves calmly and reproduces well.
- Short-tailed red python(lat.Python brongersmai) - a rare snake, common in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Sumatra (Indonesia).
The length of males is usually 0.91-1.52 m, the length of females varies from 1.2 to 1.8 m. The largest individuals grew up to 2.4 meters in length. The weight of females can reach 22 kg. The color of the massive and sedentary snake is red-orange with yellowish-brownish spots or stripes; there are silver and black spots and lines on the sides. Some individuals are gray in color with fawn and brown markings.
Pythons live in damp and swampy places, along the banks of reservoirs. They spend a lot of time in the water and are nocturnal.
Short-tailed red pythons eat small mammals and birds. These snakes do not like to actively hunt, so they usually wait for random prey.
The red python is oviparous; females lay 8-16 eggs, which are incubated for 70-75 days at a temperature of 30-32°C. In captivity, the reptile reproduces extremely rarely.
- Large water python (lat. Liasis papuana, formerly –Morelia maxima) - a rare species that is found in New Guinea and Indonesia (Misool and Ferguson islands).
The size of the reptile varies from 1.5 to 4 m. The maximum length is 4.78 m. The weight of the python can reach 22.5 kg. The color is plain olive or light brown. Some individuals have a darker back, brownish-yellow sides and a grayish-brown head. Juveniles are darker in color.
The water python feeds on small mammals, snakes, including other types of pythons. The snake is hunted by crocodile monitor lizards.
- White-lipped python (lat.Bothrochilus albertisii) grows up to 2-3 m in length. It got its name from the white stripes on its lips. The back of the snake is dark brown, the sides are yellowish, the head is black, the belly and throat are white.
The python's diet includes small mammals and birds.
During the breeding season, the snake lays 10-18 eggs. Mating occurs in July-September, and egg laying occurs in September-November, that is, incubation lasts 60-70 days.
The white-lipped python lives in New Guinea, the islands of northern Australia and some islands of Indonesia. Prefers to live in forests.
- Black-headed python (lat.Aspidites melanocephalus) – a rare species of dark brown color with black stripes on the back and yellow markings on the sides. The head is shiny black. The size of the python varies from 1.5 to 2.5 m.
The snake lives in Australia (in the northeast, north and west of the mainland), in coastal forests and bushes. It is active at dusk and at night.
Females lay 7-9 eggs in July-August.
The python's diet consists mainly of other reptiles. His diet includes such dangerous Poisonous snakes, like the tiger snake and the Australian black snake. The black-headed python is not afraid of their bite and can swallow a reptile almost equal in size to itself.
