How to care for a ball python. How to care for a ball python Royal python size and weight
Every year the number of those wishing to have exotic animals at home or in the office is increasing more and more. It is already difficult to surprise us with dogs, cats, hamsters, talking parrots or just fish. People are drawn to the mysterious but attractive wild animals that you want to see not only in TV programs or behind bars in the zoo, but also in close proximity to yourself. So man 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 not poisonous representatives, although amendments are possible here. And one of the most common reptiles in the terrarium is royal python, the content of which at home will be discussed in our article.
Habitat
We all imagine the environment in which reptiles live. it rainforests with high humidity and sweltering heat, where, under the canopy of centuries-old trees, they hide from the scorching sun rays snakes and other unpleasant entities. Speaking of the royal python, it can also be argued that its habitat, which lies mainly along west coast Africa, fully corresponds to the picture described earlier. 
This snake can also be found in Central Africa, but there it is much less common, because snakes love moisture and water, and arid Africa rarely boasts of these conditions. Senegal, Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Nigeria, Cameroon and some other countries on the west coast have become a haven for the royal python.
Description
Royal python snake - far from the best big representative of its category. Usually pythons reach several large sizes compared to the royal ones. But, nevertheless, this reptile has an impressive size and a very well-developed muscular structure, which helps not only in moving and overcoming obstacles, but also during hunting. After all, it is no secret that pythons are not poisonous, and therefore, for the production of food, they use the impressive strength of the rings of their torso, where each segment is endowed with powerful muscle fibers. When contracting, these fibers squeeze the victim with such force that it is basically impossible to escape or escape. 
Did you know?Like many other reptiles, the female is much larger than the male. So the length of the average female snake is about two meters, while the males do not exceed one meter. This is one of the few external signs, by which you can determine the sex of the reptile.
The color of the royal python fully justifies its pretentious name. Plays of black and golden scales create a truly aristocratic coloring of these snakes. And, as if this was not enough for nature, a golden-yellow triangle flaunts on the head of a python, 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, pleasing to the eye among other representatives of reptiles. 
morphs
The morphs of the royal python are quite diverse and each species has its own distinctive features. Let's take a 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. Each tamed creature needs to proper care and ensuring comfortable living on the same territory with the breeder. And royal pythons are no exception to this rule.
Terrarium device
Due to the fact that pythons are terrestrial animals and are extremely rarely pulled up, the terrarium should have large dimensions in its width than in height. So this terrarium should be of a horizontal type with a maximum of space for the movement of the reptile. 
Important!The minimum allowable dimensions of the terrarium for adult are 0.8 by 0.5 meters. In the event that it is possible to expand these dimensions, then this is definitely worth doing. Your pet will thank you. Keep in mind, though, that as you increase your snake's living space, you increase the difficulty of maintaining the necessary parameters inside it, such as humidity and temperature.
Not so long ago, glass was the main material for terrariums, but nowadays plastic products, which are distinguished by increased practicality and durability, are becoming especially popular. So, the plastic terrarium has rounded corners, so it will be much easier to clean it. In addition, tightness and strength, because glass can be broken even by accidentally hitting 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 misconception, sawdust it is better not to use, and especially if they are from cedar rocks. Such litter is highly toxic to snakes, and this will lead to adverse consequences.
Whatever filler you decide to use, the main rule is that there should always be a replacement material nearby so that your pet is comfortable.
In addition to the soft bottom, it is worth taking care of the secluded places in which the reptile can hide from prying eyes. For this you can adapt flower pot or a shoe box, if we consider budget options. But if your funds allow, you can equip a terrarium special items, which are sold in stores: snag, empty tree trunk, rocky mounds and others. The main thing here is not to overdo it, because there should be a place for movement and hunting.
Live plants in a terrarium look very ergonomic, but this option will not simplify your task at all, because you will have to look after not only the snake, but also the greenery. 
Care and hygiene
But, if you think that the choice of flooring materials and decorations will complete the home improvement for the royal python, then you are deeply mistaken, because you still have to take care of lighting, humidity and temperature control. So, fluorescent lamps are usually used to illuminate the terrarium. a wide range, which most effectively distribute light to the entire area of \u200b\u200bthe dwelling.
