I need advice about adopting a beautiful girl

[TheVoid]

Hello!

Since my parents are finally considering allowing me to get a ball python, I asked my zoology teacher if he knew any breeders. My zoology teacher has a room with at least 7 reptiles (mostly snakes). He then mentioned that he was (possibly) going to give away his pastel baby ball python at the end of this summer.

I'm not sure how many times a week she is handled, and every time I see her, she's curled up in a ball in her hiding spot (I know they are shy). I once saw the teacher attempt to give her a mouse, but she refused.

Personally, I would want to buy a ball when it's newly hatched, so it can get used to me.


Would it be wise to buy the baby from my teacher, or get one from a breeder or pet store (the local pet store sells snakes from a trusty breeder)?

[dannybgoode]

It will get used to you anyway. If it's a nice snake I'd say go for it if it's what you want.

[Tiny Boidae]

Personally, I'd get that snake. Baby snakes are cute and all, but it's not like getting a puppy. They're not born knowing that we won't hurt them and so babies are usually more hissy and apt to bite. They hide more. Generally, you have to work more with a baby snake than an adult, and I'd be much quicker to trust that ball python than a baby. You know the adult's personality, which likely won't change and he'll be more forgiving of husbandry mistakes. Babies attitudes can change, or they might not. Typically they do get bolder with age, as they have more predators as babies than adults, but sometimes that bitey baby will just stay bitey and that's something that as a responsible snake owner, you have to accept. I have a sand boa who was like that. Sand boas are another recommended beginners snake, and I got a short tempered baby who stayed that way into adulthood, and as much as I hate him he's still just as pampered as the more docile snakes. For a beginner, I'd always recommend getting an adult who's eating regularly and who's generally docile. Maybe not this adult, but I don't typically recommend hatchlings. I don't even get hatchlings. Most of the time, I get snakes that are a year or two or older.

[ThirteenRavens]

For a beginner, I'd always recommend getting an adult who's eating regularly and who's generally docile.

I agree with the above. I owned a ball python years ago that would only eat if he was in a box...a literal cardboard box that was closed...we had one at school that would only eat in a duffel bag...they can be finicky but the two that I have now are eating machines. My adult only refuses when he's in shed and my youngest (Day-o) has eaten once for me and I expect him to eat again tomorrow. Knowing the history of the one you acquire is key. A well established adult may be the way to go for you for now, starting out.

Also agree with everything said about outdoor enclosures (as I mentioned about my cousins and their iguana....)