Am I ready for a Ball Python?

Hey there, everybody. My name's Max, I'm going to be sixteen in October, and I'm having thoughts of getting another Snake.

I already own a Corn Snake named Jasper. I love him/her (Sadly, I don't know Jasper's gender), but recently, I've been feeling passionate for Reptiles. I want to keep them when I'm on my own. I'll admit, this seems a bit impulsive to me, but Reptiles do fascinate me. I handle Jasper alot, and he's never bitten me. He's around two feet long, and I've had him for about a year and a half. I've never measured him accurately, but I'll say he's two feet long at least.

I'm getting a craving to keep another snake. One thing I don't like is that Jasper will always try to slither away from me. He just goes in some direction. Apparently, Ball Pythons are more chilled out. They also more impressive size-wise. But, if I do go through with it, I'll probably end up with more than double the work I had prior. Can I make it work?

I think I'm capable of doing the work involved, but is it worth the trouble? Should I just be patient and wait until later in life to get another scaly pet? I feel unsure. I want somebody Else's input, and that may give me an idea of what to do. Thanks for replying.

I think that if you read up on their care, are able to care for them, and plan ahead I think it'd be a good idea. You seem mature for your age, and ball pythons are pretty much as awesome as they get ;)

Thank you. I'm hesitant because I feel like I could be doing more for my Corn Snake, and if I went and got ANOTHER snake, I think it'd be a little unfair to the pet I have now.

Plus, my house is short on space. I share a room with my brother, so it's cramped and its messy as it is. My parents (mostly my dad's fault) impulsively got another cat a couple weeks ago, but another snake is out of the question at this moment.

Well for the moment then work on your corn snake and give him/her the best life you can, and when the time comes and you think your ready for another snake then look into your options :)

You sound ready! BP's do require a tiny bit more husbandry than corns, but are by no means difficult. Be sure to read the caresheet, get everything together a day or two before your purchase, and you should be good to go!
Keep in mind BP's are a more picky than corns - so try not to get frustrated when they skip a few meals.

Are they more susceptible to health problems? I haven't had a problem with Jasper, and I pray it stays that way, but are Ball Pythons more likely to get sick? Just curious because I was browsing some of the threads where people had sick snakes. I'd be grieving if my pet was sick.

Hi Max.

From my limited experience, I don't think ball pythons are more susceptible to illness. However, they do require more attention be paid to proper husbandry, and problems with that can lead to health issues. Too much moisture in the enclosure can lead to scale rot and (I believe) respiratory infections. Wildly fluctuating temperatures can also harm them.

Like others have said, between now and the time you feel you are ready and have the room for another snake, read the caresheet, ask questions, and do your research! Talk to the people you might be buying a snake from as well. You will be more comfortable making a purchase, especially if it's online, if you've established some form of dialogue with the seller.

Moisture shouldn't cause RI but a snake that lays on a wet surface can get scale rot. Of course, you can have 90% humidity without there being surface moisture..

BPs require a much higher initial investment than corns. You would have to price everything and be sure you had the enclosure set up and ready to go before getting one.

Enclosure: tank or plastic tub.
Heat: under tank heater large enough to cover half to 2/3 one side of the bottom.
Thermostat to control the under tank heater.
Thermometer/hygrometer to measure temperature and humidity.
2 hide boxes that are small and tight fitting.

Once you have all that, then you're ready for a BP.

Read the care sheet on this site for all the details.

A 32 qt sterelite tub with licking lid is small and perfect for housing a male BP it's entire life. Unless it turns out to be one of the few males that gets as big as females. Room is less of an issue with BPs as you may think. They spend most of their lives in a rodent burrow or termite mound in the wild. They are seclusive and do much better and eat better in a smaller environment.

Thanks for the clarification :)

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Talk to the people you might be buying a snake from as well. You will be more comfortable making a purchase, especially if it's online, if you've established some form of dialogue with the seller.

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x's 10! i agree! building a good foundation/ communicative relationship with your seller will give you a good informational asset.

the best advice given on this thread though, is know what you need and get it all set up & running BEFORE bringing a new snake home.
also i dont know the adult length of corns but i'm almost positive they stay on the very small side am i right? bp's can get up to 4 1/2 - 5 ft, so you really need to know for sure that you can provide an adequate home for something of that size? granted these snakes like somewhat cramped spaces but even still i'm sure they'd need a home a bit bigger then that for a corn.

i think as long as you do your research and make sure you can properly care for a ball python then get one. but don't rush into it just because you want one now. Make sure you can provide for it and give it a great life.

