Taxonomy
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Captive Care & Breeding |
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Captive Care Northern WLP Southern WLP Breeding |
Captive Care: Basic information |
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Here you can find general care information which are perfectly true for both species, the northern and the southern White-Lipped Python. Specific differences in each species are found in the sub menu for either species! |
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| Cage / Terrarium These pythons are quite active at night and need a large cage with fresh water freely available at all times. Some perches and hide boxes at different temperature gradient regions should be provided for basking and shelter as well. All light bulbs or other heat sources (i.e. heat panels) should be protected to avoid the animal from getting burned. Young and semi adult specimens will burrow tunnels, and will dive into the substrate or will coil around light bulbs etc. Substrate Different substrates are possible for White-Lipped Pythons. The best substrate is one, which helps to keep up humidity, and where the pythons can digg. Do not use fine substrats such as sand because these can get under the ventral scales and cause infections! Sharp-edged substrates (different barks) shouldn't be used either, because the smooth scales can be damaged. If you tend to use news paper or citchen towels , make sure to provide a "wet-box" (box with damp moss). Temperatures The basic air temperature should be at 28°C (82°F), and a light bulb providing temperatures of up to 34°C (93°F) should be installed locally. White-lipped pythons will bask only if the basic air temperature in the cage isn't high enough, otherwise they will shelter. Humidity Humidity should be around 70-85% constantly. This python is very sensitive to wet conditions or to low humidity. The cage should be misted at least once a day to keep up humidity. But you shouldn't mist the python directly. Alternativley, you can provide a so-called "wet-box" with damp moss. Photoperiod The photoperiod is 12 hours contantly over the year. Diet White-lipped pythons are in general really good feeders. They readily will take mice, rats, birds, and everything they can kill. Their strikes are very fast, so watch you fingers! About a week after feeding, they will through up furballs. This is called "casting". |
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by Wulf Schleip