Although Mitch may not be a pet everyone would actually like to pet (or hold, or even touch), hundreds of children in our programs have learned so much from him over the past 21 years.

How big is Mitch? Mitch is a ball python. This species of snake has 10 varieties. Some pythons, like the Burmese python, can get as large as 16 feet long and weigh close to 200 pounds. Thankfully, Mitch’s species only grows from three to five feet long and weighs around five pounds.  

How old is he? Mitch is 22 years old, which is mid-life in “snake” years. Ball pythons have about a 10-year life span in the wild, but a 20- to 30-year life span in captivity. Thankfully and hopefully, Mitch has many years left to be part of our Neighborhood House family.

Does he bite? This is usually the first question asked when seeing Mitch. The answer is yes, he could, but he is not venomous, so it would not kill you like other snakes have the ability to do. Mitch has teeth that are small and hooked, which allow for a strong grip when striking prey. This is how he eats and gathers.

What does Mitch eat? Mitch only needs to be fed every two to three weeks but can go even longer without eating if needed. Mice are his favorite meal.

What climate does he like? Pythons are a Neotropical reptile (from the tropical area near central Mexico), so Mitch loves humidity and heat. He has a heat lamp and misting station in his tank, and loves to soak it all in. The heat and humidity also helps him shed his skin.

Does Mitch ever escape? This almost never happens. However, one morning, when checking in on him, he was not in his tank. [Uh-oh.] Someone didn’t secure the lid to his aquarium. Since the door to the room had been closed and he is too large to fit under the door, we knew he had to be somewhere in the room. Where to look? If I were Mitch, where would I hide? Where is a warm spot? Mitch likes it warm … and sure enough, behind a small refrigerator in the room by the heating coils, there was Mitch, keeping warm until someone found him. That sneaky snake — and a smarty!