Royal pythons have recently become increasingly popular among domestic terrariums. These beautiful and not too large snakes are quite unpretentious, even those who have just begun to comprehend the basics of keeping such unusual pets will cope with their contents.
If you are thinking about settling this amazing creature with you, you should learn as much as possible about python in advance. Our article will talk about how these snakes live in a natural environment, how and how often they eat, what they love.
King python description
Among his brothers, he seems like a baby. The average size of the royal python is 1.5 meters, the largest individuals can grow up to two meters.
This snake has a spear-shaped head, which is separated from the body by the neck. The tail, like all pythons, is small. The body of the python is large, of the same thickness along its entire length.
Photos of the royal pythons show that the name of the species received quite deservedly. These creatures are very beautiful. Abdomen always has a light color, can be beige or almost white. Pythons of this species have a huge variety of morphs. Our article provides snapshots of some of them.
Biologists attribute these creatures to the genus of real pythons, which is part of the pseudopod family. The royal species, like other pythons, has the remains of a reduced pelvis and femurs. Some individuals (usually males) may have small non-functional processes near the anus - reduced lower limbs. This is atavism, preserved during evolution.
Spread
Royal pythons in the wild are common in the central and western parts of the African mainland. They can be found in Senegal, Guinea, Mali, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ghana, Benin, CĆ“te d'Ivoire, Niger, Cameroon and some other countries.
Lifestyle
Representatives of this species are active at night. They donāt spend much time on hunting because they need food only a couple of times a month.
Representatives of the royal species swim beautifully. With climbing trees, they also cope with a bang.
In the daytime, animals hide in shelters so as not to catch the eye of a larger predator.
Diet
In nature, the royal python preys mainly on rodents. Like other snakes, pythons have small teeth that are not designed to gnaw and chew food. Rather, these are hooks with which you can cling to the flesh. The victim is swallowed whole, then the long digestion process begins.
A few days after a successful hunt, culminating in a hearty dinner, the python spends in solitude and peace. He does not leave the shelter and is not interested in other potential victims.
Home Terrarium Maintenance
Python can not be called affectionate, but he does not show aggression. Usually these pets are chosen by those who do not like too intrusive pets.
This species, although it is unpretentious, but the organization of the house for the pet should be approached with all responsibility. It is best to arrange a home in a glass or plastic container.
It is advisable to equip one of the corners with a heating element, and leave the other corner cool by making ventilation holes. The rest of the space should be lit in the daytime, and the temperature in it should be slightly warmer than room temperature.
The pet needs irrigation. Spray it a couple of times a day. Many representatives of the captive species are lazy and inactive. But in the terrarium it is worth installing a snag, because itās your snake that can be liked by a kind of gymnastics. Be sure to install a shelter in which your pet could retire.
The content of the royal python is not too troublesome, but it is worth remembering that the snake leads a nocturnal lifestyle. These are not too noisy animals, but it is better to be prepared for fuss in the terrarium at night from the very beginning.
Pet feeding
Pythons are not toxic, in the natural environment they hunt by food. Many terrarium hunters strive to maintain and develop the petās natural instincts by offering him live food. For this purpose feed rodents, which are sold in pet stores, are excellent. You can breed gerbils, mice or rats yourself.
But not all owners can calmly look at the killing of defenseless mice and rats. In such cases, you can use frozen food. But you canāt forget that your pet is a predator. There are no āhumaneā alternatives in which rodents would remain intact and the snake would be full, does not exist.
It is important to know the feeding regimen. Adult snake needs to be fed no more than once every 2-3 weeks, otherwise obesity problems, poor health and a shorter life span are inevitable. But access to water is necessary at any time. After feeding the snake is not recommended to disturb at least 4 days, so that the food is absorbed.
Experienced breeders read that this kind of python may well be the first newbie snake. But the matter must be approached with all responsibility, to weigh all the pros and cons in advance, to evaluate their own capabilities. A visit to a veterinary clinic, meeting a doctor who has experience working with snakes will not be out of place. With well-organized care, a python will please a caring and loving owner for many years.