Python regius
Ball python
A secure terrestrial enclosure around 120 × 60 × 60 cm for an adult, with two tight hides.
Legal status
- EU Annex B
- CITES II
CITES Appendix II because PYTHONIDAE spp. is in Appendix II except species in Appendix I, and Python molurus is that Appendix I exception. Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/966 places Pythonidae spp. (II) in Annex B except species in Annex A; Python molurus (I) is Annex A, so Python regius is recorded here as Annex B. Not venomous. Not on the EU invasive-alien-species list. Not named in 50 CFR 16.15. Wallonia’s positive list includes Python regius. Rehoming needs a confirmation that keeping and transfer are legal where you are. A document number is optional for Annex B. Check local rules before you keep, move, or rehome an animal. This record is not a permit and not legal advice.
Official sourceNot legal advice. Rules differ by country, and sometimes by region. Check the law that applies to you.
- Temperature
- 24–32°C
- Basking
- 30–32°C
- UVB
- Ferguson zone 1. About 0.1–0.7
- Humidity
- 50–60%
- Minimum enclosure
- About 120 × 60 × 60 cm for one adult
- Adult size
- Often 90–150 cm. Females are usually larger.
- Lifespan
- Often 20–30 years.
- Difficulty
- intermediate
Diet and feeding
Appropriately sized rodents about every 7–14 days for most adults. Juveniles about every 5–7 days. Adults about every 7–14 days. Skip a meal rather than power-feed.
Substrate
Cypress mulch, paper, or a similar moderate substrate.
Health
Respiratory infection, mites, and retained eye caps. The spider morph is associated with a neurological wobble. That belongs on the morph, and it is a welfare problem.
Handling
Support the body. Wait a day after a meal. Do not handle a snake in a shed that is mid-blue unless you must.
Husbandry ranges are general guidance for captive care, not a veterinary prescription or a permit. Confirm the gradient with your own thermometers. UV zones follow Baines et al., Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 4(1), 2016, https://www.jzar.org/jzar/article/view/150. Legal fields use the source link on this species and stay empty when an annex was not verified.