Ball Python Care Sheet

Life Span: 20 to 30 years.

Size:  Adults range anywhere from 5 to 10 feet, up to ocasional 15 feet

Weight:  Up to 30 to 60 pounds. Females grow larger than males.

Range:  The boa constrictor's preferred habitat is rainforest, but it it also found in semiarid savannah of Mexico through South America, including the surrounding islands.

Temperament: Generally very docile and good snakes.

Housing: Hatchling boa constrictors can be housed in a 20-gallon aquarium, but they will soon outgrow this enclosure. Adults require cages at a minimum 8 feet long by 2 to 3 feet wide by 4 feet tall. Hide boxes, limbs and shelves for climbing should be provided for climbing and basking. For a substrate you can use ground cover such as commercially prepared shredded cypress, aspen or fir bark; do not use orchid bark. Pine, cedar and redwood shavings should not be used due to the oils causing respiratory infections and other problems. Paper towels, newspaper or indoor/outdoor carpet make good ground cover too. Enclosure must be monitored closely and all soil pulled out to prevent bacteria and fungus growths. No special lighting is needed. Boa constrictors do well with a 12-hour photoperiod.

Temperatures: Temperature for a Boa should be kept around 85F daytime and 75 to 80F at night. A basking spot in the range of 90-95F is also needed. Refusal of food, regurgitation of food, digestive problems and respiratory infections are common if temperatures are allowed to stay too cool.

Water: Provide a bowl of fresh water at all times for both drinking and soaking (for smaller snakes). The water will need to be changed frequently.

Feeding: Boas feed on appropriately sized mice or rats and eventually rabbits or chickens. Picky eaters often prefer chicken to rodents. Prey should be offered pre-killed to avoid snake's injury.

Breeding: Boas are ready to breed when they are 3 to 4 years old. Males should be 5' long or bigger to be sexuality mature. Females should be 6' long or bigger and heavily fed prior to breeding. Breeding occurs in September through February.
After fertilization, the eggs remain in the female's body, where they develop over several months inside thin membranes. The boa constrictor gives birth to live fully formed young. The protective membranes rupture as the young are released. Usually 10 to 30 and as many as sixty snakes are born at one time, each measuring 17-20 inches