temperaments?

[goincrzy]

I'm looking to get my first ball, I know it might be a dumb question but is there any differences between male and female beside the size they grow? Is the temperament the same for both?

[Alexandra V]

No such thing as a dumb question! I find that they both have the same temperament, in that they're both extremely docile. That's not to say that you won't find the odd one that isn't very nice to begin with, but even if you do find a jumpy one they almost always calm down with handling.

Overall, great snakes. I have yet to find one that doesn't calm down quickly!

[kitedemon]

It is an interesting question, But no in general they don't seem to be different male to female but they do have personalities and temperament vary snake to snake. I have one neurotic male and female, very nervous and not very hand-able. There are 3 (2f,1m) very very easy to handle and 2 (1m2f) curious ones that are very easy to handle but are interested in anything new, (I have to keep and eye on coffee one seems to be attracted to hot mugs )

I have been speaking with a reptile keeper at a zoo and he believes that in pythons temperament is partially genetic. I have seen so evidence to support this. I have encounter a ball python that is very snappy quite ready to strike, an odd ball I thought. An other person bought a snake from that same breeder and it too is the same.

The zoo guy has been breeding African Rock Pythons that in general have a nasty rep. He encountered a fairy docile specimen and has had this idea that about temperament and spent 2 days and a bunch of bits but found a second rock that is docile. They bred them and I have handled a 12 foot rock that acted more like a big boa, very chill and not aggressive at all. The litter is mostly the same they have held back the most easy going ones to continue the project I hope that in a few years they will be able to 'prove' it out.

[goincrzy]

thanks for the quick replys! being that i will be going to the reptile swap in a few hours i wanna know can anyone tell me the temperments of a rosy boa?? i thought the ball python was for me but being that all i hear is how finiky of eaters they are and me being a newbie to snakes i was thinking maybe a rosy boa might be a better fit for me....... since ive never had a BP are they really that finiky??

[Alexandra V]

thanks for the quick replys! being that i will be going to the reptile swap in a few hours i wanna know can anyone tell me the temperments of a rosy boa?? i thought the ball python was for me but being that all i hear is how finiky of eaters they are and me being a newbie to snakes i was thinking maybe a rosy boa might be a better fit for me....... since ive never had a BP are they really that finiky??

A lot of people say this, and it does happen sometimes, but personally I have never really had a big problem, and my first snake is a bp. For all that people say it, I don't really see it too too often. In general if you're getting it from a reputable place you'll be able to ask for a copy of the snake's feeding records, so you can see if the snake has been a problem feeder in the past or not. In general if they weren't a problem feeder as youngsters, they won't really go off feed (missing a meal or two is no big deal) if their husbandry is correct.

[JLC]

I haven't known a lot of rosy boas, but those I've met or heard stories of have been snappy little snakes.

Ball pythons have a reputation for being finicky, but if their enclosure is set up properly, it's rarely true, especially for young healthy ones. As they reach sexual maturity, their feeding schedules may start changing, which makes them seem finicky, but it's just a matter of getting to know your snake and finding a new schedule that fits its need to eat.

[Chris Knowles]

I have a nine year old Rosy. She does go through some mood swings. She doesn't nip. Every single time I have been bitten by her, and once was 3 times in 10 minutes, they were all feeding response bites. Not fun. But, when she's not being a brat she is super sweet and very inquisitive. Loves going in my shirt. Just something to think about.

[loonunit]

thanks for the quick replys! being that i will be going to the reptile swap in a few hours i wanna know can anyone tell me the temperments of a rosy boa?? i thought the ball python was for me but being that all i hear is how finiky of eaters they are and me being a newbie to snakes i was thinking maybe a rosy boa might be a better fit for me....... since ive never had a BP are they really that finiky??

I think we've misrepresented ball python eating habits--it's not really that they're "finicky eaters" so much as that it's natural for them to fast for long periods. Usually this means your snake will skip multiple weeks in a row and only eat a dozen mice all winter, while it pounds them down like candy during summer. Sometimes it means your juvenile will decide to go for 5 or 6 months without food.

While this is often stressful for a first-time owner, it seems to be perfectly natural, because almost all of them skip meals at some point or another. Apparently it's just what they do instead of hibernating! And, well, it does save you money on mice.

(Rosy boas: they only one I've really spent any quality time with was being passed around at a party. It did really well with the first 10 or 12 people who handled it, but after an hour and a half it decided to chomp down on my friend Doug's ear. And wouldn't let go.

So based on a sample of 1 I'd say: rosy boas are extremely tolerant and docile, within reasonable expectations.)