ball python owners

What is it like to own a ball python? Are ball pythons loyal and do they eventually develop friendship with their owner? How often do ball python owners take them out and hold them, and for how long? Is owning a ball like owning a pet dog in companionship?





BTW A Petco store said it had a 4-5 month old ball, how is that?

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Originally Posted by Gordon Bombay

What is it like to own a ball python? Are ball pythons loyal and do they eventually develop friendship with their owner? How often do ball python owners take them out and hold them, and for how long? Is owning a ball like owning a pet dog in companionship?


BTW A Petco store said it had a 4-5 month old ball, how is that?

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BPs are in know way like a dog, snakes do not like us they do not become our friends, they only tolerate us, some better than others. BPs are a funny snake and one of the most shy in the pet trade. I have a few that I can hold all the time and it never stress's out to bad (they always get a little stressed) but I have one that cant be held at all (other than for cage cleanings) or he will go off feed.

Petco is not our favorite place. They may try to tell you that their snakes are captive bred, but they're not. They are eggs harvested from the wild or from wild caught females. Either way not good. I was very lucky with mine, but I would highly recommend finding a local breeder and purchasing from them. Make sure they are well regarded from others as well. The most important thing is obtaining a healthy animal, well besides the environment you put it into. Finding a healthy bp will make your first experience with them SO much easier. Not having to worry about mites, ticks, and other various infestations is a major relief.

bp's are all different. i have some that hiss, some hiss and strike, some have never hissed or struck. in general they are really relaxed and can be held easily. buying a healthy captive bred snake is your best start and the cheapest in the long run. one vet visit with a sick snake can cost you!


vaughn

Has anyone had any luck calming down a bp that has struck and hissed? I have one that does some of that, and I just wish she would calm down.

If she's young, then you should have no problem taming her. Just work with her by gentle handling for short sessions. Be patient, and don't freak out if she hisses/strikes. Leave her alone when she's in shed, when she's eating, and for 48 hours post feed.

I'm not exactly sure how old she is, but she is about 2 ft long

Just work with her. You will probably make at least some progress. She is afraid of you, you have to gain her trust.

Gordon, if you want a highly interactive pet that loves to be handled a ball python (or any other snake really) just isn't the pet to get, at least in my humble opinion. I don't believe they "enjoy" being handled as a dog might do....they just learn to tolerate it, some more than others. Sure I have some that don't seem to mind at all being out with us, and I also have one big female that is mean as mean can be.

This doesn't mean they just sit in their enclosures like a lump. They are fascinating creatures in their own very subtle ways but for us anyways, it's about what the snake needs not what we want. In other words, the snakes each set the limit on what they specifically will tolerate or when it's appropriate to handle them.


~~Jo~~

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Originally Posted by Griggs2121

Has anyone had any luck calming down a bp that has struck and hissed? I have one that does some of that, and I just wish she would calm down.

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i am working on a snake like that now. when i first got her she was mean as the devil! i think a lot of it was fear and defensiveness on her part. i implemented the filling her tub with newspaper balls trick and limited contact to once a week cleaning/water change/feed attempt all on the same day each week. over the last few months she has calmed down greatly and i actually handled her a few days ago without being struck at or hissed at. it sounds like you might not need to go quite that far to calm your bp--maybe just fill her enclosure with newspaper to add to her security and have several very short handling sessions each week. i bet she will calm down for you eventually, sometimes it just takes a little more work than normal.

I've never heard of this newspaper trick. Whats the philosophy for it?

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Originally Posted by Griggs2121

I've never heard of this newspaper trick. Whats the philosophy for it?

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filling the enclosure with balled up newspaper reduces the amount of open space and gives the snake the "snug as a bug in a rug" feeling. It helps to reduce the stress level of the snake.

lol. ok thanks

let me tell you, it works wonders too. anytime i get a new snake now i fill its tub with newspaper for at least the first month or until it has eaten at least 3-4 weeks in a row. it helps a lot for the extra shy and nervous little ones too. :)

I got two new snakes(had one for 2 days, one of 1 day) in the house right now....both have crumpled up newspaper in their enclosures....both took mice today...like emily said, the newspaper will stay until they have eaten 4 weeks in a row...then I will remove a peice a week until it is all gone... IMO...the newspaper allows them to fell 10x more secure and lets them settle down faster and with less stress.

