what is it like to have a ball python?

I am pretty jazzed about getting a ball python. I am wondering what is it really like to have one? How active are they in their enclosures? Also when you handle the snake, what do you do together? Do you let them go outside in the grass? Do they hang out on you? Other playtime activities?

I'm looking for real-world experience to set my expectations appropriately before making a purchase.

I am particularly interested in the ball pythons because of how they look and their gentle nature, so I want to understand better how to enjoy them within their limits. The well-being of the animal is my #1 concern of course http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/fo...lies/smile.gif

its easy to find all the husbandry and technical info, but harder to find info on how people interact with their pets and what normal handling and playtime is like. ya know?

thanks

PS - long time fish keeper, first time herper.

:welcome: to the site.

Ball pythons are pretty shy. If you are looking for a display animal, it's probably not the best choice. They are nocturnal, and will remain in their hides for most of the day.

Having said that, I love them. They are awesome. The 3-5' size is perfect, and most do have a good docile temperment. They will tolerate handling for short periods. I have some I could take out every night and they would be fine, but I have others that stress relatively easily.

My best recommendation is to find a breeder and begin with a baby that is well started on feeding. Make sure your enclosure is set up and running prior to bringing your first bp home. Also are you comfortable feeding live vs. frozen/thawed? You may need to find a breeder that is feeding what you have access to.

I hope that helped a bit. :)

Snakes really don't "play" persay...handling is a bit stressful for them as we're seen as predators. They don't have the same thought process as a mammal. Some tolerate/enjoy it more than others though. With my guys, they come out every Sunday (each one has their own 20 minutes of time) and then 1-2 more times varied throughout the week for 10-15 minutes each. I just let them slither on or over me while I'm sitting on the couch or in the snake room. I have one that doesn't like human interaction at all, so I don't take her out unless to clean her tub.

They're just nice to look at and if you get one that is docile and doesn't mind handling time, they can be a joy to spend time with. They're facsinating animals and it's awesome just to watch them do their thing -- slither, get into/onto things, eat, etc. :)

Ball pythons are wonderful!!!!! Our Dax is very sweet and gentle. His favorite thing to do is be a "snakey bracelet" for his Daddy. He is curious and likes to investigate people and his surroundings when he is out. Dax eats VERY well!!! Right now he is around 9 months old and when we attempted to measure him last night he is around 27 inches long.

We have two snakes, a ball python and a cornsnake, and the python is by far the more relaxing snake to be with. Dax will watch tv with us and go from one of us to the other.
Now as far as activity inside the cage. With my Dax, forget it. We rarely see him out. I move his hides and check on him every day, but now that he is used to and familiar with his home, he does not explore. Often at night we can see him just inside one of his hides lurking. However, his gentle nature, his curiosity, and his beauty more than make up for the fact that he likes his privacy. My advice is get one, you won't be sorry!!!!

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Originally Posted by fishmommy

I am pretty jazzed about getting a ball python. I am wondering what is it really like to have one? How active are they in their enclosures? Also when you handle the snake, what do you do together? Do you let them go outside in the grass? Do they hang out on you? Other playtime activities?

I'm looking for real-world experience to set my expectations appropriately before making a purchase.

I am particularly interested in the ball pythons because of how they look and their gentle nature, so I want to understand better how to enjoy them within their limits. The well-being of the animal is my #1 concern of course http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/fo...lies/smile.gif

its easy to find all the husbandry and technical info, but harder to find info on how people interact with their pets and what normal handling and playtime is like. ya know?

thanks

PS - long time fish keeper, first time herper.

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Not being rude here,ball pythons are not puppies or kittens.I never allow any of my snakes to touch the grass whenever i take them outside.This is for several reasons,i do not want them to get hurt,to protect them from bugs or from any chemicals that might be on the grass.Its true though ball pythons are great to have as pets,but in the same sense they are not playfull.I keep my handling at a minamum for one reason and that is to keep the stress down on the snake.I give you a thumbs up for researching on their care and needs.Like i said not being rude just being honest.Welcome to the group also :D

no offense taken to anything you might have to say :) I'm pretty good about constructive criticism....being in the Cichlid hobby for a long time has taught me to heed the advice of experienced hobbyists!

like I said I am trying to set my expectations to be appropriate for the animal.

I do eventually want to get a Chondro as a display animal, but I think my first herp will be a BP. I would love to handle the BP, so these tips are good info for me to keep me from making mistakes or overdoing it.

I gather that each animal varies in personality, so I will have to learn to read mine with time - but everyone's advice will help me to start off with the right mindset.

I am hoping to feed frozen/thawed, so I will try to find an animal already eating that. I am fortunate enough to live relatively close to N.E.R.D, so I will likely purchase my snake from there, but I am not averse to adopting an unwanted adult if the right one comes along.

