Are Ball Pythons Good Beginner Snakes?

Pretty much just wanna see what people think.

Lots of reasons and details into why you think so, please.

(Also, just to note, I'm curious to see what people say, not any other reason.)

They have an awesome tempermant, but hatchlings can be a bit nippy. But as adults nothing beats their personality, and they are easy to hold on to because of their chunkyness. :)

However, I think their husbandry is advance. You need to make sure you can get it right. But, as long as you can do that, you will have a forever friend. :)

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Originally Posted by stratus_020202

They have an awesome tempermant, but hatchlings can be a bit nippy. But as adults nothing beats their personality, and they are easy to hold on to because of their chunkyness. :)

However, I think their husbandry is advance. You need to make sure you can get it right. But, as long as you can do that, you will have a forever friend. :)

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i second that:D

Easy keeper compared to many. Small size and docile nature makes for a great pet.

I feel that they are if a person is willing to be patient.

They can be frustrating when it comes to food. Sometimes they can chow down with no problem, sometimes it feels like you make more progress bashing your head against the wall. I have had a female that ate every Sunday for about a year and a half and then just stopped for just shy of eight months. She lost a lot of weight and then started eating like she never stopped.

An appropriate setup it is crucial to keeping them healthy and happy. (They have great care sheets on BP.net) Humidity is the hardest thing for myself. I have a hard time keeping it high enough. Its important for their shed and just overall health. They can be pretty prone to respiratory infections too so having a good herp vet is VITAL!

I have never been around an aggressive one, though I have herd that they are out there. I have never been bit- even while feeding. The new male I have now has struck out during feeding but has never connected. I've been hissed at and thats the highest level of snark I've received. I have had a Blood and a Red Tail latch on to me though...

I have found that in general they are very passive and content to be held (if handled often as a baby). Their size is very compatible to most first timers too. Rats are about as big as you will need to afford.

If you are worried about starting out with a baby there are a lot of older established BPs out there needing adopted. I'm sure if you have any questions people here would be more than willing to help. If you find that a ball would be to much hassle for a first snake than I would suggest looking into a Corn. They are great snakes that are fairly active.

I hope I helped with my rambling :P Good luck to you!!

I would say yes, and I would also like to add it's what my husband and I started with. We also have a Kingsnake (I personally would not recommend this as a beginner snake. Ours is very, very, nippy and has drawn blood on my husband several times).

Pros for BP: They have an amazing temperment and are easy to hold. They're also great because they're one of the smaller snakes to start out with. They only get to be about three to four feet on average (depends on if it's male or female) They also have a great life expectantcy if cared for correctly.

Cons for BP: Their husbandry is very critical and must be very percise. It's not something a small child could take care of on their own. They also tend to be picky, fenicky eaters and will often fast for months once they reach adulthood. I also personally feel like BP's are more prone to Respitory Infections, simply because their humidity must be constantly monitored and kept at the correct levels at all times. However if you can do this than your BP should live a happy healthy life.

I personally do not think that ball pythons are as good of a started snake as they are often said to be. The number one reason being there feeding habits. I started out with corns witch a believe to be the number one starter snake. They, unlike ball pythons never miss a meal, and if they do there is probably something wrong. Corn snakes, also unlike ball pythons have a very forgiving range of husbandry. I got into ball pythons about a year ago and it has been very hard for me when I have bp's that refuse to eat. For me that is the number one reason why they are not a good beginner snake. The only thing that does make them great is there reluctant to bite, med. sized and easy to handle.

My first snake was a BP. So far I haven't had any problems with feeding except when Rocko was in shed. As soon as that was over he ate. I now have 4 BP's. I visit this site daily. I have found so much helpful information here. I am so glad I picked a BP for my first.

They are great beginner snakes, but make sure to research and know what you're doing before you get a BP, or any pet.

My first snake was a BP. The only issues I've had are one bad shed (Not long after I got him, didn't have husbandry right - he's had several great sheds since), and refusing food a few times (All f/t, never refused live). Once the husbandry is right, they are great. My first BP has an awesome temperament, and our second one has chilled out a lot in the week or so since we've had him.

They are definitely a beginner snake and super easy to care for.. seriously, it's not that hard.

Frankly, I'd like to think that most people could care for pretty much any snake that is regularly kept in captivity, with even just a little bit of google time.

Really, how hard is it to care for a pet that thrives eating once a week and living in a plastic tub on paper towels with two hides? With the available commercial caging and thermostats, keeping snakes has never been easier.

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Originally Posted by apple2

They are great beginner snakes, but make sure to research and know what you're doing before you get a BP, or any pet.

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I agree with this 100%. Snakes in general take specific care that is more time, and overall maintaince consuming than say a cat or dog. Just like a cat or dog, most snakes need to be interacted with daily (unless in shed or sick). A lot of people could avoid very bad situation when it comes to pet choosing if they simply take a month at least to do research on said animal before they buy it. To many people jump into owning a pet without first considering if they can afford it, do they have the time for it, do they have enough room, can they provide the animal with the proper enviroment, are you willing to accept the risks of possibly being bit or harmed by the animal (this includes animals from birds, rodents, amphibians, and ferrets, not just snakes), Can you afford vet bills should the animal become sick, is there even a close vet knowledgable about the animal? These are all very important questions that must be answered before purchase. If even one of these questions is in doubt or can easily be answered no, then you should not bring that animal home until you are 100% ready, or you should consider a diffrent animal that is more suited to your lifestyle.

Bp's do make the best starter snake imo but there are exceptions to the rule. Some Bp's are bitey as heck but as a general rule they're extremely docile and easy to handle. The exception is MBK (Mexican black king) yearling. Hes only bit me once the first week I got him (I use the term bite loosly at the size he was) and hadn't even tried once since and loves to be held now. So it is possible to get flighty bitey snakes even if generally they're not.

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The snake itself is a great beginner snake, unfortunately the husbandry issues and feeding issues make it not such an easy beginner snake.
Just look at all of the people having issues in the husbandry threads of every forum.

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Originally Posted by apple2

They are great beginner snakes, but make sure to research and know what you're doing before you get a BP, or any pet.

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I agree. My first was a bp. Have had him for 8 years now. But definitely do some research if you get more than one. I did before I bought the three more I now have. And they are all awesome.

i think they make great starter snakes just make sure you do your homework before getting one. Make sure you can provide the proper care and housing requirements before getting a ball python. but i think its like that for any pet you need to make sure you know how to care for them before you go out and get one. the only thing i have found with owning a bp is you have to be patient with them some are really picky eater. mine didnt eat for 5 weeks after i got her

I don't have much say when it comes to whether BPs are good beginners because the only thing I have to compare with them are garter snakes (from experience). However I went into BP care as a novice because I received one unexpectedly as a gift, and I had to learn fast. I was excited, but for a long time was worried that what I was doing wasn't enough for him. Four years later and I'm still learning, but he's doing great and I pay very close attention to his behavior and well being. I feel this is necessary for any animal of course!