Exports of ball pythons from togo raise questions about exotic pet trade

That undermines the scientific reasoning behind each country’s export quota, d’cruze says. The ball python is legally exported from africa more than any other species listed by cites, which monitors wildlife trade.

The snake’s popularity as an exotic pet drives demand, especially from the u.S. The ball python is a good snake for a beginning snake owner. They typically grow between 2 to 5 feet , ball pythons are not as large as many of the other constricting snakes that are kept as pets, are quite docile, and are easy to handle. Ball python enclosures can be as simple or as elaborate as you want to care for when it comes to snake habitat products. Remember that the more you put in the cage, the more you have to clean and disinfect on a regular basis. Glass reptile terrariums and tanks are adequate for ball pythons, but the screen tops on such enclosures can make it very difficult to maintain proper humidity levels.

Diseases aren’t only a possible problem for ball pythons but also potentially for humans. Wild animals of all types can be hosts for a number of pathogens,ball python  as has become clear with the covid-19 pandemic, a zoonotic disease believed to have originated in bats.

If you receive a bite from a ball python, clean the wound with warm soap and water and contact your doctor. Ball pythons are popular pets — for those who have snakes as pets, that is. They are fairly docile, but may bite you for one reason or another. Ball pythons are not venomous and don’t have fangs, so a bite may not be as severe as other snake bites. Always use caution if you’re bitten by a ball python, and seek medical treatment. For solitary animals like ball pythons, this process can be extremely traumatic. To minimize the risk of spreading any disease to other snakes, some reptile importers quarantine their newly imported snakes.

While ball pythons can make excellent pets for those unfamiliar with keeping snakes as a pet, ball pythons still require specialized care and attention. It’s uncommon for pet ball snakes to bite, but it’s possible. Handling your ball snake appropriately will reduce the chance of a bite.