Opinion about ball python from a first time snake keeper

Agree completely with redshepherd, I don't believe in the concept of "beginner snakes". I hate when people tell others that they have to "work up" to getting a ball python. No you don't. RESEARCH is vital for any species that you have and I would hope anyone would do as much research on ball pythons as they would a corn snake. If you want a ball python, get a ball python. It's kind of ridiculous IMO when people try to have newbies get a snake that they don't want, just for the sake of experience. Why should someone have to take care of a snake for 15-20 years that they don't even really care about?

Raising a ball python is not difficult. I've never had a reptile before and I got a ball python a few months ago. I did a ton of research beforehand and had her enclosure fully set-up before she arrived. She's been a consistent eater and had a perfect shed a few weeks ago. ANYONE can raise a thriving ball python without prior snake experience as long as you do your research.

There are no "beginner" pets. Meet the animal's living requirements and you're good. Fail and sometimes you are forgiven and sometimes they die.

Personally I feel I could go out and get an emerald tree monitor and keep it alive without much difficulty.

But if you don't invest the time and resources before having your pet, you're going to have a really bad time. There are aspects of reptiles I feel make them extremely easy to care for in comparison to mammals. But there are also aspects that make them much harder to care for. Almost all of that exists because we are keeping them outside of their climate, and in the climate we live in.

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Originally Posted by rock

My wife is really hot but takes forever to get ready when we go places. You have to weigh the pros and cons.

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WHOA!

Where did that come from. LOL

Don't you know...good things are worth waiting for ;)

Where do I start...

Well, yes, poop stinks. Whether it comes out of a snake, dog or cat.

The "smelly" dead rodents might be one of the reasons your snake doesn't eat. If the rodents split or stink that bad in one night, then there was something wrong with them to begin with.
Seems like heating up to fast or to hot.

Snakes NEVER act or feel like dogs. Some people will insist they do. They will insist they need toys (no kidding) know your voice and come running. Normally, believing this is harmless. If you love your snake and take care of it and pretend it loves you back, who am I to rain on your parade. It only gets dangerous when other people believe those "snake whisperers" and think they can have one of those special social loving loyal snakes, too, if only they love it enough.

For me, its enough to love the reptiles for what they are. I don't expect love in return. Love should be selfless. Isn't it enough to have those amazing creatures, so beautiful, so special, such living art, in ones home? To observe and appreciate? Why isn't it enough for some people? Just the fact that these wild creatures can get trusting enough not to bite us every time we pick them up is amazing to me. I don't have to have them wag their tail when I come home. Actually, wagging tail in my blood python would be bad, but I digress..

Its not that a Ball Python is a bad beginner snake. Its a bad snake for being kept in crappy husbandry. Those "other" snakes just tolerate bad husbandry better. Which makes it easier to keep them sub standard. Not a good thing, in my opinion.

I've had Ball Pythons for a quite a long time. I used to do rescue and got some pretty gnarly cases. Imports, diseased, parasite ridden internal and external, RI, scale rot, non feeding, you name it, they had it. Even they would eat once they were set up correctly, their parasites eradicated, their health problems fixed and patience given.

Most captive bred Ball Pythons really aren't much of a problem, IF set up correctly. If you buy a healthy one, from a good breeder, chances are you will have ZERO issues. If you provide what they need. They actually have very few needs. The problem is that some people want to give them TO MUCH. To big of an enclosure, to open, to complicated. Small, simple, lots of privacy, correct heat and humidity. Controlled by thermostat. That is all that is needed and wanted by the snake.

If you happen to get one from a questionable source, and you do everything right, and the snake is not doing well, it might have come with health problems. That is not the snakes fault, really..and most issues can be fixed.

Young Ball Pythons usually have a hearty appetite once they get going, but there comes a time, they will refuse. In nature they have looong breaks between meals. That is how their metabolism is designed. Its actually natural for them.

So if the snake is at a good weight and at good health and everything else checks out and it simply doesn't want to eat. Well, then wait 2 weeks instead of one, or 3 weeks even. Less waste.

