Any advice for a newcomer to the hobby?

[ScaredSnakeless]

Hi there. My name is Jozef (like Yozef) and I am cautiously looking for a snake or 2 or 10. My username pretty well sums up my issue. I had a bad experience as a kid with a ball python that I saved up all Summer to buy ($129.99 for an unsexed, normally colored hatchling). I had previously been afraid of snakes (getting bit by them) but I really liked the look and feel of them, handling them, having them hanging off my neck, etc. and I really wanted to buy a python or boa (love the chubby, derpy look they have LOL they are like plush animals), so I got this one after reading up and finding out that they are the best python for a beginner. I had it for a year and by the end of that year, I was so terrified of snakes that I couldn't even get near garter snakes in the yard, they all scared the hell out of me. He never managed to actually bite me because I was so careful, but he was so aggressive that even my family was afraid of him, he would strike at us through the tank even when he was full, he could barely be handled, and there were times he appeared to deliberately go past the food in order to get your hand, like I swear he was ignoring the food for the purpose of biting. I blamed myself for being a beginner and I thought I must be making him miserable somehow, must be making him act this way by not taking good care of him. I ended up giving my baby snake away to a local herpetologist who later told me he didn't even think it was possible for a ball python to have such a nasty temperament, and that he was so sorry my first experience with them was such a freak of nature. (He still has the snake, he finds it entertaining how aggressive he is and shows it off to his friends). I was sad about it, but relieved I no longer had a pet I was terrified of. I later had the good fortune of moving into a house where we have some very small brown snakes with orange bellies that show up in the yard. No idea what they are but they are docile af, tiny, and really helped me get my confidence back. I was around a friend's corn snakes too and that helped a lot, I learned a lot about the animals and how to handle them without stressing them, and he offered me a snake if I ever want one, but I have my heart set on getting another ball python, specifically a lighter-colored pinstripe or something similar. But this time, I want to do it right, I want to know anything and everything that seasoned keepers recommend. I have done a lot of research and I have a pretty good idea of what I THINK is right, but I still want to know what you guys think, you being the experts.

I'm planning on a 75 gallon acrylic display tank with a screen top, moist & dry hides, cocofiber substrate, large but shallow water dish, full-spectrum lighting, and additional undertank heating on one end (my bedroom is cold because my rabbit likes it that way... No I did not have the rabbit with the first snake, but he isn't going anywhere, I know to wash my hands, etc.)

Give me any advice you can, and if anyone knows where to acquire a particularly tame snake, that advice would be appreciated as well LOL.

[Timelugia]

My advice is don't buy a snake unless you can handle it first. I've worked at petsmart and I found that the hatchlings came with one of three personalities-
Curious, nervous and "I'll rip your face off human!". Since you already had a bad experience- you probably don't want a snake that needs time and patience to mellow out. When you buy the snake I would also ask the staff- since they likely know the snakes normal temperament.
I would recommend Petsmart- but not every petsmart is as good as the one I worked at. But I would definitely recommend finding a store that will let you hold the snake first.
Good luck and way to go on overcoming a bad experience!

[Mr. Misha]

First off, it's crappy you had a bad experience but good for you for getting out there again.

With that said, if you're looking for a Ball Python, I'd recommend you against getting a hatchling. Hatchlings are very afraid due to their instincts of being eaten by everything. Get a sub-adult that's already used to being handled. Most breeders should be able to tell you the temperament of their adult snakes.

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[Stewart_Reptiles]

I'm planning on a 75 gallon acrylic display tank with a screen top

Usually when new owners experience issues the number one issue (in 90% of cases) is that the enclosure is too big .
Housing an hatchling in a 75 gallons tank is the worse thing you can do. The enclosure need to be adequate so the first thing for you is to do more research and understand BP behavior.

A large enclosure will stress the animal, which can lead to health issue and aggressive behavior.

For an hatchling You are looking for an enclosure that is anywhere from a 6 quarts plastic tub slowly upgrading to 12 quarts or 15 quarts before housing your animal in his permanent enclosure tank, tub or cage which will not need to be larger than 36 x 16 as far as foot print goes, 75 gallons is not only over-killed (which can be stressful) but will be harder to maintain and BP are not forgiven when it comes to husbandry.

