Are ball pythons endangered in the wild?
Ball pythons are listed as a CITES red list species under Appendix II, which, according to the treaty, “includes species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but in which trade must be controlled in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival.”
Can a ball python survive in the wild?
Ball pythons are found in a multitude of habitats in various sub-Saharan West African countries, including Togo, Ghana, and Benin, which are the most popular locations where they are exported for the pet trade [9]. Some wild-living ball pythons have been caught in Florida where they have been introduced [6].
Is it bad to keep wild caught snakes?
Reptiles taken from the wild often have parasites and/or diseases, and keeping them in captivity will stress them out, sometimes even to the extent of them dying because of it. Some won’t eat in captivity, and being subjected to handling would make the stress even worse.
Why you shouldn’t get a pet snake?
In recent years, scientists have discovered that just like warm-blooded animals, snakes suffer from anxiety, stress, distress, excitement, fear, frustration, pain and suffering. The stress of captivity can lead to diseases and death — not just for their human keepers — but more commonly for the snakes themselves.
Can a captive snake survive in the wild?
Pet snakes can survive in the wild in a technical sense. If they find enough food, don’t get run over by a car or eaten by a predator, and if they can find somewhere warm enough to stay then they will probably survive.
Why are there so many ball pythons in Africa?
Cruel wild capture methods cause stress and can result in disease, infection and premature death. Ball pythons are farmed in West Africa in dirty conditions that can create a lethal hotbed of disease. Wild caught Ball pythons are still being imported in Europe and North America, likely to boost the captive breeding industry.
How often do wild caught ball pythons eat?
Many healthy captive pythons only eat for a few months out of the year due to these seasonal changes. With all of the above issues taken care of, still, some ball pythons can be incredibly finicky in how AND what they eat. This is especially true for wild-caught ball pythons.
Is it normal for a ball python to not poop?
However, swelling from 2 weeks to few days before pooping is normal. Swelling goes down after a ball python has pooped. First stool after a long time is hard and darker/grayish in coloration. Not pooping for a long time (more than 3 months), plus not pooping when shedding or shortly after shedding during this time.
Why are ball pythons misunderstood and suffering in silence?
This is why it is particularly difficult to recognize the signs of stress, illness or suffering. Over the years, the misunderstanding of Ball python behaviour has resulted in the misperception that Ball pythons do not have specialized welfare needs and can thrive in restrictive environments that lack adequate stimulation.
Why are so many ball pythons dying in the wild?
Habitat loss from deforestation is another important cause of death in ball pythons. The capture of ball pythons for pets has also resulted in a population decline in the wild. When captured, the sudden change in temperature and environment can quickly result in the death of a snake.
Where can you find a ball python in the wild?
It can be found in open forests, as well as drier savannahs. It is usually found in areas with good cover near open water where it can cool itself during hot weather, since temperatures often exceed 100°F. It spends most of its time on or under the ground in confiscated burrows, although it can climb.
What kind of predator is a ball python?
Some ball pythons are wild-caught. In the wild, they are specialized nocturnal predators. They will fast when prey is not available for a period of time, so if one hasn’t been fed in a while due to shipping, it might go into a fast.
Can a ball python go for months without food?
You see, ball pythons, like most snakes, can safely go for months without any food. Of course, this doesn’t mean you should just sit back and let your pet starve. It just means that you have time on your side to figure things out. Keep reading to find out exactly why ball pythons go through fasting periods, and how you can fix the issue (s).
Pet snakes should never be released into the wild! Pet snakes can survive in the wild in a technical sense. If they find enough food, don’t get run over by a car or eaten by a predator, and if they can find somewhere warm enough to stay then they will probably survive.
Has a Ball python ever killed its owner?
There are some python species that are capable of killing a human — even an adult human. African rock pythons and reticulated pythons fall into this category. While it’s rare, there have been cases of these snakes attacking and killing their owners (or some innocent bystander like a child).
Is it illegal to have a ball python?
In New South Wales, native reptiles are protected by law. It’s illegal to take a reptile from the wild or release an unwanted one back into the wild. If you want to purchase a reptile, it needs to be bought from a licensed dealer or broker.