In answer to the original question, here's my tuppence-worth.


Snakes are definitely not like a cat or a dog for obvious reasons - they're snakes.

I have two BPs (Royal Pythons) with two completely different characters. I've had Byron since he was a hatchling. If a snake has character, then he definitely has that. When I first got him I let him settle in and we established a good feeding routine before I started handling him for very short periods. I got tagged a couple of times, but as he was just a baby, that was to be expected. I gradually built up the handling until I can handle him more or less as often as I want. I do not handle him at all (except to change his substrate or water bowl) if he's in shed or 2-3 days after he's eaten. Any time in between is fine. If I don't take him out of his viv he'll often let me know he wants to come out by climbing on the viv lock. I often sit at the PC with him either sitting on my lap or more often draped round my shoulders. He is so used to me he will lick my nose and my mouth - he obviously has no fear that I'll eat him or he wouldn't do that. He also likes his chin stroked and will hold his head out for me to do that. I can also stroke the top of his head and he will put his head up for me to do that. If he doesn't want to go back in his viv, he'll put his head and neck upright to try and stop me putting him back. As snakes go, I suppose you could say he is very friendly. I love him to bits, and I would like to think he loves me too in his own way (aah).

My other BP, Bobby is shyer, probably due to the fact that he was a rescue and had been neglected by his previous owner. Again we let him settle in, got rid of the mites he had, established a good eating routine, and slowly and gently we're handling him, building up the handling time slowly so as not to stress him. So far, he hasn't got stressed and has a voracious appetite. He still tends to ball up initially (can't remember the last time Byron balled up - he just doesn't) but soon relaxes. We just sit quietly with him and let him explore us. He's a lovely snake and I hope eventually he becomes as friendly as Byron.

I will say that last weekend, Byron did something he hasn't done before which took my by surprise and that was to come out of his hide and actually come up to me, so I do think snakes can recognise their owners. I know when my hubby holds Byron for me as soon as I come near, Byron will stretch out towards me. He's been doing that for quite some time now. Bobby doesn't do that - yet. I think as with all animals, if you treat them kindly and with respect you can build up a rapport with them. I know some people will disagree with what I'm saying, but I'm saying this based purely on my own experiences with my own snakes.

No, they'll never be like a cat or a dog, but they are such fascinating and beautiful animals. I also find them very therapeutic too. BPs are so laid back and relaxing to watch or hold, I always feel really chilled out when I'm holding them. I find they really de-stress me. Byron is also brilliant at massaging the back of my neck. He's got it down to a fine art. Just what I need after a hard day's work;) :D

Oh I totally agree with you there Fiona on the benefits of handling ball pythons. They are so relaxing and make one sit down and slow down which is so hard to do in today's busy "everything right now" world. Also the benefits to my kids are continuing to be seen as they learn to respect the snakes (or they don't get to handle them which is a big deal in this house LOL).

Even Brannah the Brat is teaching us every day about patience and long term steps for a long term goal.

It's also incredibly exciting and rewarding to watch the two we took in that were underweight (especially the non-eating WC) starting to gain weight and confidence (in their own snakey way). Just makes Mike and I feel so good to see Saoirse snarfing down a rat, hardly something a non-snake owner would understand LOL.


~~Jo~~

I love feeding day. I watch all my snakes eat. Bobby sits there ready and waiting and will polish off rats and mice till he lets you know he's had enough. Byron sits S'd up, with his head raised in anticipation. Ringo the Milksnake faffs around for ages, sniffing each fuzzy till he finds the one he wants to eat first, Kai our eldest (and largest) Cornsnake goes straight for the feeding box himself, finds a fluffy mouse and nibbles up it till he finds the head (it's like he's eating a corn on the cob). He's very dignified about the whole thing. I've never seen him strike yet. Kyoni, one of your young corns, strikes at the pinky. The other hatchling corns are shy eaters. Our Boas strike, then sit for about 20 minutes with the head of the rat in their mouths (obviously savouring the rat) before they eat it. The second rat, if they're still hungry gets eaten in record time but they always take ages to eat the first one. It's fascinating watching them eat. I'm always really happy when they eat, especially Bobby who's putting on weight rapidly now and is actually starting to feel quite heavy. I think he'll got into shed in the next week or two. Byron's in shed and is in his usual "Just go away and leave me alone" mood. As soon as he sheds he'll be doing the snake equivalent of cartwheels round his viv LOL.

