Food and Water. A young reticulated python might not care for frozen or dead food, so be prepared to feed it live prey —typically mice and rats. In fact, your python might never take to eating anything that isn't living, but most retics can eventually be trained to accept frozen or dead food .
How to feed a reticulated python?
When feeding a reticulated python, always remember that the food should be only one in every feeding time. Also, it needs to match the widest and thickest portion of your pet’s body.
Can reticulated pythons eat mice?
Hatchling reticulated pythons should be fed just-weaned baby mice for their first few meals before moving on to larger adult-sized mice. After your retic has eaten a few meals’ worth of adult mice, you can comfortably move to this all-purpose reticulated python-feeding regimen:
How often should you feed a ball python?
Generally, smaller or younger ball pythons need to eat twice each week, while larger ones usually eat once every week or two. As they get older you feed them more at one time so they don’t need as many feedings. Cost of feeding a ball python. The annual cost of feeding a ball python can range between $100 to $150.
How many babies do reticulated pythons have?
The female reticulated pythons become receptive once they become 11 ft. long. Breeding often occurs between September and March. Females can lay up to 80 eggs all at once.
How often should you feed a baby reticulated python?
Feeding a Reticulated Python The size of the prey item should be slightly smaller than the girth of the snake at its largest point. Once the snake has reached adult size, it can be fed less frequently. A feeding schedule of once every 2-3 weeks may be all the snake needs.
What do you feed a reticulated python pet?
Chickens, rabbits and rats are the common prey items fed to full-grown reticulated pythons in captivity. The size of your snake's prey should be comparable to the widest portion of your snake and offered every one to two weeks. Overfeeding will cause health issues but you shouldn't underfeed it either.
Do reticulated pythons need a heat lamp?
Reticulated pythons have no specific lighting needs. However, if you do use a basking bulb please ensure you use it in conjuncion with a bulb guard to avoid burns to your animal. As with any heating device a thermostat should be used with a basking bulb to avoid overheating.
Do reticulated pythons drink water?
A snake gets most of its hydration from meals such as rodents' blood and the water within the fur. Snakes drink water in a more unusual method. Their skin folds which as like drain into their mouth. They then use they muscles to press the water down their bodies.
How long can a reticulated python go without eating?
An adult ball python can survive up to 6 months without eating, but such a long period can be disastrous for the health of the reptile.
How can you tell if a snake is hungry?
You can tell a snake is hungry when it exhibits specific behaviors such as: Prowling the front of the tank, being more active, focussing on you whenever you are near the enclosure, flicking its tongue more often, and hunting at a similar time each day or night.
How long does it take for a reticulated python to grow?
Growing Up For the first two to three years of their lives, they can grow more than five feet in a year, after which their rate of growth slows down a little. If well fed, they can be more than 8 feet at a year old and more than 12 feet by the time they reach 2 years of age.
Do reticulated pythons need hides?
For adults you will need an enclosure that is at least 6' x 2' or bigger. If you use a glass tank, you'll want to provide a humid hide--that is, a hide that has some damp moss in it for humidity or mist the enclosure good when they are in shed.
How do you tame a reticulated python?
Young, captive-bred retics are the easiest to tame. Once a snake is removed from its cage, hold it in your hands, and allow it to crawl through your fingers. Spending time with a young retic acclimates it to your touch, smell and company.
Is tap water safe for snakes?
Tap water contains varying levels of chlorine which can irritate snakes. It is recommended to use a water conditioner or RO purifier before giving tap water to your snake. Bottled water may be used but distilled water must be avoided.
How long can a baby snake live without food or water?
A baby snake will begin to seriously starve after roughly a week without food — and once that baby grows into an adult, members of most snake species can comfortably get by for at least two to three weeks.
Can a reticulated python eat a human?
Reticulated pythons are one of few snakes that grow big enough to be able to swallow a human.
How big of a tank do you need for a reticulated python?