Personally I feel privileged to be able to keep such incredible animals in my home.

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Originally Posted by rock

. My wife is really hot but takes forever to get ready when we go places. You have to weigh the pros and cons.

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Im with you bro lol [emoji1362][emoji1360]


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Originally Posted by bcr229

The only reason BP's are suggested for new keepers is because they are docile - though there are some outliers. Otherwise they're not a great snake for a new keeper. If their husbandry isn't perfect they go off food, they spend most of their time hiding, most really don't care to be held or interact with people, etc. The only thing they really have going for them is the "paint jobs".

Personally I steer newbies to corn or king snakes, and then to the smaller locality boas if they later want a small to moderate-size constrictor.

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X's 2 [emoji1360][emoji216]


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Originally Posted by zina10

Where do I start...

For me, its enough to love the reptiles for what they are. I don't expect love in return. Love should be selfless. Isn't it enough to have those amazing creatures, so beautiful, so special, such living art, in ones home? To observe and appreciate? Why isn't it enough for some people? Just the fact that these wild creatures can get trusting enough not to bite us every time we pick them up is amazing to me.

Personally I feel privileged to be able to keep such incredible animals in my home.

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Wow... Thank you Lucy.. Sometimes people need to hear this, myself included. [emoji1362][emoji1317]



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Echoing with what Kira and redshepherd have said, I'm also in disagreement with the concept of 'beginner' snakes. I feel that you shouldn't compromise on a pet you want (within reason) and getting a 'placeholder' pet seems unfair to the animal you're getting for the sake of experience, especially when reptiles in general have a lengthy lifespan.

I think people can own a ball python as their first snake AND do well, BUT they have to really dedicate themselves to the research and not try to look for and insist on shortcuts.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

The only reason BP's are suggested for new keepers is because they are docile - though there are some outliers. Otherwise they're not a great snake for a new keeper. If their husbandry isn't perfect they go off food, they spend most of their time hiding, most really don't care to be held or interact with people, etc. The only thing they really have going for them is the "paint jobs".

Personally I steer newbies to corn or king snakes, and then to the smaller locality boas if they later want a small to moderate-size constrictor.

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I disagree. One of the reasons I love BPs and got into keeping them first is because of their "Couch potatoeness". I find them soothing to interact with, and I get a great deal of joy from each of my animals. Kings and corns might be more visually appealing in an enclosure because they're more active, but they're flighty and can be more nippy when young. I had several friends end up with the same experience: some started out with the recommended king or corn as they were advised and were greatly dissatisfied until moving up to ball pythons, while some others did what I did and just jumped into the ball world from the word go. None of us have had problems because we took the time to figure out what we were doing first. Honestly, red nailed it. The only reason a ball isn't "good" for beginners is because people don't do their research before impulse buying, then have all these expectations without a dang clue about their species. It comes down to what do YOU want out of your pet, and what are you willing to do to get that?

If the only answer is a pretty paint job, then I know a few people who can sell you some real nice pet rocks.

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Originally Posted by Lizardlicks

I disagree. One of the reasons I love BPs and got into keeping them first is because of their "Couch potatoeness". I find them soothing to interact with, and I get a great deal of joy from each of my animals. Kings and corns might be more visually appealing in an enclosure because they're more active, but they're flighty and can be more nippy when young. I had several friends end up with the same experience: some started out with the recommended king or corn as they were advised and were greatly dissatisfied until moving up to ball pythons, while some others did what I did and just jumped into the ball world from the word go. None of us have had problems because we took the time to figure out what we were doing first. Honestly, red nailed it. The only reason a ball isn't "good" for beginners is because people don't do their research before impulse buying, then have all these expectations without a dang clue about their species. It comes down to what do YOU want out of your pet, and what are you willing to do to get that?

If the only answer is a pretty paint job, then I know a few people who can sell you some real nice pet rocks.

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I'd agree with everything you just said !!

Five of my 22 are Royals and they are my favoured handing / relaxing snake plus my go to snake if any or our friends or family are keen to hold one .