They do make better lap snakes although mine won't just sit still forever. Sir Hiss sort of does, but it is because he is usually tracking my movement, ready to snap at me if I get too close. I guess their stout body shape makes them a little easier to handle. Also their requirements aren't too much different from corn snakes. Basically, they like it more humid and about 5-10 degrees warmer than corns.

Yes, ball pythons are much more relaxed (in most cases) than corn snakes. I also got a corn snake, and he is more active than my BPs. Just keep in mind that they might miss some meals and they might have some problem with shedding. But if you keep the humidity and heat on a stable level it should not be a problem.

Also, think about which kind of BP you want. There is alot of morphs out there, so why not take a look? I think you are ready to get a ball python, and you seem to be very mature for your age. Good luck on your decision. :)

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Originally Posted by mommanessy247

also i dont know the adult length of corns but i'm almost positive they stay on the very small side am i right? bp's can get up to 4 1/2 - 5 ft, so you really need to know for sure that you can provide an adequate home for something of that size? granted these snakes like somewhat cramped spaces but even still i'm sure they'd need a home a bit bigger then that for a corn.

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Corn snakes and Ball Pythons are similar in size length-wise. The difference is in the girth. Ball Pythons tend to be wider and heavier than corn snakes.

They both have similar enclosure size requirements

Ball Pythons thrive at a 5 degree higher temperature range than corns (corn snakes hot spot is around 85, Ball Pythons around 90).

The main difference in husbandry is the humidity. Corn snakes do not care whether the air is wet or dry. Ball Pythons thrive better on 60% humidity.

Corn snakes are primarily diurnal, Ball Pythons are mainly nocturnal. Corn snakes are more active while Ball Pythons seem to hide all the time. So, you might find the Ball Python kinda boring.

Anyway, if you feel you can take care of 2 Jaspers, then it only takes a little bit more work to get a Ball Python instead of another corn snake.

One main thing that freaks out new Ball Python owners - there will come a time when your Ball Python will skip a meal. So, it might take a little bit more work and worry when this happens. It's just part of the hobby...

So, yeah, if you think you can handle it - go for it! It is definitely much easier than having a cat!

So, a 20 gallon long glass enclosure would house a Ball Python adequately for the rest of it's life? Does it need to exercise? Is a plastic tub any better, and if it is, what size of plastic tub is best for an adult Ball Python? Also, are UTH's better suited for the tubs or the glass cages?

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Originally Posted by ReclusiveDemon

So, a 20 gallon long glass enclosure would house a Ball Python adequately for the rest of it's life? Does it need to exercise? Is a plastic tub any better, and if it is, what size of plastic tub is best for an adult Ball Python? Also, are UTH's better suited for the tubs or the glass cages?

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Yes, a 20L is sufficient for a male. If you get a female better to use 30L. Exercise... Not much. Weekly handling is sufficient for this. They spend most of their time curled up in the hide.

Plastic tubs versus glass tank is completely owner preference. Plastic tubs are easier for the owner to care for but it is not so great for display. A CB70 size tub is sufficient (33.5"x17.8"x6"). UTH is better suited for glass tank because the python is heavy bodied and has the potential of bending the bottom of the plastic bin to lay smack dab on the surface it is on, so that a UTH on the bottom of the bin right under the snake could lose needed airflow and burn the plastic (yes, I learned this the hard way). You can, of course prevent this from happening by making sure your thermostat is reliable and also by designing the surface the tub is on to sink the UTH.

If you're not 100% sure you're ready for another scaly family member, then I'd wait. BP's are relatively easy to care for compared to most of your exotic snakes, but it's just about going the extra mile to make sure their husbandry and everything is stable and on point. If you don't think you're ready to take care of two snakes, wait until you are. :gj:

As for "chilled out", I dunno. As soon as my BP is out she's zooming over whatever surface she's on; hanging off people's arms, going under pillows, trying to jump off the bed... I don't think I've ever seen her still outside her tank unless she's startled. :rolleyes: