Education and Resources
Resource we have developed:
Doing Family Science With Ball Pythons
Resource others have developed that we highly recommend:
Ball Python Breeding by Sean Niland at VMS Herps
Determining the Sex of Snakes by Dave and Tracy Barker at VPI
Library
When we first became interested in raising and breeding ball pythons, we did hours and hours of research before we purchased any animals. We scoured the Web and read everything we could find. Many breeders have posted excellent resources on their Web sites. We also purchased several excellent books shown in the image below. An annotated bibliography of our library is provided below the image. We will be updating the bibliography as we add to our library.
Ross, R. & Marzec, G. (1990). The Reproductive Husbandry of Pythons and Boas. The Institute for Herpetological Research at Stanford University This is a great book for serious breeders. It includes a comprehensive review of the research literature up to 1990 in herpetology relative to breeding boids. |
de Vosjoli, P., Klingenberg, R., Barker, D., & Barker, T. (1995). The Ball Python Manual. Mission Viejo, CA: Advanced Vivarium Systems. An excellent handbook for all the basics of ball python husbandry--goes beyond the standard pet care manuals. |
Rossi, J. & Rossi, R. (1996). What's Wrong With My Snake? Mission Viejo, CA: Advanced Vivarium Systems. This book is the next best thing to having a live-in vet! We have found this book very useful. |
Klingenberg, R. J. (1993). Understanding Reptile Parasites: A Basic Manual for Herpetoculturists & Veterinarians. Irvine, CA: Advanced Vivarium Systems. This is a good reference manual to have on hand in the event of parasite problems, but is not what you would want to curl up by the fire and read for enjoyment! |
Coborn, J. & Walls, J. G. (2003). The Guide to Owning a Ball Python. Neptune City, NJ: T.F.H. Publications, Inc. This is a basic pet manual--good for beginners and for those who are keeping ball pythons as pets. |
Kirschner, A. & Seufer, H. (2003). The Ball Python: Care, Breeding and Natural History. Germany: Kirschner & Seufer Verlag. This is an excellent handbook about ball pythons--covers many topics in detail and includes many valuable references to other research work. This is a must have book for serious pet owners or breeders. |
Kohler, G. (2005). Incubation of Reptile Eggs: Basics, Guidelines, Experiences. Malbar, FL: Krieger Publishing Company. This is another must-have book for breeders. We found helpful information in this book that we didn't find anywhere else. |
McCurly, K. (2005). The Complete Ball Python: a Comprehensive Guide to Care, Breeding, and Genetic Mutations. Lansing, MI: ECO Herpetological Publishing & Distribution. We waited in great anticipation for the publication of this book and were not disappointed when it finally arrived in our mailbox! This is an outstanding book on ball pythons with perhaps the most valuable contribution being the chapter on Morphs. Thank you, Kevin! |
DVDs |
Dr. Mark Seward's Ball Python Breeding with Colette and Dan Sutherland This DVD was the single-most useful tool for us when we were brand new to the business. We have watched this about a dozen times or more, focusing on individual topics as we reached that point in our learning curve. |
Dr. Steve Gorzula Presents: Ball Pythons in the Wild. Moderately interesting, but very redundant--presents episode after episode of pulling ball pythons from their natural habitat inside termite mounds or rodent holes. The video is not narrated--a major drawback to anyone wanting to gain more information than just watching the same thing over and over. The visit to an African breeding facility at the end of the DVD held the most interest for us. |
Questions? ASK THE PROFESSORS! ...that's us.