Pythons: Captive Care & Husbandry: An extensive, easy-to-follow guide to python care, featuring advanced insights for a deeper understanding of your snake.

This book covers all the basic requirements you need to meet in order to create an appropriate and optimal environment for your python to live in, plus more advanced information to assist you with developing a better understanding and relationship with your python.You will also learn about stress in snakes, health issues, as well as feeding and handling techniques. Whether you are new to keeping pythons, or have kept pythons for a while but would like to increase your knowledge and expertise, this is the book for you.Master captive care and create an optimal environment for your python. Consider different types of enclosuresLearn about correct lighting, heating and enclosure furnishingsUnderstand how your python eats and learn different feeding techniquesRecognise python behaviour and master handling techniquesIdentify stress factors and reduce the risk of illnessEnrichment for your pythonContents and OverviewAt the beginning of the book, Steve starts by introducing you to the many different python species of the world. Provides an introduction to keeping these snakes in captivity, and the importance of record keeping for your captive animal. Then the book delves into enclosure requirements.In the feeding chapter, Steve explains how and when to feed your python. Advanced insights and techniques are provided for tackling fussy feeders and pythons that totally refuse to eat. He also addresses over-feeding issues.A safe handling chapter is included to provide advice on how to approach and handle your python, techniques for handling more defensive and aggressive snakes, and what to do if you get bitten. You will also learn how to recognise a snake’s body language and behaviour.Pythons like any other animal, can carry bacteria and parasites, so the book also includes a chapter about enclosure cleaning and personal hygiene to help you prevent illness and avoid cross-contamination.Health issues that can arise with your python are discussed in depth, and information is provided about how to deal with them, including quarantining.Whilst this book is specifically about keeping pythons, much of the information provided will also apply to keeping other types of snakes.Troubleshooting: Preventing and overcoming common problemsIn this book, Steve talks you through problems that may arise with your python, how to recognise and address them. You will finish this book with a greater understanding of your python and methods to reduce your python’s stress and risk of illness.Social media can be a great source of information however, it can be difficult to distinguish between correct and incorrect advice. The author has extensive experience keeping and breeding pythons as well as other species of snakes, and is highly regarded in the hobby across the world. Steve is passionate about providing and teaching high-quality captive care for these reptiles. He shares in this book, some of the stranger things that he has come across whilst keeping pythons to give you a greater insight into keeping these magnificent animals.This book is an extensive, easy-to-follow guide, suitable for older children and adults.Foreward by Peter Birch (Colourful Critters):"...With over 40 years of experience in keeping and breeding reptiles, I consider Pythons: Captive Care and Husbandry, by Steve and Zita to be among the finest resources for managing and breeding pythons in captivity. It offers a practical, hands-on perspective grounded in the real-life experiences of seasoned reptile keepers..." Read more