Just hold her. She'll do the rest. … [Read more...] about How to Tie a Knot With a Ball Python
Slithering Out of Her Skin: Photographs of a Ball Python Shedding
On Wednesday morning, after sleeping outside her hide for a week and a half, Havana finally shed her skin. She began at approximately 3:00 AM, and finished about an hour later. I was asleep, and Thomas was busy working away at his computer in his … [Read more...] about Slithering Out of Her Skin: Photographs of a Ball Python Shedding
My Pet Python’s Shoe Fetish
When we first brought Havana home, Thomas and I gave her a few days alone in her enclosure to help her adjust to her new environment. Breeders often recommend letting snakes get used to their new home for about a week before taking them out to play … [Read more...] about My Pet Python’s Shoe Fetish
Havana’s Pre-Shedding Ritual
Over the past week, Havana's been sleeping outside her hide, pressed up against the glass in the corner of her enclosure. Her skin is now duller, and her eyes have become a cloudy blue. Thomas and I have kept the humidity in her tank high so that … [Read more...] about Havana’s Pre-Shedding Ritual
And That’s Why They’re Called Ball Pythons
Of course they're also called royal pythons, but I'm pretty sure it's self-evident from this picture why we call them ball pythons. … [Read more...] about And That’s Why They’re Called Ball Pythons
What’s the Difference Between a Ball Python and a Royal Python?
Absolutely nothing: there is no difference. "Ball python" and "royal python" are just two different names for the same thing. The scientific name for a ball python or royal python is python regius, which is where the term royal python comes from. … [Read more...] about What’s the Difference Between a Ball Python and a Royal Python?
Eating Troubles
On Friday night we tried to feed Havana again, but this time she refused to eat. I knew she might not want to feed because she looked close to shedding, but I still wanted to give it a try in case she would have one more meal before it was time for … [Read more...] about Eating Troubles
How Dangerous is a Snake With Salmonella?
As I stated in the previous article, it's a good idea to wash your hands after handling a snake or anything in its enclosure. This is because reptiles and amphibians are often hosts to salmonella. Washing your hands prevents you from getting infected … [Read more...] about How Dangerous is a Snake With Salmonella?
Washing Hands Before and After Snake Handling
It's a good idea to wash your hands before you hold a snake. Snakes have very poor sight in comparison to other animals, so they depend primarily on their sense of smell to tell them whether or not something is edible. If you've recently handled … [Read more...] about Washing Hands Before and After Snake Handling
A Python With an Attitude
Havana's been sleeping a lot since we fed her. Thomas tells me she woke up at around 1 AM yesterday and was really active, but I was already asleep at that point, so I didn't get any pictures. Since the only photographs I've recently been able to … [Read more...] about A Python With an Attitude