In addition, you should adjust the lighting time, because for royal pythons, 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night time are considered normal. But even here, 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 time is only 10. The main task is select the lighting mode as close as possible to the real one.
It's no secret that wooden terrariums retain heat better, and plastic and, especially, glass 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 a reptile pet with comfortable living conditions in your home is humidity. It should be maintained with the help of an artificial reservoir inside the python's dwelling. Reptiles are very fond of water procedures, and an artificial reservoir is the best way to fulfill this need. The water temperature should be within 25 ° C, and its replacement should be done every day. 
Feeding and diet
The royal python's diet is dominated by meat, as these reptiles are known for their hunting skills and ability to kill silently thanks to their powerful rings of long torso. 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 treats 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 all the necessary 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, tend to be overweight and even obese. Therefore, you should carefully monitor the balance of their diet so as not to overfeed the reptile.
For active juveniles, the feeding frequency varies between two and 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.
Other important point is the need to feed the royal python in the dark, because snakes hunt exclusively at night. In the life of a snake, there come such moments when it can simply refuse to take 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 weight of the animal during this period so that it does not decrease to a critical 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 will refuse to eat and lose weight, you need to check it for stomatitis at the serpentologist.
reproduction
If you decide to experiment and breed royal pythons right at home, then this is possible. This process can even be further stimulated by lowering the temperature in the terrarium to 21°C in autumn. The lower average daily temperature favorably affects the pythons and contributes to the start of mating games. 
If everything goes well, then after four months there will be a dozen more serpents 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 also be done in a natural way, when the female heats the offspring with her body, or incubation, when a constant temperature is maintained in the incubator. heat, about 35°С. One way or another, but finishing fourth month the offspring of your royal python will appear.
Danger
For every person the snake is associated with some danger hidden in it. We are afraid of her bites, afraid to even touch her cold skin, not to mention holding her in our arms. And as a result of our stereotypes, the question arises: is the royal python dangerous for humans? It can be unequivocally answered 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 among the first in the ranking of reptiles. 
The only thing you should not do is spin the python around your neck, because its instincts are on the alert and can easily block your breath. Also, do not let children near him, because his sudden movements or a sudden jump can scare them a lot, and the python does not best toy for a child.
The bite of a royal python is also not dangerous, because these snakes are not venomous. But the bite site is still desirable to sterilize and lubricate with iodine. Along with the royal pythons, tiger and reticulated pythons are most often domesticated. 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 the 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 native wildlife, 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 the daytime, these reptiles, as a rule, find a secluded place for themselves where they can relax and soak up the sun. They curl up and get comfortable.
But with the onset of night, life begins for royal pythons. Their energy, accumulated over the whole day, finds its outlet and contributes to the relentless movement of the predator. It is at night that you should feed the royal python, because in the daytime he most often sleeps. Unfortunately, this lifestyle does not give him any advantages as a pet, because during the day you can only watch how he peacefully curled up in the corner of the terrarium and rarely become witnesses of his movements. 
Moult
Before the start of this process, all reptiles have a certain blurred vision. This is due to a special outgrowth that approaches the eyes of the animal, like a veil. Literally a few days after the discovery of a translucent film on the eyes of a python, you will find peeling and peeling of the skin. It is not necessary 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 the molt, the peeled skin must be removed.
Health and Prevention
Before moving on to the diseases that a reptile can be exposed to, let's find out how long a royal python lives. Average duration The life 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. So, their maximum lifespan as pet is 50 years old.
The first sign of the appearance of diseases in a python can be considered food refusal and weight loss. If there is a significant reduction in the weight indicator, then you need to force-feed the 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 - a disease associated with a violation of the oviposition process and accompanied by an egg stop in the genital tract;
- exhaustion of various genesis and severity;
- prolapse of organs from the cloaca;
- disecdis;
- acute or chronic respiratory syndrome;
- cryptosporidiosis is a protozoal disease accompanied by significant depletion of the reptile.
In case of compliance with all the rules of care, hygiene and maintenance of the reptile, 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 connect special vitamin complexes that will help support immunity and replenish the missing useful material and trace elements necessary to maintain the health 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 home, it will become yours and will depend entirely on the decisions and actions you have taken. 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 your impulse is momentary and the snake, in fact, is not of interest to you.
