What are the 5 MOST IMPORTANT things to know about ball pythons

[maudie]

BEFORE getting in to the hobby. I'm just curious to see what you all think. Comment below!

[redshepherd]

Like 5 pieces of advice to give to someone wanting to get a ball python?

1. Must get a thermostat (not a thermometer, but a thermostat), UTH, humidity monitor, and good hides. Do your husbandry research on ball python forums and not pet store clerks.

2. They can be picky about eating F/T prey, so must have the flexibility to feed live when necessary.

3. Must supervise live feeding at all times.

4. Ball Pythons are cute.

5. Ball Pythons are addicting.

[FluppleWott]

I've kept snakes for over half my life lol! Here's my 5:

1.) You'll hear this over and over again, but ball pythons are PICKY EATERS! Stubborn and shy, sometimes they go off food for months at a time.

2.) Get them from a reputable source (not just whatever is cheapest or easiest), and if you can, be accompanied by an experienced someone who knows how to choose a good snake. Mites, scale rot, respiratory Infections, constipation and a wide variety of other problems often result if you get a snake from someone who doesn't properly care for them. So watch out!

3.) Each snake has its own personality. This is good to know later on the road when you have multiple. On the same note, if you're wanting a mild and calm pet bp, look for one with that personality.

4.) Use the right equiptment! Use feeding tongs with bigger snakes. It's not fun to get clipped by something with three sets of teeth and a strong appetite for anything that smells like a rodent. I know from experience. Use the right kinds of bedding to prevent RI's, the right kinds of heating. NEVER USE HEAT ROCKS. EVER. THEY ARE DEATH ROCKS!!

5.) Snakes are addictive! They're quite like potato chips--you can't have just one! Prepare to open your heart to lots of cute scale babies. Trust me ball pythons are quite goofy and lovable <3

Have fun and goodluck!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[bcr229]

On some aspects of their care you can go cheap, such as DIY hides, newspaper for substrate, or using the melamine water bowls from the dollar store.

Other aspects you can not, such as thermostats, enclosures, and quality feeders.

They are addicting so bypass getting a glass tank and just buy/build a rack now. You will save yourself some money.

Stay out of big box stores.

Quarantine every new critter no matter how trustworthy the seller.

[Ax01]

i'll try to cover what already hasn't been covered...

1. each BP should be housed separately.


2. BP's prefer to hide like 90% of the time; it's normal. if they're out, it will be mostly at dusk or night.

3. if they skip or refuse a meal, it's ok, don't freak out; sometimes they even go on extended food breaks.

4. when they go blue (into shed), increase humidity; do not bathe them, let them shed naturally first.

5. BP's can drink the same tap water u drink; and they're probably drinking when you're not watching.

[Ax01]

i'm just gonna bamp this thread. more BP/snake peeps should chime in with their 5 things.

(and sticky anyone?)

[frostysBP]

1: thermostat thermostat thermostat
2: proper reptile made cages work 100 times better than fish tanks.
3:find a reputable vet before you need one
4: be willing to feed live
5:do lots of research BEFORE you get the snake.

Sent from my A521L using Tapatalk

[Stewart_Reptiles]

1/ Don't cut corners when it comes to husbandry

2/ Have reasonable expectations, those are snakes

3/ Be open minded and to keep learning new things

4/ There are more than one way to skin a cat

5/ Use common sense

[Ax01]

bamp for the newbie keepers FYI!


here's 5 more:

1. they can go a long while w/o pooping, so know what a sausage butt looks like: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...t-Sausage-Butt


2. alotta times, they will leave a chalk-like byproduct of pee called urates: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...iss-Snows-cage


3. do not use tape on the inside of the enclosure.


4. they have pelvic spurs - the "legs" leftover from evolution - near their butts so it’s not a bone or rat claw or whatever that’s sticking out. they’re spurs and they’re used during sex.


5. female BP's can retain sperm for years. So if u buy an adult female that has been previously breed but never laid eggs, be aware of surprise eggs and be prepared to terminate the eggs or care for them.

[Godzilla78]

Bamp! Lol