What are some things you wish you knew before getting your first?

Hey guys, I'm just looking for some anecdotal information again since that seems to be really helpful for me.

I'm planning on getting a ball python, but before then I have been doing hours and hours of research so I can prep myself and know what I'm getting myself into.

That said, I'm curious what your experiences were like *after* buying a ball python and setting it up, and what things were kind of new to you that you didn't expect, and that kind of thing. Was there anything you wish you knew before getting one, or were there any surprises or things like that -- good or bad!!

I'd love to just hear first-time purchase stories. :)

An aquarium may look nice, but its a LOT of work to keep humid and warm

I wish I'd bought a rack to start out with instead of a tank. Or even a free standing tub. Now I have like 4 extra glass tanks lying around with no use for em lol. When I do eventually switch to a rack, I'll have even more, in addition to a surplus of cheap thermostats. Although I may keep a few naturalistic displays, so who knows.

Also, don't listen to people when they say "oh yeah, that'll be fine for (insert species)", especially when they're trying to sell you something!! Do your own independent research, take all advice with a grain of salt.

You don't need the giant cage.

Really decorated tanks are really hard to clean. I have to clean my exo terra with a hand broom but my tubs can have their aspen dumped straight in the trash bag. Also, more parts to clean.

Rats can cost as much per pound as a really good cut of steak. Local feeder rat breeders are a godsend.

I wish i know how addictive these little noodles were before i got my first ;)

lets see now....instead of wasting money on glass tanks which are hard to control heat and humidity I should have just spent the extra right from the start on a good quality enclosure . I would be money ahead! Second I wish I could get back the wasted money on vet bills because my snake did not eat for 1 1/2 months during his first winter only to realize that its normal in some snakes to go off feed for as long as 3 months or more in some cases! Grrr.

Wish I knew sooner which questions to ask. Mostly about UTHs because I never trusted them until the last couple years. Found a brand that I like and finding about needing thermostats helps a lot as well. I've had a few in the past that would get fried or lose adhesion because they weren't regulated and therefore went with the old trusty lamps.

When BPs go on feed strike, do not panic. Take a step back and figure out what has changed in the snake's environment. I got Petey off a friend of mine 2 years ago this August and he went on feed strike in November of that year. I didn't think BPs hibernated like a couple of my colubrids do and started getting worried. Found BP.net and realized there were a few problems my setup had with temps and humidty. Got everything proper and started eating again late January early Ferburary of that winter. Thank you BP.net. You helped get my snake off feed strike. :gj::D

Also, do what works for you. There is a basic template for what any snake should be given. How you want to achieve that is up to you as long as it's in the best interest of the animal. People will argue up and down that their way is the "set in stone" way of doing things and the person they are arguing with is wrong. In reality, both ways are probably just fine so long as the animal is not in danger. I do a few things differently which I know are frowned upon and I don't mention those things here. But I have a system setup that works for me and my snakes are all happy and healthy. I also know there are things which need improvement and I'm working on those things. Just reading through all the posts and opinions of others has lead me to what I think should/should not be done in my instance. Learn what you can and sort through what you think will work in your instance.




BP.net. Getting Pyrate's bp off feed strike since 2012. :D

I wish I had started out with tubs or a rack. The first 4 snakes I had I kept in aquariums and it was soo much work keeping them up. And the space they took up was crazy. I switched to boaphiles (had mostly boas), and now that I have mostly balls I keep every body in a rack system except my two boas.

Consistent feeding, temps, and humidity all immensely improved once I ditched the tanks.

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Originally Posted by norwegn113

lets see now....instead of wasting money on glass tanks which are hard to control heat and humidity I should have just spent the extra right from the start on a good quality enclosure . I would be money ahead! Second I wish I could get back the wasted money on vet bills because my snake did not eat for 1 1/2 months during his first winter only to realize that its normal in some snakes to go off feed for as long as 3 months or more in some cases! Grrr.

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I like to joke that I have the worlds most expensive normal ball python. Years ago when I got my first ball python, I paid $20 dollars for her at a local show but that first winter I had her she went off feed. After one and a half months I panicked and brought it to a local reptile vet who talked me into running a series of tests...$600.00 later, the results..... perfectly healthy snake who just went off feed for the winter! lol learned my lesson the hard way. Needless to say I now have and treat her like she is one of my exotic morphs! lol

i wish i had more money cause all u want to do after 1 is get 2 then 3 4,5,6 and so on .. only took me 3 weeks to go from 1 to 4 .. tanks suck use tubes and dont stress out so hard if ur snake is "not doing what u want" its a snake its gonna do what it wants its not a dog .. a lot of people bug out over silly things cause they dont know what to expect .. just read i cant stop reading about them since i got my 1st in march .. lol they should have taught bp's in school maybe i would have paid attention more lol .. good luck and enjoy

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Originally Posted by sum182

I wish i know how addictive these little noodles were before i got my first ;)

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Holy crap thats the truth i went from 1 to 11 in 10 months when i started.

