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Annelie Stenberg12 yrs
@annelie
Tankar om pasteller och linjebrott — jag tycker fortfarande att de bästa pastellerna är de som kommer från långsamma, dokumenterade linjer. Snabb-marknaden gör mer skada än vi tror.
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Image: Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA · https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball_python
Who keeps it
2 people keep itLatest posts about this species
- 🇸🇪
Annelie Stenberg12 yrs
@annelie
Aska har precis bytat skinn för 14:e gången sedan jag fick henne. Helt rent, inga restbitar. Liten lyckobild!
4 reacted
Care
Beginner- Temperature
- 28–32°C / 24–26°C
- Humidity
- 55–70%
- Terrarium (min)
- 120 × 60 × 60 cm
- Adult size
- 90–150 cm
- Lifespan
- 20–30 years
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Active
- Crepuscular
- Social
- Solitary
Summary
Python regius is a terrestrial and semi-arboreal boid snake from West Africa, and one of the most common pet snakes in the hobby. Adults reach 90–150 cm (females larger than males) and can live 20–30 years in captivity with proper care. The species is crepuscular — most active at dusk and early night — and spends the day hidden in a tight retreat. Royal pythons need a thermal gradient with the warm side at 28–32°C and the cool side at 24–26°C. Two hides minimum, one on each side, so the snake can choose temperature without having to expose itself. Humidity should sit around 55–70%, higher during shedding. Minimum enclosure for an adult is 120 × 60 × 60 cm; larger is welcome, but oversized without enough hides can stress the snake. Despite the reputation as a "calm beginner snake", Python regius is a snake with clear preferences rather than a social species. It tolerates short, calm handling once a week but prefers to be left alone. Stress shows as hunger strikes, defensive balling, and in severe cases regurgitation. For a beginner who respects the snake's need for quiet, it is an excellent first species; for someone who wants daily handling, choose corn snake instead.
Diet & feeding
Adult royal pythons eat one frozen-thawed rodent every 2–3 weeks — typically a rat of appropriate size (matching the snake's thickest part). Juveniles (under 2 years) eat more often, every 5–7 days, starting on pinky or fuzzy mice.
Serve prey warm. Use a hairdryer or warm-water bath to bring it to about 35°C — room temperature is not enough to trigger feeding response. Feed with tongs, never directly from the hand (the snake will associate hand with food).
Royal pythons are notorious for going on hunger strikes lasting weeks, especially during shedding, seasonal change, or environmental change. This is normal and not a cause for panic. Never offer live prey — risk of bites that can kill or blind the snake, and unethical to the prey animal.
Terrarium & setup
Use a tightly sealed enclosure with secured doors. Royal pythons are skilled escape artists and can squeeze through incredibly small openings. Glass-front sliding-door tanks or PVC enclosures are standard.
Heat source must be from above — ceramic heat emitter or deep-heat projector — always controlled by a thermostat with a separate probe. Direct contact with heat mats can cause burns since the snake doesn't always feel the heat in time.
Substrate: cypress mulch, coconut fiber, or newspaper for simplicity. Avoid cedar and pine (toxic oils). Layer substrate 5–8 cm deep so the snake can burrow.
Minimum two hides that fit tightly around the snake — one on the warm side, one on the cool. A dark hide is a safe hide. Add a stable, wide water bowl the snake can bathe in, and a few branches to climb on despite being primarily ground-dwelling.
Common beginner mistakes
**Never use a heat rock without a thermostat** — can cause burns to the belly because the snake doesn't always feel the heat in time. This is the most common cause of vet visits for pythons.
**Not enough darkness at night** — royal pythons are crepuscular and need darkness to feed and be active. UV lighting is not necessary and can stress them.
**Too few hides** — a single hide forces the snake to choose between safety and correct temperature. Two is the absolute minimum.
**Handling immediately after a meal** — can cause regurgitation and stress; wait at least 48 hours.
**Misreading the ball position as "hostile"** — when royal pythons curl into a ball, it is a defensive stress response, not aggression. Leave the snake alone.
**Buying wild-caught** — wild-caught royal pythons have a poor prognosis in captivity and contribute to population collapse in West Africa. Always buy captive-bred (CB) from established breeders.
Beginner tips
Set up the enclosure at least a week before the snake moves in so you can dial in temperature and humidity at leisure. Use a reliable digital thermo-hygrometer with external probes (not stickers).
When the snake comes home: leave it alone for two weeks except for water changes. Let it explore its new home without stress before you start with feeding or handling.
Don't obsess over the first feeding — many royal pythons don't eat the first weeks in a new environment. If it hasn't eaten in 4 weeks, check temperature and hides before worrying about illness.
Join a local Python regius circle or forum where experienced keepers can answer questions in real time. Repti.net circles are a good starting point.
Frequently asked questions
How big does a Python regius get?
An adult royal python reaches 90–150 cm. Females typically grow 120–150 cm and males 90–120 cm. It is one of the smaller boid species and one of few snakes where an adult never outgrows a standard PVC enclosure.How often does Python regius eat?
Adult royal pythons eat one appropriately sized frozen-thawed rodent every 2–3 weeks. Juveniles eat more often, every 5–7 days. Hunger strikes lasting several weeks are normal, especially during seasonal change or shedding.Is Python regius venomous or dangerous?
No, royal python is not venomous (constrictor) and doesn't grow large enough to threaten a human. A bite from an adult can hurt and need cleaning, but is not dangerous. The species is also unusually defensive-balling rather than aggressive-biting.How long does Python regius live?
With proper care, 20–30 years in captivity. The oldest documented specimen lived over 50 years. This is a long-term commitment — consider it before you buy.What terrarium size does an adult Python regius need?
Minimum 120 × 60 × 60 cm (LxWxH) for an adult. Larger is fine and recommended, but the enclosure must be well-furnished with hides, climbing branches, and substrate — otherwise a large empty space can stress the snake.How often does Python regius shed?
Healthy adult royal pythons shed 4–6 times per year. Juveniles shed more often due to growth — every 4–6 weeks. Increase humidity to 70–80% during shed to facilitate full skin removal in one piece.Is Python regius a good first snake?
Yes, for a responsible beginner who respects the snake's need for quiet. It is robust, never grows too large, and has forgiving temperature requirements. However, it is not a hands-on snake — if you want a snake to handle daily, choose corn snake instead.Where should I buy a Python regius?
From an established captive-bred (CB) breeder, ideally local or within the EU. Avoid wild-caught (WC) — these have poor prognosis and contribute to population collapse in West Africa. Ask for hatch date, photos of parents, and first-meal history.