Science - Royal python care

 We have a new pet! This involves for Niamh, learning about their natural environment, diet and care - particularly with this individual snake. 

She has awful scars on her belly, and is slightly overweight. 

Her weight is 3003 grams, and for her age she should be less than 3000. We're using specific reptile Iodine for her belly scarring (likely from incorrect heating) and regular enrichment.

Royal pythons are African and their natural environment is

Ambient temperature for a royal is 30 degrees Celsius. 

Their diet (for one of Bengal's size) is a medium rat every 3 weeks.

Notoriously fussy eaters, any stress can cause this species of snake to fast, something that worries new owners a lot. Bengal ate her first meal within one week evidencing that she is content, not stressed and healthy.

Royals tend to be drop feeders rather than strike feeders but if a meal is removed the food should be removed 24 hours later.