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Ball pythons (Python regius) are popular for good reason — they're hardy, calm and long-lived, often reaching 20–30 years. They're also famous for being fussy eaters, which makes a stable, correct setup the foundation of keeping one well.
Open HerpLog — log your ball python free →A hatchling can start in a smaller tub or terrarium, but an adult needs room. A 120 × 60 cm (roughly 4 × 2 foot, ~40 gallon equivalent) enclosure suits most adults. Ball pythons feel safe in cover, so provide at least two snug hides — one on the warm side, one on the cool side — plus clutter, branches and leaf litter. A secure, escape-proof lid is essential.
Set up a thermal gradient measured with a probe thermometer, not a stick-on dial:
Always run heat sources (overhead or under-tank) on a thermostat to prevent burns and overheating.
Aim for around 55–60% ambient humidity, raised toward 70% during shedding. Measure with a hygrometer. If readings run low, increase the water bowl size, mist, add a humid hide with damp sphagnum moss, or partly cover a screen top. Chronically low humidity is the leading cause of stuck sheds; consistently soggy substrate, by contrast, invites scale rot — aim for steady, not extreme.
Good options include cypress mulch, coconut husk, or a bioactive mix that holds humidity. Avoid dusty or aromatic substrates like cedar and pine. Provide a sturdy water bowl large enough for the snake to soak in, and refresh it regularly.
Feed an appropriately sized rodent — roughly the width of the snake's widest point — on a schedule that suits its age: hatchlings and juveniles about every 5–7 days, adults every 1–2 weeks. Frozen-thawed prey, warmed to body temperature, is the safest choice. Ball pythons commonly refuse meals during shed, breeding season and cooler months; a fast is usually fine as long as weight holds. Track weight and feeding response over time.
See an exotics vet for persistent weight loss, wheezing or open-mouth breathing, mouth rot, mites, or repeated incomplete sheds. Dated records make that visit far more productive.
Track feeding, sheds & weight in HerpLog →HerpLog logs temps, humidity, feedings and sheds for every snake in one place. See also: why won't my snake eat? · snake feeding log.