Royal Python Care Sheet
From Exotic Pet Wiki Pedia
Contents |
General
Latin Name:
Python regius
Size:
The average size is between 4 and 5 foot.
Longevity:
Usually between 20 and 30 years in captivity. The oldest on record was nearly 50 years old.
Active during:
Nocturnal, mainly hunting and active during the early evening and night.
Behaviour:
Mostly shy, curling in to a tight ball when scared.
Temperament
Generally extremely docile. A rare few that are more aggressive will calm down easily with regular handling.
Ease of care
When Captive Bred there is less chance of having a poor feeder and this means they are generally very easy to care for. However, Captive Farmed and Wild Caught animals will generally be difficult to feed and should be avoided by keepers with little experience in this area.
Housing
Vivarium:
For juvenile Royal Pythons tubs can be used to house as open spaces can stress the young. If a vivarium is used for a juvenile extra care should be taken to ensure there are lots of hiding places.
For adults a vivariums of 3ft will suffice. However, in most cases a larger vivarium is fine for an adult as long as the Royal Python is not especially timid.
Accessories:
Plenty of hides and both the warm and cool end are essential. Royal Pythons like small spaces and will feel more secure with plenty of tight hides. A Thermometer is essential and Hydrometer is recommended.
Humidity
No special humidity requirements unless shedding, but a moderate level varying between 50-60% as a min/max to be kept.
Heating
Heating is essential for digestion. A variant of cool/warm ends within the vivarium and a hot/basking spot is best. Ambient temperatures of no lower than 75F at the cool end and 85F at the warm end, with a hot spot of 90F. All temperatures should be carefully monitored and controlled using a thermostat.
Light
Being a nocturnal snake no special UV lighting requirements are needed. Daylight periods of 14hrs on and 10hrs off is a suitable time frame.
Substrate
Paper will always be the best substrate due to the 100% safety factor with no chance of ingesting any harmful objects. Paper is especially recommended for juveniles. However, for adult snakes Aspen and bark chips are often used. Feeding out of the vivarium is always an option to ensure that no substrate is ingested.
Diet:
Food
Frozen mice/rats will make up the diet and provide everything your snake will need. A safe rodent size would be no larger than the largest part of your snakes body.
Water
Fresh water should always be supplied. A water bowl big enough to soak is best.
Feeding Frequency
Every 5 days for hatchlings. Every 7 - 10 days with an appropriately sized rodent for adults.
Supplements
No supplements are needed as the snakes requirements are all supplied in rodents.
Breeding
Requirements
Please enter information here.
Seasons
Please enter information here.
Incubation
Please enter information here.
Further information or considerations:
Please enter information here.
