Finally keeping snakes again.. New to BPs.

[Schmee123]

I grew up keeping various smaller snakes, mostly corn snakes and king snakes. As I got older, I became more and more involved with athletics and strayed away from my interest in keeping reptiles. I've always had a passion for them, but unfortunately I didn't always have the time.

Now that I'm older (and more responsible), I've decided to get back into keeping snakes. Once I committed to it, I decided to go with a snake that has always captivated me (and scared the crap out of my mother and grandmother).. the Ball Python! They've come a long way since I last researched them as a young boy and I'm absolutely thrilled become more involved with them.

I went to the Repticon show in Jacksonville, FL and picked up a male pastel and a female spider. I had no intention on breeding them, I just thought they looked beautiful. As I do more and more research, I am starting to consider breeding them out eventually. I'm in no hurry and I'm not out to make a profession out of it, but I think I'd enjoy dabbling in it as a hobby.


Anyways.. enough about me! I've included a few pictures of my snakes and their current display tank.






Thanks for looking!

Jonathan DeFau
Jacksonville, FL

[Crazymonkee]

Welcome they are beautiful!!
Keep reading and researching as balls should not be housed together for many reasons.


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[led-zep]

You do know housing them together isn't whats best for them right? Ball Pythons do not like to be housed together and you might be causing un-needed stress.

[Naom9Anne]

Lovely snakes but I echo what the above said, try to house them separately as soon as possible

Welcome to the hobby

Edit: Also you need to get some snug hides, open logs etc are not sufficient for security. You want something they'd barely look like they would fit into

[Schmee123]

They have separate tanks..

This is just a 40ga breeder setup I threw together as a display piece. I have another 40ga breeder that I'm currently setting up, so they'll each have their own displays to grow into. I should have more pics by the end of the weekend..

[led-zep]

Fair enough. But still 40 gallons sounds way to big for them right now. They really don't like extra space and it tends to stress them out more. They are really beautiful BTW!

[Physician&Snakes]

Fair enough. But still 40 gallons sounds way to big for them right now. They really don't like extra space and it tends to stress them out more. They are really beautiful BTW!

Very rarely is this is an issue in my experience, I placed my 2013 pastel in 106qt tub after getting her at a show, she ate seven days later and is continuing to prove hardy. Personally I prefer to give my specimens a bit more space than what is usually recommended (for example, the minimum size cage I use for hatchling BPs is 28-32qts simply because as long as I make that environment stimulating, I l know it will be used. I also understand the fact that the main thing deciding stress in Python regius is the availability of hides, as long as there are various hide spots within an enclosure, then any "excess" size is relatively meaningless.

[led-zep]

Very rarely is this is an issue in my experience, I placed my 2013 pastel in 106qt tub after getting her at a show, she ate seven days later and is continuing to prove hardy. Personally I prefer to give my specimens a bit more space than what is usually recommended (for example, the minimum size cage I use for hatchling BPs is 28-32qts simply because as long as I make that environment stimulating, I l know it will be used. I also understand the fact that the main thing deciding stress in Python regius is the availability of hides, as long as there are various hide spots within an enclosure, then any "excess" size is relatively meaningless.

How often do they utilize all that extra space?

[ball*pythons]

Gorgeous snakes!! Yeah.. basically all I'm gunna say will echo other people but keep researching bps and get some snug hides etc. My bp is my first snake and he's wonderful!! Couldnt ask for better!!! I'm sure yours will be too so enjoy!!

[Schmee123]

I did quite a bit of research before picking up the snakes since I've never owned BPs before and it's been a while since I've kept any snakes. I've heard both arguments regarding space in enclosures, so I figured that since I already had the 40ga breeders, I would just provide more than an ample amount of hiding space. They seem fine so far, not being overly shy or erratic and they are feeding just fine. If I start to notice any discomfort, I'll be sure to make necessary adjustments.

Thanks for all the feedback!