I am in the same boat that others seem to be in where i have some empty tanks now and a lot of cheap gear i dont need... However i like being able to see the animals and I think the enclosure is cool even though i cant put any live plants inside though i would love to. Racks are great but if you want to see your animals more often than when you handle with them/deal with their cage tanks are helpful.

So...

DONT buy a cheapo thermostat. Get a good one, there are plenty of suggestions on this website but the herpstat from spyder robotics seems to be a favorite.

A tank is cool, you will need plexiglass or a towel for the budget hobbiest to close off the screeen to keep humidity up.
** also if you are buying a baby and you dont want to buy another tank you can get a 40g (which is the largest you will ever need) and clutter it up with stuff like wood or other "decorations" to keep it comfortable until it grows up.

DONT buy a bulb, get a UTH (under thank heater) it should cover a quarter to a third of the bottom of the tank.

Balls dont tend to be climbers but mine always interact with the wood that i got back in the way and its better than having a bare tank. And they can help clutter the tank if needed.

Get 2 hides one on the UTH one on the cold side

A water dish that can hold the entire animal... so get a larger one, it will grow quickly particularly the first year...

Aspen bedding is the way to go...

Most importantly, starting looking at rack systems. When you get your next, and you will youll want to start putting them in a rack, everyone is right, its way easier to manage a rack.

Yup, I'm on the should have gone straight to a tub/rack instead of a stupid fish aquarium train. Cheaper, easier to clean, holds humidity perfect, takes up less space, just more efficient all the way around.

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Originally Posted by DooLittle

Yup, I'm on the should have gone straight to a tub/rack instead of a stupid fish aquarium train. Cheaper, easier to clean, holds humidity perfect, takes up less space, just more efficient all the way around.

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I agree with you on all points but unless your a breeder with large numbers, display cages are so nice to be able to walk by and see all your animals, ( thats when they are not tucked away in their hides, which is most of the time! ) To me rack systems for people with just a few snakes is like having a diamond necklace that you keep in a drawer that only comes out for special occasions. JMO.

I got a semi clear tub. I can still see in but it's not as stressful for her I think.

I wish I knew about vision racks. The ease of a rack system with the visibility of an aquarium. Only the price of gold though.

One of the biggest things I wish I would have done is loaded up my females instead of buying the males first,
drives you crazy when your boys are ready to go and your females are sitting at 800 grams and then they refuse to eat for a few months !
Thats a little stressful.

I wish I knew that I wouldn't be stopping with one. I wish I knew that I would quickly want to breed ball pythons and I should of started with a female instead of a male. I got a male since he'd be smaller than a female. Then a week after having him and finding this forum I was like "I need more." :P Oh well I'll get a blue eyed leucistic female for him when I become a nurse and get jigsaw babies.

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Originally Posted by norwegn113

I agree with you on all points but unless your a breeder with large numbers, display cages are so nice to be able to walk by and see all your animals, ( thats when they are not tucked away in their hides, which is most of the time! ) To me rack systems for people with just a few snakes is like having a diamond necklace that you keep in a drawer that only comes out for special occasions. JMO.

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My boas and gtp have display set ups. Not the balls. Balls aren't good display animals, imo. They are always in their hides. Unless you like the look of RBI hides, lol. :p

Wow, thanks for all the responses guys, this is helpful!

Two major things I took away so far: get a tub, and get ready to want more than one. ;)

When you guys say to not get a tank, does that mean a terrarium enclosure as well, like the Exo Terra ones?

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Originally Posted by beandog

Wow, thanks for all the responses guys, this is helpful!

Two major things I took away so far: get a tub, and get ready to want more than one. ;)

When you guys say to not get a tank, does that mean a terrarium enclosure as well, like the Exo Terra ones?

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Yes. Tank = pretty much any glass enclosure. People successfully keep BPs in these but it is a lot more of a headache

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Originally Posted by SnowShredder

Yes. Tank = pretty much any glass enclosure. People successfully keep BPs in these but it is a lot more of a headache

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Agreed. I only use em for our hognoses since I don't have to worry about humidity and high temps.

• Save and buy the morph you WANT not the one you can afford.
  I wish I would have saved and bought the morph I wanted instead of the one I could afford. I went with a male normal thinking "Oh I will just have one it's silly to spend so much on a snake" and now I have a handful of snakes that cost more than the albino I purchased anyway a few months later.
  
• Racks Racks Racks
  I cannot save enough about racks. They are great, take up little to no room and honestly are perfect for all different types of snakes.
  
