Quick question about stress..

Hello all. Recently, I've been thinking a lot about buying a ball python, and have a few quick questions. I owned a black ratsnake for seven years and she passed away not too long ago, so I've wanted to get another snake... and I've heard BPs can be a lot more delicate than ratsnakes.
So, I bought a 35 g terrarium, got a new heating system and more lights, and I'm trying to find the best location for my tank. I used to keep my ratsnake in my livingroom, but I wonder if that'd be okay for a ball python.

Basically, the question is: how much do external stimuli bother ball pythons? I don't have a lot of visitors or loud noise in my house, but I am constantly in and out, and if I play music in my room, that can be heard through the walls. Would this stress the snake out?

As long as you keep the snake feeling secure by offering good snug hides and lots of terrarium clutter (since a 35gal is way too big for a baby ball python), your new snake should be fine. Just be on the lookout for the snake to go off feed. If it stops eating, then it's stressed.

The only reason I've bought a larger tank is that I'm not looking at buying a baby. I'm probably going to buy a year-old from a breeder, but if I do get a young snake, I'll be dividing the terrarium. :) Thank you for your help!

A hiding ball is usually a happy ball so going in and out of the house should be ok. I would recommend blacking out the two sides and the back of the terrarium to help provide extra security. There are cheaper ways of doing it but I like these, I believe they have different backgrounds.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...uctId=10939504

My ball has two snug hides and is blocked out along the back with one of those cheesy aquarium backgrounds. He's secure and happy in those tight spaces, although I am looking at maybe adding some more clutter for him to hang out in.

To be honest with you, you going in and out of the room shouldn't faze a ball. Mine are in my bedroom, on the wall next to my bathroom, so I am in and out of there a dozen or more times in a day. They don't care.

Vibration might cause a problem, it depends on the snake. If you do choose to get a larger ball python, try to find one from a breeder who has a fairly busy lifestyle and whose snakes are used to a bit of commotion and you should be fine. I guess that would translate to, buying a ball python from someone who lives in a large rural house with no kids and no other pets around and who doesn't talk above a whisper is not going to be the best choice for you. Buying from a breeder who has a dedicated snake room in their house to keep barking dogs and screaming kids from flipping over tubs and whose neighbor has a garage band is going to be more of a fit for you. :D

Gale