Advice please...?

Hey Guys,
I would like to know the main differences between keeping a Royals/Ball Pythons and a Corn snake.

I have 2 corns at the moment & am currently trying (my hardest) to decide what to get next.(& have been for the last 3 months!)

I love Balls. many people have said that they arnt keen on handling, & this can cause them to stress & stop eating, and if I want a sociable snake that likes getting handled then go for another corn..then again i have had some people say that with regular handling from young, they dont mind it..and have no probs with thiers...????

confused !!?? I am !!.I have read care sheet after care sheet, been on varios forums & websites ...any help would be great, I am off to a show in July, so I have to make up my mind & quick!!!

Cheers !

go for a ball( it's what you want ). correct temps and hides are vital for success with balls. every snake is different, some are real active and curious and some are nervous and scared. you have to find one that suits you.


vaughn

So for a baby, I will be using a secure plastic container to begin with. How long are they able to stay in this type of thing before they need a big viv ?


also what about heating whilst in the plastic tub ? would you put a heat mat on the underside of 1 half of it & use a stat to ?

cheers for replying

for a baby i would use a 6qt. shoebox tub or a 12/15 qt tub. they like nice small hides and warm temps. i'd use a heat mat regulated by a thermostat. around 300 grams or so i move them up to larger tubs.



vaughn

thats great, cheers for your help.


If anyone has anything to add to this advice I would be happy to hear it !!

thank you thank you

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lisa77

thats great, cheers for your help.


If anyone has anything to add to this advice I would be happy to hear it !!

thank you thank you

---

Go with what Vaughn said. Get a secure plastic container, make a bunch of holes in it for air flow. Get a UTH (under tank heater) and thermostat to control them (try www.reptilebasics.com) and get a water bowl and a couple small hides that the snake can just squeeze into. Balls rock!!

thanks so much guys..i cant contain my excitment !

Don't get me wrong... I love my ball!! But... The corn snake does not need all the heating as the ball does. So the "maintanance" on the ball is much more difficult as they NEED proper heat and humidity. Someone can and will correct me if I'm wrong but this is what I've found.


As far as handling goes mine doesn't mind at all! They move much slower than corns but can have thier bursts of speed too. For my 5 year old son I chose the ball python because it wouldn't "get away" as fast as the corn. But the heating and humidity took a month or two to get under control.

For a viv you can also think about a regular 20 gal tank with a solid wood top. My breeder I bought my snake from swears by them and has them available at his shop. This way the humidity stays in and you don't have to worry so much about regulating it. The heat source is a 40W bulb that has a small cut out in the top. I will have to take a picture of the viv and post it.

Must admit though I would much rather be lifting up a plastic container rather than a heavy glass one when it's time to clean!! :)

Snakes can be pretty unpredictable I had a corn tht hated bein handled and was a terrible eater even though i gave him everything he needed to stay stress free and healthy but my bp ive had for a month and he actually likes bein handled and loves to eat just as much

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lisa77

So for a baby, I will be using a secure plastic container to begin with. How long are they able to stay in this type of thing before they need a big viv ?

---

A ball python can live in a plastic tub their whole life. You do need to up the sizes every once in a while. You will have to ask someone else for the size they use for adults as I dont know that, but do know that tubs are WAY better than glass for a bp.

There's a ton of lovely snakes to choose from Lisa so just take the time now to think about what you like best in a snake. It's a 20 year committment so best to like what you'll be cleaning up after for that long LOL.

I think BP's are very nice to handle as long as you understand they tend to be more of a shy snake and allow them lots of time to adjust to handling and don't overdo it with them. We always try to remember that handling is a gift from our snakes...something we want but they don't truly need...so we respect that and try to never go too far in our need to have them with us. Some of our BP's don't seem to mind being handled a bit, some seem downright sociable, others will take so much of it then slither off on some snake business of their own LOL. We've had a big one that hated it and it took a long time to bring her to a place where she was safe to handle (not common...she was after all a pet store dump off poor thing).