• Be realistic
  I went crazy once I bought my first snake. I had these big plans that were no where near realistic. I bought a bunch of basic morph ball pythons and had a million plans on how I was going to produce all these awesome snakes. However as time went on I realized I didn't really like ball pythons (sorry!). They sat in the back of the tub, didn't really want to interact, hardly ate, and drove me nuts. Eventually I sold most of my ball pythons and moved on to large constrictors which I love.
  
• Be prepared to eat crow
  I cannot list the number of times I have had to do this. I remember a post where I said I wouldn't spend more than a few hundred on a ball python morph. I have spent that on almost ever snake in my collection. I said I would feed outside of the cage forever, would never use paper towel, have a rack, the list goes on and on. There is a reason these practices are so widely done. While I am glad I came to my own conclusions I wish I would have saved myself the money in these things that wouldn't have been a hassle to try before I did it the long hard way.
  
• Do what you love
  As I mentioned above I found I didn't like ball pythons and for awhile I was keeping snakes I didn't really enjoy. However once I realized I was more interested in other species I found the joy in keeping snakes again. I don't mind cleaning twenty tubs, and taking photos of twenty snakes. I don't mind (as much) when Pumpkin (my quirky hognose) doesn't eat because I know he will once he sheds. I don't mind not having the latest morph. I have snakes that I just enjoy keeping with no breeding plans. They are in my collection solely because I like the individual snake or the species. You will enjoy the hobby much more when you love the animals you keep.
  
• Breed for you
  It's easy to get caught up in the latest morphs. It is awesome to think you can buy a $400 albino and a $700 pied and make a $17,000 snake. Or finding the best price for a certain morph. It's so easy to become caught up in the money aspect. The best thing you can do is breathe and breed what makes you happy. Find the snake that makes you happy, regardless what other people say, and breed it. If you are trying to make what is always popular or exciting you will always be behind. If you breed what you want to have and see you will always be happy. I have an albino and a het albino ball python that I will breed next year, hopefully. They are certainly not the hottest morph out there and even in my own collection I have more exciting things, however I love albinos. I am going to be happy when they breed just as much as I will my retics who are poss 4 gene snakes.
  

Sorry to be so long winded lol I hope you enjoy your new snake. I am sure it will not be long before you will have a rack full of snakes to enjoy :D

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Originally Posted by Velrys

Holy crap thats the truth i went from 1 to 11 in 10 months when i started.

I am in the same boat that others seem to be in where i have some empty tanks now and a lot of cheap gear i dont need... However i like being able to see the animals and I think the enclosure is cool even though i cant put any live plants inside though i would love to. Racks are great but if you want to see your animals more often than when you handle with them/deal with their cage tanks are helpful.

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How about 25 in 11 months? :D And I definitely should have gone straight to a rack instead of tanks, though we keep a few different sizes on hand for QT as I like to keep a closer eye on them.

I wish I would've known about places like this. I had my original male for about 6 years before I found this site. 6 years of tanks, unregulated heat, no thermo or hygro's, stuck and flaky shed, etc. I found this site because I noticed a dent in his eye, I posted about it, was told it was dehydration, argued that it was an injury, gave in and took the advice I was given and the dent was gone. After that I realised that the people here might know what they're talking about. I got a thermo/ hygro, set his temps and humidity to the recommended ranges in the caresheet here and started feeding him more than once a month. He started improving immediatly. His colors were nicer, he was growing again, he came out at night to hunt etc. Unfortunatly I was still was still arrogant in a lot of my ways, and I made a fool of myself at least a few times.

Not too recently I realised my arrogance, gave up my stubborness, and I forgot everything I thouht I knew. Since then I've been mostly lurking here, reading, and using this as reference to learn about new practices so I can put them into effect on my own snakes and see the real life results for myself. I feel like I've gained a ton of experience (with lots to gain) because of this site and the people on it, and I don't know what I would've done without it. It's definitely the best thing that has ever happened to me and my animal.

I've even learned a lot about myself with the help of this site. And I'd like to thank everyone here for the information you have put on this site and for being so helpful. I feel you have all indirectly made me a better person. So thank you everyone.

Yeah, I am so with people on the racks--and I only got my ball a few days ago! I've had Kingsnakes, who are easy enough in tanks (though he rarely comes out during daytime) because they take my normal room temps at night and are okay with the humidity in my house. So, deciding to get a ball, I ran off to the store and got another tank, genius that I am. Then I get my little man home and boom, it is hard as heck to get the humidity and temp right in that tank! I am currently in the process of trying to sell my two 20L terrariums on craigslist as well as a 60 gallon 48 inches L by 13 inches W by 18 inches D with a locking/folding screen lid plus 6 locking clamps, as I have just placed an order with Boaphiles for a four spot rack.

