Quick Info
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Heating:
Warm side: #-#degrees F
Cool Side: #-# degrees F
Measure heat at the ground, where the snake is.
Humidity:
Close to #% boosted to #% if shedding
Food chart:
Females only:
*Wait longer between meals if snake is becoming obese or feed more often if thin.
Feeding
Food should be primarily ratsthat are no wider than the widest part of the snake. Rats can be offered live, freshly and humanely killed, or thawed from frozen. Under no circumstance should a live rat be left unattended with your snake, mice have powerful jaws and sharp teeth that can injure or kill your pet.
Sometimes a snake will go on a "hunger strike" and stop eating for an extended period. These hunger strikes can last months and can be frustrating. Continue offering food on schedule and make sure that the temperature and humidity in the cage are within the correct range.
There is no benefit to feeding in a separate container and this practice is more likely to cause stress and defensive behavior than feeding your snake in its cage.
Water and Bathing
Water bowls should be heavy enough that a snake can not borrow under and flip it. They should be large enough to submerge in as well as most will use this to help shed skin, pass urates, and maintain hydration. It should be cleaned and changed at least weekly but fresh water daily is ideal. Most snakes will not drink stale or dirty water and will dehydrate.
Short tails do not need to be bathed unless they have made an exceptional mess in their cage. While bathing is considered harmless, it is an unnecessary stress on the animal and should only be done for hygiene.
Humidity
Humidity is most easily controlled by limiting airflow in the cage. A screen lid can be blocked off with foil tape on the outside, aluminum foil, or any other impermeable layer. If blocking the lid, some open area should be left on each end for air exchange. Proper bedding is also important for maintaining humidity in the cage.
A small digital hydrometer can be placed in the cage to ensure that the humidity is within the correct range. A spray bottle can be used to boost humidity or a “humid hide” can be made from a small container filled with moist sphagnum moss can be placed in the enclosure to help the python shed.
Bedding (Substrate)
There are many different substrates available and which one you use depends on the overall climate in your home.
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Heat
Heating for short tails can come from below and/or above but is most effective when coming from below. As nocturnal animals they do not bask in the sunlight but will rest on warm places and absorb "belly heat".
Our recommendation is to use an under-tank heater or heat pad with a thermostat. The heating element should be large enough for the python to fully curl up on but not so large that the sand boa cannot be completely off it. The thermostat is essential because even the smallest heat pad can reach temperatures that can cause burns or heat stroke.
Hides and Clutter
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