New To Snakes, Not to Reptiles

[Cloud7659]

Hello everyone.

I just joined the forum to learn more about the husbandry of snakes, specifically the Ball Python. I have been keeping turtles and tortoises for 5 years now and have a collection of over 20. Im no stranger to vet visits and long waits in feeding time. I do, however, have a ton of questions which I think cannot be beter answered than by experienced ball Python owners.

First off, I plan to choose a CBB rather than a wc, that being said I have the option of getting either a snake from either an 06' baby group, or an 05' yearling group. Not sure which might be the better path to take there.

Also, since building a huge pen for my tortoises and land turtles, I have quite a number of old enclosures available, including a 55 gallon tank. Is this considered adequately sized for the ball python? Is there some sort of area in this forum with enclosure pictures so i can get some ideas for the setup.

Ive read the caresheet on this website as well as many other websites. Not alot is particularly mentioned about taming/handling ball pythons. I really want my snake to be docile. I was wondering whether this is a tendency they are born with or if its just the treatment at the young age (nature or nurture ) If its part of a process, how difficult is it on avergae? I don't mind getting a nibble now and then but don't want my hand full of holes either.

Thank you in advance and its nice to be part of a snake community

[daniel1983]

A 55 gallon tank would be a too big for a baby or juvie ball python, but it would wok well for an adult. Ball pythons do not handle having open space very well. Also, if the 55g tank is standard size....then that means it is around 20" tall. Heating an enclosure that tall can be a pain. I keep my young snakes in plastic enclosure(plastic holds humidity slightly better) that measure 17"L x 11" D x 6"H....my adults in enclosures that measure 35" L x 17" L x 6" H. Ball pythons really do not need the height since they are not tree dwelling....and the less height also makes the enclosures much easier to heat.

There is no "taming" any snake....but you can get some used to handling. You will find that alot of snakes have personalities. I have some that are shy, some that are fierce, some that just dont seem to care what it going on. Ball pythons in general are very docile, so handling is not really a problem.

Hope that helps a bit.

What types of turtles and torts do you keep?

[4theSNAKElady]

BPs are good choices for a first time snake owner. As far as yearling versus baby, for you I would recommend the yearling. It has already had a good start and has taken several meals. I wouldn't want you to be stuck with a baby that may take more patience and time, as I would want your first experience with snakes to be a good one, and not frustrating and discouraging. There are always exceptions, but for the most part BP's tame fairly easily. If you want to handle your snake a bit, start slow and easy. If he seems tame enough, but stops eating, it could be a sign of stress, so you would want to hold off till he's eating again. That 55g tank is a bit big as well. You may want to partition a section off and provide lots of hides until he grows larger. Keeping the humisity up in a glass tank can be tricky too, but not impossible. I keep all mine in glass tanks, and there are a few links on here that people have posted about keeping the humidity right in glass tanks. Anyways, good luck, and post pics when you can, as we simply cannot get enough around here ! Oh, and welcome to the forum! glad to have ya!
PS-what kinda tortoise/turtles do you keep? my boyfriend has a Russian tortoise.

[Cloud7659]

Thanks for the warm welcome and replies guys. Ive already spoken to the local breeder and will be picking up my yarling tommorrow. I also have 30 and 20 gallon long tanks. Ill just wait and see how big the little guy is and go from there. As for humidity I have a sonic humidifier from my old redfoot enclosure, will thatbe any good for keeping it up? It worked wonders on my tort.


BTW, heres I full list of turts/torts:

Three red eared sliders (rescued them and they became part of my family)
One razorback musk turtle (Supposed to be shy but my little guy is outgoing)
One Southern Painted turtle (My first turtle)
One Adult Northern Diamonback Terrapin (adopted after chinatown rescue)

as far as land dwellers go i have:

A pair of adult eastern box turtles (Ricky and lucy )
A pair of juvenile florida box turtles
One three-toed box turtle
One red-foot tortoise
One Sulcata (Big Bertha) 2 1/2 yars old and weighs 6 pounds.

Thats my family. My brother owns a bearded dragon and a nile monitor but I take care of them, I always feed them and clean their enclosures so they are basically mine too

Im ready to welcome my newest member to the family. I do have one additional question, is it healthier for the snake inclosure to be kept outdoors (natural sunlight, my land dwellers love it) or indoors? Either option is available for me. Thanks again everyone.

PS: If you guys wanna see some really really old pictures of my pets, check out:
http://community.webshots.com/user/roadster7659

I have'nt updated them in a while, the leopard tort in there passed away and big bertha isnt in there but for themost part, those are my little guys.

[Shelby]

Snakes should be housed indoors. Too hard to keep consistant temps and humidity outside, plus increased risk of parasites and other things. I have never heard of anyone keeping a snake outdoors. Snakes do not need sunlight (BPs are nocturnal anyway)

[Cloud7659]

Thanks.

I just picked up my little guy. I named him Stewie. Ill be posting pics soon, heres a new question, I have a heat lamp providing temp right now, should I stick with that or should I go with an undertank heater.

[daniel1983]

The UTH will make it easier for you to control humidity levels and belly heat is generally best for ball pythons. The extra heat on the belly should help with digestion.