Would you recommend a Ball Python as a good starter snake?

[Tigergenesis]

I realize not all BPs are alike and we all have different experiences, but I'm curious if after caring for BPs if people would recommend them as a good first snake - especially those who have/had other species of snakes to compare to.

[freakoverdose1]

i would very much recommend it

[wolfman38]

Tigergenesis, I would recommend a BP as a good starter snake. As long as you know that is eatting on it own free will. They can be a little frustaring if they aren't eatting. I started off with a Corn snake, and have enjoyed aving my BP more than my Corn, but I still love them both the same though. But yes a BP is a very good starter snake.

[Wizill]

i would advise a kingsnake as a first snake.

[Ken]

Totally recommend a CB BP as a starter snake. I started with a corn and quickly added a BP. The corn is a sweaty, but I totally love the BP.

ken

[JLC]

Ken...do your gerbils have permanent ulcers having to share a house with both a cat AND a python??? LOL

Tiger, I can't speak from personal experience yet, but from everything I've read this past year, I would recommend a bp (cbb) to anyone that I thought was a mature and patient person, willing to do the research and patient enough to handle the occassional issues like non-feeding.

My first snake was a BP....and I had unusual success with him, lol. Even still, I feel there are more suitable choices out there for a beginner. BPs can be picky eaters, causing the new owner much unnecessary stress (what do you think is the most common question asked on reptile message boards? "Why isn't my ball python eating?") and too often unhealthy WC specimens are sold at very low prices that intice a newbie to think "Oh its cheap, it must be really good to begin with!"......IMO a Corn is a much better starter snake.

[Marla]

I don't think I can choose either of the options here, because I might well recommend a BP to one person and not to another. It also makes a difference where I'm located, as it's not legal to keep corns here without an educational license. I'd certainly recommend a ball over a bcc or a burm, but I might well suggest a (Cali, 'cause they're legal) kingsnake or another colubrid instead. On the other hand, balls tend to be very docile and obviously don't musk, so I would recommend a ball as a good snake to introduce someone who's afraid of snakes to.

[Sassafrass]

Well, beings Atreyu was my first snake, I'd say yes. Once I learned about the fasting, and husbandry, he's been a breeze.

[MacWin]

I got my Ball first then a little while later I got my Cali King. I have had nothing but enjoyment from my Ball Python but the king granted he is still a baby, still likes to musk and poop alot and is more squirmy than the Ball. I would have to lean towards the Ball Python due to the fact that they are a slower moving and a more docile animal.