As long as you understand the uniqueness of your BP and take things slow. You've shown how much you care already and you don't even have the snake yet. I think you'll do fine. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by frankykeno

There's a ton of lovely snakes to choose from Lisa so just take the time now to think about what you like best in a snake. It's a 20 year committment so best to like what you'll be cleaning up after for that long LOL.

I think BP's are very nice to handle as long as you understand they tend to be more of a shy snake and allow them lots of time to adjust to handling and don't overdo it with them. We always try to remember that handling is a gift from our snakes...something we want but they don't truly need...so we respect that and try to never go too far in our need to have them with us. Some of our BP's don't seem to mind being handled a bit, some seem downright sociable, others will take so much of it then slither off on some snake business of their own LOL. We've had a big one that hated it and it took a long time to bring her to a place where she was safe to handle (not common...she was after all a pet store dump off poor thing).

As long as you understand the uniqueness of your BP and take things slow. You've shown how much you care already and you don't even have the snake yet. I think you'll do fine. :)

---

Another piece of great advice guys..thanks to every1

I visited a shop nearby today, there was a male Royal. I asked to handle him, he was lovley, BUT, he didnt look like the healthiest of snakes. They said he was 6 months old..well to be honest I dont think they knew for sure much at all, about what they were talking about.

He had very 'saggy skin' which made me think he was dehydrated, also had some abrasions on his belly, could of been scale rot.. I asked if he was in shed and the man there said "no, as his eyes are clear"...but we all know that they clear up after they have been misty & before they actually shed their skin.

Also his vent looked open & abnormal.. kind of gaping..I have heard this is not a good sign either.

He didnt seem shy at all tho to be honest, & seemed to be ok being handled.

Although it wasnt that nice to see the poor little un-healthy Royal, it was good to see the warning signs, (that every1 has said to look out for) to look out for when I am actually picking one to purchase.

Thanks for everyones time on this...Im sure I will be back for more Q's.. I just like to be prepared for everything!

cheers

Sounds like you know what to look for in a healthy snake. I am also glad to hear you are thinking of getting into ball pythons, they are great snakes!! You will know when you find the right one, shows are a great place to see multiple animals and pick the one that is right for you. Good Luck!! ;)

Hi Lisa

I love my BP - he was my first snake and I got him as a baby at 4 months old. He loves being handled (or maybe "tolerates" it very well). Once he had his settling in period with us we've handled him every day during his normal sleeping/active cycle - I like nocturnal snakes because evenings you have more time to sit down and be with them.

I got his viv from Northampton Reptiles (I live in Oxford) they do really good solid wooden vivs at a reasonable price.

Sue

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Wild Bill

Sounds like you know what to look for in a healthy snake. I am also glad to hear you are thinking of getting into ball pythons, they are great snakes!! You will know when you find the right one, shows are a great place to see multiple animals and pick the one that is right for you. Good Luck!! ;)

---

Hi Wild Bill ! I am so excited about the show..I hope im not disapointed..

I have just looked through your pics...you have some beauties....:tongue2:


Thanks for the response..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Razaiel

Hi Lisa

I love my BP - he was my first snake and I got him as a baby at 4 months old. He loves being handled (or maybe "tolerates" it very well). Once he had his settling in period with us we've handled him every day during his normal sleeping/active cycle - I like nocturnal snakes because evenings you have more time to sit down and be with them.

I got his viv from Northampton Reptiles (I live in Oxford) they do really good solid wooden vivs at a reasonable price.

Sue

---

Hi Sue..
Nice to see you live nearby ! I have been to Northampton Reptiles too.. nice place.. Have you been to Amey Zoo in Bovingdon ? Thats also a good shop... Its really nice to hear so many people say they handle their RP's frequently, as many people have given me the impression that they really dont do 'well' if are handled alot. I suppose it depends on individual snakes.. some must just not be 'ok' with it.

Well, show is on 8th July, & im counting the hours...
As soon as I can (if im lucky enough to get one) I will post pics..

