We have answered the top 100 most asked questions about Ball Python on the internet.
Questions About Ball Python As Pets:
Are ball pythons good pets?
Ball pythons are excellent pets since they are docile, friendly, and low-maintenance. These medium-sized reptiles are so wonderful as pets that many people consider them to be one of the greatest snakes for novices. However, they are not just appealing to new snake owners.
Can you keep a ball python as a house pet?
One of the most prevalent snakes kept as pets are “ball pythons”. Due to their docility and ease of maintenance, they make excellent beginner snakes. They can live in simple to elaborate housing. The most crucial thing is that you stick to some guidelines and frequently check on your pet to make sure it seems to be in good health.
Do ball pythons form bonds with their keepers?
Most reptiles, including snakes, don’t show humans much affection. They may grow to be more understanding of their caretakers, but they still remain mysterious and difficult to read emotionally.
What risks are associated with having a ball python?
Pythons are too little to induce life-threatening wounds with a bite, as is the scenario with constricting snakes, yet the experience may still be unpleasant, traumatizing, and expensive. Ball Pythons should be purchased from infancy so that their owners may adequately train and socialize them.
Which snake would make the ideal pet for a kid?
Five excellent Pet Snakes
- California Kingsnake
- Ball Python
- Rosy Boa
- Gopher Snake
- Corn Snake
Handling or Holding Related Questions About Ball Python:
Do ball pythons enjoy being handled?
Based mostly on the typical amount of human interaction they experience, ball pythons do indeed enjoy being handled and petted. Ball pythons dislike being held since they are typically frightened of humans. The snake is socialized differently in captivity, thus the same idea doesn’t apply.
Can I regularly hold my ball python?
At most, once every day, handle your python not more than 1 to 2 times a week. While regular holding keeps the snake docile and might be a wonderful chance for exercise, snakes don’t need socializing for their mental health.
Do ball pythons enjoy being held?
Yes, ball pythons enjoy being held and petted, owing to the normal amount of human interaction they get. Ball pythons dislike being held since they are typically frightened of people. The snake is socialized differently in captivity, thus the same idea does not apply.
Does the ball python enjoy cuddling?
Snakes don’t like cuddling since they’ve evolved to be lonely creatures. Snakes are unlikely to react to physical contact in the same way that birds and mammals do. Because you give it heat and food, a snake may eventually come to recognize you as a positive factor in its life.
How can I train my ball python to handle?
Don’t let it escape out of your hands. Use both hands to hold the snake’s middle two-thirds while allowing the head to move in any direction. The head should not be restricted, and the snake should not be “steered” in any way. When handling your ball python, give it lots of support while allowing it to move freely.
How long should I wait before handling my ball python?
Because the transfer to its new home is quite stressful, you should let your new pet snake be lonely for at least 7 days. Give your python its first food after that. Wait two more days before handling your new snake to make sure it does not regurgitate its food.
Can you handle a python that is shedding?
While shedding, your snake will probably spend more time inside the box than normal. The period right before and during shedding should be as much handling as possible for your pet snake. The new skin is sensitive and prone to tearing, so if you have handle it, handle it lightly.
What occurs when you hold your ball python excessively?
An anxious ball python could hiss, curl up, or even act aggressively. If a snake is held too frequently, this could even happen to a typically docile snake. Additionally, you should never hold a snake when it is shedding. This is because the snake wouldn’t be capable to see and being stressed out as well.
How frequently should I hold my ball python?
Popular Pet Snakes and How Frequently They Can Be Held
Type of Snake | How Frequently They Can Be Held |
Ball Python | 1 to 3 times per week |
Corn Snake | Every day (just not after eating) |
Red-tail Boa | Around once per week |
California Kingsnake | at least 2 to 3 times a week |
Maintenance Related Questions About Ball Python:
Is it simple to care for a ball python?
One of the most popular snakes kept as pets are “ball pythons”. Due to their docility and ease of maintenance, they make wonderful beginner snakes. A ball python can live in simple to complex housing. The most crucial thing is that you stick to various guidelines and frequently check on your pet snake to make sure it seems to be in good health.
How much maintenance does a ball python require?
Ball pythons are low-maintenance pets. They have very low feeding costs, don’t need much care from their caretakers to survive, and may fit easily in small spaces due to their small stature. They are often simple pets that can fit into even the busiest lifestyles.
Poison or Venom Related Questions About Ball Python:
How poisonous is a ball python?
Due to the lack of fangs and lack of venom, a ball python’s bite might not be as painful as that of other snakes. In the event that a ball python bites you, act with care and seek medical attention.
Does a ball python have venom?
Pythons lack venom, while rear-fanged snakes (colubrids) may have mild venom or none at all. Front-fanged snake (venomous elapid) bites need to be treated seriously and handled carefully.
Does a python bite hurt?
A ball python bite can result in puncture wounds, bruises, scratches, and even deeper internal injuries, so you’ll undoubtedly experience some aftereffects. These bites could hurt both when they happen and after your wounds have healed.
Is my ball python going to bite me?
You may still get bitten by a ball python, and their bites hurt. The average ball python has 150 teeth, each measuring 1 cm in length. Their teeth have a hooked shape that holds prey as they tighten and kill.
What happens if you get bitten by a ball snake?
Undoubtedly, if you get bitten, it will hurt a little bit (we won’t lie to you about this). Your skin might be scratched, punctured, or bruised by your snake’s teeth. However, a python’s bite only causes mild discomfort, and you’ll likely recover from it shortly.
Can a ball python hurt a human?
Humans are seldom killed by pythons, yet it is not unheard of. If the conditions are ideal, it occasionally occurs. Having a large, hungry snake so near to people is frequently the result of a perfect storm. However, these snakes do not often consume people as prey.
How painful is a ball python bite?
Simply told, bites from ball pythons don’t hurt all that much. Ball pythons do not have strong jaws, despite having very sharp teeth. As a result, bites frequently feel like several small pinpricks.
Will a hungry ball python bite?
As we have seen, when they feel frightened, anxious, or hungry, they are more likely to bite. If you wait a minute, your python will understand you are not its prey and will probably let you go. You can apply ice or alcohol to the bite place if it does not release you after that.
Owners Or Caretakers Related Questions About Ball Python:
Are pythons able to identify their owners?
Since snakes have poor vision and recall, they won’t be able to recognize their caretaker’s look. They just have a strong sense of smell because they need it to find prey in the wild.
How much time does a ball python require to trust you?
Some snakes can tolerate it better than others. Avoid attempting to hold a snake that is angry, trying to bite, or acting uneasy in general. In some cases, you can handle a snake for an hour; in others, it may take a snake many weeks of consistent effort before it starts to trust you.
Gender Related Questions About Ball Python:
Which gender of ball python should I purchase?
For enthusiasts and breeders, ball pythons and other reptiles require care. Male and female Ball Python behavioral differences are shown in the table.
Sex: | Female | Male |
Breeding season behavior | Extreme hunger | Restlessness |
Feeding | Will fast when gravid | Will fast if breeding |
Are they ever defensive? | During shedding As hatchlings | During sheddingAs hatchlings when protecting eggs |
Do they fight? | Occasionally | Yes, often |
Temperament | Docile | Docile |
Can two female ball pythons live together?
No, unfortunately, two female pythons can’t coexist in the same tank. They don’t generally fight, but they’ll make each other uncomfortable. Yes, they certainly appear to be extremely peaceful. They also don’t engage in fighting as males do.
Which ball pythons live longer, males or females?
Due to sexual dimorphism, mature female ball pythons are bigger than adult males. However, there aren’t any noticeable changes in lifespan between the two. The oldest estimated python was a female who produced eggs at the age of 62, although the oldest reported ball python in captivity was a male.
Striking Or Hissing Related Questions About Ball Python:
What caused my ball python to hiss at me?
Pythons might hiss at you because they’re afraid, would rather be left alone, are marking their territory, or are restless or nervous. Your ball python might have a respiratory problem if it hisses not just at you but also at random.
What is causing my ball python to strike at me? Or When your python attacks you, what does that mean?
Naturally, if your snake bites you during feeding time, this is very normal; it’s simply hungry and agitated. Some snakes commonly attack as they prepare to shed their skin, which is another common behavior. This is because they are most vulnerable during that time.
How quickly can a ball python strike?
They revealed that all snakes can accelerate to speeds of up to 160 ms−2 or around 3 m/s. As a result, the creatures can travel 13.6–16.7 cm on average in 66 to 74 milliseconds.
