THE BASIC CARE OF ROYAL PYTHONS

Common Names: Royal, Ball Python
Latin Name: Python reguis
Origin: Africa
Adult Size: 3-5 foot
Day Time Temperature: 28-31C
Night Time Temperature: 26C
Food Requirements: Rodents
Experience: Novice- Intermediate

Introduction
Royal pythons have had quiet bad press in the past, this is because at one time only Wild Caught specimens were available. In the advance in herpetculture it is now possible to buy Captive Bred, indeed this should be a priority, as Wild Caught specimens carry parasites, are difficult to acclimatize, often refusing to feed for months on end.
Captive bred Royals make excellent pets, being small, placid and handlable.

Housing
Royals need to be kept in a secure enclosure as they are renowned escape artists. They need a thermal gradient between 28-31C in the daytime and a night time drop to 26. No special lighting is required for your python. The cage can be decorated as you wish, include branches, plastic plants and most importantly plenty of hiding places, both in the hot end and the cooler. One of the hide boxes should also double as a wet box, as Royals are renowned for shedding problems, the increase in humidity in this environment will help.
Fresh water should be made available at all times. The best substrate to use is orchard bark

Feeding
Royals feed on a diet of appropriately sized rodents, these are best offered at the entrance to the snakes hide and left over night. Some specimens may require you to wiggle the food held by tongs, to entice a feeding response. Others like their rodents warmed up.

Suggested Reading :
The Ball Python Manual by Philippe de Vosjoli, Roger Klingenberg, Tracy M. Barker and David G. Barker