Temperament? Can't decide if I should get a BP!

I did a site search and didn't really find what I was looking for...

I know every animal is different and each will have a different personality but speaking in generalities, what is a BP's temperament like? I've only ever had a corn snake so that's all I have to compare to. She was sweet as pie, never once nipped or bit me from day one even though she was a tiny, 7g baby.

I've read about BP requirements and I think I can handle it. I have multiple hermit crab tanks and you have to be pretty spot on with their heat/humidity so I'm used to dealing with that.

I'm just so torn!! I've been lurking this site all day for info and it's just making the decision harder. I can't decide if I should get a BP or another Corn to replace the one I lost.

I would describe my ball python as quite docile. He sits in his hide most of the day, and if I let him cruise around my living room, he'll slowly try to slither to a hiding place. He is very easy to handle. I recently got my cousin to touch him and then hold him! She was surprised by how soft he was, and since he's so mellow and slow, she could hold him without getting panicky :)

See? That's what I'm looking for! A snake that I can handle without it getting too stressed out. I wouldn't overly handle it, but I'm really new to snakes. I only had my corn about a month and a half before she passed (regurge and food refusals) and when I first got her I was admittedly a little scared. So I'm really looking for an easy-going snake.

Your snake sounds perfect :P

He is pretty easy, but the husbandry can take a little practice.

As with any animal you as an owner need to learn to respect and read them. I have owned a few ball pythons and some tolerate being handled more then others. Just like me and you, they too also have bad days and sometimes want to be left alone. It is up to you as the keeper to understand that and to give them the respect and space they need.

Overall to be a bit more specific to your question, I would say that ball pythons have a very docile disposition. They all, for the most part, seem to tolerate handling quite well. But compared to a corn snake the husbandry is a fair bit more complicated. As I tell every new reptile owner, is to just be patient. Don't let the acquisition fever take complete hold over you. If you decided to go forward with a ball python, ensure you get a proper cage, heating elements, humidity and all other essential items in place and set before you actually purchase one. Trial n error while they snake is in your care is not ideal.

Either way you go, both the corn or ball pythons are great choices. Feel free to ask questions and post your comments/questions/concerns. One thing I have learned about this community is that we all truly support each other, and non of us want to see someone else with a passion for these animals to fail.

Best of luck! You will do great.

Greg

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Originally Posted by EasiGregory

As with any animal you as an owner need to learn to respect and read them. I have owned a few ball pythons and some tolerate being handled more then others. Just like me and you, they too also have bad days and sometimes want to be left alone. It is up to you as the keeper to understand that and to give them the respect and space they need.

Overall to be a bit more specific to your question, I would say that ball pythons have a very docile disposition. They all, for the most part, seem to tolerate handling quite well. But compared to a corn snake the husbandry is a fair bit more complicated. As I tell every new reptile owner, is to just be patient. Don't let the acquisition fever take complete hold over you. If you decided to go forward with a ball python, ensure you get a proper cage, heating elements, humidity and all other essential items in place and set before you actually purchase one. Trial n error while they snake is in your care is not ideal.

Either way you go, both the corn or ball pythons are great choices. Feel free to ask questions and post your comments/questions/concerns. One thing I have learned about this community is that we all truly support each other, and non of us want to see someone else with a passion for these animals to fail.

Best of luck! You will do great.

Greg

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Thank you so much for your kind reply. I'm already enjoying it here on this forum. :)

I think I've decided I might get one of each. I already have the setup for the corn and since I have to wait until better weather for shipping from a breeder, it'll give me time to get a set up for a BP.

As far as a setup for a BP, is there a guide on here? I know they have specific heat/humidity requirements from the little research I've done. I have a lot of extra supplies hanging around here (heat mats, heat lamps etc.). The only thing I'm really unsure about with a BP is an enclosure.

This should get you started :)

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

Generally it is easier to obtain a glass tank to house them in. These can be a bit of a pain to keep humidity up as well as provide a secure environment. Needless to say that a 20g wide with a secure top would suffice nicely. I do believe that racks are the more preferred method of keeping BPs. But this usually pertains to people keep more then just one and are also used widely by breeders. Since you are looking to keep multiple snakes a rack may suite you better in the long run.

Greg

I do already have a 20g with a locking lid that I kept my corn in. I found a good breeder an hour away from me. I think I'm going to try and set up the tank and see if I can get the parameters right before I go visit him.

The one thing I'm confused about is the temp probes. From what I've seen here they tape the probe from the thermostat to the bottom of the tank and put the uth on top of it... and then put a thermometer with probe in the tank, under the sub and right over the uth...

Why both? I don't really get that.

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Originally Posted by hazzaram

Why both? I don't really get that.

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Because equipment can malfunction. The thermometer is to make sure your thermostat is doing its job. You could also just get a temperature gun instead of having a thermometer in the tank.

Hiii and :welcome:

The probe under the UTH between it and the tank is for a thermostat, which is pretty necessary and will regulate your UTH. While the one under the substrate is sort of a double check for what the temps are on that side of the glass.

I love my baby BP (6 months old ish) but the other guys are right it does take quite a bit to keep the husbandry OK sometimes. I enjoy her quite a bit and she is much more chill than any corns I have held (but I have never owned one so maybe they were just uncomfortable with me IDK). Mine is currently in a 20 gallon long, but will need to be upgraded either to a suitable rack or a min of a 40 gal tank eventually. But some babies are too uncomfortable in big tanks to just start out that way. Sorry if too much info for meow and my :blahblah:. Welcome to the BP bug!