Lucky

[rebelrachel13]

It's been over a year since I got my first and only BP. I am always stumped by how undeservingly lucky I have been with him.

I'll be the first one to admit that I'm one of those people who did everything "wrong" to start with. For starters, I got him from Petco on a whim. I had kept him in a huge 55 gallon aquarium with two huge hides, using dial thermometers and an unregulated, high-heat UTH. Fed in separate enclosure, bathed him frequently, and handled him probably waaay too often. And much more.

Gradually, I figured out all the things I was doing wrong... but I figured them out the easy way. There were never any consequences for my snake. I have yet to experience any of the things that first-time keepers often do, either from husbandry mistakes or just BP's acting up.

Everything I know tells me that something should've gone wrong somewhere along the way. Although, that's not to say I never had any scares of problems! Just about every week I see something that makes me irrationally worried about that darn snake. Ex.; "Oh my god! I heard him breathe! He's probably dying from RI!!!!" or "I just saw a spec of dust in the water bowl! IT MUST A MITE INFESTATION!)

Has anyone else experienced such unrealistic luck, or alternatively, unluckiness? Of course I'm not complaining, but sometimes I feel like I'm being rewarded for my initial mistakes. I know there are keepers who did everything right the first time, yet their BP ended up struggling for life. How unfair and contradictory is that?

[Kinra]

I think I've been pretty lucky with my collection so far. I have dealt with some problems (mites, tapeworm,RI) but everyone is still alive and doing well.

The more you collect the higher your chance are that something will go wrong. Ball pythons are pretty hardy snakes. My first one survived the first 4 months with me as I was doing everything wrong and now she's doing great. She's been breeding for me, but I don't know if she's going to ovulate anytime soon.

I learned about QT before I had any serious problems (mite out break in my QT room >_<), the RIs I have dealt with were very minor and easy to clear up and tapeworms are pretty easy to treat. Overall, I would say I have been pretty lucky too.

[KatStoverReptiles]

It definitely says something about the hardiness of these animals. I, too, purchased my 1st girl from Petco and took the advice of the reptile department worker who "could tell the gender by looking at its tail." Oh boy... I started out with a unregulated UTH, a heat lamp, dial gauges, and a half log. I was also feeding a 100+ gram snake mice pinkies. Thankfully I found this forum after owning her a whopping 5 days so she didn't have to suffer long. She laid 7 beautiful eggs for me this week. And she's still the sweetest, most pleasant snake in my collection.

[Mishy]

I am still in the phase of having everything wrong. Lol I am taking the advise of other users and slowly but surly making it better but I have to say I am very lucky as well. my girl eats like a champ regardless of all my mistakes.


*MissMishyyy*

[Slim]

My experience with my first BP was very similar to yours. That dude stuck with me through my evolution from glass tank, to PVC cage, and finally to a rack system. That snake was my learning curve. He never missed a meal and was a puppy dog to handle. He was always the one I got out when people thought a BP would or could eat them.

He probably deserved a better keeper than me, but I'll always be greatful I got to have him.

[CherryPython]

I've had Pretzel well over a year now and I'm still learning....She went for a health check in October and she was way too small, so we put her up a food size. Then she got aggressive and it turned out even that food was too small. I have issues with humidity, and have has ridiculous issues with heat mats turning themselves off and temperatures being ridiculous, and her being constipated... Nightmare. Yet she's fine, she is (as far as I can tell) a happy healthy snake. Her first shed was bad but i've had no problems with that since She eats right now, and poos right too.