Is A Ball Python Right For Me?

[CinnamonPearl]

I've always thought that snakes are the awesomest things ever for a while now, and I have a lot of animals so I think I want one. But, I can't decide if I really want to take the plunge or not because I can't decide if snakes are right for me. I'm most interested in ball pythons because I hear they're good for beginners (with exceptions) and they'll just chill on your arm or around your neck, which is something I'd love. I found this forum so I thought I'd just ask.

Anyways, I'm a freshman in high school currently. If I do this, it might not be until sophomore or junior year. I'll be going to college close to home so I'll be able to go home once a week for care, so college shouldn't be too big of an issue (unless an expert here thinks otherwise).

I know you all are probably ready to point guns at me and chase me far away from this hobby because of my youth, but I am really experienced in animals. I was in the aquarium hobby successfully for four years before quitting recently. I quit not due to tragic loss, but because I was ready to get out of the ocean and onto the land. I have had a parrot for three years (those are the most difficult pets out there) and she is happy and healthy with a big cage. I have a huge enclosure of fire-bellied toads and haven't lost a single frog yet, and will be getting deeper into the frog hobby very soon. Don't worry. I can handle something new.

But I'm just worried about diving in too quickly because I'm just not sure snakes are really for me. Does anyone want to share an opinion or a thought? Does anyone think college will be an issue? I hear snakes only need to be fed once a week, and I can definitely manage that even in college. I might even be able to get off-campus housing and bring all my friends (pets) with me. Thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for looking.

[Wizard]

IMO, If you are not sure you are ready for snake or any pet for that matter, then you probably shouldn't get one.

[bcr229]

1) Are your parents ok with it?

2) If you go to college and can't take it with you, will someone at home be willing to? Just because they only get fed once a week doesn't mean that they shouldn't be checked daily.

3) BP's are recommended as a "starter snake" because they're pretty laid back, but their environment isn't that easy to maintain without the proper equipment. I have king snakes that are just as chill as my BP's but they're much hardier; IMO a well-started King is a much better option for a first-time owner.

[angllady2]

I hesitate not because you are young. but simply because you are going to college. While it is true most snakes need only to eat once a week or so, they still need daily care. Is someone at home willing to help with that? Ball pythons are good beginner snakes as far as temperament goes, but they also require fairly specific care to keep them happy and healthy, and it's not always unthinkingly easy to give. Once you establish a proper setup, repeating that task is easy. It's getting the first one right that can be a challenge, especially since most people start out with aquariums or terrariums. Big, open glass enclosures are not well suited to ball pythons, despite the fact that pet stores push them on people as ideal for any reptile.

My advice to you is this: Spend time here, read up on the care sheets, peruse the threads that have questions you think you might ask, or that may contain information you can use. Ask questions when you need to, and use the information to help you form a decision.

You have time to learn as much as you can, and best of all you can slowly purchase the items you will need to care for a ball python, should you choose to go that route, so it will be much easier than attempting to buy everything all at once and purchasing something you don't need, or forgetting something you do.

Gale

[Shann]

As a senior in college, I would say that this is a decision you need to make with your parents. I go to college in my hometown, and I live at home, currently (though not for much longer, lol!). But a year ago, I was given an opportunity for an eight month internship with Disney in Florida. Thankfully, I had discussed with my parents what I would do if I got this internship, and my parents were very happy to take care of my animals for eight months (one boa, two ferrets, two turtles, and a cat). If they hadn't been willing to do that, I would have had to turn down the internship or rehome my animals (which is something I couldn't ever do). If your plan is to stay in state (and keep in mind, your plans may change, mine certainly did!) then you need to work this out with your parents ahead of time.

My mother loves my boa. She will take her out, and hold her. But she refuses to feed her. She can't stand rats, and can't stand watching reptiles eat. But she was fine for daily maintenance. My dad was willing to feed her, and would wait until I told him it was time for her to eat again. Not all parents are willing to do this though. That's why I think this is something you need to sit down with them and discuss the details. Make a plan, and discuss what you will do if you get into out of state schools, or have opportunities to do internships or study abroad in college. As someone who has done both, I would highly recommend you don't discredit these now. I didn't think I would do either, as a freshman in high school, but I am incredibly glad that I did. They were life-changing experiences, and have opened up lots of doors.

Things can go wrong, as well. My boyfriend is also a senior in college, but goes to school out of state. His mother has been taking care of his two cats while he is away, but recently rehomed one of them without even talking to him about it first. He is devastated. I would hate to see this happen to you.