After all, you must admit that it is still possible to attach a kitten or a puppy if you suddenly have 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 the reception of a new inhabitant at home and equip comfortable conditions by 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 man's friend, it is only important to give her your love and care.
royal python- perhaps the most "wooden" snake in captivity. Here I will write briefly some of the events associated with this animal, so as not to forget. Then perhaps for some moments there will be full-fledged recordings.
Basic conditions for keeping a royal python at home >>>.
Brief content diary
February
16.02.2018
years purchased the Royal python (lat. Python regius). Girl, 55 cm. The last feeding was on February 15, 2018. The age of the royal python is approximately 4 months.
20.02.2018
a live mouse has been proposed. Either she was offered incorrectly, or there was still stress after the move and she refused it.
22.02.2018
the python did not show proper activity and she was again offered a live mouse. With grief in half, she coped with it
26.02.2018
one mouse came out.
Outcome: for half a month two mice.
March
23.03.2018
noticed that it will shed.
28.03.2018
on the night of the 27th to the 28th she shed very well with a whole stocking. Refuses to eat.
31.03.2018
There was an idea to give a runner and freeze immediately after it. Didn't roll. She ate the runner, refused to freeze. Will have to re-freeze.
Outcome: one runner and molt.
April
07.04.2018
ate a live mouse. starting on the 1st, a live mouse was offered almost every day. 5-6 the mouse was not offered. I ate on the 7th)))
16.04.2018
I ate a live mouse almost from my hand. While I teach her to eat a mouse, not freely wandering, but from her hand.
20.04.2018
I ate a live mouse almost from my hand. Attacked when the mouse hung (held by the tail). She knocked the mouse out of her hand, the mouse fell on her. As soon as the mouse turned its face towards it, the mouse was attacked and eaten. I am glad that I entered a normal diet - once every 4-5 days. Eats without slipping from the branch.
23.04.2018
- pooped. Break from February 26th. almost two months!!!
29.04.2018
The mouse killed, but did not immediately eat. Spit it out. although she sucked her head. Stumbled and ate a live mouse. Doesn't eat out of hand. We need to release the mouse. The snake does not hunt. Waiting for the mouse to poke her in the nose. Only after that eat.
Outcome: 4 mice, which is very small for this age of the Royal Python.
May
05.05.2018
- pooped.
07.05.2018
- Same problem. I killed a mouse and crawled around it for a long time, trying to grab it by the ass, then by the side to start eating. It took about 15 minutes from the moment she killed and began to settle down, before she swallowed the tip of her tail.
12.05.2018
suggested the mouse. Half an hour zero reaction. At first, at least she turned her head in his direction, then they each began to live their own lives. It was decided to release the mouse. Serpent on "adrenaline" bare hand did not want to climb. Tried to drive the mouse into the opposite corner from the snake. Python regius has already begun to show interest in me. The python's head was covered with a disposable paper towel. A mouse crawled under the same towel. After waiting a bit, he removed the towel. It was fucked up. Regius is attacking me, and a mouse is hiding behind his "back". In general, he began trying to extract the mouse. The mouse rushed around the terrarium like crazy, I tried not to get under attack by the python. When a mouse, running away from me, touched a python, the python politely bit her thighs. From this, the mouse became completely dull and began to pinch into all the cracks and hide in them. In the next run past the python was attacked. Timeline: The mouse and python spent approximately 30 minutes. After that I started trying to catch the mouse. I drove the mouse around the python for about five minutes, after five minutes the python killed the mouse, but quickly lost interest and went about its business for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, he returned to the mouse and swallowed. It took another five minutes. ufff….
14.05.2018
- the beginning of the molt. it was noticed that the eyes seemed to have begun to grow cloudy. Set up a house in the evening. By morning she was in it and did not get out until the end of the molt. 05/12/2018 gave her a “water bath” (wetted the whole coconut with water. The humidity jumped to 80% and slowly dropped to 70% for a couple of days)
20.05.2018
it was noticed that the house was moved from its place. As a result, the python shed and pooped and peed, lay aside from the feces. A mouse was immediately offered, which was eaten without much thought.
24.05.2018
it seemed to me that in the eyes of the royal python there was longing and a plea for a mouse. Gave me a mouse. The mouse started to sniff the python, but was immediately eaten. It looks like the royal python is entering a normal diet.
Outcome: 4 mice.
