Possibly purchasing a young Ball Python this weekend. Need some advice.

Thank you all for the great advice. Glad to see some helpful and nice people on forums. I've run into quite a few mean people on car forums lol. I've wanted a pet snake for as long as I can remember. But my mom hates snakes. But I pulled the "I'm an 18 year old adult now and can fight for our country. But cannot own a Ball Python?" Surprisingly this statement worked haha. I'm checking out the husbandry right now.


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Originally Posted by DMills

Definitely do a lot of browsing on this forum. There are some really great threads on husbandry where you will find useful information on pretty much everything related to setting up a proper enclosure - listen to the opinions of others and decide what works best for you. For example, you mention bedding - some folks will use a cypress mulch, others will go with newspaper or paper towel...it's often a matter of preference. As others have said, proper temps and humidity are KEY. I "rescued" a very malnourished BP about a year ago - she was extremely thin (85 grams at 4 months old), way under fed, kept it cold and dry conditions, had old shed all over her etc. Now she's a 850+g, eats like a champ, absolutely beautiful. Snake keeping is a great and rewarding hobby but BE FOREWARNED - it is ADDICTIVE!! You'll have 3-5 snakes in a year, trust me :) Good luck - happy to see you on hear. Read lots and ask questions. Welcome :)

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Ha 3-5 in a year. im up to 10 ball pythons ,2 corn snakes, 1 columbian rainbow boa,1 bci, 1 hog nose, 1 carpet python, 2 leopard geckos, and a water dragon. i just started my collection at the end of june the beggining of july.

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This is a great forum for info. Even though I've had my girl for 4 yrs I still ask questions and get great answers. A 75 gal is big for a yearling. You can clutter it up with crumpled up news paper, paper towels, a lot of hides 2 water dishes, and decor. Also try to black out all of 3 sides and a good portion of the front. They like security and having the glass blacked out with construction paper, blankets cardboard or anything so you have a small viewing area into the enclosure will make him feel more secure. Also please please please if your mom doesn't like snakes make sure you lock the top (I'm assuming it has a screen top) so he can't escape. I'm very sure she doesn't need or want company while in the bathroom lol. I also second the switching to rats. They have a bit more meat on them and will help him if he needs more nutrition. Also for the first week don't mess with him except to check him and give fresh water. Let him get settled in and calmed down after the move. Good luck with him and post some pics.

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Originally Posted by McNeish

I've wanted a pet snake for as long as I can remember. But my mom hates snakes. But I pulled the "I'm an 18 year old adult now and can fight for our country. But cannot own a Ball Python?" Surprisingly this statement worked haha.

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LOL you're lucky she didn't come back with "My roof, my rules. When you move out you can get one."

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Originally Posted by bcr229

LOL you're lucky she didn't come back with "My roof, my rules. When you move out you can get one."

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It was a pretty risky shot at it haha. My dad was only concerned with price. He didn't want me blowing one or two full paychecks on this. Now he wants to see it feed lol.


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Originally Posted by Phantomtip

This is a great forum for info. Even though I've had my girl for 4 yrs I still ask questions and get great answers. A 75 gal is big for a yearling. You can clutter it up with crumpled up news paper, paper towels, a lot of hides 2 water dishes, and decor. Also try to black out all of 3 sides and a good portion of the front. They like security and having the glass blacked out with construction paper, blankets cardboard or anything so you have a small viewing area into the enclosure will make him feel more secure. Also please please please if your mom doesn't like snakes make sure you lock the top (I'm assuming it has a screen top) so he can't escape. I'm very sure she doesn't need or want company while in the bathroom lol. I also second the switching to rats. They have a bit more meat on them and will help him if he needs more nutrition. Also for the first week don't mess with him except to check him and give fresh water. Let him get settled in and calmed down after the move. Good luck with him and post some pics.

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Thank you for the advice. I'd like to get him as quickly as possible because the owner said he's getting ready to go into shed. So I'd like to get the enclosure at the proper heat and humidity set up before that occurs. Other than that I saw a video of him eating. From the video he looked quite healthy. He was able to strike and constrict the mouse very quickly.


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Buy it, sell the 75g tank on craigslist for 50 bucks - now it's free.

Re-invest the 50 bucks toward a thermostat and a smaller cage. PVC is going to make your life a lot easier than glass.

You're on this site, so you've already taken the first steps to becoming a pro keeper.

Good luck and have fun!

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Originally Posted by MrLang

Buy it, sell the 75g tank on craigslist for 50 bucks - now it's free.

Re-invest the 50 bucks toward a thermostat and a smaller cage. PVC is going to make your life a lot easier than glass.

You're on this site, so you've already taken the first steps to becoming a pro keeper.

Good luck and have fun!

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Agreed :)

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Id say keep the 75gal and just load it with hides. 75gal is still pretty big for a BP but you never know when youll need it again if you get more snakes. 50$ for all of that is a good price, id say keep it in that case.

The 75 gal makes heating a harder issue sometimes... if you keep it I would get a ceramic heat emitter to help depending on the temp of the room it'll be in

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