Am I ready for a Ball Python?

[possum]

I don't know that a ball python is such a great choice, though many others seem to think so? They need much higher temperatures, and can be very fussy feeders, especially when they get to around 2 years old. I'm not saying they aren't beautiful and for the most part, docile...& they stay a nice size. The best snake is the one you really truly want anyway, as that's the one you'll pour your heart into taking proper care of...and we don't all like the same things, you know?

I've kept a number of ball pythons, some were rescues (adults that other ppl no longer wanted) and some I got as hatchlings & raised. After having them (tolerating their quirks) for years, I re-homed them all, as I just enjoy other kinds of snakes more. Things like corn & ratsnakes, kingsnakes and bull/pine/gopher snakes make easier pets, and are more active. Some people joke & call BPs "pet rocks"...but I'm not here to bash them, just give you a realistic idea of what to expect. I also enjoy my Australian spotted python...she is roughly the size of a small adult corn snake, but loves to bask on her branches at night & has never refused food. As I think back on when I was new to keeping snakes, the most frustrating ones were those that refused to eat. It's true we learn from such experiences, but many keepers also lose interest, or get tired of throwing away the food they bought for the snake. I should also mention that for all their feisty feeding habits, the other kinds I mentioned are all quite nice to handle without biting, and they take frozen thawed prey easily. Ball pythons may insist on their prey having lifelike warmth, & some hold out for only live, so think about convenience also: when snakes readily take frozen/thawed, you can keep a small supply of the right sized rodents in your freezer. Depending where you are, some petstores/suppliers run short of rodents now & then, especially in the summer. If you are feeding a BP that wants live, it could be a problem. Also, think about how cold your house gets in winter, since it will be that much harder to keep the cage temperatures up for a ball python.

I know when I first got into snakes, I looked at every picture & writeup I could find & fell in love with most of them, LOL! Now that I've been keeping numerous kinds for many years, I find I enjoy those the most that have relatively easy care, and "personality" (I like nosy snakes that watch me like I watch them!) as well as cool appearances. Appearance is to me the least important, because after a while, it's just like wearing the same shirt everyday...no matter how screamin' the color & pattern is, your eyes will want to look at different stuff. Milksnakes for example have awesome colors if you just want a snake to look at: when it comes to handling they tend to be nervous, hard to hold & like (need!) to hide. They aren't inclined to bite, but if you want a snake to handle they aren't the best. So really think about what YOU want from the snake you choose to keep... I've enjoyed doing some educational programs with the snakes I keep...so I like snakes that are big enough to impress but still easy to manage. Typical ratsnakes are about 6' as adults. Captive bred hatchlings are reasonable prices, good feeders, very tamable & fun to watch them grow...some change colors (like Everglades ratsnakes change from dull brownish to screamin' orange with yellow chins) Plainer looking Bairds ratsnakes are grayish/gunmetal color, with yellow/orange between the scales (neat up close) but they are very easy-going pets. Anyway, I'll quit before your brain explodes...so many choices!

[ErikBush97]

Hey, Possum! I just read your reply, and I really love how informative you were! I definitely think about what you've said And I live in Oregon. It's almost always cold here, so I would definitely have a harder time keeping a Ball Python at the right temperature 24/7! Again... Thanks for the reply!

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by possum

I don't know that a ball python is such a great choice, though many others seem to think so? They need much higher temperatures, and can be very fussy feeders, especially when they get to around 2 years old.

Where did you experience 2 year olds having very fussy eating habits? I wouldn't call it fussy when it's breeding season and they stop for a few months. I look at it as less clean up.

[possum]

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

Where did you experience 2 year olds having very fussy eating habits? I wouldn't call it fussy when it's breeding season and they stop for a few months. I look at it as less clean up.

"where"? In my house....yes I realize they go off food seasonally for breeding & temperature drops in native Africa (I have kept MANY snakes & bred some for many years); what I was trying to say is that often, when people turned theirs over to me as "too much trouble" that was a big part of their frustration & decision to do so. It's also why I don't necessarily recommend rosy boas as the perfect beginner snake for their docile nature & all... (and I used to breed them!): I do remember what it's like keeping your first snakes & having "trouble getting them to eat" & I have talked to ppl who have second thoughts about them when they refuse food in the winter... even though "we" know it's normal.

I've always raised my own rodents (& used to have a side business selling them as well, as I always "made too many") but when a "normal person" (defined as one without a house full of snakes? -LOL) has one snake to feed, they often get tired of buying food that is refused & wasted...especially if they are on a budget?

I am not at all against ball pythons, they have much to recommend them...but they aren't the only choice for a pet, nor are they the easiest or the best for everyone. To those breeding & flooding the market with them, I apologize for stepping on your toes. Incidentally it's not good for the snakes either when there are so many that the prices drop...as then many people see them as 'disposable entertainment' and don't give them the care & respect they totally deserve. (same is true of corn snakes & other pets who through no fault of their own are mass produced because of "popularity")

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by possum

"where"? In my house....yes I realize they go off food seasonally for breeding & temperature drops in native Africa (I have kept MANY snakes & bred some for many years); what I was trying to say is that often, when people turned theirs over to me as "too much trouble" that was a big part of their frustration & decision to do so. It's also why I don't necessarily recommend rosy boas as the perfect beginner snake for their docile nature & all... (and I used to breed them!): I do remember what it's like keeping your first snakes & having "trouble getting them to eat" & I have talked to ppl who have second thoughts about them when they refuse food in the winter... even though "we" know it's normal.

I've always raised my own rodents (& used to have a side business selling them as well, as I always "made too many") but when a "normal person" (defined as one without a house full of snakes? -LOL) has one snake to feed, they often get tired of buying food that is refused & wasted...especially if they are on a budget?

I am not at all against ball pythons, they have much to recommend them...but they aren't the only choice for a pet, nor are they the easiest or the best for everyone. To those breeding & flooding the market with them, I apologize for stepping on your toes. Incidentally it's not good for the snakes either when there are so many that the prices drop...as then many people see them as 'disposable entertainment' and don't give them the care & respect they totally deserve. (same is true of corn snakes & other pets who through no fault of their own are mass produced because of "popularity")

If someone all of a sudden is worried about a non-feeding breeder sized ball python during breeding season then they simply shouldn't have got a snake in the first place. If someone did proper research they should expect that behaviour.

It's no different than looking up if the species is calm or flighty.