When nervous, ball pythons curl into tight balls, hence the name. They are known for being gentle thus they make great pets. However, many ball python owners find it difficult to feed their pets, particularly if it was caught in the wild. Many owners tend to offer mice to their ball pythons but this is a far cry from their diet in their natural habitat, which includes birds, amphibians, small mammals, and other snakes. A drastic change in their diet often make pet ball pythons finicky eaters for weeks, or even months of captivity.

As for their housing needs, 10-20 gallon glass tanks can comfortably house a ball python. Take note that your pet reptile can easily escape from the tank if the screen lids are not tightly fitted. Placing some tree branches inside the tank will give your ball python opportunities to climb and engage in natural behavior. The tank should have a temperature gradient to create an ideal environment for your pet. Your Pikeville, KY vet is an important source of information regarding your ball python’s needs and how to meet them.