Concerns about a BP as a pet

[The Breaker]

Hello all, thank you for taking the time to click and look at this.

I have always loved animals. And though thought they were cool to look at sometimes, never really liked reptiles, or more specifically snakes. Also my mother was terrified of them so I couldn get one anyway.

But now that i'm out of the house reptiles have peaked my interest, specifically snakes. I'd like to get one as a pet. I thought between corn, hognose and BP for awhile and decided i'd like to get a BP because of their docile nature and beauty.

But my GF has voiced some concerns about this. Mainly these two. She said there's not much to do with snakes. Besides feeding it and possibly it not eating and wasting money on food (I understand this happens and don't think it's that bad plus it's worth it.) And just waiting for it to poop so you can clean it up and shed. And that they don't really like to be out and they just do nothing. I understand BP aren't the most active but I have seen some fairly adventurous ones that seem to be fun to have out.

And the second one that itd pace in its habitat because itd want to get at her other animals in the room. Mainly her cockatiel. (They'd never be out at the same time) She said her father had a snack that did this.


What are your thoughts on this? Her father has had some more complicated snakes that he didn't have the best luck with so I think this is where this is mostly coming from.

She said I could get a Bearded dragon,but they just seem like a bit too much work for me right now plus more expensive in the long run. I'd like to have a pet that isn't that much work daily but you still have to put time and effort into and that you can take out and enjoy every now and then. And a BP seems perfect.

Sorry for the long post and mods i'm really sorry if this is in the wrong section.

Thank you all so much.

[BPGator]

I'd like to have a pet that isn't that much work daily but you still have to put time and effort into and that you can take out and enjoy every now and then. And a BP seems perfect.

Seems like a BP is perfect for you. As for a BP eating your pet bird, that's highly unlikely. You've stated just about every issue with a BP and say you're fine with it. Your GF won't even know the snake is there. Get a BP


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[dboeren]

I had a couple of Bearded Dragons for years. We almost never took them out because it didn't seem like you could interact with them much. Lizards don't sit still as well as snakes so you can't just hang out with them, you've got to pay attention or else they may jump or climb down.

When I've had snakes, they get handled a lot more because they are happy to just sit on you for an extended time. You can put a smaller snake on your hand/arm, or a boa around your neck/shoulders and they'll stay there while you watch TV or type on the computer.

Obviously this is in part a personal preference issue but for me there's no comparison, I find myself interacting more with snakes than lizards and I'm really enjoying my first Carpet Python I recently picked up.

Just to point out, you NEVER take a fish out and handle it, and yet people don't seem to think that makes them a waste.

What I would recommend is that you go to a reptile show. See different animals in person and handle them, this will give you a better sense of what you like and whether you comfortable handling them and how exciting it is or isn't for you.

[redshepherd]

She said there's not much to do with snakes.

There isn't, but that's like wondering why people keep fish and flowers. It's just because we love them and their beauty. And with ball pythons, we can still at least take them out to handle.

Mainly her cockatiel.

No problems there. If you get a male, they're much too small to eat a cockatiel. And second, ball pythons tend to fixate on a prey item. If they eat mice, sometimes they won't even eat rats. The cockatiel won't be seen as food.

But obviously, don't stick them in each other's faces to test them out. LOL

I know many people even keep pet rats in the same room as their snakes. The snakes get used to the scent within a day or two and they just chill. When I kept feeder rats, I kept them within 3 feet from my ball python rack. The ball pythons don't stay in feeding mode, and the rats don't care that the snakes are there.

BP's do sound perfect for you! Do proper research and go for what you want!

[bcr229]

If she doesn't want a snake how about a leopard gecko instead? They can live in racks and you can fool with them but they're pretty low maintenance, very cheap to feed, etc. The only downside to mine is they don't seem to fear heights; mine will run right off my hand when I hold them if I'm not careful.

[The Breaker]

Thanks for the great information all! I'll keep pestering her till she gives in!

