How easy is it to look after a Royal Python?

Thinking of getting a Royal Python as a pet? These beautiful, calm and famously stubborn snakes are one of the most popular reptiles in the world. With their manageable size, incredible variety of colours and patterns, and generally docile nature, Royal Pythons make excellent pets for both beginners and experienced keepers alike.

But how easy are they to actually care for?

The honest answer is: Fairly easy… once you understand that your snake occasionally likes to pretend it has never eaten before in its entire life.

In this article we’ll discuss the correct environment, dietary requirements, and general care for one of the world’s most popular pet snakes: the Royal Python.

The Royal Python

The Royal Python (Python regius), also known as the Ball Python in America, is a medium-sized constrictor found throughout western and central Africa. They inhabit grasslands, scrubland, forest edges and agricultural areas, spending much of their time hidden underground in rodent burrows or termite mounds.

Royal Pythons grow to an average length of 3–5 feet and can live for 25–35 years in captivity with proper care.

They gained the name “Ball Python” because of their defensive behaviour. When frightened, they curl into a tight ball with their head tucked safely in the centre.

Which is admittedly much less intimidating than most snakes in movies.

Royal Pythons are known for their calm temperament and slow-moving nature. Most captive bred specimens tolerate handling very well and are considered one of the best beginner snake species available.

That said, they are also notorious for:

• Sitting in one spot for 14 straight hours

• Refusing food for absolutely no obvious reason

• Scaring their owners by behaving perfectly normally for a snake

Welcome to python ownership.

Creating the perfect enclosure

The enclosure is the single most important part of Royal Python care. Without correct heating, humidity, security and lighting, the snake can quickly become stressed and susceptible to illness.

Royal Pythons are secretive ambush predators that spend much of their lives hidden away. Unlike active diurnal lizards, they prefer security over open space.

So, if your python spends most of its day hiding: That’s normal. It is not broken. It is simply being a python.

Vivarium

Royal Pythons thrive in enclosed vivariums that retain heat and humidity well.

Wooden vivariums are often preferred because they:

• Hold heat efficiently

• Maintain stable humidity

• Make the snake feel secure

• Help reduce stress

A suitable enclosure size for an adult Royal Python is approximately:

• 4ft x 2ft x 2ft minimum

Baby and juvenile snakes should not be placed in excessively large open enclosures without plenty of cover and hiding spaces.

A tiny python in a giant empty enclosure feels about as confident as a human sleeping alone in an abandoned shopping centre.

Heating

Royal Pythons are ectothermic reptiles, meaning they rely entirely on external heat sources to regulate body temperature.

A Royal Python enclosure should provide:

• Warm side: 31–33°C

• Cool side: 24–26°C

• Night temperatures: no lower than 18°C

Heat should always be controlled using a thermostat.

This is incredibly important. Without thermostatic control, heat sources can overheat rapidly and cause severe burns or even death.

Snakes are surprisingly good at getting themselves into terrible situations involving hot objects.

Royal Pythons generally prefer secure dark spaces, which is why many will spend long periods hidden inside warm hides.

Humidity

Humidity is one of the most overlooked aspects of Royal Python care.

These snakes require moderate humidity levels of around:

• 60–70%

Humidity should increase slightly during shedding cycles.

Low humidity can lead to:

• Poor sheds

• Retained eye caps

• Respiratory problems

• Dehydration

A healthy Royal Python should shed in one complete piece.

If your snake sheds like a croissant exploding in slow motion, your humidity probably needs adjusting.

Hides and security

Royal Pythons need to feel secure.

Every enclosure should contain at least:

• One warm hide

• One cool hide

• Additional clutter and cover

Cork bark, branches, artificial plants and textured décor all help the snake feel more comfortable.

A stressed Royal Python often becomes defensive or refuses food.

A secure Royal Python becomes a lazy decorative noodle.

Lighting

While Royal Pythons are mostly nocturnal and crepuscular, low-level UVB lighting can still be beneficial and is advised by any good specialist.

UV exposure helps support:

• Natural behaviours

• Circadian rhythm

• Overall health

A regular day/night cycle is important even for nocturnal reptiles.