Why is my ball snake striking the glass?
Although ball pythons don’t often have a bad reputation as violent pets and are reasonably simple to calm and care for, your snake may become stressed at times and strike. Stress can be brought on by too much handling, a change in habitat, placing the cage in a busy location, and more.
Diet Related Questions About Ball Python:
Do ball pythons require live food?
Ball pythons are pleased to consume frozen and thawed food, but snakes that have only ever had live prey might require some time to become used to eating dead prey. Owing to the fact that pythons are nocturnal, the ideal time to feed them is in the evening or after you turn off the lights.
Does my ball python eat fish?
Even though these snakes occasionally eat birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish in the wild, the vast majority of their food comes from the rodent family. Pythons and boas won’t eat eggs or crickets.
Do ball pythons have chicken eggs?
Ball Pythons cant’ eat chicken eggs since they take their food whole. The cause for this is that the snake’s digestive tract may become blocked by the eggs, which might have catastrophic consequences. Snakes lack the proper digestive systems to break down eggs, which is the cause of this.
How frequently do ball snakes eat?
Ball pythons must be fed once per week for juveniles and once or twice per week for adults.
Do ball pythons eat fruit? Or Can pythons eat Fruits And Vegetables?
Because they are carnivorous, snakes need meat to thrive. Thus, eating vegetables and fruits, although as a source of water and moisture, is not natural for them.
How can you tell if your ball python is hungry?
Ball pythons will let you know when they are hungry. Their tongue flicks will become more frequent and numerous as they begin to prowl their cage.
Are mealworms edible to ball pythons?
Feeders: waxworms, super worms, mealworms, roaches, crickets, and other invertebrates. These could also consume small rodents of the right size, but they should only be provided seldom, if at all.
How long can a ball python survive without eating?
Although reptiles such as the ball python may go for up to two years without a feeding, smaller snakes typically feed more frequently than bigger ones.
Will my ball python starve?
Young pythons do not have the fat stores to starve for as long as their more mature counterparts could, even though adults can last for several months without starving. Without food, they can still live longer than a dog, a cat, or a human, but not as far as an adult ball python.
What does a python eat?
Similar to other snakes, depending on their size, ball pythons consume prey of various sizes. Large crickets might be eaten by smaller and younger snakes, but until they get bigger, they should preferably be eating fuzzies and pinkies. When they grow large enough, adult pythons will consume rats and mice.
How frequently should a ball python be fed?
Larger ball pythons often eat once per week or two, but younger or smaller ones typically have to eat twice a week. They require fewer feedings as they become older because you feed them more at once.
How can I tell if my ball python needs to eat?
When a python displays certain characteristics, like flicking its tongue more frequently, prowling the front of the cage, focusing on you anytime you are close to the cage, being more active, and hunting at the same time every day or night, you may know it is hungry.
What other foods, except mice, can you give a ball python?
Ball python can eat these except mice:
- Rats
- Quail
- Chicks
- Gerbil
- Hamster
- Mice
- Multimammate mice.
- Guinea pigs
Tank Mates Related Questions About Ball Python:
Is it possible to keep two ball pythons together?
Even if it is allowed, it’s not advised to have two ball pythons in the same container. Ball pythons are incredibly antisocial, and there are simply too many potential problems. Stress, diseases, feeding problems, and even cannibalism might result from housing two pythons in the same enclosure.
Which animals can coexist with a ball python?
Ball pythons can coexist with other reptiles, however, the species they could live with will depend largely on their temperament and size. While given the necessary space, ball pythons are reported to do very well when living with tortoises and turtles.
Can ball snakes be tank buddies?
It is preferable to keep ball pythons alone in the house since they are often gentle with their pet parents but hostile with other snakes. Their feeding habits may be impacted negatively by housing them alongside other ball pythons due to competition and stress.
Light and Heat Related Questions About Ball Python:
Do ball pythons prefer light or darkness?
For those who love reptiles and are unfamiliar with snakes, ball pythons have become a common pet. They are nocturnal, which new owners of the species find. They love dark environments and are most active at night.
Do ball pythons require lighting at night?
Because they are primarily active at night, ball pythons are categorised as nocturnal. Due to the fact that ball pythons get little to no UV light in their native habitat, UVB illumination is not required.
Do ball pythons require a heat mat and lamp to stay warm?
