Care sheet

Ball Python

Python regius

Also known as: Royal Python

Pythonidae · Squamata

BeginnerCITES IIIUCN NT

Activity: 🌙 Nocturnal
Temperament: Docile
Adult length: 36–60 in
Adult weight: 1200–2200 g
Lifespan (captivity): 20–30 yrs
Native range: West and Central Africa — savanna and grassland

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Care guide

Overview

Ball Python (Python regius) — The most commonly kept pet snake in the hobby. Known for a docile temperament, manageable adult size, and extensive morph market. Provide a secure enclosure with a thermal gradient, at least two snug hides (warm and cool), and access to water. Humidity should track 55–70%% with a boost during shed cycles. Animals may refuse food for extended periods, especially during winter — an otherwise-healthy ball python can safely fast for months; weight tracking is the appropriate monitor.

Environment

Climate

Cool side

78–82 °F

Warm side

82–88 °F

Basking spot

88–92 °F

Nighttime

72–78 °F

Humidity (ambient)

55–70%

Shed-cycle boost

70–80%

Housing

Enclosure

Orientation

Terrestrial

Bioactive setup

Suitable

Minimum size by life stage

Hatchling20 gallon / 30"L x 12"W x 12"H
Juvenile40 gallon / 36"L x 18"W x 18"H
Adult120 gallon / 48"L x 24"W x 24"H

Housing

Substrate

Depth

2–4 in

Safe options

cypress mulchcoconut husk chipscoco fiberaspen (dry hides only)

Avoid

cedarpinesand

Nutrition

Diet & feeding

Dietary type

Strict carnivore

Prey size by life stage

HatchlingHopper mouse or small rat pinky (approx. snake's mid-body width)
JuvenileSmall rat / fuzzy to weaned rat
AdultSmall to medium rat

Feeding frequency by life stage

HatchlingEvery 5–7 days
JuvenileEvery 7–10 days
AdultEvery 10–14 days

Prey ratio by body weight

Stage

Body weight

Prey (% BW)

Interval

Hatchling
up to 200 g
10–15%
5–7 days
Juvenile
201–700 g
10–12%
7–10 days
Subadult
701–1200 g
8–10%
10–14 days
Adult
1201 g+
5–10%
14–28 days

Feed prey roughly the listed percentage of the snake's current weight, at the listed interval. Use it as a starting point — adjust based on body condition, not the calendar.

Feeding thresholds

Typical hatchling weight

50–100 g

Power-feeding line

> 15% body weight

30-day weight-loss concern

> 10% in 30 days

Supplementation

Whole prey meets nutritional needs; no supplementation required for feeder-fed ball pythons. Variety across rat/mouse is acceptable.

Care

Water & behavior

Water

Large enough to soak; positioned on the cool end.

Soaking behavior

Occasional soaking is normal; persistent soaking can indicate mites, humidity stress, or other husbandry issues.

Defensive displays

ballinghissingoccasional strike

Legal & ecology

Conservation

CITES

Appendix II

IUCN Red List

NT · Near Threatened

Wild populations

Wild populations are affected by export for the pet trade; captive-bred animals are strongly preferred. Listed as Near Threatened by IUCN. Verify current status before publishing.

Genetics

Morphs

Morph market

Active

Complexity

Complex

Citations

Sources

Every husbandry parameter on this page is backed by the references below. Click through to read the originals.

Royal Python Care Sheet
RSPCA
veterinary
Animal-welfare-charity care sheet with husbandry minimums for Python regius.
Published: 2019-04-01
Ball Python Care
Tree of Life Exotic Pet Medical Center
veterinary
Exotic-pet-veterinary husbandry guidance for Python regius, including temperature gradients and humidity ranges.
Published: 2023-01-01
Ball Python Care Guide
ReptiFiles
breeder community
Well-referenced hobbyist care guide with husbandry ranges cross-checked against veterinary sources.
Published: 2023-01-01
Care Sheet — Python regius
World of Ball Pythons
breeder community
Long-running community reference for ball python husbandry.
Published: 2022-01-01