Help! My teenager wants a snake!!

Hi there, and welcome to the forums!

I agree that Ball Pythons are great pets. My advice to you would be to carefully read the Ball Python Care Sheet here on this site, and to read through the various posts featuring questions from other members. Often this can be very educational, and it might help you learn from other peoples mistakes, concerns and questions.

I would also suggest you have your son sit down and carefully read about Ball Pythons, either by reviewing the care sheet here on this site or by buying one of the excellent books available on the species.

Every animal has its own little personality. It has been said that babies tend to be skittish and snappy, but mine is very calm and has never bitten or even made an aggressive move towards anybody. He is also alert and interactive when being handled. The longer you have them, the better you can 'read' them, just like any pet. I also am of the opinion that animals, snakes included, do have emotions - although I reserve judgment as to the full depth of their emotional scale. I don't claim it to be on the same level as a human (or even recognizable by human standards) but I won't rule out the possibility it exists on some level. As you might guess, this is a case of debate within the herp community. ;)

Keep in mind that Ball Pythons are nocturnal and won't be active during the day. In the daytime they curl up in their little hides and only come out at night. If you are looking for a snake that is more active during the day, you may like to look at corn snakes. There is a good care sheet about them on this site too.

As with any animal you plan to take into your home as a pet, it is vital that you fully understand its care needs and be able to provide for them. In addition to the enclosure setup (tank/bin, heating pad, thermostat to regulate the temp of the heating pad, light/ceramic heat emitter, substrate (ground covering), hides, water bowl, food, etc.), there is also the possibility of future vet visits and bills. Make sure your son understands the financial costs and is willing to commit to the responsibility of helping pay for the expenses.

As for gender; I bought a male, because they grow 3-3.5', whereas females grow 3.5-4' (sometimes larger).

I hope this helps. Please have your son visit this site to look around too! Ball Pythons can live from 20-30 years in captivity, so it is entirely possible that the BP he gets will be around to play with his own children one day. It is important he learns all he can about them! They do make wonderful pets and are quite simple to care for, once you understand how. Good luck!

I think the best decision you and your teenager are making is to take the time to do the research first. Many just rush to buy a snake off craigslist or a pet store and then find out it wasn't perhaps the best decision or best snake for them. I'm glad your family is choosing a better way. :)

I would suggest you and your son sit down and talk about what he wants from a snake as a pet. If he likes snakes that he can handle a lot and that are very active to watch....a ball python would not be the best snake for him. If he prefers a snake that is slower moving, that he can sit quietly with...then a ball python could be a great choice for him. Then comes decisions about where to get the snake from, how to house it, where to get it's food from, etc.

Much of the husbandry questions you can find answers/options in our many threads here. If you prefer to feed frozen/thawed then make sure and purchase a snake already started on that method of feeding (far easier on you than converting one over from another feeding style).

Lastly, where to purchase and what age and gender to get. Males do stay smaller than females usually but neither are particularily huge snakes. My largest female BP, for instance, is just about 5 feet in length and weighs just over 3,200 grams. She's a handfull for a small child but my teenagers handle her quite easily. We do have a standing house rule that no snake goes around any of our kid's necks...it's just our way.

I would suggest a well started 07 hatched snake. You could find 07's in pet stores but I'd advise against it. While it's very convenient to run out and buy the snake now, often you pay for that in the pure hassle of dealing with a poorly cared for pet store imported baby. Sometimes they come with mites or other health issues. If you are blessed to have a top notch specialty reptile store near you that's another matter but most chain stores do not care for their snakes properly and you end up buying their "problems".

There are a number of reputable snake breeders, many who frequent this site, that can instead sell you the exact snake that will fit your family. They will take the time to discuss with you what gender you want, feeding methods, give you the snake's hatch date, feeding records, etc. Many have normal (non-morph) males that make absolutely excellent pet snakes and are very reasonably priced. A good breeder will be there to help you long after your purchase is home and tucked in it's enclosure. For a first time owner, I'd always suggest going with a good breeder over a pet store.

I think as a mom the most important part of allowing my kids to have their own snakes was that they understood the snake was not a "cool toy" to show off to friends or a puppy to be constantly played with. Through our snakes they've all learned to respect and understand a very different type of creature, to be fascinated with the beauty of snakes and what they are but most importantly what they are not. They've learned how predators and prey depend on each other and how the natural world can live within our home. It's been a wonderful journey for our whole family. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bonheki

well noo offence to anyone who likes ballpythons but they are mostly just for morph colors i think they dont doo much just stay their when you play with them .

---

I dont follow, i have morphs and normals and love them all the same.:gj::salute:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by juddb

I dont follow, i have morphs and normals and love them all the same.:gj::salute:

---

Ditto - and i picked my first BP (normal) out of several other species of snake that were also available. I thought the BP was more attractive, a manageable size as an adult, and fun to hold. I didn't even know about "morphs" when i got him.

Morphs might make ball pythons even more fun, but *ball pythons* are what make ball pythons the incredible animals they already are. :snake::snake::snake:

Everytime I look at each of my normal looking BP's, I have to gasp, look them all over, and gush over how beautiful they are, and how more beautiful they will be down the road. I think our prettiest girl is our WC, Ashe. She has these beautiful deep red tones to her, starting at her head, and gradually fading down the side. She's got these big puppy dog eyes to her, and she is the largest big mamma we have.

We have an amazing spider, a hott orange ghost, a beautiful pastel and a stunning albino. We have a crazy bright corn, and my dark sumatran, and my creamy mocha boy sumatran. Yet, EACH of these animals get's the same exact response from me. Pure awe. (followed by a squeel of joy)

I have a normal male with an awesome reduced pattern, with the "spider" highlight along the spine. A normal girl has a large wide black marking down her spine. A boy with high gold and deep black patterns, another normal boy with crazy flames and a head spot.

Everytime I open their tub, I meet them all over again for the first time. And I am so happy to have each and everyone of their personalities with us everyday. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bonheki

well noo offence to anyone who likes ballpythons but they are mostly just for morph colors i think they dont doo much just stay their when you play with them . i dont mind people having them just a thought .and snakes are good pets .you just have to tame them down some. ball pythons i dont have one but i played with some they are prolly the most calmest snake i ever and i would give the bp a fish tank a 10 gall or 20 gall with cypress mulch,some hides, fake plants, waterbowl, and a heat pad or a basketing light

---

what exactly do you want a snake to do when you play with them? Purr like a kitten, bark like a dog, wag it's tale? It's not going to happen.............."ball pythons are just for morphs", what does that mean?