June
04.06.2018
- pooped.
18.06.2018
the runner who was born with us left for dinner. She ate almost as soon as he ran up to her.
20.06.2018
fed another runner. Sensation that she does not want to eat adult mice. But before that she ate them!!!
25.06.2018
Finally, they ate a mouse that had been bitten back in early May. The mouse became a scientist and constantly wound circles around the terrarium from the python. I didn't leave him for more than 30 minutes earlier. Now it was clear that the python was interested in him and I decided to leave the mouse to the bitter end. The mouse drove itself onto a branch under the very ceiling. I was afraid to jump from such a height, but there is no way back, because. a python crept up to him along a branch. The python attacked the already driven mouse, but grabbed it not conveniently. After several attempts to swallow, he dropped the mouse, but caught it by the tail. Wrapped around one more time and tried to swallow again. In this one, he again dropped the mouse, but could no longer catch it. Without getting off the branch, he hung down to the ground, grabbed the mouse better right by the head, climbed with him onto the branch and swallowed it long and hard. After about 20 minutes, the mouse was gone. It seems that adult mice do not like her as much as runners. It's very hard for her to swallow them.
27.06.2018
literally a day after eating an adult mouse, a slider was offered. Went very well, as expected.
30.06.2018
there was a feeling that the royal python would soon begin to molt, but it was not believed that so quickly. Little time after the last molt. Feed did not offer, although most likely it's time. The feeling that the royal python eats little for its age.
Outcome: three runners, one mouse.
July
02.07.2018
blurred eyes. Brought the humidity up to 70-77% (it flutters depending on external conditions), put a shelter. I didn’t immediately climb into the shelter, I climbed onto a branch.
07.07.2018
molting, pooped
08.07.2018
adult mouse. I killed it right away, then I adapted to eat for a very long time. The mouse did not clean up, by morning she ate it.
12.07.2018
- a mouse from a litter that was born with us. Mature, but not the largest. She attacked without getting off the branch and dropped it several times, trying to swallow. But she ate it quickly, without any problems.
17.07.2018
- adult mouse Ate for the first time in the morning at 10:30. Usually I feed an hour later, when the light and heating in the terrarium are turned off. The python is most active at this time, and then Agrippina sprawled something in the morning, decided to feed, ate.
21.07.2018
- pooped
24.07.2018
- adult mouse
30.07.2018
- young (the size of an adult mouse) Djungarian hamster
Outcome: 5 KOs (4 mice + young hamster).
August
06.08.2018
- adult mouse
10.08.2018
- adult mouse
13.08.2018
- adult mouse fed mother
16.08.2018
- pooped. Break 26 days. during this period ate five mice
19.08.2018
- previous feedings after 3 or 4 days. On the sixth day, a mouse was offered. They refused to eat. So that it does not become a habit of refusing food next. feeding will be on the 24th or 25th (11-12 days after the last feeding). You may have to give two mice in a row or on the same day or with a break of three days.
23.08.2018
- adult mouse
Outcome: 4 KOs
September
03.09.2018
- live mouse.
06.09.2018
- live mouse.
21.09.2018
- 8 went on vacation, upon arrival two mice at once.
Result: 4 KOs
October
10/10/2018 - jungarik
10/15/2018 - one mouse
10/30/2018 - one mouse
Result: 4 KOs
November
11/3/2018 - molting, pooped
11/4/2018 - one mouse
December
12/22/2018 - one mouse
Python is about a year old. This concludes my detailed diary. I think that this was the most interesting thing - how the python eats, sheds, poops when you just took him home when he was very small. With teenagers it is already easier, and by this time you will already know the habits and characteristics of your pet.
——-
~55
centimeters
02/22/2018 - live mouse ( 7 days)
02/26/2018 - pooped
03/27/2018 - molt
03/31/2018 - live runner ( 37 days)
04/07/2018 - live mouse ( 7 days)
04/16/2018 - live mouse ( 9 days)
04/20/2018 - live mouse ( 4 days)
04/23/2018 - pooped (56 days)
04/29/2018 - live mouse ( 9 days)
05/05/2018 - pooped (12 days)
05/07/2018 - live mouse ( 8 days)
May 12 - live mouse ( 5 days)
05/20/2018 - molt(54 days), pooped (15 days), live mouse ( 8 days). ~67-68
centimeters. (3 months growth ~15 centimeters)
05/24/2018 - live mouse ( 4 days)
06/04/2018 - pooped (15 days)
06/18/2018 - slider ( 25 days)
06/20/2018 - slider ( 2 days)
06/25/2018 - adult mouse ( 5 days)
06/27/2018 - slider ( 2 days)
07/07/2018 - molt(48 days), pooped ( 33 days), ~78
centimeters.