A heat lamp and an under-tank heater are both necessary for a ball python. This may be accomplished by putting a “Daylight Exo Terra heat lamp” and a heat mat below the tank, like the “Habistat Heat Mat”.
Can a ball python survive without a heat lamp?
A ball python can tolerate temperatures of 75°F for around 6 hours before it begins to affect them and their body begins to shut down.
Prey Or Predator Related Questions About Ball Python:
What size prey can a ball python consume?
Larger rats or mice are often eaten by larger ball pythons. Choosing prey for a ball python. Generally speaking, you should choose a rodent that is 1-1.25 times the size of your pet’s midsection. Smaller prey is acceptable, but avoid consuming too much food.
Are ball pythons prey or predators?
Pythons are prey to predators. Numerous birds, wild canines, hyenas, large insects, huge frogs, spiders, and even other snakes have been known to attack and consume small, juvenile pythons. However, leopards, lions, and even birds of prey can pose a threat to adult pythons.
Water Or Hydration Related Questions About Ball Python:
Do ball snakes require a water bowl?
Only while they are breeding should two snakes be kept together. Water Dish: Water is crucial for your python and should always be present in its cage. Ensure not to give your snake distilled water.
Why is my ball python lying in her water bowl?
In many circumstances, it’s not a problem if a pet snake is lounging or sleeping in the water bowl. In other cases, it could be a sign of stress or disease. When confronted with a soaking snake, the key thing to determine is if the soaking is a sign of a problem or simply a regular, healthy snake soak.
How long could a ball python survive without water?
A ball python may spend more than 12 days without water before dying from dehydration after around one month. Although, if you feed your python moist meals, it will be able to obtain some fluids from its prey and will be able to live for more than 12 days.
What type of water is required by ball pythons?
Water Dish: Water is crucial for your python and should always be available in its cage. Ensure not to give your snake distilled water. We advise utilizing bottled water such as spring water if you are unsure about the safety of your tap water.
How long should you soak a ball python?
Be Gentle. Be careful and slowly lower your reptile into the water thus they know what to anticipate. Do not simply walk over and throw your snake in the bah. After that, let them soak for ten to fifteen minutes as they swim about.
Should my ball python be misted?
Ball Python humidity must be between 55%-60%, irrespective of the morph. Your best alternatives if you have to raise the humidity are to mist the cage every day, place the snake’s water bucket on the under-cage heat mat, replace the substrate with cypress mulch, or cover 75% of the screen with tin foil.
How can you tell whether a snake needs water?
Help! My reptile appears to be dehydrated!
- Puckered, dry, or wrinkled skin.
- Loss of skin flexibility and elasticity.
- Receded, sunken eyes.
- Lethargy and weakness.
- Dry or sticky membranes.
- Flaky skin or difficulty in shedding.
- Constipation or infrequent defecation.
How frequently does a ball python drink water?
Ball Pythons often drink water, and they appear to love getting fresh water and a clean dish every few days. Some could even approach it and start drinking right away. My adult pythons drink once a week on average. Ball python hatchlings usually drink more frequently, generally every few days.
Does the skin of ball pythons absorb water?
Although they frequently drink some water when soaking, pythons may also take in moisture via their skin. With some good soaking, slight dehydration is easily cured.
How long can a ball python hold its breath underwater?
Because of their “low ectothermic metabolism,” which implies they require an external heat source to complete their metabolism, ball pythons may hold their breath for some time (some minutes). They can survive underwater for more than 20 minutes because of their metabolism, which enables them to breathe less often than the average animal.
Does a ball python swim?
Yes, a ball python could swim. Yet, they just do it out of requirement – don’t do it for leisure. There is no necessity to fill a tub; they only require a small amount of relaxing water, generally no deeper than an inch.
Eyes Related Questions About Ball Python:
What causes the dent in the eye of my ball python?
Dehydration results in dented eyes, which shows your humidity level is too low. The beginning of an R.I (due to inappropriate humidity or temps) or the snake rising to shed might both induce wheezing.
What do ball pythons see?
The portion of the eye that recognizes colors is called a cone. Ball pythons can probably distinguish between two distinct colors. Everything they encounter is a variation of one of those colors, white or black. As an illustration, we possess three different types of cones that can distinguish between yellow, blue, and red.
Stress Related Questions About Ball Python:
How can I determine whether my ball python is under stress?
