Royal Python Care
Everything you need to keep a royal (ball) python healthy: biology, enclosure, heating, humidity, feeding, health, handling and breeding.
- Level
- Beginner
- Study time
- ~6 hours
- Modules
- 5
- Lessons
- 30
- Assessment
- Module quizzes · graded certificate
- Version
- v1.0 · reviewed 2 November 2026
What you'll learn
- ✓Describe the royal python's biology, natural history and behaviour, and what they mean for its care
- ✓Set up an enclosure with a proper thermal gradient, thermostat control, suitable humidity and good hygiene
- ✓Feed a royal python safely and appropriately, and respond sensibly to feeding refusals
- ✓Recognise good health, common health problems and shedding issues, and know when to see a vet
- ✓Handle a royal python safely and keep useful husbandry records
- ✓Explain basic morph genetics, the welfare issues in breeding and the responsibilities of ownership under UK law
About this course
A practical five-module guide to caring for the royal python (Python regius), a West African python known for its calm nature and long lifespan.
The course is written by HWA, the Herpetological & Wildlife Academy.
You'll study the royal python's biology, natural history and behaviour, enclosure setup, heating, thermostats, humidity, lighting and hygiene, nutrition, feeding methods and feeding refusals, health, shedding, parasites, handling and everyday management, and finally breeding, genetics and responsible ownership, including UK law.
Every lesson is written in plain English with tables, diagrams and photos. Each module ends with a glossary and a multiple-choice quiz. When you've passed all five quizzes you receive a verifiable certificate of completion graded Pass, Merit or Distinction, based on your average quiz score.
This course is general education. It does not replace advice from a specialist reptile vet about an individual animal.
Cover photo: A young adult female royal python. Photo: Squamata55, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Course content
5 modules · 30 lessons · ~6 hours study time
Module 1Understanding the Royal Python6 lessons
- Introducing the royal pythonThe species, its classification and what this course covers.Free preview8 min
- Where royal pythons liveTheir natural range and the habitats and refuges they use.8 min
- Behaviour and anatomyHow royal pythons behave in the wild and the adaptations that help them survive.8 min
- Size, conservation and sourcingGrowth and lifespan, conservation status, morphs and where captive animals come from.8 min
- Module 1 glossaryThe key terms from this module. Learn them and be able to explain each one in your own words.6 min
- Module 1 quizTest your understanding of Module 1: 10 multiple-choice questions. Pass mark 60%.10 min
Module 2Enclosure Setup and Environmental Requirements6 lessons
- The enclosureChoosing an enclosure of the right size and construction, and getting ventilation right.8 min
- Heating and temperatureHeat sources, thermostats, the thermal gradient and how to monitor it.8 min
- Humidity, substrate and furnishingsHumidity, substrate, hides and climbing enrichment.8 min
- Lighting, water, hygiene and setting upUVB and photoperiod, water, cleaning, bioactive set-ups and preparing for arrival.8 min
- Module 2 glossaryThe key terms from this module. Learn them and be able to explain each one in your own words.6 min
- Module 2 quizTest your understanding of Module 2: 10 multiple-choice questions. Pass mark 60%.10 min
Module 3Nutrition and Feeding5 lessons
- Diet and preparing preyWhat royal pythons eat, choosing prey and thawing it safely.8 min
- Feeding routines and food refusalHow often to feed, how to feed and why royal pythons sometimes refuse food.8 min
- Regurgitation, hydration and body conditionRecognising feeding problems, keeping your snake hydrated and at a healthy weight.8 min
- Module 3 glossaryThe key terms from this module. Learn them and be able to explain each one in your own words.6 min
- Module 3 quizTest your understanding of Module 3: 10 multiple-choice questions. Pass mark 60%.10 min
Module 4Health, Behaviour and Everyday Management6 lessons
- Behaviour, handling and stressNormal behaviour, handling safely and recognising stress.8 min
- SheddingHow ecdysis works and what to do about retained shed.8 min
- Common health problemsRecognising respiratory disease, mouth infections, parasites, skin problems, burns and wobble syndrome.8 min
- Veterinary care, quarantine and routineWorking with a vet, quarantining new animals and a daily, weekly and periodic care routine.8 min
- Module 4 glossaryThe key terms from this module. Learn them and be able to explain each one in your own words.6 min
- Module 4 quizTest your understanding of Module 4: 10 multiple-choice questions. Pass mark 60%.10 min
Module 5Breeding, Genetics and Responsible Ownership7 lessons
- Preparing to breedReproduction, sexing, maturity and deciding whether to breed.8 min
- Courtship to egg layingMating, ovulation, laying and collecting eggs.8 min
- Incubation and hatchlingsIncubating eggs, candling, hatching and caring for hatchlings.8 min
- Genetics and morphsHow morphs are inherited and breeding for health, not just looks.8 min
- Responsible ownershipLong-term commitment, UK law and selling or rehoming responsibly.8 min
- Module 5 glossaryThe key terms from this module. Learn them and be able to explain each one in your own words.6 min
- Module 5 quizTest your understanding of Module 5: 10 multiple-choice questions. Pass mark 60%.10 min
Who this course is for
- New and prospective royal python owners
- Keepers who want to check their set-up against current good practice
- Reptile shop staff who advise customers
Assessment & certificate
Each module ends with a quiz that is marked automatically: multiple-choice questions plus a written section where you explain what you've learned in your own words. You can take each quiz once and cannot retake it, and you'll see the correct answer to any question you got wrong.
When you've completed every module, you receive a certificate of completion with a unique verification code, graded on your average score across all the module quizzes:
- PassUp to 69%
- Merit70–79%
- Distinction80–100%
Everyone who completes every module receives a certificate.
This certificate confirms completion of an online, theory-based course and a passed online assessment. It is not an accredited qualification and does not certify practical competence.