Thinking about getting one ... What do I need?

Hello everyone,

I am new to the site and ball pythons. I am thinking about getting one but I just wanted to ask you guys what I definitely need and any advice you could give me so that I can make an educated decision. A few questions that I can think of right off the bat are:

1) I noticed that there are several kinds of ball pythons ranging in price from $40 to $4000+. Any kinds that I should avoid? Are some more calm and friendly then others?

2) Is it typically bad to get them from stores like PetSmart etc?

3) If I went on a week vacation could it handle that without anyone there?

4) I am a little nervous about feeding them. How often do they eat? I've been reading that it's not too unusual for them to fast for a while and that's okay as long as they don't loose too much weight. Do I need a special scale or anything or do I just use like a bathroom scale lol?

I would appreciate it if you guys could address my concerns and give me any advice. I think that they're awesome, but I can't spend a fortune and I want to make sure that I can treat it right if I get one.

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Originally Posted by Orange Sunshine

Hello everyone,

I am new to the site and ball pythons. I am thinking about getting one but I just wanted to ask you guys what I definitely need and any advice you could give me so that I can make an educated decision. A few questions that I can think of right off the bat are:

1) I noticed that there are several kinds of ball pythons ranging in price from $40 to $4000+. Any kinds that I should avoid? Are some more calm and friendly then others?

Temperament is generally the same among morphs. Each snake has its own individual personality. The only difference is the color/genetics.


2) Is it typically bad to get them from stores like PetSmart etc?

Depends on your petsmart. They jack up prices though, so I would avoid it and try to find a local breeder or order online.

3) If I went on a week vacation could it handle that without anyone there?

Yes. There is a good bit of info about this on the forum, but I believe the general advice is to withhold food after a poo until the day before you leave, so that there will be little mess in the enclosure.

4) I am a little nervous about feeding them. How often do they eat? I've been reading that it's not too unusual for them to fast for a while and that's okay as long as they don't loose too much weight. Do I need a special scale or anything or do I just use like a bathroom scale lol?

Every 5-7 days. Get a gram scale.

I would appreciate it if you guys could address my concerns and give me any advice. I think that they're awesome, but I can't spend a fortune and I want to make sure that I can treat it right if I get one.

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Okay cool, I appreciate the help! Could you point me in the right direction for online ordering? Also is it typically okay to get the enclosures, food, tank accessories from pet stores? Finally, what exactly do I need from day 1? What size tank? Heating pad? Sticks? What do you recommend? If I get one I don't want to deprive it of something it needs. If I can afford to spoil it I will, but what is absolutely necessary and what are some cool things I could get if money permits? Sorry for all of the questions, but I really want to know my stuff and not find out I did something horribly wrong after it's too late. I would never forgive myself.

Welcome to BP.net :colbert2:

Orange sunshine, from fl?

My basic list of needs:
20 gallon long tank (will be able to live in this size of tank for a while) with screen top and clips if its not a sliding screen top.
heating pad with some type of temp. control device (rheostat or thermostat)
2 identical hides
water bowl
bedding (I use aspen, avoid anything with pine or ceder in it)
thermometer/hygrometer (got a duel temp one with built in hygrometer at walmart for like $9)
And you can choose to decorate the cage with fake plants (check out a hobby store or even walmart's fake plants) and sticks are fine but make sure to treat it for bugs. They don't need it though since they are terrestrial (live on the ground) and not arboreal so are kinda clumsy.

Good place to start, you can find most of the answers to your questions here: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

If you're a visual person like me check out THIS THREAD from SGB_74. It was really helpful for me...

...or if your interested in an option for a glass enclosure, I made a quick video of how I did ours. I actually use a bigger Ultratherm heatpad and the black hide boxes from Reptile basics now so that ist he only thing I have changed since doing this video. Everything else is still the same. Nibs is growing and in shed again, so this setup is working out really well for me so far.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5Sqzd9-HjI

I do want to add that the room temp stays in the upper 70's and that the video was more to show the glass tank setup but I had to brag a little on the changing table because it works and was my wife's idea...80)

Enclosure size is a bit of an issue the problem there is little snakes often do better in little enclosures and bigger ones in bigger so typically I'd recommend a small tub baby enclosure and then when the hides take over a mid sized tub. (shoe box size 13.25"x8"x4.5" or so... and mid sized 16"x11"x6") Then I personally would switch to a custom reptile enclosure like a vision or boaphile It also spreads the cost out.

You need hides small sized to fit the snake. heat source UTH (under Tank Heaters) are the easiest to begin with you will see flexwatt here a lot which is basically the same but comes in a roll and you have to wire it. It works well but for a single snake is not really practical.

The single MOST important item you MUST have is some sort of regulator. My advise is to buy the best you can I recommend a proportional unit (personally I like herpstat but the others helix and ve ecozone ect... are very good too) They regulate the temp of the heat pad to a constant temp on/off thermostats are 100% power and 0% and under some conditions will generate a spike in temps. Some will say you don't need it as it is overkill but all cold blooded animals temps are dead critical incorrect temps will lead to health issues.

I feel that a controller that you can set and walk away knowing that what you set is what you get is worth the extra cash it is only 110$ and is worth one vet visit.

Temperament is a tricky one I believe it is genetic but is unconnected to colour mutation. Almost no breeders have been breeding temperament with royals I think it is a good idea to get to know the breeder you choose to buy from before you do. talk to them and ask them help in picking out a snake for you. Look for one that is an aggressive feeder and when you handle it it either does not 'ball' up or come out and pokes around quickly.

Reading a snake is quite hard and takes a sharp eye. At the beginning look at the tongue. No tongue flicks is a good indicator of fear. The snake has no interest in its surroundings. A lot of tongue flicks is interest in the smells and things around it. Typically a good sign of a snake that will adjust well.

I don't stop feeding mine when I leave for a week I just give them an extra water dish and make sure things are clean and go. I do have a friend with keys whom keeps an eye on power loss during my absence so he can do something about the heat in case. That is it.

We use a 20 long ATM was $20 at petco on sale and just coevered it with a peice of Plexi with holes drilled in it keeps our temp and humidity great. As for buying at Petco do your research we got ours at petco and were able to contact the breeder and find out the lineage of our snake. The enclosure they were in was set up great heat and temps were great and the snakes were handled properly. How ever 12 miles up the street the other PETCO (the evil one) the snales were stuck in shed with 20% humidity the temp was a little low so I dont buy crap from that store and made a complaint. So I would be a good consumer and frequent or buy from a store that is taking care of the animals. Our Petco is a very nice store Clean with knowledgeable staff who care about the animals but I have seen and heard horro stories about other stores in the chain. BTW we got our snakle a wholesale 24.99 on sale so shop and get a healthy happy snake:) and enjoy him once his personality comes out. We had to name our Peek A Boo he love to play that game:banana:

Robie