Adult reticulated pythons can be housed in 2-foot-tall by 3-foot-wide by 6- to 8-foot-long cages. Occasional larger snakes may require a 3-foot-tall by 4-foot-wide by 10-foot-long enclosure. Custom-built cages should be constructed of strong, waterproof materials for ease of cleaning.
How big of a cage does a reticulated python need?
Reticulated pythons usually are speedy in the growth department. In maturity, these snakes generally can manage well in cages that are between 6 and 8 feet in length, around 3 feet wide and 2 feet high.
How do you tame a reticulated python?
Young, captive-bred retics are the easiest to tame. Once a snake is removed from its cage, hold it in your hands, and allow it to crawl through your fingers. Spending time with a young retic acclimates it to your touch, smell and company.
Reticulated Python Behavior and Temperament
Reticulated pythons are not cuddly pets; they have the ability to coil around a person and suffocate them, but if care is taken, they can be handled by multiple individuals when necessary. Weighing in at over 200 lbs., these snakes are usually slow moving, spending most of their day at rest or waiting for their prey.
Housing the Reticulated Python
Because adult reticulated pythons are extremely large, a typical snake terrarium will simply not do. Reticulated pythons require a large, custom enclosure that measures about two feet wide by three feet tall by eight feet long, a small bedroom, or a walk-in closet. A hide box or log of some sort should be available in the enclosure at all times.
Heat
Reticulated pythons are from rainforest environments but they don't require extreme heat. You should provide a basking area of 90-92 degrees during the day with the thermal gradient dropping to about 75 degrees on the cool part of the enclosure.
Light
If you are using a white heat light to provide heat, then you are also providing light for your reticulated python, but if you are using another type of bulb then you'll still want to provide a source of white light. A 12-hour day and night cycle is necessary to decrease stress and mimic a natural environment.
Humidity
Reticulated pythons typically need their enclosures to have humidity levels between 50-70%. During shedding, your hygrometer in your enclosure should read closer to 70% unless you have a humidity hide box.
Substrate
Substrate or bedding for your reticulated python should consist of a bioactive soil, newspaper, aspen wood shavings, cypress mulch, or cardboard. More natural environments will be more difficult to clean.
Food and Water
Chickens, rabbits and rats are the common prey items fed to full-grown reticulated pythons in captivity. The size of your snake's prey should be comparable to the widest portion of your snake and offered every one to two weeks. Overfeeding will cause health issues but you shouldn't underfeed it either.
How big of a terrarium do retic snakes live in?
Hatchling and baby retics can live quite comfortably in a 10 or 20-gallon glass terrarium before moving to their permanent enclosure. The enclosure of an adult reticulated python should be one and a half times the length of the snake. For all but the largest retics an enclosure of 6 to 8 feet in length will suffice.
What is the largest python?
Reticulated pythons fall under the category of “giant snakes” and are among the largest species of python in the world. That being said, they still weigh less than other giant snakes of equal lengths.
What is a reticulated Python?
Reticulated pythons—called “retics” or just “tics” for short—are a subspecies of the Python family and as such don’t have any officially recognized subspecies of their own. They do have a couple of dwarf subspecies: Python reticulatus jampeanus and Python reticulatus saputrai.
What is the most beautiful Python?
Albino. Reticulated albino pythons are arguably some of the most beautiful pythons in the world, and some of the most sought after. There are three different variations of albino reticulated pythons; they are lavender, white, and purple.
Why do retic snakes push?
Retics are prone to “pushing” and roaming, behaviors that can signal an enclosure that’s too hot, humid, wet, or maybe that the snake is just feeling exposed. Either way, too much pushing can cause your snake’s face to swell slightly or, worse case scenario, can cause permanent damage to its face, mouth, and head.
What temperature should a snake enclosure be?
A proper python enclosure should have at least one hot spot that achieves a temperature between 88 – 92 degrees Fahrenheit, with a daytime air temperature between 80 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit.
How big is a python snake?
Once your reticulated python is larger than 6 feet (1.8 m) in length , you’ll need to adopt several safe-feeding habits to prevent injury. Always have the prey animals within easy reach.