Fourteen indications exhibit your python is stressed:
- Rubbing their nose against items in their cage
- Weight Loss
- Striking
- Loss Of Appetite
- Hissing
- Jerks or flinches when touched s
- Regurgitation
- Urinating and defecating (on you)
- Escaping
- Constriction
- Trying to escape
- Tail vibration and rattling
- No flicking of the tongue
- Lengthy periods of heavy breathing
- Forces themselves into a small area, such as a small hide or hiding nook.
How can I distress or relax my ball python?
How to make a snake relax:
- Slowly move. Snakes can be frightened by sudden movements and go into fight or flight mode
- Guide, don’t restrain
- Reduce your losses
- Good behavior. When handled, snakes frequently exhibit fear or, if they’re calm and relaxed, curiosity
- Establish a comfy home
What puts ball pythons under stress?
Overhandling and setup issues are the two primary contributors. Like improper temperature and humidity, or much open area. Instead of an open environment, ball pythons prefer a cluttered one. Stress can be brought on by a cage that doesn’t provide the snake a sense of security.
Other Questions About Ball Python:
How much does a ball python cost?
Standard ball python morphs typically cost $50, however in rare instances, you may be able to find them for as little as $25. Expect to spend more than $50 for uncommon morphs. Young albino ball pythons, for example, typically sell for $150 to $200.
Can a ball snake choke you?
However, the answer would be “No” if you asked if these pythons could choke you to death. Because they are too simple and small, they cannot constrict a human to death. Apart from the case of newborns and babies, they do not offer such serious risks to humans.
How long can a ball python live?
A python’s predicted life expectancy in captivity is about 30 years. When given proper care, people have reportedly survived for more than 50 years. They are preyed upon by wild pigs, leopards, and humans in the wild.
How much time should you give a ball python alone?
Ball Pythons could be left alone for as much as it’s acceptable to do this because they do not eat all that frequently. This implies that you can often leave an adult python alone for 7 to 10 days with no issues.
What size tank is required for a ball python?
A 10 to 20 gallons container may house a very young snake. As your snake reaches adulthood, you’ll need to expand the size of the enclosure beyond 20 gallons. In three years, a ball python will grow to adult size. An adult should be kept in a tank that allows them to stretch out completely.
What are the requirements for ball pythons?
What you should know about ball pythons:
- Tank for adult Ball Python (8ft x 4ft x 2ft)
- UVA/UVB Source (Mercury Vapor Bulb)
- Thermometer – measures temperature.
- Reptile Carpet for Substrate
- Hygrometer – measures humidity
- Basking Heat Source (Mercury Vapor Bulb)
- Humidity Hide
- The Auxiliary heat source at night (Ceramic Heat Emitter, Heating Pad)
- Water Spray Bottle
- Water Bowl
How hard can a python squeeze?
Constrictors include the reticulated python and the green anaconda. They attack and squeeze their victim to death using similar tactics. The python can kill humans with its squeezing force, which is roughly 14 PSI. To assist them to ingest prey, both bite with their rear-facing teeth.
What causes ball pythons to curl up?
The term “ball python,” which is more frequently used in “American English”, refers to these snakes frequently curling up into a ball when they are agitated or frightened. They are shy creatures that are easily frightened.
What toys do ball pythons enjoy using?
The majority of ball python owners who provide their pet climbing branches likely gather the branches themselves, while some owners also buy climbing branches. While grapevine is often preferable for larger snakes, manzanita branches might be beneficial for smaller ball pythons.
How long after feeding should I let my ball python alone?
As a general rule, don’t handle your snake for 24 to 72 hours after feeding. Avoid touching your snake, though, if he still has a noticeable food bulge after three days or if it has grown larger after being consumed. After another 48 hours, reassess his situation.
What is the best way to know whether my ball python is cold?
Keep in mind that pythons don’t brumate. It’s generally an indication that your pet reptile is too cold if brumation appears to be taking place.
How long does a ball python take to shed its skin?
Ball Pythons normally need just two weeks to shed their skin. The snake will first be pre-shed for a week or two. The snake’s eyes will get opaque and milky, its skin will seem dull and darker, and its belly will turn pink.
What is causing my ball python to shed fragments?
