HANDLING YOUR ROYAL PYTHON

When handling your royal python it is important to use an antibacterial hand wash before and after touching your animal. This ensure that no parasites or bacteria is passed between you and your snake. When handling always use a hook to gently stroke the snakes head to let it know you are going to touch it- we call this tap-training. Over time, the snake is able to distinguish between feeding and handling times by not expecting food once it has been stroked gently on the nose. This should be continued throughout the snakes life.

Gently pick the snake up by scooping around 2/3 of the way down the snakes body. Don’t restrict the snake and try not to hold the first 3rd of the snake where the vital organs are, this can cause discomfort to your snake. Always leave 48 hours or more after feeding your snake before handling to prevent bites and discomfort to your animal which can cause regurgitation. We advise not to handle your snake 48 hours before feeding- especially for fussy feeders.

SEXING YOUR ROYAL PYTHON

Male and female snakes may differ between sizes and length of tail, but to get an accurate gender there are 2 methods.

1-  probe your snake by sliding the probe under the vent towards the tail. If the probe goes in a small amount then the snake is female, if the snake is male the probe will slide further, this is where the hemipenes are located.

2-  ‘pop’ the snake by holding the snakes tail in one hand and gently rolling towards the vent with the other exposing the genitals.

Snakes can be badly damaged during sexing and should only be sexed by a professio

HEALTH CHECK

It is important to regularly check the health of your Royal Python and there are a few common diseases and disorders to look out for.

Eyes– check the eyes are clear of infection, discharge or stuck eye caps (these can occur from a dry shed, increase the humidity or place snake on soak periodically until eye caps come off) Royal pythons are prone to dry sheds if they do not have enough humidity in their tank. Add a wet moss hide for shedding or soak in a tub of warm water for 20 mins at a time until the shed slides off.

Skin– check the skin for black spots or raised scales which can be a sign of mites in a Royal python. Mites can usually be seen around the eye socket and under the chin. Mites can be treated using a number of chemical products or for a natural cure, Taurrus predatory mites can be used regularly for prevention and treatment. Mites cause mild irritation but can cause more serious issues if left. Some people choose to periodically treat their Royal Python for mites in order to prevent them.

Respiratory Infections– RI is a term for a broad spectrum of infections in the lungs and respiratory system. It is generally caused by ill health along with damp or cold conditions and can be treated with a nebuliser. We always recommend seeing the vet if you suspect RI, however it is extremely rare and is not usually the actual cause of the symptoms that are seen. Many people worry about RI in Royal Pythons, however it is rarely the issue. Often nose plugs stuck in the snakes nose or the snake being in blue or about to shed can be the cause of whistling. Always consult a vet if you are concerned about the health of your Royal Python