new to ball pythons

[katieam]

would u reccomend a bp to a semi-begginer? i have just recently gotten rid of a mean tempered little corn (strange, i know) and am looking for a new baby. i was just looking for someone else's opinion on bp's. thanks!

[blackcrystal22]

I personally find them much more enjoyable to handle, calmer and easier to watch. If your looking to buy a morph, they can also be more interesting pattern wise.
I love the color of corns, but they arn't as good for me to handle as my bp. If I feel like handling a snake, I go straight to my ball.

They also get a bit bigger if you like the girth-size more.

On the bad side, they arn't nearly as good feeders as corns. They just usually have more problems and tend to fast. They also are very shy and can have stress related problems if they're in too big of a cage, too open (no covers on a glass cage) or temps aren't perfect. They are a bit more picky about things. :]

[Mochelem]

BP was my first snake when I was 16 and had no clue what I was doing.... They are some of the nicest snakes Ive ever seen I would say 85% of them are melow tempered... Just a rule of thumb I keep for any snake though is, if I own the snake I will eventually get bit.... Its a snake they bite... They dont show loyalty like a dog or cat....

[katieam]

oh im not worried about being bitten i have nice scars from my little corn, so thats not a problem. i am just curious about their specific needs maybe compared to a corn. like their temps and humidity n such. just trying to do some research first.

[blackcrystal22]

oh im not worried about being bitten i have nice scars from my little corn, so thats not a problem. i am just curious about their specific needs maybe compared to a corn. like their temps and humidity n such. just trying to do some research first.

Well first of all, what size enclosure do you want to keep him in? A tub or a tank?
It's not that much more difficult except they are more finicky about humidity and need higher temperatures.

[katieam]

well it would be nice if i could use the 10 gallon that i have, but i dont know if it is too small of not. n it has a wire top so i could just cover the top, cuz i know they need specific humidity levels.

[JayBP]

http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=59

Check that out

[blackcrystal22]

well it would be nice if i could use the 10 gallon that i have, but i dont know if it is too small of not. n it has a wire top so i could just cover the top, cuz i know they need specific humidity levels.

You do a foil treatment and cover the top with foil for humidity. A 10 gallon would be alright for a younger bp as long as you have snug hides and you put construction paper (black or dark) on at least 3 of the sides.
An adult would live in a 20 gallon fine, but a baby in a 20g is asking for disaster..

[katieam]

that website is great! thanks that answered a lot of questions. but a 20 gallon would be ok for an adult bp? i thought you would need something a lot bigger? or would it be a 20 gallon long?

thanks for all the help, i love this forum

[starmom]

I don't use tanks, but I have heard from a lot of members that a 20L is good