I don't know if a ball python is for me

I am interested in getting a snake and i really like bp. but i am concerned that i am not prepared to meet its needs as far as humidity and temperature. what kind of terrarium do you suggest? This will be my first snake and it seems difficult to keep everything in check. my only other option in my area ( due to pet store supply) are corn snakes.

I would HIGHLY recommend going with a tub setup or a PVC enclosure. I'd recommend that for a bp or a corn though. Animal Plastics T8's are great if you have the room. If not, there are a lot of smaller PVC cages out there. My advice, spend the money on a good enclosure, good thermostat, and good heat source up front. It's pricey, but well worth it and will make your job very easy in the long run.

Agreed, go with a tub if you don't care about viewing and a PVC cage if you do. In my experience bps are pretty sturdy and forgiving of husbandry issues as long as you're not too far off the requirements. I've heard people say they're not a good "first snake" but I think they're a great one as long as you understand that they're finicky eaters. As long as you have heat, humidity and a good thermostat, you're good to go.

i should probably mention that i live in an area where the particular species of corn snake is naturally occurring, i don't know if this effects any of the decisions on this snake for me or not, just thought it was worthy of mention

It's not too hard to provide for their needs as long as you're willing and able to buy the proper equipment.

The main thing is what kind of personality you prefer. Corn snakes are more active. BPs are mostly pretty lazy, lol. I like a "lap snake" but you might prefer a pepper snake.

In all honestly when you see how easy ball pythons are, you will begin planning for your first bigger snake.

Humidity issues are as easy as soaking cypress mulch and adding some soaked moss during a shed.

Feeding is actually quite easy and just requires you to learn your snakes patterns.

I have a happy Pastel that is 600 grams now and I'm already thinking of getting something bigger if I can find something tame and kid friendly, If not...I will stick to BP's and just get me a nice girl.

If you get involved in local clubs and expos, you will find all of the help you need.

or

Google...my all time fav method

I agree with Willowy, colubrids are generally more active both in enclosure and during handling, while bps are just kind of fat sausages lol. Individuals will vary but if you want a snake that is a "better" eater and more active, get a corn. If you want a lazy girthy snake, get the bp. It's going to be your snake, so pick the one you're going to enjoy keeping the most :)

Have you handled snakes before? Some people get nervous when they're handling a wiggly corn and think it's almost constant movement is intimidating. Any time I want to have someone handle a snake for the first time I grab a ball. Feeding wise, a corn would probably be a lot easier but you could easily learn a BPs habits and best way to get it to eat.

I've handled snakes a few times, i'm confident with them. they don't bother me.

Would it be possible to build an adequate enclosure. I want to be able to see the snake, but i don't really want to fork up the amount needed for professional level tanks. if anyone has a good tutorial that would be helpful.

I will tell you my experience. I got a corn snake first, and in all honesty, I am kind of glad that I did. Corn Snakes are so easy, they have to be one of the best starter snakes. Their temperature and humidity requirements are super easy, and they are pretty forgiving if you do make a mistake. Feeding is a breeze, if you buy from a reputable breeder. Corn snakes are extremely active, and one of ours was a bit of a feisty butt when we first got him. He shook his tail to try to convince me he had a rattle, and he bit me, (twice as a new baby) and struck at me a few times in the beginning. After that, he was somewhat cage agressive, and would get a little amped when I messed around in his tank, or first grabbed him out, (threatening me with a strike pose, or thrashing about for a moment) but once I did get him out, he calmed imediately, and became a perfect gentleman. Outside of his enclosure, he never ever threatens, or stikes, or bites, or chews. I also believe, part of his behaviour was due to my own lack of experience. When we got our second corn, we took tiny little squares of material cut from a tshirt, and covered them with our scent. Then, we placed one square in each of her hides, and she became used to our scents. She has never shown any fear or aggression whatsoever.