Do breeders at shows like this mind you handling more than one snake? I dont want to appear weird..but then I suppose that this is essential to ensure that you purchase the correct one for you ?

Sorry I do babble !

Is that Bovingdon near Chesham? (I used to live in Amersham) but I don't know any reptile shops there - I wasn't interested in reptiles in those days. (Hubby said NO SNAKES - now I have 3 :D )


I've never actually been to a show - I was hoping I might get to the one at Doncaster today but my chauffer (aka Hubby) was not willing.

I visited a boa and BP breeder up in Birkenhead last week (Chris Gillam of Boamorphs) and he was happy to show all his snakes. I would be careful about handling boas and then balls as if a boa has IBD and ball catches it - it is fatal to them. My new boa is currently in quarantine up in my bedroom.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Razaiel

Is that Bovingdon near Chesham? (I used to live in Amersham) but I don't know any reptile shops there - I wasn't interested in reptiles in those days. (Hubby said NO SNAKES - now I have 3 :D )


I've never actually been to a show - I was hoping I might get to the one at Doncaster today but my chauffer (aka Hubby) was not willing.

I visited a boa and BP breeder up in Birkenhead last week (Chris Gillam of Boamorphs) and he was happy to show all his snakes. I would be careful about handling boas and then balls as if a boa has IBD and ball catches it - it is fatal to them. My new boa is currently in quarantine up in my bedroom.

---

Yeah pretty near Chesham.. Mark at the shop really knows his stuff. Whats IBD ? Dont think I will be getting a Boa.. The dwarfs are about my limit.. They are a nice size.

Will you be at the show in July ? anyone else going ?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lisa77

Yeah pretty near Chesham.. Mark at the shop really knows his stuff. Whats IBD ? Dont think I will be getting a Boa.. The dwarfs are about my limit.. They are a nice size.

Will you be at the show in July ? anyone else going ?

---

Maybe I should take a trip back to my previous home-town - sounds like a good place. I tend to panic about things that my critters can catch off of others - I was just thinking of you going to a show and handling maybe a snake that has something (like IBD) and then it getting transmitted to your snake back home. When I went to parrot shows I was terrified of catching something transmittable to my parrot and always showered religiously as soon as I got in the door - but I am paranoid ;)

For IBD info - this is a good link

http://www.anapsid.org/ibd.html

Here we are...Everyone should come... I am so excired...

The

BRITISH REPTILE & AMPHIBIAN SOCIETY



Are pleased to announce their 2nd

Reptile Fair at:

Ripple Hall, St Erkenwald Road, Barking, Essex

On 08 July 2006



Open to the public from 10am to 4pm

(Subject to 2 vet inspectors’ clearance)

Entry: Adults £1

Children 50p

(Under 5’s free)



Private Breeders selling Captive Bred livestock

Commercial Traders selling Dry Goods



NO sales to anyone under 16 unless accompanied by an adult



For enquiries on tables e-mail:



helen@condoris.net



Approx. 60 tables available at £10 each

Upstairs OR Downstairs Hall available on First come First served basis

Parking strictly for traders only

Oh but I wish I could take a hop across the pond! You'll have to report back how it was!

I defo will..with the new pics of the baby of the house !


cant sleep..keep dreaming of my new little Royal !

how sad !!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lisa77

cant sleep..keep dreaming of my new little Royal !

how sad !!

---

Not sad at all! I do the same thing. I couldn't get to sleep last night going over in my head each of the kids and their lovely looks. Plus I was still on a "high" from a good feeding day yesterday too! ;)

Thank god ! my friends & family think im nuts & cant see the big attraction !

'how dare they' !!!!!!!@ LOL

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rabernet

Not sad at all! I do the same thing. I couldn't get to sleep last night going over in my head each of the kids and their lovely looks. Plus I was still on a "high" from a good feeding day yesterday too! ;)

---

Yeah sleep is secondary, especially when I have these in the incubator.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...hincubator.jpg