In my very little exposure with a BP I am seeing a trend with Salina. She is very open and relaxed around some family members from the time we take her out of the cage. With others she doesn't "ball-up" so to speak but becomes very tense the whole time she is held by them. I think Salina has determined like most animals who has the better skills or the least amount of fear. She has never hissed or struck, but seems to tense up around certain people, most being children who move fast. She is very calm around adults and older children who have taken the time to respect her and learn more about her. Snakes have a very strong sense of smell and prove them selves over and over to be very intelligent. I have no illusions about my snake loving me or caring for me, however I believe she is very capable of rembering who treats her right over time. She has been handled almost daily since we got her to exclude post feed and shed times.

I just purchased a 5 month old ball python. She was so cute until she started her striking! ( yes, just joking... she is still cute!)She ate only once since I've had her ... for 3.5 weeks. When she is in her hide, she peeks her little head out. When she is outside of the hide and she sees me, she forms that S shape in her neck and is ready to strike. My friend at the pet store has 10 snakes four of which are Ball Pythons. He said be gentle , but told me to continue to take her out for handling a few minutes a day. Should I do this or stay away from her for awhile? I bought a snake hook and so it is easier to get her out of the enclosure without her striking. By the way, one of the times I took her out on the hook, she wrapped around the hook and struck anyway. When I do take her out, she goes into a ball. I stretch her out and she immediately begins to crawl around and investigates her surroundings ... like my bed, floor, my arm,etc. Am I doing the right thing? ... especially taking her out of her enclosure and handling her daily even though she is ready to strike!

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Originally Posted by bbtillman

I just purchased a 5 month old ball python. She was so cute until she started her striking! ( yes, just joking... she is still cute!)She ate only once since I've had her ... for 3.5 weeks. When she is in her hide, she peeks her little head out. When she is outside of the hide and she sees me, she forms that S shape in her neck and is ready to strike. My friend at the pet store has 10 snakes four of which are Ball Pythons. He said be gentle , but told me to continue to take her out for handling a few minutes a day. Should I do this or stay away from her for awhile? I bought a snake hook and so it is easier to get her out of the enclosure without her striking. By the way, one of the times I took her out on the hook, she wrapped around the hook and struck anyway. When I do take her out, she goes into a ball. I stretch her out and she immediately begins to crawl around and investigates her surroundings ... like my bed, floor, my arm,etc. Am I doing the right thing? ... especially taking her out of her enclosure and handling her daily even though she is ready to strike!

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hey new friend! you're better off starting your own post so it gets more visibility.

i just skimmed your post, but your lil baby just sounds like they're hungry. [emoji4]

EDIT: and stop all handling until the snake has eaten 3 consecutive meals.

I would not recommend a snake for someone who is looking for a loyal, affectionate pet who will solicit your attention, perceive you as a friend and companion, and look forward to spending time with you. There are plenty of great things about pet snakes but their ability to socialize is not one of them. At best, they can learn to be comfortable with handling and not be stressed out by it, and they can learn to recognize and trust their keeper and feel secure around them.

However, it's important to remember that handling is ultimately for our enjoyment and not for the snake's, and there are many situations when a snake shouldn't be handled, such as after they are fed, when they are in shed, or if they are stressed or ill. I hold mine usually for 20-30 mins at a time, up to an hour a day, 4 days a week. (He is not handled on the day he is fed, or for 2 days afterward).

Some of the nice things about BPs, on the other hand:

- If you're not scared of snakes, handling one is a very cool experience and they actually feel very nice. I find it very calming to hold my BP and he often chills in my lap while I surf the net.

- They are low maintenance day to day, they eat at most once a week (as babies) and around every 2 weeks as adults. They don't defecate often so there is less cleaning than most other pets involved.

- They are fun to observe in the evening when they are not hiding, and will often do cute and goofy things.

- They are adorable and beautiful! I can't get over how sweet their little faces are.

- Unlike many other pets, they don't require companionship or attention so if you work all day or are out late they won't care.

- They are very quiet and won't disturb you or your neighbours.

- BPs are very sweet and docile (generally, there are always exceptions though!) and slow-moving, heavy-bodied snakes, so if you're looking for a pet that will mostly just sit with you calmly when out of its enclosure, they are great lap snakes.

This thread is 14 years old. :rolleyes: