Much goes into caring for a ball python, much more than just placing it in a tank and watching it grow. Owning one of these snakes is nearly a lifelong commitment, but how long is a lifelong commitment?
Ball pythons live between 20 and 30 years. You can extend this lifespan by 10 years with optimal care. The best housing, diet, hygiene, and safety can prolong their lifespan to the maximum possible for each snake.
This article will explore the different factors that can affect the lifespan of ball pythons, explaining how you can enhance your snake’s life. Read on for everything you need to know about how long ball pythons live.
Factors Affecting the Lifespan Of Ball Pythons
Compared to ball pythons in the wild, it’s much easier to gauge how long a domesticated one will survive. They generally have a lifespan between 20 and 30 years. However, several factors can affect how long they live.
Having one of these snakes is a serious commitment due to the length of time it can be expected to live.
Provide Adequate Housing
Adequate housing encompasses many different things, including the following:
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Comfort
Your ball python needs the right external temperature to allow it to regulate its metabolism and immune system. Because it cannot maintain its own temperature, it requires an external heat source to regulate its body.
Humidity prevents disease in your ball python. The ideal range is 55-65%, which can keep the skin and lungs of your snake healthy, resisting infection. When humidity is too low or too high, it can make it difficult for your snake to shed skin.
To keep your ball python comfortable, you’ll need a tank large enough to accommodate its size. Consider a 10-gallon (37.85 L) tank for a young snake and a 30-gallon (113.56 L) tank for a fully grown snake.
Maintain Your Snake’s Hygiene
You’ll also need to keep your snake’s cage clean. Since ball pythons are susceptible to many diseases and infections from exposure to germs, they can’t escape any present germs when they’re in their tanks.
Having a routine cleaning schedule can eliminate any bacterial diseases in the tank, keeping your snake free and clear of infection.
Offer the Appropriate Diet
A ball python eats live prey in the wild. However, this subjects it to various pathogens, diseases, and potential injuries from getting bitten by their kill.
You can eliminate all these problems in captivity by providing your ball python with frozen and thawed rodents. The freezing process removes all parasites and bacteria that could harm your snake.
Additionally, there’s no risk of injury to your snake because the animal is already dead and won’t fight back. Many also consider this a more humane way to ensure your snake gets the nutrition it needs.
Ensure Your Snake Is Safe
The enclosure you choose for your ball python should be safe, preventing all injuries from areas where it can rub its face or other areas of its body. You also want to ensure it cannot get burned by the heat source.
Injuries can be costly and cause infections that lead to a decreased lifespan. Thoroughly inspect your enclosure before placing your ball python in it to ensure it is safe from harm.
Final Thoughts
While a ball python can live between 20 and 30 years in captivity, you have to do your part to ensure this lifespan is met. By providing the best housing, ensuring its safety, feeding only the best diet, and maintaining a state of hygiene, you will be well on your way to getting the most years from your snake.