07/08/2018 - adult mouse ( 11 days).
07/12/2018 - adult mouse ( 4 days)
07/17/2018 - adult mouse ( 5 days)
07/21/2018 - pooped (14 days). Weight 373 grams.
07/24/2018 - adult mouse ( 7 days)
07/30/2018 - a young (the size of an adult mouse) Djungarian hamster ( 6 days)
08/06/2018 - adult mouse ( 7 days)
08/10/18 - adult mouse ( 4 days)
08/13/18 - adult mouse ( 3 days)
08/16/2018 - pooped (26 days).
08/23/18 - adult mouse ( 10 days)
09/03/2018 - molt ( 58 days), pooped ( 18 days), live mouse ( 11 days)
09/06/2018 - mouse ( 3 days)
09/21/2018 - two mice ( 15 days)
10/10/2018 - dzhungarik ( 19 days)
10/15/2018 — one mouse ( 5 days)
10/30/2018 — one mouse ( 4 days)
11/3/2018 - molt ( 61 days), pooped
11/4/2018 — one mouse ( 1 day)
12/22/2018 — one mouse ( 48 days)
~90
centimeters
The royal python is known to many owners of exotic reptiles as the ball python or the ball python. This completely non-poisonous and non-aggressive snake belongs to the genus of real pythons, which are widely distributed in Africa.
Description of the royal python
Royal pythons are one of the smallest pythons, and the length of an adult, as a rule, does not exceed one and a half meters. The reptile has a thick and rather powerful body with a short tail. The head is wide and large, has a well-defined, noticeable delimitation from the cervical region.
The pattern on the body is represented by alternating irregular stripes and spots of light brown and dark brown color or almost black. Attractive white edging may be present on some parts of the body. The ventral part has a white or cream coloration with rare and slightly pronounced dark spots.
Morphs of the royal python
In captivity, through long-term breeding work, numerous interesting morphological changes in coloration were obtained and fixed. skin reptiles resulting from various genetic mutations.
It is interesting! most popular in home maintenance the morphs are "albino", "orange ghost", "spider" and "woma", as well as "platinum morphism".
To date, "morphs" with different staining and coloration are very well known. unusual pattern, as well as individuals almost completely devoid of integumentary scales, which gives the reptile a very original appearance.
Habitat in the wild
Main zone mass distribution royal python stretches from western territories mainland to central Africa. Pythons live in open forest areas and in shrouds, next to large enough bodies of water in which reptiles can cool off on too hot days.
Pythons spend a significant part of the day in their burrows, and the hours of greatest activity occur at dawn and dusk.
Production, diet
AT natural conditions royal pythons most often prey on medium-sized lizards, as well as smaller snakes, earth rats and shrews. The diet may also include birds, their eggs and small mammals.
Lifestyle, snake enemies
Royal pythons swim very well and willingly take water procedures.. The reptile is fast enough to climb trees. The main threat to the species is large lizards and crocodiles as well big birds, including eagles and predatory mammals. In case of danger, the python is able to relatively quickly fold into a tight ball of body rings, for which he received his unusual name"ball python" or "ball python".
Royal python at home
AT last years more and more terrarium keepers give preference to such a fairly unpretentious content and very interesting reptile like a royal python. For success, you will need to purchase a good terrarium, as well as carefully read the basic rules of care.
Terrarium device
Before you buy a terrarium, you should remember that a fairly spacious, preferably horizontal dwelling is suitable for keeping a royal python at home. For young individuals, terrariums with a volume of up to 30-35 liters are optimally suited. Older pythons need to be provided with a "room" about one and a half meters long, equipped with a translucent front wall made of glass or acrylic. A prerequisite the correct content is the presence of a mesh cover that can provide high-quality ventilation of the entire internal space.
