Hello, my fellow reptile enthusiasts. Today I want to take a moment and discuss something that comes up quite frequently; how to maintain proper humidity levels and ambient temperatures for species with narrow requirements. I will focus on ball pythons but these methods will work well for other species with similar husbandry needs. Please visit the Ball Python Care & Feeding Guide page for more information on keeping these fantastic pet snakes. A glass tank is the most common type of enclosure in the pet industry. While these “tanks” are not the best for Ball Pythons, it is one of the more affordable and readily available housing options. You can…

Bringing Home Your New Snake A guide for safe reptile acquisitions. The following information is intended as a basic guide for quarantine procedures to ensure the safety and health of the new animal and the rest of your reptiles. Please consult an exotic vet that specializes in reptiles if you are experiencing any difficulties with your animal(s). Bringing a new pet into our homes or a new snake into our collection is always an exciting time. To ensure the safety and health of the new animal as well as the rest of the animals in your home, new animals should be quarantined for at least 30 days, up to 180…

This time of year, and any time of year, you see posts all over social media asking about why their precious noodles are refusing to eat, especially ball pythons. There are a few reasons that can cause a snake to go off feed or refuse to eat from the start, most are easily addressed. SHEDDING The most common reason a snake will refuse food is that it is in a shed cycle. If your snake’s eyes are cloudy, scales feel dry, or he has stuck shed still on him, he may refuse food. Simply wait until he has fully shed or remove any old shed, and try again. TEMPS Temperatures…

I decided to put this in its own post to make it easier to find and reference. These tips are great for any species of reptile that require higher humidity and heat, including boas of all kinds, baby tegus, and other species of pythons. Just keep in mind that lizards will need added UVB light. Please check out the full care and info sheet on Ball Pythons for specifics on temps, feeding, and housing. If you must keep your ball python in a glass tank, here are some tips to make your snake happier in it. Ball pythons need to feel safe and secure, have humidity levels of 55-70%, and…

We have gotten several snakes in as rescues that wouldn’t eat due to poor husbandry advice. Some of our clients and friends have reported bad advice from pet stores when buying feeders. Most experienced reptile keepers know you shouldn’t listen to pet store workers’ advice when it comes to, well, anything. Even the smaller stores are known to give poor advice. So, we made this post for anyone who keeps or is interested in keeping ball pythons, one of the most common pet snakes in Arkansas. FEEDING First and foremost, your young BP should be started on rats ASAP. Many breeders will start their hatchlings on rat fuzzies from the…