Now I just purchased my first ever ball python. I am very glad I have the experience I do with the corns for several reason. First of all, like you mentioned, it is absolutely true that if you have no experience, like I didn't, getting the corn snake husbandry down is quite easy. Secondly, this is just my opinion, but having a little, or even a big corn snake strike at you, or bite you, is a little shocking the first time, but after that, it is like nothing. On the other hand, my new ball python is only 3 months old, and I can tell you that if she bit me, I would have been way more frightened than I was with my tiny corn snake. The third reason I am glad I got a corn snake first, is that both of mine eat like it's no big deal at all. Not once had either one of them ever refused a meal, and we have fed them with our cats on the table watching, our kids watching, in front of a loud TV, while photographing them, with flash! They don't care at all. Lastly, I will say that while this particular forum has been very awesome and kind to me so far, I have looked into a few other ball python forums and groups that were not nearly as forgiving to newcomers as the corn snake community as a whole. I truly hope no one here will hold this opinion against me, as this is just my personal opinion, but I have been made more welcome, and comfortable by the corn snake community, then by any other community for any of my pets, be it fish, cats, rabbits, or any animal.
All of this being said, I do think that this is all based on personal preferences, and experience, and every person is different. I love my new ball python, and I am very glad I found this wonderful forum, where everyone so far has been great. I do think that for me personally, it was easier to get her husbandry correct because of my experience with our corn snakes. I am glad I learned to deal with the smaller, somewhat squirmier snakes before handling a heavier, somewhat more intimidating (by size only) snake. This may not be the same for you. You are the only one who knows your comfort level with these things.
Sorry for the super long post, but I thought that perhaps sharing my experience would be helpful. I hope you find your perfect pet, whichever you choose first. I think both are beautiful and amazing. I'm sure you will do fine, either way, and love your pet. :)

It's really not that hard to get the temperature and humidity to work out. Read all the many pages of replies on the sticky threads about setting up various types of enclosures to get some ideas; there are many ways of getting what you need. The biggest variable to keep in mind outside of which type of enclosure you get (there are three: tank, tub, PVC cage) will be the temperature and humidity in your house. Assuming you have HVAC of some variety, it doesn't much matter if corn snakes are native to where you live; the conditions in your house are still not the same as where wild corn snakes actually live.

Also, once you get everything set up and figured out, it's done and you just have to maintain it. A ball python really is a pretty un-demanding pet if you think about it. Much less work than, say, a rat or gerbil or guinea pig, let alone a cat or dog. They need appropriate temperatures and humidity, but once everything is set up, it's mostly taken care of and all you have to do is make sure it's all still ticking away.

I didn't mean to suggest that BP temps and such are difficult. In my case, I'd never dealt with an uth, a thermostat for a uth, or any of those things. It was just easier for me personally to learn with the corn. (They only require 1 uth and thermosat, and most homes have humidity levels that don't require you to do anything special.) I totally agree, that either way, caring for a corn snake, or a ball python, is way easier than most pets. I got my boyfriend interested in snakes because their care was so much easier than our fish! I have had a lot of pets, and these snakes really are the most easy to care for. I mean, as long as spot clean, and change out water, there is nothing to it. I imagined it being much harder before I started. ;)

If you can't provide for a bp, you can't provide for any animal. Bp has to be the most easy to take care of

If you are prepared for certain habits of a ball python, then it can be a good first snake... the feeding issues are the most off-putting for new snake owners, I think. As mammals, we are not accustomed to healthy animals being able to go for months without eating and not feel nervous or worried about it, but BP's do that from time to time-- especially males.

For ANY snake you buy, learn it's habits and care needs and try to duplicate those and you will be successful. Good luck!

I have a corn and 3 ball pythons. The corn snake is a breeze and an absolute sweetheart, but definitely wiggly and active. I keep her in a 40 gallon glass aquarium with a ceramic heat emitter (a smaller enclosure works better for babies of course). She does great. I just fill a plastic container with spagnum moss and water when she goes into shed and haven't had a problem yet.

My ball pythons have been a bit trickier. They are wonderful, docile and easy to handle. My boys eat like clockwork but my little girl can be finicky. I would highly recommend a pvc enclosure as its easier to keep temps and humidity up where they need to be. Glass aquariums can be used but it's a chore and I've put a lot of money into perfecting their husbandry while housing humidity loving snakes in them. The screen tops had to be sealed up a bit and a humidifier was hooked up to pvc tubing with to maintain humidity. Pvc might be expensive up front, but it's a lot easier in the long run. And if you're crafty, you can find 4x8 pvc sheets at home depot to build your own enclosure (which is my project for this weekend). My current setup is in the picture below.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...f7b0675e5a.jpg

Both snakes are wonderful additions and I'm sure you'll be happy regardless of which species you choose. Keep us posted!!

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