After all, even snakes appreciate knowing what time it is.

Feeding your Royal Python

Royal Pythons are carnivores and feed primarily on rodents.

In captivity they are usually fed appropriately sized:

• Mice
• Rats
• Multimammates
• Gerbils

Pre-killed frozen-thawed prey is strongly recommended for safety reasons. Theres nothing worse than dinner turning the tables and snacking on you.

Live rodents can injure snakes badly, especially if the snake decides today is one of its famous “I refuse food because the moon feels wrong” days.

Feeding schedule

As a general guide:

• Hatchlings: every 5–7 days

• Juveniles: every 7–10 days

• Adults: every 10–21 days

Royal Pythons have relatively slow metabolisms and can go for surprisingly long periods without food.

Unfortunately, they are fully aware of this.

Many owners panic the first time their Royal Python refuses a meal.

Experienced keepers usually respond with: “Oh good, it’s doing the annual hunger strike again.”

Short fasting periods are completely normal for this species, particularly during seasonal changes or breeding periods.

Common Royal Python behaviours

Royal Pythons display a range of normal behaviours that can sometimes confuse new keepers.

Hiding constantly

Perfectly normal.

Royal Pythons are ambush predators that naturally spend most of their time hidden underground.

Your snake is not antisocial. It is simply convinced the best survival strategy is pretending not to exist.

Tongue flicking

Tongue flicking is how snakes smell the world around them.

The snake is actively exploring and processing scents.

Think of it as the reptile equivalent of aggressively reading reviews before choosing a restaurant.

Balling up

When frightened or stressed, Royal Pythons curl tightly into a defensive ball.

This behaviour is completely natural and the reason behind both their common names.

It is also the snake equivalent of saying: “If I cannot see the problem, perhaps the problem will go away.”

Refusing food

This is perhaps the most famous Royal Python behaviour.

Healthy adults may occasionally refuse meals for weeks or even months.

As long as the snake:

• Maintains weight

• Behaves normally

• Has proper husbandry

• Shows no signs of illness

…it is usually not a cause for panic.

Royal Pythons are masters of convincing their owners that disaster is imminent while actually being completely fine.

Soaking in the water bowl

Occasional soaking can be normal, particularly during shedding.

However, excessive soaking may indicate:

• Mites

• Stress

• Incorrect temperatures

• Low humidity

Or your snake may simply have decided the water bowl is now a luxury spa.

Daily maintenance

Royal Pythons are relatively low-maintenance reptiles once their setup is correct.

Daily care includes:

• Checking temperatures and humidity

• Refreshing water

• Spot cleaning waste

• Observing behaviour

• Ensuring all equipment is functioning correctly

A full enclosure clean should be carried out regularly to maintain hygiene. This is not a frequent as you would think as royals are not messy animals.

Thankfully, unlike many pets, Royal Pythons are generally silent.

Unless you count the sound of your own panic at 2am when you briefly cannot find them in the enclosure.

Are Royal Pythons easy pets?

Compared to many reptiles: Absolutely.

Royal Pythons are:

• Calm

• Hardy

• Relatively slow-moving

• Easy to handle

• Beautifully patterned

• Inexpensive to feed

However, they still require:

• Correct heating

• Proper humidity

• Secure housing

• Long-term commitment

• Consistent husbandry

These snakes can live over 30 years in captivity.

This is not a short-term pet. This is a long-term scaly housemate.

Final thoughts

Royal Pythons are one of the best pet snakes in the world for good reason. Their manageable size, calm temperament and relatively simple care requirements make them excellent companion animals when their needs are properly understood.

They may not fetch. They may not cuddle. They may occasionally refuse food just to emotionally challenge you.

But they are fascinating, beautiful reptiles that reward good husbandry with decades of calm companionship.

And honestly, there is something incredibly relaxing about watching a content Royal Python quietly exploring its enclosure at night like a tiny living piece of moving artwork.

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For some tips and tricks check out our YouTube channel we have some fun videos with our animals and herptile care!