new to herping/reptiles. advice is appreciated

[serein]

(Hello, I just joined this website so I am very sorry if this is in the wrong section. I will gladly repost this in the proper section if needed. Please don't ban me.)

Hi, I am a young teenage girl who has never owned a reptile before. I recently got interested in reptiles because I love animals and I am not a typical girl who is afraid of snakes or frogs. I am interested mainly in ball pythons. I would like to adopt one, but I am always pretty cautious so I have been looking online and writing down information on ball python care, and I would really appreciate it if someone who owns or has owned a ball python could offer me some advice on care and general information.

I would also really be thankful if anyone could recommend some brands that they trust. I have many local pet stores that I can purchase supplies from.

Here are also some general questions I have that maybe someone can answer. Thank you very much and again I am so sorry if I posted in the wrong section. Sorry for the huge amount of questions as well.



1. In your experience, do you find ball pythons to be good reptiles to own for beginners?


2. I have heard that feeding live prey to ball pythons makes them more aggressive. I like the idea of pre-killed/frozen prey better, do you prefer one over the other? Why?


3. Is it true that 40 gallons is the minimum tank size? Should I be buying a specific brand? Should I be buying under 40 gallons or over?


4. How often do ball pythons cages need to be cleaned out? (I have heard ever 3 weeks or so, but I want to be sure.)


5. Do ball pythons in general have good health? (Vet costs, etc.)


6. Can you bring your ball python with you when travelling? In comparison, how many days can you leave you ball python alone?


7. Is there any reputable ball python breeders that you recommend?


8. I have heard that cypress and aspen shavings are the best substrate for BPs. I have taken a liking to cypress, but I also know that cypress substrate is harming the ecosystems due to the demand for cypress tree wood being high. Is there another type of substrate that is good in your experience?


9. I am a pretty quiet and calm person. I know that there is personality differences, but in general I have heard BPs are calm and slow. Do you find this to be true?


10. How much should I study BP care/general info before I consider buying one? Or should I just buy one after knowing the basics and go with it?

[VIP CONSTRICTORS]

Welcome!
1. People will be all over me but I think that its is not the best choice. They always at some point of their life have feeding problems and go off food. Also pee (liquid) a lot because they are African snake that used to consume water before the dryout. For just a first snake I would recommend dwarf boa (tarahumara, hog island, blood boa - if you have the money or any small island one). No feeding problems usually. Much better personality in my opinion. Grows same size or smaller than ball.
2.i dont think so. They like live because they are live preditors.
3.minimum for what size of snake? How many items you are going to put in there... I would not recommend glass with net top. I would get a cage
4. Every poop I clean them. Fresh water every week
5.yes
6.you feed every week or 10 days but balls can be without food for many months. So you decide but be worned it might screw their feeding later
7.other than the huge ones make a wild guess who I recommend?
8.Brian Barcheks one. But you can be fine with paper towel.
9.yes. Too much sometimes.
10. Basic is fine

[redshepherd]

all the sticky threads on top here will clear everything up, especially the caresheet!

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/foru...2-BP-Husbandry

1. In your experience, do you find ball pythons to be good reptiles to own for beginners?

If you get the husbandry on point and do all the necessary research beforehand, yes. They're very docile and easy to handle. The mistake people make is taking advice from pet stores and getting their setup wrong, causing them to refuse food.

2. I have heard that feeding live prey to ball pythons makes them more aggressive. I like the idea of pre-killed/frozen prey better, do you prefer one over the other? Why?

No it doesn't. F/T prey is cheaper and easier. Big Cheese Rodent Factory is a good place to buy frozen online if you have just one snake.

3. Is it true that 40 gallons is the minimum tank size? Should I be buying a specific brand? Should I be buying under 40 gallons or over?

Not true... Read the caresheet I linked you at the top. There's no specific brand, as long as you get the temps, humidity, and hides right.

4. How often do ball pythons cages need to be cleaned out? (I have heard ever 3 weeks or so, but I want to be sure.)

Only when they make a mess/poop/pee.

5. Do ball pythons in general have good health? (Vet costs, etc.)

If you do your research and get the setup on-point, they will not get sick. If you don't, they will get sick.

6. Can you bring your ball python with you when travelling? In comparison, how many days can you leave you ball python alone?

Only when necessary! Snakes don't like traveling. They don't need to be handled ever, actually. You can leave them alone for their whole life, as long as someone changes out their water, feeds, and cleans their poop.

7. Is there any reputable ball python breeders that you recommend?

Lots of nice breeders here on this forum.

8. I have heard that cypress and aspen shavings are the best substrate for BPs. I have taken a liking to cypress, but I also know that cypress substrate is harming the ecosystems due to the demand for cypress tree wood being high. Is there another type of substrate that is good in your experience?

Aspen is fine. There's also coco husk, coco chips.

9. I am a pretty quiet and calm person. I know that there is personality differences, but in general I have heard BPs are calm and slow. Do you find this to be true?

BP's are known to be the calmest and most docile and slowest of all snakes LOL

10. How much should I study BP care/general info before I consider buying one? Or should I just buy one after knowing the basics and go with it?

No, there's no "basics and then go with it" for bp's. You really need to research, get the right equipment, get the temps and husbandry on point BEFORE buying your snake. If you just wing it, you are 100% going to have problems and it will cause you stress and vet bills.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...s%29-Caresheet