Do Ball Pythons hibernate?

Question

I just purchsex a female ball python and the seller shipped itto me and i just recieved ittoday and she looks like she is dead.The seller said that she was in hibernation,but I have never heard of that

Answer 1

yup- if he lets it get cold enough. Lowered temps and shortened daylight leads to hibernation. Longer days and higher temps wakes them up. If you do not have an intent to breed them, there is no reason for them to hibernate. (they get a sex drive when they wake up) The shipper should know that. It sounds like he was just trying to save money and not feed during winter.

Answer 2

Ball Python Hibernation

Answer 3

That is not normal. She must have been freezing to seem as if she was dead. Ball Pythons do not hibernate for one. She could easily get RI (respiratory infection) which requires a vet visit and treatment asap. I would keep an eye on her. It may not show up right away. But signs of RI include, bubbles coming from nose, wheezing, holding her head up constantly, leaving their mouth open, sneezing. There are others, but these are the main ones.

Answer 4

What kind of irresponsible breeder ships a reptile which is hibernating? I know ball pythons don't really hibernate but that's still pretty shocking.

Answer 5

Ball Pythons originate in TROPICAL AFRICA (most now are imported from Nigeria or Ghana). Ball Pythons DO NOT hibernate. If you drop the ambient temperature below 70* F they will get sick and die (usually from pneumonia). A happy Ball Python is one kept between 85*-90* F. Someone has been trying to "sell you a bill of goods". Good luck.

Answer 6

brumation is only neccesary if you intend to breed. i would keep the room light, or put a normal (not infrared or night-glo) bulb in there for 12 hours a day, and warm the ambient temp up about 5 degrees, and the basking temp 10. to the person who posted about shipping reptiles, if the weather is cold, a heatpack is usually used to keep him warm, and no matter when you ship, the box should be insulated. i have had animals shipped without a problem, it just has to be done correctly.

Answer 7

its called brumation and let me tell you something never ever use a heat rock and if you use a light that is not anof makesure you have a heating pad that wont shut off under the cage at all times and with a lamp only have one put it on one side so it can be on the pad (not inside the cage on the outsind under) and not in the light if it wants to you dont even need a light but a rock and lamp can give them burns and they wont know to move till its to late but if your snake is breathing its probly just a lazy snake and likes to reast or sleep alot




( i have ball pythons and berded dragon lizards plus a know a teacher that has many pets she could be a vet probly i know what im doing good luck)

Answer 8

Yes, they do hibernate. However, shipment can be very dangerous, and, although I haven't seen pythons die from the process, I have seen many other reptiles do so, especially in colder weather. Watch her carefully.

Answer 9

Yes ball pythons do hibernate. I am not sure for how long though.

Answer 10

i hope you get this in time, this just happened to me also, i got mine and they were cold and lifeless, i immediately put them in warm water and under a heat light to bring their temp up to normal luckily this worked for me. yes they do hibernate but not at real low temps if their body temp drops too low their heart and lungs and all muscles dont work.