Wanting a Ball Python

Hey all, new guy here. Let me give a little background. I'm 25 years old and have been researching pythons lately. In the past I have had corn and king snakes but they were to agressive for my liking, especially the king. So all the reading I have done leads me to beleive that the BP's are the most mild tempered. Is this true? I'm really curious if any BP owners here have been attacked by their snake. I'm looking for something thats going to be mellow and not snappy if you know what I mean.

The other question I have is whether this would be a big enough viv for a full grown ball. I will probably get a baby but want something that will sustain it for life...this is what I was looking at:

HERE

also, would you reccomend putting 2 heat lamps, 1 on each side? and what wattage bulb?I know it will need a heating pad underneath. Also is it best to feed them in a seperate space? I hear this makes them less likely to attack you when you put your hands in the cage. True? I really appreciate any feedback on this and any other information you may have to offer which may help me in my new snake endeavors. THANKS!

Hi.. welcome!

First I'd recommend you read our care sheet. It details most aspects of ball python husbandry:

http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=52

As far as temperament.. there are aggressive snakes of every species, even ball pythons! That said, your average ball python is very docile, prefering to ball up rather than bite. Usually babies are the most likely to strike (though sometimes this is just a bluff and they don't even open their mouth!) because they are scared, but once they learn to trust you, 99% will be very docile.

I have never been bitten by my ball python.

The size of that cage is fine for an adult BP (typically you want a 3' long by 15-18" wide enclosure for an adult) however, a large cage is actually stressful for a baby BP, larger cages are also harder to heat and keep humidity in.

If you must use a large cage you have to provide LOTS of dark, tight, secure hides for your baby. BPs are very shy, and likely will not eat if thrown into a large cage with not many places to hide.

I do not like heat lamps for the fact that they kill humidity. I much prefer under tank heaters (such as flexwatt) I have 24 snakes and no heat lamps.. all under tank heat! You MUST have a thermostat to control the heater.. without one the heater will get too hot and burn your snake.

I do not feed any of my snakes in a separate enclosure. I would not recommend this with a ball python anyway, since they are such shy and finicky eaters, you will have a tougher time that way! As long as you open the cage occasionally for something other than food time (which you should if you're cleaning the cage and handling) you will have no problems with feeding.

Hope that helps :)

thanks so much for the quick reply. It sounds like the bp is for me then :) So if you reach in the cage and the snake balls up, do you leave it be? or pick it up anyway? Thats interesting what you say about the feeding because someone at the pet store told me he takes his out and puts it in a paper bag for feeding and thats supposedly better. I just thought i'd get on here and get some more feedback from people besides the pet store clerks. I've read through many threads here and at reptileforums.com...many of you have absolutely beutiful snakes. thanks again for the replies.

If you get a baby, it will likely ball up whenever you go to pick it up at first. When you first get the snake, it's important to wait one full week after you get it before you start handling. Then you feed it, and if it eats, don't handle for 48 hours after the meal (this is something you always do) if you handle before the 48 hours, there is a risk of regurgitation which is highly unhealthy.

Anyway, after the week and the feed, start handling just for short periods. Perhaps 15 minutes a day. Just sit still with the snake and let him/her relax and learn to trust you. Before you know it, the snake will be crawling all over, exploring.

EDIT: oh and there is nothing about feeding in a paper bag that is 'better'. I have one snake who will ONLY eat in a bag, but that's just her picky sand boa self. Typically, feed in the cage, at night. I leave the rat in the doorway of the hiding spot the snake is currently occupying. Some of my snakes grab the rat right off the tongs too.

i really want to help ya that cage seem fine for a bp but as far as fullgrown alll bp's have their own full grown lents and thats not big enough to keep some of the bigger sizes of snakes and fo that price u can get a larger 40 gallon aquarium and a screen top and lamp for a bit less than the price of that vivarium on ebay u posted and a 40 gallon can house full grown bp's even the big big females pushing 6-7 feet and as far as how docile i have 2 ball pythons and both are very docile and after a while i have come to trust them enough to let my little sister hold them so pretty docile and also about a small snake being stressed out in a large tank i can happen but not so much the big tank as the big open spaces in it as long as there are many pretty snug fitting hides it will be ok in any size tank

shelby i just took a look at ur gallery and im really impressed you're a very talented photographer. very very kool

Ninjapython - thank you. I love taking pics of my snakes.

Also.. ball pythons do not grow 6-7'. A big female will top 5', but 6' and beyond would be a true monster. A 3' long cage is fine even for the largest of females.

thanks again for the replys. So I think I have it covered...if I get a baby and put it in that cage make sure there are lots of snug hiding places. so there doesnt seem to be a consensus on using heat lamps? Guess its just a matter of preferance or whatever works best? somebody on another board mentioned that cage would be no good as is because the screen top would let out too much humidity. any ideas there? Basically if the heating pads get it to the proper temp on their own then I suppose there is no real need for the lamps...well, I'm glad I didnt just impulsively get one without talking to you all. I think I will slowly purchase all the materials needed (as i can afford it) and when I have the full set up I can go snake shopping :) in the pet store they had a "childrens python" too...do these have the same temperment/max size/etc.?

Another alternative is tubs. In fact, I'm breaking down my 20 gallon long right now and moving Kashmire into a tub and then all my kids will be tub and rack kids.


I was misting 3 x a day to keep Kash's humidity up and he fasted for 4 1/2 months early in the fall and he's on another 3 month fast. None of my tub or rack kids have missed a meal, except when in shed - and some don't even miss then.

I may be wrong - but I'm convinced that Kash just doesn't feel secure enough in his tank, so I'm done with it! LOL

Hopefully he'll settle in over the next week and eat next week for me, I'm starting to get worried about him. Compared to the eating ones, he just seems so thin.

Welcome to the site - and good job on doing your research. The one thing no one mentioned - all ball pythons should come with a warning - Ball pythons are known to be addictive. Kashmire was intended to be my only ball python as a pet. As I learned about the different color and pattern morphs, I knew that I also would like to own some of them some day, so I am in the midst of building my small breeding colony. By the end of the summer, I should have it complete and then settle into the next few years of raising them!

Again - welcome!

so yours you just keep in those big plastic storage tubs? Like the kind of ones you slide underneath the bed or whatever? That would be a cheap alternative but I'd kinda like something presentable if you know what I mean...so you just cut holes in the top of the tub and call it good? Maybe a picture would be helpful if you dont mind (or maybe there is already something floating around the forums I could look at?) Thanks for the welcoming and reply's...this seems like a great little community here :)