So this is what I recommend. First, do a lot of research. I researched for almost a year before getting my boa, because I needed to make sure it would work with my going to college. If you do this, and feel that you can take care of a snake for the next four years, but the only thing that is holding you back is going to school, sit down with your parents and discuss all the possibilities. If they are even a bit reluctant with potentially taking care of the snake, then you really should wait. Don't assume you'll be able to get your own place in college. I lost my scholarship when I accepted an out of state internship, and I am now paying my own way through school. And it's expensive!! Things happen, and you will make huge life changes in the next eight years. If your parents are ok with the fact that they may have to take care of your snake for a while at some point, make the decision as a family if you are able to move forward.

I wish you luck, and it looks like you're already in this boat with a parrot. I have kept reptiles since I was five years old, and I've been lucky to have parents who support my passion for animals. I see no problems with a young person getting a snake, as long as their parents are also ok with it, and prepared to potentially be a part of it. But without your parents support, I would highly recommend waiting until you have your own place.

[Marrissa]

I always find it weird that people live in dorms. I just don't know many people that do that. Anyways I got my first ball python when I was 20. I go to community college (will have my dual AA in the summer) so I'm not away from my "home". I didn't know for sure how into it I would be. I did my research on care and husbandry for months before pulling the trigger. At the time I lived at home and had all my facts before I brought it up to my dad. I'd never touched a snake until the day my guy came in the mail. A week later I decided I want to breed. A year later I'm up to seven snakes. So I'd say do your research on care, and if you're not going to be around your pets very much, wait. Take a 10gal with you to your dorm and keep to that until you have an apartment/house/move back home. It's not really fair to have your parents take care of your pets for years while you go through college. Now that I'm moved out I've been getting a lot more snakes and building my collection up. Still going to school, working two jobs, and living on my own. All that work is worth it to me to be able to have my animals and freedom. When I lived at home I was told one ball python was enough.

[Shann]

Most dorms do not allow pets. Most people stay in dorms because it's more affordable than other housing options, and more practical to students who don't have a means of transportation, plus many dorms come with meal plans, utilities, and other benefits. Some schools even require you to stay in dorms as a freshman, or to participate in specific programs or keep certain scholarships. Also, many scholarships only cover four years of school, so working multiple jobs to live on your own with a demanding university degree is not practical if you want to finish your degree in enough time to graduate before then.

I'm not saying that your parents should expect to take care of your snake, but as a freshman in high school you don't know what life is going to bring. And you will need to prepare the unexpected, and consider all your options, for the animal's sake. Some people are fortunate to follow the path that they planned. Others, like myself, were presented with opportunities they never even imagined would come their way. And you don't want a commitment you made at 15 cause you to pass on those opportunities. No one can assume they will be able to live on their own and pay their way through school at 15, and that's why I think any 15 year old getting any animal needs discuss what they will do in the event that plans do change.

[CinnamonPearl]

Wow! Thanks for the advice, guys. You're all being very helpful.

I'm going to keep researching before I make any final decisions first. I need to make sure I can keep it up when life starts to get in the way. If I ended up getting a snake, it would be in a year or so, so I definitely have time to research and make a final decision. I asked my mom if I can get one and she's thinking about it now (she doesn't like the idea of dead mice in the house), so if she gives me permission, then I'll take my time and think it over a lot. I may even decide not to because I'm already having the college problem with my parrot, but parrots are much harder to care for than any other animal, so the snake might not be as big of a problem as the parrot.

Anyways, thanks to everyone for making me rethink this.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I have had a parrot for three years (those are the most difficult pets out there) and she is happy and healthy with a big cage. I have a huge enclosure of fire-bellied toads and haven't lost a single frog yet, and will be getting deeper into the frog hobby very soon. Don't worry. I can handle something new.

The question is can your parents handle something new? When you are going to college even if you come back once a week, they will be the provider and caretaker for not only your snake, but your frogs and bird.

Animal ownership is a responsibility that one needs to take seriously and should not be a burden on others.

I spent my early years travelling a lot and I could have never imagine having a pet and having someone else caring for it, so I waited until I finally settled down, maybe this is something you need to consider too.

[Thalasuchus]

Shann is giving you some wonderful advice, and I'm really glad you're taking it all in and researching first!

I'm a senior in college right now, I live at home but I commute to my school an hour away. I've been doing this for four years because of my water dragon (who died this past November), but it was worth it to me to stay with him every day. I don't know how many opportunities I had to sacrifice because I couldn't wait until I was older to get a high-maintenance reptile.

I left him in my family's hands a few times for things like senior trip in high school, and they did an awful job taking care of him Not their fault really, it's just that people like us may spend months on end researching these animals and maybe it's unreasonable to expect others to take care of them the same way we would. Personally, I wouldn't want to leave my reptiles in the hands of family members for too long. Plus, why get a pet if you're only going to see it once a week? Or if you have to leave the state/country for your education or a job?

I don't have much useful to add, just that a lot of things change through your 20's and when you have a long-lived exotic pet, your choices will have to revolve around what to do with that pet. Of course, you'll see that anyway with your parrot Best of luck to you!