Important! The minimum dimensions of a terrarium for baby pythons can be approximately 40x25x10 cm, and for adult royal pythons, the “home” cannot be less than 60x40x20 cm.
Cypress mulch, as well as paper towels or a variant of artificial substrate "Astroturf" will be the optimal bedding. Do not use wood shavings or sawdust. It is very important to equip inside the terrariums a significant number of hidden corners under snags, branches or relatively large, but not sharp shards, where a reptile will hide throughout the daylight hours.
Standard temperature regime the content of the royal python should be 25.0-29.4 o C during the daytime. In the heating zone, the temperature can be at the level of 31-32 o C. At night, the temperature in the common area should be reduced to 21.0-23.4 o C. For additional heating, a heating mat or a modern ceramic-type heater can be used.
Important! In the terrarium, a spacious and very stable reservoir with a water temperature of 22.0-26.0 o C should be created for bathing the reptile. Water must be changed daily.
During the day, fluorescent lamps with a power of 60-75 W are used for lighting, located in the upper part of the terrarium. It is necessary to maintain a certain mode of daylight hours, which is approximately twelve hours. AT summer period daylight hours can be increased by a couple of hours. It is not recommended to spray water from household sprayers in the presence of an artificial reservoir. high humidity often becomes the cause of many diseases of the royal python.
Royal python diet
The reptile of this species belongs to the category of carnivores, therefore, even in captivity, the diet should be represented by relatively small mice, medium-sized rats, hamsters, as well as chickens or quails. Food should be pre-mortified and frozen.. Immediately before feeding, the food must be thoroughly thawed at room temperature.
The frequency of giving food should be guided by the age of the pet, and it is also necessary to take into account the temperature of the content, the size of the prey and the level of activity of the reptile. As a rule, young and active individuals receive food a couple of times a week. Adult royal pythons are recommended to be fed about once a week.
It is interesting! It should be remembered that the predisposition of royal pythons to obesity is a species feature, so the quantity and quality of feed must be very carefully controlled.
AT winter period, especially under conditions low temperatures, pythons eat little and reluctantly, or refuse to eat at all for several weeks in a row, which is not a sign of illness, but refers to physiological characteristics reptiles. Females awaiting offspring do not feed until the moment of oviposition. It is necessary to feed the pythons in the evening hours or after dusk. The reptile should always have access to clean fresh water.
Lifespan
Average lifespan of royal pythons when created comfortable conditions in home maintenance is about twenty to thirty years. Individuals living in natural, natural conditions rarely cross the ten-year threshold.
Domestic snake diseases, prevention
Big problems can arise if a pet python does not eat for more than one month.. In this case, you need to strictly control the weight of the reptile, and if it is significantly reduced, feed the pet by force. As a rule, pythons long time refuse to eat due to stomatitis, the presence of which can be determined during a careful examination of the reptile's mouth.
In addition to stomatitis, the royal python is prone to the following diseases:
- dystocia - a disease associated with a violation of the oviposition process, and accompanied by an egg stop in the genital tract;
- exhaustion of various genesis and severity;
- prolapse of organs from the cloaca;
- disecdis;
- acute or chronic respiratory syndrome;
- cryptosporidiosis is a protozoal disease accompanied by significant depletion of the reptile.
Compliance with the rules of keeping and timely prevention can minimize the risk of diseases of the royal python, and also prevent the development of serious complications.
Python breeding
The king python reaches sexual maturity at the age of three years in natural conditions, and one and a half years - when kept in captivity. The breeding season falls on the period from the first decade of September to mid-November. The female's pregnancy lasts about one and a half months, and the incubation period takes about two months and occurs at a temperature of 32 o C.
There are no pronounced differences between males and females. Comparative visual inspection allows us to note a longer tail with a thickening in the area of the cloaca in males. Females have a relatively shortened tail and a complete lack of thickening. The claw-like rudiments in the anus in males are more powerful and longer. Females are distinguished by a rather powerful physique and large size. The body length of the born baby pythons is 41-43 cm, and the body weight does not exceed 46-47 g.
Moult
Before the onset of molting, the royal python has a characteristic clouding of the eyes, on which a very peculiar and clearly visible film is formed. At this time, it is necessary to increase the level of humidity inside the terrarium. It is allowed to supplement the reptile's diet with special vitamin complexes.