[vikingr]

Thanks for the great information all! I'll keep pestering her till she gives in!

That worked with my wife... and sometimes it's easier to apologize than ask permission. Get yourself a BP, get the GF some flowers


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[PitOnTheProwl]

Do your research on husbandry. It can be a little hard to get things right the first time but then its pretty much like a pet rock LoL.
Also be ready to have more than just one after you and her start researching all the different morphs.

[BPGator]

Thanks for the great information all! I'll keep pestering her till she gives in!

I took my wife to a reptile show with the intent of just looking at snakes for our son. She ended up falling in love with a BP.


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[Craiga 01453]

Ok, I'll throw my two cents your way.

First of all, a BP is a great choice based on what you're looking for. You can't go wrong with a corn or hognose either (don't rule out Kings at some point either if you decide to go the colubrid route). As far as a BP goes, you should have no problem finding a beautiful example with all the morphs out there (choosing my next morph is proving to be pretty difficult, I want so many!!!) who also has a docile temperament.

As far as you gf's concerns: I wouldn't be worried about the snake pacing it's enclosure. If the husbandry is right it won't pace at all. It should explore at night a bit, but will mostly stay hidden the majority of the day. I definitely wouldn't worry about the cockatiel either, not a BPs flavor therefore not a concern. I keep my snakes in the same room with my ferrets and they are ALL perfectly fine sharing the room. They obviously don't come out of their enclosures at the same time. I've also heard of many people keeping mice and/or rats in the same room as the snakes with no issues.

To address the "not much to do with snakes" issue, she's pretty right about this. There really isn't. BUT, they are fascinating animals if that's what you're looking for. My snakes come out for at least a little while most days. Some days my BP will be hanging out with me for an hour or more, my adult King was out with me for 2 1/2 hours the other day just chilling, exploring, hanging out. Most handling sessions are shorter, especially towards the beginning, though. There are, unfortunately days when you really CAN'T do anything with your snakes because of feeding schedules or shedding. That's when having more than one is nice. But the fact remains, they are often nicknamed "pet rocks" for a reason. BPs do spend MOST of their time hidden in nature, and if well cared for they will in captivity as well. Another saying you'll hear often when regarding BPs is "a hiding ball is a happy ball".

To touch on her father's luck, I have no idea what species he was keeping, if they were kept properly, etc... so not much to say there.

If you're looking for a pet that requires little daily maintenance, a BP is a great choice. They do require daily checks, but spot cleaning and changing water are all you need to do "regularly" once your setup is correct and dialed-in (this may take some time and trial and error). Do yourself a favor and do your homework and have your setup ready BEFORE bringing the snake (or any pet) home. This will save you a lot of potential headaches and stress.
Aside from spot cleaning and changing water, feedings are weekly (easy enough) and full enclosure cleanings are monthly give or take. Pretty simple. However, don't take the simplicity for granted and go days without checking the setup. I check all of mine daily.

I almost forgot to touch on the wasted food/money issue... Yes, refusals happen, sometimes week after week after week. That can be frustrating, but if you have more than one snake on the same size prey the other snake will almost always eat the first snake's refusal. Schedule feedings accordingly and eliminate waste.
Oh look, I just found you another reason to have more than one snake

Anyway, my GF was against me keeping snakes for a while, but she was afraid of them. I have since introduced her to snakes, helped her to understand them rather than fear them and she is now cool with snakes. WE have 4 right now and more to come when the time is right. She absolutely LOVES my adult Kingsnake.

Don't bring a snake home one day and ask forgiveness, that's not fair to her or the animal. The enclosure should be set up and ready to go before you bring it home, which would (hopefully) tip her off anyway. Just ask her again, do your due diligence and show her some concrete facts about BPs that will sway her and you should be fine. If she continues to say no, do the right thing and listen.

Anyway, good luck!! We're here if you have any other questions. Hope I helped you out a bit.