Ball Python Species Profile

Ball pythons require secure, well-ventilated cages. A glass aquarium with a secure ventilated top (screen wire or perforated metal) makes a satisfactory cage. Most adults could live out their lives quite happily in an enclosure the approximate size of a 20-gallon long aquarium. Pythons do well on aspen bedding or newspaper substrate.

Clean water should be available at all times in a glass or ceramic bowl. A ball python will eat mice its entire life. One appropriately sized mouse per week is an adequate feeding schedule. Older and larger snakes may eat two or three mice, or one small rat a week.

Ball pythons seem to do best if kept in the mid-80s Fahrenheit. It is good if the cage has a temperature gradient with one side warmer than the other. Ball pythons can better tolerate temperature extremes if they do not have food in their stomachs.

For more information, read our detailed ball python care sheet.