Reptile & Amphibian Forums

DOES ANYBODY KNOW THE AVERAGE LIFESPAN OF A BALL PYTHON

Great question. It absolutely cracks me up when I see people on this forum come across as self professed experts because they have kept a ball python for a whopping 5 years (and then it "died" for some strange reason)....sorry, that was a bit cynical. But, there is no reason for a healthy ball python to live at least 30 years or more if cared for properly (the record is around 45 years). Yes, some succomb to disease that could be due to genetics. Some, succomb to misfortunate circumstances that could be out of the owner's control. But, I have a handful of geriatric ball pythons in my collection that are 20, 25, 35, and over 38 years of age and still going very, very strong (all came to me because the previous owners either got bored of them, or, came to me as a result of extreme neglect....these are some pretty hardy snakes if kept properly). This is a snake that needs a long term commitment and most owners get tired of them at some point. That is why you see so much hype with all of the various morphs...I'd like to see these folks keep just a good old fashioned ball python on a long term basis. Probably too much info (opinions)!

Rob Carmichael, Director/Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
City of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation (IL)

But, there is no reason for a healthy ball python to live at least 30 years or more if cared for properly (the record is around 45 years).

I think you mean that there is no reason for a healthy ball python to not live at least 30 years or more...

np

I've been wondering-do they show any "signs" of advanced age at the 30 plus year point? I've been curious for quite some time if the 45 years is the "life expectancy", or whether they can live a lot longer-the ways to properly keep snakes in general, much less non-natives haven't been widely known for that 45 year period(isn't that part something like 15-20 years?)
Maybe someone will find out they can live 60 or more years-15 more isn't really too farfetched when we're talking lifespans of nearly human duration is it? if they don't show signs after a lifespan of over 2/3 the record, maybe(more like hopefully) you'll be the one to break the record.
By the way, my two are mere python children of 4 and 8 years, so I have a long wait to even think of age records lol.

what species was that at the Philadelphia Zoo?.......that was 53 when it died?.....boa or ball?.........I forget......

I have some that are older than I know....here for 10.....huge when I got them.............could be 20? 30?...who knows.....

a few don't eat like they used to.......have to see what happens in the next few years.....maybe they'll stop breeding? on their own?.......(they breed but missed a year laying)....

I'll keep you all posted to any facts of a ball stopping laying on it's own due to"probably" age......

yep

JY