There’s a reason that Ball Pythons are among the most popular choices for both first-time and experienced snake owners. Not only are they relatively easy to care for, but they’re also generally affordable and come in a wide array of colors and patterns.
That’s exactly where the Firefly Ball Python Morph fits in. They offer a striking appearance and an impressive yet manageable size, and they have a mild temperament. But how do you care for these magnificent reptiles, and what else do you need to know about them? We break it all down here.
Quick Facts About Firefly Ball Python Morph
Species Name:
Python regius
Common Name:
Ball Python
Care Level:
Low
Lifespan:
25 to 30 years
Adult Size:
4 to 6 feet
Diet:
Mice/rats
Minimum Tank Size:
30 gallons
Temperature & Humidity
88- to 96-degree-Fahrenheit basking, 78-to 80-degree-Fahrenheit ambient temperature, and 50-60% humidity
Do Firefly Ball Python Morphs Make Good Pets?
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance pet with a mild temperament, a Firefly Ball Python Morph is a great choice. They have a mild temperament that is great for novice handlers, they have comparatively easy habitat requirements, and they don’t need as much space as other similarly sized snakes.
All this makes them an excellent choice for those looking for a snake for a pet, whether they’re an experienced snake handler or a first-time owner.
Image Credit: Eric Isselee, Shutterstock
Appearance
Firefly Ball Python Morphs are similar in appearance to other Ball Pythons, except that they have a lighter coloring throughout. They have a light brown, almost golden appearance, accented by dark brown coloring throughout.
These colors will appear darker on younger snakes and lighten as they age, which is something that you need to keep in mind if you’re looking at young snakes and they don’t have the light appearance that you’re looking for.
The dark brown coloring is in bands instead of a more traditional keyhole or alien head pattern, although you can spot the occasional alien head in the pattern.
How to Take Care of Firefly Ball Python Morphs
Habitat, Tank Conditions & Setup
Tank
Unlike some snakes that need larger enclosures, Ball Pythons like the Firefly Morph don’t need as much space. For a full-grown Firefly Ball Python Morph, you need a 30- to 40-gallon tank, depending on the size of your snake.
Younger snakes require a smaller enclosure, about 20 liters for a baby.
Lighting
While your snake doesn’t need any special lighting, studies have linked small amounts of UVB light to increased activity and even increased coloration. Therefore, we recommend installing one small UVB light in your enclosure.
Like all reptiles, a Firefly Ball Python Morph can’t regulate their own body temperature. So, you need to supply a basking area anywhere from 88- to 96 degrees Fahrenheit. The rest of the enclosure should be between 78 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, but it shouldn’t dip below 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Finally, you need to maintain the humidity level between 50% and 60% so they can shed their skin properly.
Substrate
When selecting a substrate, you want something that helps retain humidity but is easy to clean and won’t harm your snake. That’s why we recommend cypress mulch. It’s easy to care for and is excellent for your snake.
Whatever you do, avoid pine and cedar products, as this can lead to neurological problems with your snake and kill them.
If you just purchased a young Firefly Ball Python Morph, feed them one frozen or thawed mouse two to three times a week. Once your python has fully grown, one thawed or frozen rat a week should do the trick.
When selecting a mouse or rat, it shouldn’t be fatter than the thickest point on your snake, as this can lead to digestion problems. Moreover, if you put a live mouse or rat in the cage, you need to watch them the entire time because mice and rats can injure or even kill your snake.
While there aren’t a ton of health problems that you need to worry about with Firefly Ball Python Morphs, there are still a few that you need to keep an eye out for.
Inadequate conditions can lead to almost all of these problems, and if you start to notice any of them, you’ll need to take your snake to a vet who specializes in exotic animals as soon as possible.
The best way to prevent these problems is to keep up with cage cleanings, maintain the proper humidity, and keep your snake on a consistent and proper feeding schedule.
Common Health Issues
Here is a quick list of health problems your Firefly Ball Python Morph might face:
Scale rot
Respiratory infection
Parasites
Obesity
Lifespan
When properly cared for, there’s no reason that your Firefly Ball Python Morph can’t live for 25 to 30 years. Keep this in mind when purchasing your snake because you’ll need to be able to care for them for the next three decades!
The last thing that anyone wants is to rehome a pet because they can no longer care for them or they lived longer than expected.
While caring for a Firefly Ball Python Morph is easy, breeding them can be far more difficult. First, the two snakes need to be compatible, and you should only introduce them after brumation. Second, fighting is common, and it can lead to an injured or even killed snake before you realize if they’re compatible or not.
Once the two snakes have successfully mated, you need to separate them once again. A successful breeding session will lead to one to 12 eggs. Once each egg has hatched, you need to separate them into their own enclosures.
So, while breeding these snakes isn’t impossible, it’s a bit more challenging than breeding other reptiles.
Are Firefly Ball Python Morphs Friendly? Our Handling Advice
Ball Pythons are among the friendliest snakes on the market, but this doesn’t mean you can jump straight into handling them however you want. You need to get them used to the activity with short sessions and build up the length of each session over time.
Also, you should leave them alone after they eat, and always wash your hands before and after handling them. Washing your hands before handling removes any potential food scents and reduces the chances of you triggering a feeding response.
Keep in mind that while Firefly Ball Python Morphs are unlikely to nip or bite you, it’s not impossible, and you need to keep an eye out for the warning signs. If they start to ball up, then it means they’re stressed out, and there is a higher chance that they’ll bite you.
Shedding & Brumation: What to Expect
Your Firefly Ball Python Morph will shed their skin several times throughout the year. When they’re about to shed, they’ll stop eating for a few days, and this is completely normal. They should shed their entire skin in one go. If they don’t, there’s a problem with the humidity that you need to address.
Brumation can occur if winter conditions are mimicked. Simply lower the tank’s temperature a few degrees at a time over a span of several weeks, but never below 75 degrees Fahrenheit. You might notice that your Firefly Ball Python will become more lethargic and lose their appetite during this time — this is completely normal.
When winter is over, simply raise the temperature of the tank the same way that you lowered it over several weeks.
How Much Do Firefly Ball Python Morphs Cost?
One of the biggest perks of Firefly Ball Python Morphs is the cost. You can find these beautiful snakes for anywhere from $100 to $200. Considering their impressive size and long lifespan, this is an extremely affordable price.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to purchase a tank, heating lamps, and everything else that they need, but it’s still less than what you’d spend on most other pets or reptiles.
Care Guide Summary
Pros
Affordable
Easy to care for
Docile and easy to handle
Cons
Difficult to breed
Only one per enclosure
Conclusion
Firefly Ball Python Morphs are among the most beautiful snakes on the market, and you won’t even need to spend a ton of money to get one of these designer snakes!
So, if you’re looking to add an impressive snake to your collection or are new to the hobby, there’s no reason not to track down a breeder and purchase one as soon as possible!
Oliver (Ollie) Jones - A zoologist and freelance writer living in South Australia with his partner Alex, their dog Pepper, and their cat Steve (who declined to be pictured). Ollie, originally from the USA, holds his master's degree in wildlife biology and moved to Australia to pursue his career and passion but has found a new love for working online and writing about animals of all types.
