What are the 5 MOST IMPORTANT things to know about ball pythons

BEFORE getting in to the hobby. I'm just curious to see what you all think. Comment below!

Like 5 pieces of advice to give to someone wanting to get a ball python?

1. Must get a thermostat (not a thermometer, but a thermostat), UTH, humidity monitor, and good hides. Do your husbandry research on ball python forums and not pet store clerks.

2. They can be picky about eating F/T prey, so must have the flexibility to feed live when necessary.

3. Must supervise live feeding at all times.

4. Ball Pythons are cute.

5. Ball Pythons are addicting.

I've kept snakes for over half my life lol! Here's my 5:

1.) You'll hear this over and over again, but ball pythons are PICKY EATERS! Stubborn and shy, sometimes they go off food for months at a time.

2.) Get them from a reputable source (not just whatever is cheapest or easiest), and if you can, be accompanied by an experienced someone who knows how to choose a good snake. Mites, scale rot, respiratory Infections, constipation and a wide variety of other problems often result if you get a snake from someone who doesn't properly care for them. So watch out!

3.) Each snake has its own personality. This is good to know later on the road when you have multiple. On the same note, if you're wanting a mild and calm pet bp, look for one with that personality.

4.) Use the right equiptment! Use feeding tongs with bigger snakes. It's not fun to get clipped by something with three sets of teeth and a strong appetite for anything that smells like a rodent. I know from experience. Use the right kinds of bedding to prevent RI's, the right kinds of heating. NEVER USE HEAT ROCKS. EVER. THEY ARE DEATH ROCKS!!

5.) Snakes are addictive! They're quite like potato chips--you can't have just one! Prepare to open your heart to lots of cute scale babies. Trust me ball pythons are quite goofy and lovable <3

Have fun and goodluck!

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On some aspects of their care you can go cheap, such as DIY hides, newspaper for substrate, or using the melamine water bowls from the dollar store.

Other aspects you can not, such as thermostats, enclosures, and quality feeders.

They are addicting so bypass getting a glass tank and just buy/build a rack now. You will save yourself some money.

Stay out of big box stores.

Quarantine every new critter no matter how trustworthy the seller.

i'll try to cover what already hasn't been covered...

1. each BP should be housed separately.


2. BP's prefer to hide like 90% of the time; it's normal. if they're out, it will be mostly at dusk or night.

3. if they skip or refuse a meal, it's ok, don't freak out; sometimes they even go on extended food breaks.

4. when they go blue (into shed), increase humidity; do not bathe them, let them shed naturally first.

5. BP's can drink the same tap water u drink; and they're probably drinking when you're not watching.

i'm just gonna bamp this thread. more BP/snake peeps should chime in with their 5 things. :)

(and sticky anyone?)

1: thermostat thermostat thermostat
2: proper reptile made cages work 100 times better than fish tanks.
3:find a reputable vet before you need one
4: be willing to feed live
5:do lots of research BEFORE you get the snake.

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1/ Don't cut corners when it comes to husbandry

2/ Have reasonable expectations, those are snakes

3/ Be open minded and to keep learning new things

4/ There are more than one way to skin a cat

5/ Use common sense

bamp for the newbie keepers FYI!


here's 5 more:

1. they can go a long while w/o pooping, so know what a sausage butt looks like: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...t-Sausage-Butt


2. alotta times, they will leave a chalk-like byproduct of pee called urates: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...iss-Snows-cage


3. do not use tape on the inside of the enclosure.


4. they have pelvic spurs - the "legs" leftover from evolution - near their butts so it’s not a bone or rat claw or whatever that’s sticking out. they’re spurs and they’re used during sex.


5. female BP's can retain sperm for years. So if u buy an adult female that has been previously breed but never laid eggs, be aware of surprise eggs and be prepared to terminate the eggs or care for them.

Bamp! Lol

1. They are fickle feeders, you want a steadfast nom machine? Get a king instead, otherwise be prepared for winter fasts and lots of wasted rodents.

2. Not very active compared to most snakes, matter of fact, a happy bp will only come out at night most of the time. Possibly the worst display snake ever. Want something that's out and about more? Again, get a king.

3. They live 30 plus years, don't get one unless you can commit possibly half your life to one or get bored easily...

4. They are a terrible pet for most children. They need gentle handling, hate loud noises, fast movements make them nervous, and aren't awake during the day. Also see point number 3.

5. They are a poor choice for most beginning reptile keepers due to the above reasons and the fact that they require more humidity and warmth than most colubrids, and are far more easily stressed than most snakes in general. They are more of an intermediate snake.

1. Thermostats are probably THE most important investment you can make to protect your snake.

2. Quarantine, quarantine, quarantine. This will be either easier or harder for you, depending on how much space you have, but bare minimum don't keep a new snake in the same room as the more established ones, handle the more established part of your collection first, and wash your hands in between snakes (honestly, it's probably not a bad idea to wash/sanitize your hands between every snake, established or not).

3. RESEARCH. BEFORE. YOU. GET. A. SNAKE. It's not hard, it's actually pretty fun, and you will save yourself a lot of anxiety about your snake once it arrives (bonus, your snake will also experience less anxiety about life, and that's the goal!). Research your setup- the pros and cons of pvc, glass tanks, tubs, racks- and pick what will work for your situation, the snake you're looking to get, and, to some extent, your budget. Research the breeder as well- if you're new to the hobby, a more established breeder with glowing reviews will probably be advisable over a breeder no one knows anything about. You want a healthy, happy snake so that you can establish a baseline for what to look for in potential future snakes.

4. You will think you will only want one snake. You will pick out your snake, think he/she is absolutely perfect, and briefly feel like you will never desire another snake ever again. This feeling shall pass, and you will begin wishing for some sort of monetary landfall so that you can buy just. One. (Or five). More.

5. You will probably do more hands-on learning than you expect. Your can research for months, put everything together meticulously, and your snake is still going to throw you some curve balls. They're not the most exciting snake, but they are individuals, and sometimes they will make you want to bang your head on the nearest table and shriek, if only in your head. Your critical thinking skills will improve markedly, however!

Alright I’ll give it a try. Note, I have only kept males. It’s already been said they like NOT to eat, (3 to 5 months is nothing) so that’s one. Around 700 maybe 800 grams you find a lot of sperm plugs, there’s two. They love to mess their habitats as soon as you put in fresh water, number one and number two = three, get it , sorry. Once they get eating they can be machines, fart machines that is, no. 4. And husbandry is important and with that there are more ways then one to skin a cat. Fifth!

Just going to add one thing since so much has already been covered:

Learn from my mistake. If you're having a snake shipped, only ship M-T-W, not on Th, in case something goes wrong.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WhompingWillow

Just going to add one thing since so much has already been covered:

Learn from my mistake. If you're having a snake shipped, only ship M-T-W, not on Th, in case something goes wrong.

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The breeder should know better.

Get a PVC enclosure.

I know thst aquariums can be so pretty......but you will not be able to regulate heat and humidity properly. Believe me, I tried EVERYTHING to keep Ginger in her gorgeous tank. Hundreds of dollars and a few years later, I gave up. I was wanted a pretty environment for Ginger, but was neglecting HER needs for a consistent heat and humidity levels. I also live in NJ where it can get really cold and really hot, so managing her levels was difficult.