I also wish I had done a little more research before I bought my first ball python. I went to a reptile show with no clue about any morphs and got one that the guy said was enchi. He may very well be--he's young and his color may not have come in well yet--but he's definitely not a good example of the morph, with NO reduction in his pattern at all. Right now, at least, he looks like a normal, which I really hope he isn't since I paid $125 for him and normals were going for $30. Make sure you research morphs and get one you can actually tell is not a normal if you are going to pay more than $30 or $40! That was my biggest mistake, I think, even though I love him a lot. I just feel like I could have had a pretty much identical snake for a hundred bucks less, and I don't have money running out my rear, unfortunately. Hopefully he'll yellow up some more, but for now it gives me a frowny feeling that I paid that much and he may very well be a normal. Turns out the breeder I bought him from wasn't even the person who bred him, a friend did, so I am trying to get into contact with him now and see what my guy's parents looked like. The people I got him from at the reptile show don't even know when he hatched. So be sure to research not only what you need, but also what you WANT! If you love a morph, save for it. If you want a normal, don't pay a ton of money for it! They're lovely, but at reptile shows they're a steal.

If you want to display your snake, most manufacturers that make racks also make plastic cages. They hold heat and humidity well and if you get more snakes later they are stackable. (Except the Neodeshas that need a rack) As was said, BPs usually hide all day anyway. I have my Carpets in display cages because they hardly ever hide and my BPs in tacks. Lots of good insight in this thread. I too wish I knew about their extended fasts. I could have saved some money and a lot of worry, too.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

How about 25 in 11 months? :D And I definitely should have gone straight to a rack instead of tanks, though we keep a few different sizes on hand for QT as I like to keep a closer eye on them.

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Hahah, how about 20 in 4 months :P Oops haha....

My best advice would be don't waste money trying to take the inexpensive way out. I can't tell you how much I've spent trying to find cheap solutions only to go out and buy the good stuff later. I started out with hides cut from paper bowls. Humidity and spilled water bowls quickly nixed that plan. Don't skimp on a thermostat. It really is your most important tool.

And just as everyone else has said, be prepared to get addicted...FAST! Like I said above, I added 20 snakes in 4 months. 14 of those have been in the last month and a half and I'm now broke, but happy hahah. My last piece of advice, which as been mentioned already: save up for your perfect snake. Don't settle just cause it fits your price range. Find the snake that makes you go, wow (even a normal!) and you know that's the snake for you.

And most importantly, make sure you share your new buddy with us! We love pictures!!

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Originally Posted by Zuma22

Hahah, how about 20 in 4 months :P Oops haha....

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Dang! That's hard core unless they hatched...

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My best advice would be don't waste money trying to take the inexpensive way out. I can't tell you how much I've spent trying to find cheap solutions only to go out and buy the good stuff later. I started out with hides cut from paper bowls. Humidity and spilled water bowls quickly nixed that plan.

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OTOH there are some inexpensive solutions that work. In a pinch I've converted cleaned-out margarine or cool-whip tubs over to humid hides. USPS small flat-rate boxes also work, just rip off the tab with the sticky tape. No worries if it gets nasty or wet after a while, toss and replace since they're free.

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Don't skimp on a thermostat. It really is your most important tool.

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QFT.

I wish I had known how inexpensive and easily kpet frozen rats/mice were in comparison to going out spending time,money, and gas going to get live rats/mice. I wish I had known that an "aquarium" or terrarium was not the best idea for ball pythons, (for multiple reasons) and that I had known about this website (one stop shop for all your herp inquiries)

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Dang! That's hard core unless they hatched...


OTOH there are some inexpensive solutions that work. In a pinch I've converted cleaned-out margarine or cool-whip tubs over to humid hides. USPS small flat-rate boxes also work, just rip off the tab with the sticky tape. No worries if it gets nasty or wet after a while, toss and replace since they're free.


QFT.

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Nope...they weren't hatched....I went on a bit of a spree:rolleye2:

And yes, I should have been more specific. You are exactly right. Good cheap solutions are out there. I've just spent a lot on cheap solutions that were really stupid or I came to realize there's a reason breeders and all of the hobbyists who came before me do things the way they do...cause it works! But yes, I've spent many hours roaming Target and Walmart searching for odd inexpensive things that could be converted into something for my snakes. It's fun to come up with creative solutions :)

3 words... convertible moist hide. Moist hide that you can make dry at a moment's notice. Appropriate sized blacked out tupperware container, entrance hole, keep lid, use damp sphagnum moss. I introduce this to the tank (20 gal tall) everytime I see a cute lil pink belly. Keep it warm and she uses it as she sees fit. Her last shed took place INSIDE of the hide. Day after shed remove old skin with damp moss, clean and dry hide, reintroduce to tank and voila! To hell with fussing over bumping humidity levels for shed to then drop them after lol... I live in FL so humidity levels are typically right in normal range. Something to consider if you're further north.