Pythons are non-poisonous snakes. They live in the tropics and subtropics of Africa, Asia, Australia. In South America, Europe and the USA are kept as pets.
The largest among them are royal, mesh and hieroglyphic. There are other types of snakes that are significantly inferior to these giants in size. These include:
- black-headed python, which is found in Northern Australia;
- Python Ramsey is also a resident of Australia;
- annular - a rather rare species that is found only on the Bismarck archipelago;
- digging African python; it is interesting that before it was ranked among pythons, and now it is called a boa constrictor; its length is no more than two meters;
- ringed spotted - endemic to Australia (northern regions);
- amethyst - a large snake, which is a natural species of Northern Australia and New Guinea.
Hieroglyphic python: habitat
This snake naturally lives in West Africa, south of the Sahara. The hieroglyphic python prefers to live in the savannah, subtropical and tropical forests. Often found in meadows, among rocky outcrops, around farms and villages. This is the largest snake on the African continent can be found in wetlands, places with high levels of humidity.
External features
African hieroglyphic python is a huge snake. In length, it can reach more than six meters, and weighs more than a hundred kilograms. In a terrarium, it rarely has such dimensions. Most often, its length in captivity does not exceed four and a half meters, and its weight is fifty kilograms.
The body of the hieroglyphic python is covered by an exquisite pattern: on the back it consists of stripes in the form of a zigzag, as well as dark spots on the sides. The back of individuals in natural conditions is painted in gray-brown color, the belly is lighter, yellowish. On the head there is a dark triangular spot and a strip that passes through the eyes. Today, individuals with other colors have been bred.
Behavior features
The hieroglyphic python is active at night, he climbs trees perfectly and swims perfectly. As a rule, this snake is unhurried, but it can pose a serious danger to humans - its throw for prey is swift. Interestingly, this species of pythons can live without food for a long time. The teeth of this snake are very sharp, but it is not poisonous. Nevertheless, there have been recorded cases of the attack of this giant python on humans, which ended in death.
The hieroglyphic python born in captivity is quite easily tamed and becomes quite an adequate pet. At first, the animal shows aggression and bites with fear, but then confidence is formed and the aggression leaves.
Hieroglyphic Python Content Guide
Due to the very large size and pronounced tendency to aggression, experts do not recommend starting this type of python for beginners. This animal is more suitable for experienced keeper, who already have experience with large, and sometimes unpredictable snakes. With good care, the hieroglyphic python can become tame and very calm, and taming it will be a reward for the breeder. And for beginners it is better to pay attention to snakes, which have a more flexible character.
Terrarium
You can arrange for your pet both a simple and quite complex terrarium. But it is necessary to remember that the more decorative elements you put there, the more difficult it is to achieve cleanliness in a python's house: all these elements will have to be washed and disinfected constantly. In addition, it must be remembered that the hieroglyphic python is a strong and powerful animal, so the terrarium must be closed.
For large individuals, you should prepare the largest possible terrarium. Regardless of the size of the snake, it is necessary to create a temperature difference in it. There should be enough space so that between the cold corner and the warm-up zone your pet can choose the temperature that suits him.
Substrates
The hieroglyphic python is not too picky about substrates. Newspapers are the cheapest and easiest way to keep clean: the easiest way to replace them.
Mulched substrates will help maintain moisture. But it is necessary to take into account the fact that excess moisture is harmful to this species, however, like its lack.
Temperature
The hieroglyphic python needs a background temperature ranging from +26 to +28 ° C, and at the warming point it should be about +33 ° C. Avoid lowering the background temperature below +24 ° C. To maintain and control it, use digital thermometers with a probe.
There are several ways to provide heating in a terrarium. Ceramic heating elements, heating mats, incandescent lamps - these are just some of the common options. Stones will not work for python terrariums, since they are very hot and can burn an animal very seriously.
Humidity
It is necessary to install a humidity chamber in the terrarium, which will not only help to create the most humid place, but will also become the second refuge of the snake. Making such a camera is easy. In a plastic container with wet sphagnum, cut a hole at the top or bottom and install it in the terrarium. Do not forget that warm air is more humid than cold. The main goal of the owner is to moisten your pet's house, and not turn it into a swamp.
Keeping a snake in a too wet terrarium can provoke the development of bacterial and fungal infections, which in turn can cause the death of the animal.
Lighting
The hieroglyphic python does not need additional lighting, but if you still decide to use it, you must observe the daily cycles: 12 (day) + 12 (night). Constant bright lighting leads to stress of snakes, especially for twilight species, to which our hero belongs.
Water
Your pet should have constant access to water. You can choose a drinker (size) at your own discretion. If this is a fairly large capacity, then over time, the python will begin to use it for swimming.
Feeding
The python is fed weekly by rodents that fit the size of a snake. Throughout your youth, your pet can feed on rats: from crawling rats in their youth to adult rodents as the snake grows. Do not disturb the snake after eating, otherwise food spitting up may occur.
Experienced owners believe that representatives of this species should be fed no more than once every ten days. The restriction in nutrition allows you to control the growth of the animal, but if the feeding is too rare, the snake will constantly experience hunger, which will trigger the launch of eating behavior in contact with the owner.
When handling python, observe safety rules. This is especially true for feeding. Never pick up a snake after holding a rodent - by mistake your pet may mistake you for a treat.
