{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fcharset0 Arial;}} {\*\generator Msftedit 5.41.15.1507;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\lang1033\f0\fs20 \b BALL PYTHONS\par \b0 Ball pythons are usually tame & medium sized snakes.There one of the best beginner snakes out there. It's highly recomended you get a captive bred ball python not only does this mean you have a more healthy snake & one that will adjust well to captivity better you see wildcaught ball pythons are usually a pain in the neck to get to feed & like all wildcaughts there probably parasite loaded.\par \par \b SIZE & LONGEVITY\b0\par ball pythons are medium sized snakes.Males are usually 3-4ft & females 3-5ft.(record is 6ft)Ball pythons can live anywhere from 15-25yrs.(but,i have heard of older ones)\par \par \b TEMPERATURE & LIGHTING\par \b0 Ball pythons are nocturnal(active at night)so,no day bulbs infared red bulbs are what i prefer to regulate temperature.I prefer to use zoo-meds tape-on thermometers placed in the middle of the enclosure it should read 84-93f.\par \par \b HOUSING\b0\par Babies can be housed in a 10-gallon aquarium & adults need a 20-40-gallon aquarium.\par \par \b \b0 \b SUBSTRATE\par \b0 I prefer cocunut bark(change every 4-6mons)because it holds humidity well but,newspaper(change weekly or when soiled)& aspen works well too.To keep humidity up pour warm water on the cocunut once aweek until it's dark(should dry in 1-2days)with aspen you can't pour water because it'll mold & cause uri just mist it once or twice a day but,cocunut bark won't mold.\par \par \b CAGE FURNISHINGS\par \b0 Ball pythons are shy snakes that require a secure hiding place.(snakes like to be snugg so nothing too big)Hides can be cardboard boxes but,remember you can only use cardboard hides if you use newspaper as a substrate because with aspen & cocunut you have to humidify it & humidity molds cardboard.I prefer to use specificaly made plastic hides for reptiles or they also make wooden & rock reptile hides.Water bowls can be plastic cups but,they tip easy & an always tipped water bowl leads to an always damp substrate which leads to uri.I prefer to use specificaly made water bowls for reptiles they don't tip easy.(a water bowl should be big enough to let your python put its whole body in it).Ball pythons are terrestrial(ground dwelling)so,branches aren't needed but,a piece driftwood might be used as a basking spot.\par \par \b \b0 \b WATER\par \b0 Your python should always have access to clean water.Water should be change weekly or when soiled in & i also,prefer to once aweek clean out the water bowl with a dap of detergent keep washing the bowl out until the soap smell is gone.I use tap water for all my reptiles & never had a problem but,if you want you can use bottled water.\par \par \b HANDLING\par \b0 Ball pythons are almost always tame by nature & they aren't usually hyper so,they'll usually just hang around with you for 10-15mins.\par \par \b FEEDING\par \b0 Baby pythons eat pinkies & adults usually take a jumbo mouse(\i food should be no bigger than the widest part of your snake\i0 ).Don't be alarmed if your ball python is refusing food its very normal for them to just slack for a week or two especially in the winter they might go the whole winter without food because of the seasonal breeding cycle.I prefer to only offer frozen/thawed prey to all my reptiles because a live mouse might kill or injur a snake.Prey should be thawed in hot water for 20mins & changed every 10mins.Offering prey by hand is just asking to get bit & your snake will start to assioate your hand with food prey is best offered on tongs.\par \par \b DISEASES & DISORDERS\b0\par \i upper respitory infection(uri):\i0 You'll know when your python has it because when a snake has uri you start to hear a popping or weezing noise in its throat just put your pythons head up to your ear the louder the pop or weez the worse it is.It is caused by an always damp substrate,mold,or a dramatic change in temperature.It is cured by high humidity & higher temps(low to mid 90s)\par \i mites:\i0 To get rid of these you need to soak you snake regularly to drown the mites on it,you need to keep the enclosure basic so it can be cleaned easy(substrate:newspaper,hide:cardboard box,water bowl),& you need to spray your cage,snake,& cage furniture with mite spray(\i reptile relief\i0 )\par \par }