Reticulated Python Care (Python reticulatus)
The reticulated python, also known as the “retic,” has long captivated its audience with its large, muscular build, gorgeous iridescence and the beautifully patterned skin for which it is named.
Reticulated Python Availability
Both imported and captive-bred reticulated pythons are commonly available year round. Fresh imports are very inexpensive, but they often carry heavy parasite loads and can have a difficult time adjusting to a captive environment.
Reticulated Python Adult Size
Mainland reticulated pythons ( Python reticulatus reticulatus) are one of the world’s largest snakes, with exceptional examples being recorded at 32 feet long and weighing in at 350 pounds. These specimens are exceptional and very rare, with the average adult size staying between 10 to 20 feet long.
Reticulated Python Life Span
On average, reticulated pythons live 15 to 20 years, with some individual snakes reaching 25 or even 30 years of age.
Reticulated Python Caging
The most important aspect of caging is that it must safely contain the snake. Tight-fitting racks or strong cages with locks are a must. Baby reticulated pythons can be kept in shoebox-sized cages or 10-gallon terrariums. Adult reticulated pythons can be housed in 2-foot-tall by 3-foot-wide by 6- to 8-foot-long cages.
Reticulated Python Substrate
We at Prehistoric Pets have used printed newspaper and plain newsprint with great success. Other options include aspen, cypress mulch or pre-cut corrugated cardboard. Check daily for defecation or urination and replace substrate accordingly.
Reticulated Python Lighting and Temperature
A variety of options exist for heating reticulated pythons, such as heat pads, spot lamps (always use a cage guard to prevent injury), heat tape and heat panels. A high-quality thermostat is always worth the money to ensure that you are providing the proper options for healthy thermoregulation.
Do snakes feed at night?
Nocturnal animals are usually awake and active during the night’ – that’s another thing to keep in mind when it comes to feeding your baby snakes – feed the diurnal species during the day and do the opposite with the nocturnal species. That’s the time when they would become naturally active in the wild and search for food. Ball Pythons are the nightcrawlers, which means it can be helpful to feed them after dark.
Can you feed a baby ball Python?
That is the question…There are different opinions about this. If your baby ball python hasn’t eaten for a while, it’s easier to feed it with pre-kill, even cut it a little so the pupil can sense the meat. Most of the snakes do not mind the frozen pinkies; however, some snakes require the living rodents. I recommend you try it both ways and see the preferences of your baby snake.
Do baby Pythons eat?
Around 80% of the newly purchased baby ball pythons won’t eat right away from you. And that’s ok. The adaption to the new environment is a part of the settling process. On the other hand, the baby needs to eat. Around a week after bringing a new pupil to your place, you should start feeding trials.
How to avoid snake bites?
Avoid letting your snake get too close to your face. Your face is a vascular area that releases heat, making it an excellent target for a snake bite. Never position your body or face over a jittery or nervous snake as a retic may mistake you for a threat, resulting in a severe bite.
How to help a retic differentiate between you and a prey animal?
The next step is to help your retic differentiate between you and a prey animal. Use a full roll of paper towels as a shield for small to mid-sized pythons. Once you’re certain your python is awake, open its cage and hold the paper towels near its face. Your snake may stick its nose into the hollow tube.
How old do retic snakes need to be to live in a bigger tank?
You will need to transfer your retic to a larger tank before it reaches 10 feet. Most retics reach 10 feet by 18 to 24 months of age. Whether you have a young retic with a small tank or a fully-grown snake with a bigger tank, all retics need to have places where they can be alone and not disturbed.
How long do Pythons live in captivity?
Feed your retic one meal the size up to the thickest part of the snake’s body every 7-10 days. On average, reticulated pythons can live 15 to 20 years in captivity.
What is the longest snake in the world?
People have always had a fascination with keeping long, large-bodied snakes as pets. Reticulated pythons ( Malayopython reticulatus) are the world’s longest snakes. The world’s longest retic in captivity, Medusa, holds the Guinness World Record for being the longest captive snake at 25 feet and 2 inches. Pet retics are suitable for experienced snake ...