You can also start an hatchling with a 10 gallons tank to but it will be a more expensive option as you will transition and does not always work.

BP are shy animals and MUST be provided with optimum security and that is to keep in mind if you want to be successful and not repeat the past.

You will not need full spectrum light (again we have a very good caresheet on this forum http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...us)-Caresheet). This will help as well http://stewartreptiles.com/Articles/Ball_Pythons.pdf

You also will not need a large water dish, contrary to peoples belief they do not need dish large enough to soak in. You will need a UTH and a RELIABLE thermostat (this is the single most important piece of equipment you will need) which you can find here http://www.reptilebasics.com/, you will also need a digital thermometer / Hygrometer (Temperature should never been guessed), your hides will need to be as identical as possible but most importantly very tight.

As for where getting your animal from I would recommend getting an animal from a breeder, there is no need to handle a BP prior to being purchased BP are not one of those species that needs to be work with the most important is that they have their needs met. Now if you really want to handle the snake prior to purchasing it, try to go to a show, the price will be better and you will get to make connections with breeder as well.

Hatchlings are shy and defensive (in their eyes YOU are predator) but this is a normal behavior that should be expected, as they grow and get acclimated they will grow out of it IF their husbandry is met.

Finally owning a snake is about having different expectations than the ones you have with more traditional pets that is very important as well.

[hazzaram]

I would avoid petstores. Go with a breeder. They know their animals and can help match you up with one.

I was afraid of snakes but decided I wanted a ball python. I went to a wonderful breeder and talked to him about everything. He started pulling snakes out and showing them to me. He talked me through handling and gave me loads of tips. I chose a young albino male and he was a dream. I've never had any problems with him - not as much as a hiss! The second bp I got was from Petsmart and she was riddled with mites. I didn't know better at the same and I ended up with a mite infestation. She was also underfed and in the year I've had her, she hasn't grown very much. My male on the other hand has grown beautifully.

Just make sure you find a friendly breeder that will take the time to help you. Because of the breeder I bought my male from, I got over my fear so easily and I now own three snakes. It really does make a difference. Like it was said above, go for one that's a little older and established. Once you're comfortable with it, you can always raise up a baby then.

[ScaredSnakeless]

I keep seeing time and again that a large enclosure can stress an animal out and, since it is coming from highly experienced breeders I guess I can't really argue with it, but I still can't understand it, it seems so backwards to me. Does that mean that snaks in the wild are constantly in a state of panic? Wouldnt a tiny cage be way more stressful than a large one? What is it about a big cage that worries them? Are they afraid something else could be in there with them because of the extra space?

I can see how you'd think I was going for a hatchling, but that isn't the case... LOL... I really don't think a hatchling would be suitable for me because 1. I don't want to have to buy multiple enclosures and 2. I'd like an already-tame snake and 3. My snake could live 40 years, there is no need for me to insist on a young one. On top of that, I have an endless supply of dwarf rabbit babies free whenever I want them, and those are easier for an adult to get down. I feel like a hatchling is more fragile and better for someone with some experience, I'd die of sad if I hurt or killed a poor baby snake. I'd like an adult snake, even though I know those are often more expensive, but it would just be really nice to find one that has been handled a lot and treated kindly, where I don't need to guess "how big are you going to get, how many tanks am I going to have to buy, how much longer will you be able to eat this same food." not to mention the big snakes are so beautiful and impressive.

Is it still necessary to have a hygrometer if you have a large habitat with moist hide and water to soak in? I figured it wouldn't be necessary since the snake can just move around as it feels it needs to be wetter or dryer, or do they not know well enough to do that? One issue I did have with my first was retained eye caps which probably played a role in his aggressiveness, his eyes were blue for a long time every time he shed and I always felt so bad for him. Was that because my humidity was wrong? I mean he was still mean when his eyes were clear but im sure that didn't help...

[ScaredSnakeless]

....Omg did I ruin my first snake by having him in too big of a cage and making him crazy?

