How to Create a Python Habitat

Snakes are expensive pets. The python itself is usually inexpensive-but all the equipment you need to keep the snake alive is not. They also live for many years, so taking a snake on it a major commitment. All constrictors, like the pythons in the pet trade, will get at least six feet long. The most common pythons in the pet trade are Ball Pythons, Burmese Pythons and Reticulated Pythons (which get incredibly big). In an ideal world, you will have the home all set up before bringing your python home.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Homeless python
• As large an aquarium as you can afford, at least 30 gallons
• Lid
• Brick or weight for lid
• UVB light
• UVB bulb
• Self-adhesive heating pad for reptiles
• Water bowl
• Rocks, driftwood or branches stripped of bark
• Box to hide in
• Reptile-safe bedding
• Outlet strip (optional)

1. Clean the aquarium with hot water, but without any soap. Towel it dry.

2. Remove the elf-adhesive reptile heading pad from the box. Peel off the backing and stick to the bottom of your tank on the outside. It does notgo in with the snake. The pad should fit only one half of the tank or less.

3. Put in python-safe bedding, which can be newspaper, sand, astroturf, vinyl tile, terrarium carpet liners, aspen bedding or Sani-Chips.

4. Place in a hide box, driftwood, rocks and water bowl.

5. Rearrange the haitat, if necessary.

6. Put on the lid. On top of that lid, place on a brick or other weight to keep python from pushing the lid off.

7. Place the UVB bulb in your UVB reptile heating lamp and place it on the side of the cage without the heating pad. This light never goes off.

Tips & Warnings

• Pythons tend to only get along with one person in the family.
• Wash your hands before handling the python, especially if you have been petting a furry animal.
• Most pythons get at least six feet long when full grown.
• Expect that your python will need a bigger tank when older.
• You may also need to set up a separate tank for your snake's food (rats, mice or rabbits).
• NEVER allow other animals to get near the python. They may wind up killing each other.