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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

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.

  1. Royal Python Care Sheet

    RSPCA

    veterinary

    Animal-welfare-charity care sheet with husbandry minimums for Python regius.

    Published: 2019-04-01

  2. 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

  3. Ball Python Care Guide

    ReptiFiles

    breeder community

    Well-referenced hobbyist care guide with husbandry ranges cross-checked against veterinary sources.

    Published: 2023-01-01

  4. Care Sheet — Python regius

    World of Ball Pythons

    breeder community

    Long-running community reference for ball python husbandry.

    Published: 2022-01-01