Ball Python Frequently Asked Questions- FAQ Guide

Have you ever heard about Ball python? If you haven’t, let us give a brief description of the ball python first. They belong to the reptile category, and they are popularly known as ‘Royal pythons’. Their native belongs to the regions of Africa. This species is named ‘Ball python’ due to its nature to curling up like a tight ball. Go further to know Ball Python FAQ and complete Guide

Now, are you looking for a pet snake to raise in your home? If you are, then ball pythons may be the best solution for the problem. If you decided to go for the ball python, then you will have a list of questions in your mind. Well, we know it is not easy to raise a pet snake in your home without proper guidelines.

Hence, we had listed the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) here to make sure you clear all of your doubts regarding pets Ball Python.

Can you keep ball pythons together?

No, you should not keep ball pythons together. It is not a good idea to housing many ball pythons at the same place. But, yes, you can make them stay together, and some people have cohabited ball pythons successfully.

The idea is not healthy at all as they can suffer from depression or stress condition due to the presence of each other. The intolerance effect may result in injuries too. So, it is not advisable to house them together unless it is for breeding purposes.

How to tell if a ball python is stressed?

Whenever they are upset or stressed, they tend to curl up into a tight ball, and you can recognize it by this sign. Ball pythons get stressed for several reasons including not having clean and pure water, handling them for too much time or when they don’t have a safe spot to hide in when they are stressed out. 

Sometimes they won’t eat when they are stressed. You don’t have panic in this situation as they can manage their hunger for a long time. The changes in the environment, including temperature and humidity, would also result in stress for ball pythons.

Why do ball pythons have holes on their face?

The holes on the face of ball pythons are not accurately holes, but they are known as little pit organs. These small pits are present above the mouths of ball python’s face. These tiny pits had a role of infrared sensing which means it helps to detect the sign of heat (thermal temperature) in their prey.

These holes can also be responsible for detecting the sense of smell due to their less functioning eye vision and low hearing ability. They can easily hunt during the night time with the presence of pit organs. Apart from these holes, if your snake has holes in any other parts of its body, we would suggest you take it to the vet.

Do ball pythons have fangs?

No, ball pythons are devoid of fangs. But they have small, barb-like teeth and they are very sharp. They have a lot of teeth, and they could be from 25 to 35 on average. They are directed in the backwards direction towards the body of the ball python. The shape helps to latch on to its prey during hunting.

The position of the teeth would also help in the swallowing and digestion process. The roof of its mouth has four rows of teeth while the bottom part of the jaw consists of two rows of teeth. 

Are ball pythons venomous?

No, they are not venomous. As you know, ball pythons are devoid of fangs. Hence, they are considered to be non-venomous. They are indeed a safe pet snake for humans due to its non-poisonous nature. Then, you may want to know how do they hunt its prey? They squeeze the prey animal and immobilize them till they die.

Do Ball Python bite hurt you? Although, if the ball python bites you, it won’t hurt but you may experience some mental shock. You will also feel pressure in the affected area and you must remain calm whenever it bites you.

Can ball pythons yawn?

Yes, ball pythons can yawn. It is considered to be normal behaviour in them. They yawn mostly after their mealtime like after swallowing a rat or other preys. They do it to set their jaw into a comfortable and proper position. 

But if the ball pythons are yawning for a long time or frequently then you should be worried about it. When the yawning is accompanied by a hunger strike, then it can be the result of any diseased conditions, especially respiratory disorders.

Can Ball Pythons hear?

Yes, ball pythons can hear, but it is not at a high level. When you talk, your snake friend can listen to the sounds at the low frequency of ground vibrations between 50 and 100 Hz range. The frequency is perfect for human sounds which range to about 250 Hz. 

Do Ball Pythons have ears?, Despite its absence of ear, they can use every external organ for hearing the sounds. They can also detect the vibrations with the help of its jaw.

How to travel with a ball python?

If you are travelling on a plane, your pet needs an individual carrier to rest due to its length, which is about 120 centimetres. They can fly either in a cargo plane or can be placed in the luggage compartment in the passenger plane. The area will be maintained with a controlled temperature.

How much do ball pythons weigh?

At the time of birth, both male and female ball pythons would weigh between 65 and 100 grams. The mature and grown ball pythons can be weighed around four to five pounds. Here, the female ball pythons would weigh more than the male due to its increased length. 

Does my ball python recognise me?

We are not very sure about that as the ball pythons do not recognise their owners like other dogs or cat. They may feel your presence as an integral part of their life. However, it will get used to your scent.

Can ball pythons coexist together?

No, ball pythons should not be housed together; however, you can do it at your own risk. It is because the presence of other ball pythons would create pressure and stress on the ball python.

Do Ball pythons like to climb?

Ball pythons don’t seem to climb trees often. Instead, they like to stay in the terrestrial region. Although it won’t cause any harmful effect if you train your ball python to climb heights. They are not good with heights and only rise to rest on branches when they are stressed.

Are ball pythons aggressive? 

Ball pythons are not generally aggressive, but they will get aggressive in some situations. When you don’t handle them properly, they will quickly get aggressive towards you. You should not feel the ball python for an extended period and don’t squeeze them too tightly. 

Are ball pythons chirping?

Yes, ball pythons can chirp sometimes, but it is a rare thing. Whenever the shedding period is near, it is quite reasonable for some ball pythons to chirp. But if it continues for a more extended period, then you may need to take it to the vet immediately.

Why is my ball python making noises?

The primary cause for the noises made by the ball pythons may be due to the respiration infection and parasites. During such a situation, the nostrils of the ball python will be blocked, and it should open its mouth to breath. Hence, if it continues to make any noises or raspy wheezing, you should immediately seek advice from your vet.