Quote Originally Posted by Medduussa View Post
Okay I have quite a few questions for some of you pros out there. I've been keeping reptiles for 3 years. I've done tons of research and I do consider myself to be well educated on these animals but I never fail to learn more and more every day. Lately, I've been really concerned in giving the best life I possibly can give my gorgeous Royal python Athena. She's a female, 2033g pastel Royal. I have no intentions to breed her, she's just a really lovely companion. Questions are
-how do I give my snake the most enrichment, and exercise needed to be healthy?
-how often to handle?
- do things like lotion on my hands, oil (coconut oil, baby oil, Argan oil) etc bother her or cause any danger? I take good care of my skin and I worry about touching her after. Even if the product has already absorbed into my skin
-my current setup is a 40 gallon reptile tank, UTH hooked to a thermostat of 92 degrees, 2 lights over head, one regular light on cool end, one heat lamp on hot end. Kept humid by spraying once a day. Moss and coco husk is used as a substrate. Do I need to change anything? If so please comment!
-regarding her past medical issues, she has been making noises for awhile. Went to the vet and got a culture recently nothing came up. Is the odd whistle/wheeze normal?
-any other tips for a healthy, long life for a royal? Thank you!! I know this is a long list but I need the advice and help



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1. Enrichment isn't something a ball python really needs nor do they really want imo. A ball python doesn't really care about plants, seeing you when you walk to the tank, etc. They just want proper space, somewhere to feel safe like a hide, proper temps, water, and food.
2. I personally don't handle too often. At most I kind of just take them out and let them wander or just hang out in my lap under the covers. This can range from 20 minutes - 1 hour depending on how receptive they are to the handling. Some snakes will actually despise being handled and just want to be left alone in their enclosures. Note: You'll generally know oyu're handling too much if the snake doesn't eat all of a sudden.
3. Not sure about this so I can't answer.
4. You honestly don't need the lamps or the lights. If your tank has a proper top cover and you've wet the substrate, you don't need to mist once a day. Humidity isn't that big of a deal unless the snake is in shed but keeping a consistent 60% is generally accepted.
5. What are her past medical issues and what are these noises?
6. Feed, clean, fresh water, proper temps and humidity and that's about it.