If your ball python sheds in fragments, the humidity in the cage is either too low or it is dehydrated. Ensure to raise the humidity to 60% to 80%. Other factors may include vitamin deficiencies as well as internal or external infections.
What is required for a ball python’s tank?
In their tank, ball pythons need humidity levels of between 50% to 70%. Putting the water dish below the heat lamp is an easy way to enhance humidity. The side of the cage can also be sprayed with tap water every 24 to 48 hours.
What do ball pythons love about their tank?
Generally, a warm and humid atmosphere is ideal for the ball python. You may assist to maintain ideal humidity levels within the enclosure by using the best substrates for keeping moisture. Your ball snake will thrive best in a substrate like a cypress mulch.
How long can a ball python be kept in captivity?
The ball python, which was seen at the “Philadelphia Zoo”, holds the record for living the longest among snakes at “47 years”. These snakes are a major responsibility and should not be bought on an impulse because they often live 20 to 30 years in captivity.
How can I tell whether my ball python is happy?
Ten signs your pet snake is happy and calm:
- Little hyper-focusing
- When picked up, move slowly. Despite spending most of their life moving slowly, snakes can move far more quickly than you may expect.
- Normal eating behavior
- Lose grip when held
- Optimal sheddingGood air tasting
- Consistent personality
- Healthy Eating Practices
- Normal hiding habits
- Repose or Sleep
Do ball pythons possess teeth?
The average ball python has 150 teeth, each measuring 1 cm in length. Their teeth have a hooked form that holds prey as they tighten and kill. You may have signs and negative consequences such as Puncture signs at the location of the wound if a python bites you.
How can you tell if a snake feels uncomfortable?
The clearest and overt indications that a snake is uncomfortable or unhappy with you are indications of aggression. Striking out is the most typical example of aggression. When your snake “mock strikes,” it makes contact with neither its tail nor its teeth, but it still appears to be striking.
How can I tell if my ball python is about to die?
The following are the most frequent indications that a snake may be dying:
- Breathing issues
- Unusual posture
- Scale-related problems
- Abrupt loss of weight
- Insufficient appetite
- Uncommon discharge
- Weakness
- Dehydration
- Isolation
- Feces-related problems
What are some amazing facts about ball pythons?
When fully grown, ball pythons reach typical lengths of three to five feet, which is significantly shorter than several other python species. A ball python lives 20-30 years on average. A ball python who lived in captivity for more than 45 years holds the record. The average clutch size of a python is six eggs, and they typically lay two to ten eggs at a time.
What do ball snakes enjoy?
Ball pythons are grass-loving reptiles. They can survive in open woods if necessary, but in the wild, they love grasslands and savannas.
Why is my ball python poop white?
Urates are the chalky, round, white, yellowish-colored, soft waste, you observe in the urine of your ball python (kidney waste). You could mistake it for feces if your ball python sometimes produces urates solely.
How frequently do ball pythons poop?
If all goes according to plan, your snake should finish digesting a meal in 6 to 8 days and defecate soon after. Two weeks after feeding, if your snake has not pooped, you might want to assist them.
What is the size of a mature ball python?
Ball Pythons are long-lived snakes that are stocky and thick. The length of a ball python at maturity ranges from two to five feet. For many novices, their size makes them an excellent pet. Because of sexual dimorphism, females are always larger than males.
Do Ball Pythons lick?
Snakes’ tongues are not used for stinging, licking, or poisoning. The tongue is a highly sensitive organ that enables the snake to combine taste and odor clues to understand its surroundings. Snakes often lose their skin as they mature. Snakes grow during their lives, just like other reptiles do.
Why do Ball Pythons flick their tongues?
When a snake flicks its tongue out, it may look aggressive, but it is actually only attempting to “taste” the air to obtain a better understanding of its environment. Most snakes have a good sense of smell to make up for their poor vision and restricted hearing.
What type of habitat do ball pythons require?
They typically live in open forests, savannas, grasslands, and scrublands. In disturbed regions, close to human residences or farms, ball pythons might also be found. They don’t generally dwell in deserts or highly dry regions, nor do they survive in rainforests (or dense forests).
What kind of bedding is best for a ball python?
Best ball python substrates:
- Paper towels or newspaper
- Aspen
- Coconut fiber
- Cypress mulch
- Sphagnum moss combined with another substrate
- Shredded or bark chip
- tropical soil mixture