Convince my Parents to let my get a Ball Python?

Hi! I really love reptiles and so far have a crested gecko! I plan on getting more and a ball python is one of the ones I am in love with! My parents, dad in particular, think snakes are evil and that God stole their legs... He thinks they are mean and bite at any chance, even though I held one in front of him at a petstore and, surprise surprise, no bites. How can I convince my dad they aren't evil and that they won't strangle me in my sleep? Thanks in advance! (My mom also doesn't want me to be known as a weirdo for having a snake)

Maybe cute snake videos ?? And explain to him that they are very docile and sweet. My mother is a very religious person, when I convinced her I told her no one can control what they are and what they look like before they are born, so why judge based on appearance? That argument worked well haha.


But please remember to respect your parent's wishes, no means no. Don't bug them about a snake if they say their final answer is no. If its a no, remember that you can always get one when you move out.

Very seriously, with what you are describing, you will do much better to wait until you are responsible for yourself, in your own place, to have a snake. In your parents' home, it's your parents' rules, values and beliefs. Enjoy your gecko, hang out here and learn all about BPs. And save some money. You'll be so ready and give a great life to a BP friend.

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Originally Posted by ntaylor7746

Hi! I really love reptiles and so far have a crested gecko! I plan on getting more and a ball python is one of the ones I am in love with! My parents, dad in particular, think snakes are evil and that God stole their legs... He thinks they are mean and bite at any chance, even though I held one in front of him at a petstore and, surprise surprise, no bites. How can I convince my dad they aren't evil and that they won't strangle me in my sleep? Thanks in advance! (My mom also doesn't want me to be known as a weirdo for having a snake)

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Bottom line is you probably wont. Sounds like your parents are very religious and highly against snakes. I doubt you are going to change his perception. Best bet is to move out and get your own place or wait until you are old enough and stable enough to have your own place and can afford to take care of one.

Coming from a religious family myself I know where you're coming from. However I'm sorry to say that you may have to wait. As long as you are under your parent's roof it's unlikely they will compromise their views on snakes and because you're not an adult, they will most likely be even more firm.

When I was in my early teens, no matter how much I tried to reason with them they were still stubbornly insisting snakes were the devil's creature. They kept this belief for several years and I never got a ball python while under their care. Frankly they won't take your difference in opinion to heart for some time. And realistically speaking, probably not until you've been living on your own.

It sucks to wait that long, but it will be far easier and cause less friction in the long run. A ball python will live with you for 30 years. Wait until you have the independence so everything goes smoothly without any obstacles :)

Now that I'm married, moved out and entered my 30's they are far more accepting and reasonable about their previous stigma. They even think bp's are cute and say they are looking forward to their new "grandson" :p

I agree with the others. My family is religious (as am I) but my parents don't think snakes are evil, they are just plain scared of them (now, my grandmother is another story all together lol).

The only reptile I had while still living with my parents was a crested gecko (since they don't even need bugs, which my parents wouldn't allow). I didn't get my first snakes until I was out of college, had a full-time job, and was married. It took me a while, but I am glad I waited to get snakes...I lived in apartments for a while and college dorms and neither of those tend to allow snakes, so I would have had to rehome them anyway, had I managed to convince my parents.

In your situation, I'd agree and say wait it out.... Maybe even until after college (unless you live in a pet friendly apartment complex during college).

It may stink that your parents feel that way, but as was said above, their house their rules. So just be patient, learn, and save $$ so that when you do get one, you will know everything you need to know and have the money to get a proper setup and nice BP morph.