What color are retic snakes?
The snake should be a healthy weight. Retics can be found in a myriad of colors, ranging from olive green and gold to tan with a diamond-like patterning.
How hot should a Python enclosure be?
A reticulated python’s enclosure should be kept at about 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. There should be at least one basking area maintained at 88 to 92 degrees Fahrenheit. Having multiple spots with different temperatures allows the snake to balance its temperature.
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to John1982 For This Useful Post
Sounds about right, though I usually feed weekly but that's mainly for my convenience. Baby retics are garbage disposals and I think they'd eat every day if you let them!
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to bcr229 For This Useful Post
My two retics had incredible metabolisms when they were young. Your feeding schedule seems very aggressive and I think that's what a young retic really needs. You are up over 10% of the body weight and feeding every 4 days is spot on.
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to cchardwick For This Useful Post
I fed Caesar every 4-5 days as a baby. Just fed him whatever size was his thickness. Retics grow very fast so you will be changing sizes on food pretty quick. Caesar went from a 2 foot baby at 5 months old to about 6 feet at a year old i believe. Some retics will also let you know when they want food by pushing and overall being a brat.
Re: Retic feeding schedule?
I fed Caesar every 4-5 days as a baby. Just fed him whatever size was his thickness. Retics grow very fast so you will be changing sizes on food pretty quick. Caesar went from a 2 foot baby at 5 months old to about 6 feet at a year old i believe. Some retics will also let you know when they want food by pushing and overall being a brat.
Re: Retic feeding schedule?
I fed this guy every 5 days when he was a hatchling. Pretty sure I kept him on that schedule until he was on small rats then I moved him to 7 days. He's a little over a year and a half now and eats a 1lb (give or take) rat/rabbit every 2 weeks and that keeps him happy. No pushing or anything. But every snake is going to be different.
Re: Retic feeding schedule?
I fed this guy every 5 days when he was a hatchling. Pretty sure I kept him on that schedule until he was on small rats then I moved him to 7 days. He's a little over a year and a half now and eats a 1lb (give or take) rat/rabbit every 2 weeks and that keeps him happy. No pushing or anything. But every snake is going to be different.
What do Python ball pythons eat?
What ball pythons eat. In general, the youngest, smallest ones eat small frozen feeder mice or rats. Larger ball pythons typically eat larger mice or rats. Selecting prey for a ball python. As a general rule, you should select a rodent that is 1 to 1.25 times the size of the midsection of your snake.
What to do if your Python ball isn't hungry?
Maintain a comfortable temperature, avoid disturbances, and watch for signs of shedding and illnesses. If your ball python isn’t hungry, they won’t eat. You can remove the food and try again later. How to encourage your ball python to eat.
Can a ball Python eat?
And if your snake is new, know that snakes — and especially ball pythons — are sometimes too stressed to eat in their new home environment for weeks or even months. If your ball python won’t eat, understanding why can help you know how to encourage your snake to eat again.
Can you feed a ball python?
Common Concerns Feeding Ball Pythons. Ball pythons are excellent pets for people who like snakes. They’re relatively low-maintenance, they’re small, and they’re clean. But they have dietary needs that are very different from a cat or dog. As a new ball python owner you’ll need to know what to feed your snake, how often to feed it, ...
Can snakes eat prey?
Snakes are predators, and in the wild they’re used to catching their own food. Your pet snake, though, will be fine with fresh pre-killed or even frozen rodents (you’ll need to thaw them first.) It’s safer not to feed your snake live prey. Live rodents will be scared and can bite your snake.
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- A dish of clean drinking water should kept in your snakes enclosure. Retics do not require a dish that is large enough to soak their entire bodies in, but being that they love to swim, they may choose to if given the opportunity. Mostly, you will want the dish to be heavy enough that it cannot be tipped over easily. Check the water at least daily a...
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