Calabar Burrowing Python

Looks how to spot one

scales

This snake has a thick, cylindrical body that is almost the same width from head to tail. The head is small and blends into the neck, and the tail is blunt and short, making it hard to tell which end is which. The scales are smooth and glossy, and there is a projecting scale on the snout that helps with burrowing.23

Personality what they are like

The Calabar burrowing python is generally docile and can be handled gently, but it is a very shy snake that prefers to stay hidden. It rarely bites and is not aggressive, but it may become stressed if handled too often. In captivity it adapts well and will accept food readily once settled.23

Daily activity how busy a day looks

This snake is crepuscular and nocturnal, spending most of its time burrowing in loose substrate. It does not need a large enclosure, but it must have deep, moist soil to dig in. It may climb occasionally, so a branch or two is appreciated.13

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Keep the enclosure humid (75-85%) and warm (26-32°C day, 22-24°C night). Mist with warm water weekly. Provide a thick layer (10-15 cm) of loose substrate such as a mix of sandy soil, humus, moss, and bark. A hide box that feels snug is beneficial. Clean the water bowl regularly and remove waste. Handle only when necessary to avoid stress.3

Home where they are happiest

A glass or plastic terrarium of about 80 x 50 x 60 cm is suitable for one or two snakes. The substrate must be deep enough for burrowing (10-15 cm) and kept lightly moist but not wet. Provide a large water bowl, a hide box, and a branch for climbing. Temperature gradient: 26-32°C with a basking spot at 32°C. Humidity 75-85%. Good ventilation is essential. This species is not venomous and is legal to keep in most countries, but check local laws as it is CITES Appendix II.31

Food basics what goes in the bowl

In captivity, feed small mice or rats (pinkies or fuzzies). Offer several small prey items at once to mimic raiding a nest. Pre-killed prey is often accepted. Adults eat every 1-2 weeks. This snake is not a typical constrictor; it presses prey against the cage walls or floor.23

Company who they like around

This is a solitary, shy snake. It can be housed in small groups of up to three or four, but more than that is not recommended. It does not need companionship and may become stressed by frequent handling. It is not venomous and is not known to be aggressive toward humans.3

The story where it all began

The Calabar burrowing python has been exported for the pet trade since the early 1990s, mainly from Ghana and Togo. Most animals in captivity are wild-caught, and captive breeding is still rare. It is named after the Calabar River or the town of Calabar in Nigeria, and the species name honours the Danish herpetologist Johannes Theodor Reinhardt. In the wild it is a specialised nest raider, eating whole litters of young rodents. Its unusual defensive behaviour, curling its tail to mimic its head, helps it confuse predators.412

Recognised by the official bits

CITES

Listed in Appendix II; most exported specimens are wild-caught, mainly from Ghana and Togo.1