Is a ball python right for me?

I'd have to say no.
Some snakes will only eat live and then you are stuck trying to get rid of a snake which is no easy task.

But I understand your delema. I feed my snakes both frozen and live, I have a pair of breeder rats for that purpose. And while I get the whole circle of life thing, I still feel a little bad when I have to grab a cute little ween to feed to one of my picky eaters.

Mine won't eat anything but live. They can be picky. I can't get mine to eat f/t, but feeding live doesn't bother me so much.

IN MY OPINION, I wouldn't give up on a Ball Python :) yes, Balls are known to go off feed, but that seems to be the only thing that discourages people from getting one, and what labels them as an "intermediate" snake. You just have to accept that it's a natural occurrence and will resolve itself over time. And be prepared! Make sure you have a scale so that when it does go off feed you can monitor its weight. They'll go back to eating eventually (unless the reason they're not eating is due to a sickness, then it'll require a vet trip to resolve).

Honestly, if you can handle corn snakes, you can handle a ball python. My first snake, when I was around 16 I think, was a baby corn snake. That thing was quick and nippy! (Obviously since it was so tiny). But when I was younger I was afraid of getting bit. I ended up almost never touching the thing and as it grew it became less tame. That snake made me scared of corn snakes :(

But now, owning several ball pythons has given me the courage and confidence to try my hand at owning a corn snake again. Now that I've been bitten by my snakes I'm not so scared of being bitten by a corn snake, especially a tiny baby one. (Sorry this is kind of irrelevant)

MY POINT IS, ball pythons are great pets and if you're prepared for them to go off feed you and the snake will do fine. Be patient with the snake. And if you have any worries there's always these forums where people are willing to help you out!


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If you really want a ball python then do some research. They are really not that difficult to keep at all. You need to be prepared for the fact that you may one day need to feed live. You have to do what is right for the snake not for yourself. I have not seen anyone tell you anything that you should not already know about keeping ball pythons as pets. I am not an expert but I have been keeping ball pythons since 2008. I am just telling you the facts. I have had ball pythons that used to take f/t and then had to be fed live to keep them eating. You MUST do what is best for the snake, not what you WANT to do.

My 14 year old ball python used to be fed live and switched to frozen/thawed about 6 years ago without problem. He has been feeding steadily on f/t since. Just my personal anecdote.

I fail to see how one animal doing as nature intended is animal abuse, but a human pre killing it, then feeding it, isn't. Sort of like eating a McDonald's hamburger but not knowing it used to be a cow...


Molly & Steve
0.1 normal BP 'Precioucess'
0.1 BCI 'Luna'

Some of the snakes suggested are not exactly what the OP needs/wants I believe. They want a hang around snake that will just chill while you watch TV. My boa, ball, and tree python are not in that category but my bloods are dead on. Maybe a short tail would be a good choice. Stay away from a blood python as they are probably larger than you are wanting. The other two choices are heavy bodied, will eat anything, and are usually like holding a pet rock. My bloods will just stay around my neck or just lay across me as I watch TV. My big girl will hang with me for hours with no complaint.

Young short tails can have a bit of an attitude so maybe a sub adult would be a good fit.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by calmolly1

Sort of like eating a McDonald's hamburger but not knowing it used to be a cow...

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Are you sure they have cow in their meat!?!:D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KMG

Are you sure they have cow in their meat!?!:D

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HAHA! The fact is a bp may not eat f/t it's entire life. If feeding live is something you feel you simply can not do, then it sounds like that is a gamble you are not willing to take. I'm sure everyone here is glad that you have taken the time to research if this is the right pet for you instead of buying one then asking what to do with it. I'm sure the "animal cruelty" question was just that as well, but obviously not a topic you were interested in discussing. I hope that you have taken all things into consideration for what is best for your future pets and for yourself and am sure you will find an animal who's lifestyle fits with yours...

Just another point about boas... if they stop eating f/t rats, which is rather unlikely, you can offer very small/young rabbits, or quail, as feeders.

Calling live feeding inhumane is incredibly naive and selfish. These are carnivores, so they eat meat. What is inhumane about feeding an animal it's natural diet? I don't recommend a python if you want to put YOUR WANTS above your snakes NEEDS.