Help! My teenager wants a snake!!

[blakesmom]

My 14 y/o wants a ball python. I have never likes snakes bu actually after researching about ball pythons I am a little bit excited. I would appreciate any input, opinions or suggestions you can offer about shopping for the right snake, habitat, habits, etc... Also, I think one of my major questions is, is it a good idea ot buy an older snake as a first pet? Say one for sale online thats 3 years old already? Thanks a bunch and happy holidays!

[MATT FISHER REPTILES]

keep in mind that snakes live a long time. so buying a older adult is not a bad idea at all. and if you get a adult there is a big positive. they never need a bigger cage. and adults tend to be a little bit more relaxed to handling. as where babies are a little more skittish and tend to be picky eaters. snakes are a great pet. they eat once a week and poop once a week. and dont go through withdrawls from missing you if you dont have time to handle them for a couple months now and then.

[MATT FISHER REPTILES]

http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=59
some good reading for you. keep in mind that ball pythons are verry reclusive snakes. if you want a snake that is active and alloways moveing around the cage i would go with a corn for a first snake.

[blakesmom]

Well, thank you for responding. I saw one online and was thinking about buying her. Can you tell me anything about which is better a M or a F? Also, my reason for thinking that an older one would not be the best idea is because 1. You dont know how it was treated and I was thinking like a dog, it could be damaged emotionally. 2. He would have fun watching a baby grow. I heard they grow quite rapidly the first year.

[bonheki]

My 14 y/o wants a ball python. I have never likes snakes bu actually after researching about ball pythons I am a little bit excited. I would appreciate any input, opinions or suggestions you can offer about shopping for the right snake, habitat, habits, etc... Also, I think one of my major questions is, is it a good idea ot buy an older snake as a first pet? Say one for sale online thats 3 years old already? Thanks a bunch and happy holidays!

well noo offence to anyone who likes ballpythons but they are mostly just for morph colors i think they dont doo much just stay their when you play with them . i dont mind people having them just a thought .and snakes are good pets .you just have to tame them down some. ball pythons i dont have one but i played with some they are prolly the most calmest snake i ever and i would give the bp a fish tank a 10 gall or 20 gall with cypress mulch,some hides, fake plants, waterbowl, and a heat pad or a basketing light

[bonheki]

Well, thank you for responding. I saw one online and was thinking about buying her. Can you tell me anything about which is better a M or a F? Also, my reason for thinking that an older one would not be the best idea is because 1. You dont know how it was treated and I was thinking like a dog, it could be damaged emotionally. 2. He would have fun watching a baby grow. I heard they grow quite rapidly the first year.

well males get smaller then females .females get bigger cuz they lay the eggs. i would go wit a female bp. and bps dont get very big only 3-5 ft. ive seen a huge bp but they are very thick and not too long. and if im not mistaken snakes dont have emotions just some snakes dont like humans soo then you will have a very snappy mean snake. and snakes grow on how much you feed them they eat mice then rats on how big they are . soo i would feed a bp once a week

[cheryls]

Hi blakesmom...

I'm Lydia's Mom and this happened to me 2 years ago! Lydia got a snake for her 16th birthday (she's rather have that than a party) and I really didn't like snakes. This forum is awesome!

Now that she's gone away to college, Dakota was left to me for care. It's actually quite fun, slightly addicting - you really have to make sure you're doing it right - and very exciting once you start understanding and handling your snake.

Our bp is very calm - never found out if it's a male or a female. Dakota has never struck at anyone. He's 2 years old now and really not that big, but quite beautiful.

We got him very young and never had a problem. Just let him settle for a week when we brought him home and since then, he's eaten weekly sheds well - and really doesn't even poop once a week!

They really don't have emotions, but what happens is you begin to project yours onto the snake - thinking he really cares about you, etc. Really you're just caring about your snake.

Go for it! You'll love it!

Cheryl

[k1ingdomKaa]

im 15 and just got one, i love it as a pet!!!

[Morphie]

BP are great as beginner snakes - they're cute, mellow (usually), forgiving, and pretty to look at.

This forum is helpful because the members can help point you in the direction of a well-established eater with a good disposition (or at least someone who is trustworthy enough to believe when they say they'll sell you one).

Normal youngsters aren't too expensive, and adult males are also rather easy on the old wallet if you're looking for something full grown.

If your snake-owner is a responsible and relatively intelligent individual with a true interest in providing for a snake, then there's no reason *not* to have a BP

[BPGirl]

Ball pythons are awesome snakes and especially good for beginners. I got my first when I was seven. Hatchlings are often pretty snappy but calm down as they get older, which is why I prefer holding the older ones. Tempermants between males and females are pretty much the same and every snake has its own personality. As far as cage setup, a 20 gallon aquarium with lots of places for them to hide is fine as long as you can keep the temp and humidity right. You dont want to use heat rocks because they will burn themsleves. We feed about once a week and i think its MUCH easier when they are eating frozen thawed rather than live, cuz you dont have to worry about going to the petstore once a week to buy a rat. Ball pythons are great pets and this is a great site to get info off of, and there are tons of people willing to help. Good luck.