[hazzaram]

From what I've learned here, ball's like very enclosed spaces. They like to feel things all around them, which is where the idea of tight hides come in. I'm pretty sure in the wild they spend most of their time hiding away in dark termite mounds and only come out to hunt - which is why they feel more comfortable in enclosed spaces.

I keep mine in 12 or 15 qt (can't remember) bins with paper towel as bedding and they love it. They use the paper towel as an extra hide and squirm beneath it to curl up so they're totally hidden.

I think 75 gallons is way too big. You want things cluttered and tight for them to be comfortable.

[Snake Judy]

I keep seeing time and again that a large enclosure can stress an animal out and, since it is coming from highly experienced breeders I guess I can't really argue with it, but I still can't understand it, it seems so backwards to me. Does that mean that snaks in the wild are constantly in a state of panic? Wouldnt a tiny cage be way more stressful than a large one? What is it about a big cage that worries them? Are they afraid something else could be in there with them because of the extra space?

I can see how you'd think I was going for a hatchling, but that isn't the case... LOL... I really don't think a hatchling would be suitable for me because 1. I don't want to have to buy multiple enclosures and 2. I'd like an already-tame snake and 3. My snake could live 40 years, there is no need for me to insist on a young one. On top of that, I have an endless supply of dwarf rabbit babies free whenever I want them, and those are easier for an adult to get down. I feel like a hatchling is more fragile and better for someone with some experience, I'd die of sad if I hurt or killed a poor baby snake. I'd like an adult snake, even though I know those are often more expensive, but it would just be really nice to find one that has been handled a lot and treated kindly, where I don't need to guess "how big are you going to get, how many tanks am I going to have to buy, how much longer will you be able to eat this same food." not to mention the big snakes are so beautiful and impressive.

Is it still necessary to have a hygrometer if you have a large habitat with moist hide and water to soak in? I figured it wouldn't be necessary since the snake can just move around as it feels it needs to be wetter or dryer, or do they not know well enough to do that? One issue I did have with my first was retained eye caps which probably played a role in his aggressiveness, his eyes were blue for a long time every time he shed and I always felt so bad for him. Was that because my humidity was wrong? I mean he was still mean when his eyes were clear but im sure that didn't help...

I strongly disagree with the idea that a larger enclosure = a stressed snake. People think this because yeah, if you throw a ball python in a huge bare tank with two hides and a water bowl and a little aspen, it's likely going to be uncomfortable. Ball pythons are nervous animals and feel very exposed in open spaces. However, if you keep this in mind and set up the space with numerous hides, visual barriers, clutter, fake plants etc. you eliminate that problem. A larger enclosure, set up properly with the snake's needs in mind, gives you so much more opportunity to create an enriching habitat with multiple hides, climbing areas, etc that you wouldn't be able to fit in a smaller space. And the snake will use the space you give it. Even if they're sedentary 90% of the time, that still averages out to about 2 1/2 hours of active time in a day. I see might out and about for a while most nights unless she's in shed or just ate. My enclosure works out to roughly 74G and she uses it all, including the vertical space (which is about 18-20" and includes a few branches and ledges.)

That being said! Yes, larger enclosures are tougher to maintain. My best advice here is to look into PVC enclosures or large tubs instead of a screen-top tank. That screen is going to make your life hell, I promise! You'll constantly be fighting with your temperatures and humidity. And to your last question, yeah you should get a hygrometer. You can get decent digital ones for $10-15. It's better to know for sure than to guess and have to troubleshoot problems down the road.

[ScaredSnakeless]

Judy, that is exactly what I was hoping to hear. I am also an aquarium (fish) enthusiast and I just love making visually appealing habitats for my animals. The items I have in my shopping carts are lots of artificial plants, vines, branches, stumps, stones, and a lot of really neat looking, natural decor that I was really looking forward to having enough space to use it all. I was hoping to be able to have a large habitat that gives my snake room to explore, and options on where to be, but ultimately the snake's best interest is what I am most concerned about. I don't want to do something just for me and have it be bad for my snake. I will get a hygrometer for sure if it is important.