Questions.

Hello everyone,

I would really love to own a Ball Python for myself, but I still have some convincing to do. (My mother says they are pointless creatures because they have no emotions). I have been doing A LOT of research over the past few months, but I still have some questions...

1) How often does a Ball Python poop, and how big is it?

2) What exactly is urate, and how big is it?

3) What is scale rot, and how is it caused?

4) Can I keep a Ball Python in the same enclosure for its entire lifespan, as in starting it in a 30g or bigger??

5) UTHs - Do they go under the substrate, or under the entire cage?

6) How many snakes should be owned before I start to breed their food (mice, rats, etc..)?

7) My parents and divorced, and I switch from house to house every week, so is it okay to be away from a Ball Python for one week, every other week?

8) How do I find out about Reptile Shows in my area?

9) How long is the longest that a Ball Python can be kept out of its cage before having to be put back in?

10) What is the WORST part about being a Ball Python owner?


Answers would be greatly appreciated, as well as pictures for for numbers 1-3

Thank you to anyone who helps :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by NicolasWSOP

Hello everyone,

I would really love to own a Ball Python for myself, but I still have some convincing to do. (My mother says they are pointless creatures because they have no emotions). I have been doing A LOT of research over the past few months, but I still have some questions...

1) How often does a Ball Python poop, and how big is it?

2) What exactly is urate, and how big is it?

3) What is scale rot, and how is it caused?

4) Can I keep a Ball Python in the same enclosure for its entire lifespan, as in starting it in a 30g or bigger??

5) UTHs - Do they go under the substrate, or under the entire cage?

6) How many snakes should be owned before I start to breed their food (mice, rats, etc..)?

7) My parents and divorced, and I switch from house to house every week, so is it okay to be away from a Ball Python for one week, every other week?

8) How do I find out about Reptile Shows in my area?

9) How long is the longest that a Ball Python can be kept out of its cage before having to be put back in?

10) What is the WORST part about being a Ball Python owner?


Answers would be greatly appreciated, as well as pictures for for numbers 1-3

Thank you to anyone who helps :)

---

I'll give this a try. Make sure you search first because all of your answers have been already discussed, but I'll make it easy for you since I was once in your shoes. lol

1. No exact times, depends on food size I would assume. But it does smell horrible and the bigger the snake the worse it gets.

2. Urate is solid urine, looks like white poop. About the same size as poop or smaller.

3. Not exactly sure myself, someone is bound to be able to elaborate.

4. I would assume but not suggested I think. I keep my 2 hatchlings in 19 quart rubbermaid tubs to keep the temps/humidity more in check. The recommended maximum tank size is a 30 long. Which is roughly 4x2x1

5. Just the way they sound Under Tank Heater. Under the tank which is also under the substrate. lol.

6. I would suggest many because rodents can get out of hand quick unless you separate them, but assuming they have 6 pups, you have to wait a week or 2 (I would have to consult my sleeping fiancee to get the exact numbers) before they would be of useful (feeding) size. Well if your snake goes on a fasting streak for many weeks the prey may be too big for him after that...then you are stuck with pets that you have to feed.

7. They are fine not being delt with for weeks. After re-doing my husbandry I couldn't play with mine for 7-10 days so that's not an issue.

8. Kinda like scale rot, not sure about that one either.

9. Why would you keep him out for an extended period of time? To wander around the house? I would assume as long as you keep an eye on them it wouldn't matter, my buddy lets his crawl around his livingroom and it just curls up in front of the gas heater.

10. There isn't anything bad about it! It is rewarding to fail (like I did) and have something exciting happen like them eat on their own for the first time (go read "Breaking the Habit" my thread about assist feeding).

They have no emotion and that is a plus to most people, no whining, no crying, no barking...they are silent, peaceful animals. wonderful.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NicolasWSOP

Hello everyone,

I would really love to own a Ball Python for myself, but I still have some convincing to do. (My mother says they are pointless creatures because they have no emotions). I have been doing A LOT of research over the past few months, but I still have some questions...

1) How often does a Ball Python poop, and how big is it?

2) What exactly is urate, and how big is it?

3) What is scale rot, and how is it caused?

4) Can I keep a Ball Python in the same enclosure for its entire lifespan, as in starting it in a 30g or bigger??

5) UTHs - Do they go under the substrate, or under the entire cage?

6) How many snakes should be owned before I start to breed their food (mice, rats, etc..)?

7) My parents and divorced, and I switch from house to house every week, so is it okay to be away from a Ball Python for one week, every other week?

8) How do I find out about Reptile Shows in my area?

9) How long is the longest that a Ball Python can be kept out of its cage before having to be put back in?

10) What is the WORST part about being a Ball Python owner?


Answers would be greatly appreciated, as well as pictures for for numbers 1-3

Thank you to anyone who helps :)

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1. They are on a schedule of their own here's a thread
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ht=poop&page=1

2.urates are a yellowish chalky white, they also put out urine also

3.Scale rot can be caused from diff things, unclean cages etc. here is a thread
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ghlight=urates

4.enclosures if getting a tank a 10 gal to start some say they do well in a 20 gal for their adult life.

5. Uth's are attached to the underside of tank

6. It depends, are you going to feed live or f/t?

7. Yes a week gone is fine, just make sure it has fresh water, and all husbandry is spot on.

8. Where do you live?

9. This really depends on the BP, I've got one I can only keep out for 10 minutes, my other 2 I can keep out for like 2 hrs

Thank you for the help :)


If I eventually own a Ball Python of my own, I would feed live.
I live in the Los Angeles area.

I forgot

10. I can't think of a worst part, you may have challenges as with any pet.

You just missed the Panoma show earlier this month, but I'm sure there will be more, We have quite a few members out in Ca who will help out with show dates, be sure to check the events calender also :).

In regards to breeding feed, I have a great rat guy that I buy feed from, what would normally cost $54 for three weeks of feeders for three snakes costs me $9.00.

i could think of the worst part of being a single BP owner.....
its very addicting!!! i want more :D

now i know i don't know much bu this is the way i always look at it

snake:
1. eats once or twice a week.
2. poops like once a month.
3. tank clean up is easy.
4. they don't bark,whine,cry,pee or poop on carpet,scatch the furnature,tear down the drapes,climb all over the counters when trying to make sandwiches, take half the bed up when trying to sleep,chew up your favorite shoes you see where i'm getting at... did i miss anything?

Thank you everyone for the help :)