Pythons, Captive Care and Husbandry by Steve and Zita Crawford

Master captive care and create an optimal environment for your python.

This book covers all the 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.

• Consider different types of enclosures
• Learn about correct lighting, heating and enclosure furnishings
• Understand how your python eats and learn different feeding techniques
• Recognise python behaviour and master handling techniques
• Identify stress factors and reduce the risk of illness
• Enrichment for your python

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.

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.

Preventing and overcoming common problems.

In 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.

Steve shares 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…”