Royal Python

Python regius

Description:
Royal pythons or ball pythons as they are sometimes called are a medium sized non venomous constrictor growing to between four and five feet in length. Hatchlings are around ten to twelve inches long. Royal pythons are a heavily bodied snake with the colour being quite variable from almost black to golden tan on a dull grey. Patterns vary from a nearly unbroken dark middorsal stripe with regular narrow bands on the side to a very broken pattern in which the middorsal stripe almost disappears and the pale colour of the sides extends nearly to the middle of the back.

Distribution:
Royal pythons natural range is the forest and scrub land of West Africa going eastward to southern Ethiopia and northern Congo.

Feeding:
Royal pythons can be problematic feeders in captivity, when choosing your snake it is always best to go for a good feeding captive bred python. Royal pythons will eat defrosted mice and rats but some specimens will only take gerbils and day old chicks. These snakes are prone to feeding very well for up to a year and then stop feeding for no apparent reason for up to eight months; this seems to be perfectly normal behaviour for some royals.

Water:
A water bowl must be available at all times for not only drinking but also for bathing, the water must be changed every day.

Vivarium:
For an adult royal python a 36"x18"x18" wooden vivarium with glass sliding front doors with adequate ventilation is sufficient. With hatchlings it is better to house them in a smaller container around 12"x5"x6" until they start to feed on a regular basis, then they can be moved into a bigger vivarium.

Heating:
Royal pythons require a day time temperature of 86° F - 88° F with a basking area of 92° F, this can drop to 83°F - 85°F at night but this has to be monitored carefully as royals are susceptible to respiratory infections. The most effective way of heating a royal pythons vivarium is a thermostatically controlled ceramic heat bulb at one end of the vivarium to create warm and cool ends. It is not advisable to use heat mats with royals as they will not create the air temperature required. Royals also do not seem to appear to like bright light so sport bulbs are not a viable option. WARNING: All ceramic bulbs must be guarded with fine enough mesh so the snake cannot get through.

Lighting:
No specialist lighting is required for royal pythons although a viewing strip light can be used.

Substrate:
Beech chip is a suitable substrate as it is dust and mite free, also aspen bedding, hemp bedding and coconut bark are adequate substrates. WARNING: Do not use any damp or wet substrates as these can harbour mites and cause scale rot.

Decor:
The only décor essential to a royal is some form of hide, whether it be a box, piece of wood or cork bark make sure there are no sharp edges or points that the snake can damage itself on.

Potential Problems:
Problems encountered with royals can be limited as long as the vivarium and heating is adequate. A royal python going off its food for several months is one problem that is common but this can be nothing to worry about unless the snake begins to lose weight. Another problem encountered is not shedding their skin properly so it is an idea to spray the snake when its eyes blue over prior to shedding or put in a hide box lined with sphagnum moss. Both of these methods will help your royal shed.