Ron's Ball Python Blog

It's the dead of winter as I'm writing this blog entry. Snow is everywhere, even the white-house is covered in snow. There's not a strand of grass in sight as I look out the window here at the ball python facility. I can't wait for things to warm up and for summer to arrive so we can get back to wearing shorts and t-shirts. Speaking of summer, although it's two seasons away as of this writing, I'm often asked if it's okay to let your ball python travel outside in the grass, stretch out a bit and soak up the warm rays of the sun. My answer is “sure”, but please do so with caution. Here are a few tips.

Ball pythons can pick up ticks so make sure you check your ball python – and check it twice – to make sure there are no ticks on it when you remove it from the grass. Ball pythons are pretty good swimmers too but you still need to monitor them if you decide to let them swim in your pool. Rinse them off very well and let them soak in clean water if you've had them in a chlorinated swimming pool. They have a very powerful grip so bear this in mind if you allow them to crawl on objects. It may be a challenge to remove them if they've wrapped themselves around something like the arm of a chair for instance.

There are many people in the world that are deftly afraid of snakes. I for one was very afraid of snakes many years ago – circa 2,500 BCE – so I know how afraid someone can be if they suffer from Ophidiophobia (fear of snakes). We know ball pythons are harmless wonderful pets but there are many people that see them as nothing more than another “scary snake”. Please be mindful of these people when you have your ball python outside.

I'll more than likely add to these tips as we approach the warmer summer season. Until then it's piles of cold snow to contend with. Brrr.....

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