I am in no rush - still educating myself and working on getting my spouse used to the idea LOL

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Originally Posted by fishmommy

no offense taken to anything you might have to say :) I'm pretty good about constructive criticism....being in the Cichlid hobby for a long time has taught me to heed the advice of experienced hobbyists!

like I said I am trying to set my expectations to be appropriate for the animal.

I do eventually want to get a Chondro as a display animal, but I think my first herp will be a BP. I would love to handle the BP, so these tips are good info for me to keep me from making mistakes or overdoing it.

I gather that each animal varies in personality, so I will have to learn to read mine with time - but everyone's advice will help me to start off with the right mindset.

I am hoping to feed frozen/thawed, so I will try to find an animal already eating that. I am fortunate enough to live relatively close to N.E.R.D, so I will likely purchase my snake from there, but I am not averse to adopting an unwanted adult if the right one comes along.

I am in no rush - still educating myself and working on getting my spouse used to the idea LOL

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For your first snake get a hatchling from a breeder. Adopting is great after you have some experince with the animals. Rescues and adoptions have the bad habbit of comming with medical problems. You want to enjoy the little guy with out worrying about health problems.

NERD is a great place to get a hatchling.

Good Luck and Keep us posted

just go buy a bp book and read it.

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Originally Posted by python kid

just go buy a bp book and read it.

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Books offer alot of good general info. But nothing beats first had experiance. It sounds like you have been thinking this out which is a good thing. If your not confortable with what you know about keeping pythons you can wait a little while longer till you think your ready to start keeping Balls.

Great job on not rushing in to the buy and finding out as much as you can first. :fest:

I am buying a book also, but again it's the first hand accounts I am looking for here :)

I plan to buy Kevin's (NERD) book when I go out to his reptile shop next time. It seems to be the best book I have seen, though big $$$ unfortunately. I have done a lot of research online already....the technical details are all over the place and easy to find.

As far as what its like to own them and keep them there is nothing that can descrive it. They are like kids at time and others they are companions. Having these outstanding animals is never boring and they will always keep you intrested. Wether it be the they way they feel in your hands or that each of them have their own personality and even have their playfull days and their "HISSSS" I'm not wanting to get out of bed to day days.

In short they are rewarding and addictive in the same breath.

sorry I removed

Welcome to the forum and my compliments on you doing your research, both on practical experience and husbandry information, before purchasing your first BP. Buying from NERD will be a joy and should definitely get you a lovely snake for your first BP (be warned they are addictive lol).

Practical day to day stuff....BP's are great...once you have their enclosure set properly it's very basic stuff to maintain it for anyone with a few moments a day to devote to husbandry and checking their temps/humidity. A well started baby should settle in and do well for you if you follow a few simple steps to give it what it needs to thrive in it's environment. Not all that much different than what you would do with your fish....correct environment, correct food, happy critter. As far as handling and viewing...they are pretty shy snakes that love thier hides so a display snake they aren't (unless you like looking at what appears to be an empty enclosure LOL). Handling tends to be guided by what that particular snake will allow. Some are better able to handle the stress of it, others are not. Gentle, regular handling as a young snake by an owner that is observant and caring seems to trick though. Even an older snake unused to handling can slowly "learn" that there isn't a reason to have a fear response to it. Be aware though some BP's will never learn to tolerate much if any handling....it does happen occasionally.

None of that means however that these are domesticated pets or ever really tame. They are and will always be snakes, wild even if captive born, and personally I love that part. For me it's a great joy to provide a snake an environment where it can exist and interact with me with as little stress as possible. I consider handling a gift and one that I enjoy but try never to overdo. All of our BP's accept handling, some seem to get more benefit from their time outside their enclosures, others can only take so much and we've just learned to know who is who and their own particular limits or stress triggers.

I love ball pythons. Their beauty, grace and power combined with their reasonably gentle nature (though don't forget anything with teeth can and will bite LOL) makes them fascinating to me and my family.

My best advice to you is grab a cool drink and a comfy chair and browse the threads. You'll see experiences ranging from a person with one pet BP to breeders with 100's here. From the newest of the new keepers of all ages, to some pretty seasoned veterans. Everyone has something to contribute and it should give you a "real world" overview of what having a ball python is like.

I think the two biggest things that surprised me about having a ball python pet was

1) snakes are so soft! I guess always thought they'd be slimey or something, but they are joy to hold in your hands, to feel their bodies move...and the skin is so so soft. =)

2) They have personalities. I know I "anthropomorphize" too much, but fear, curiousity and hunger seem pretty evident with our bp and it's fun to watch.

And Kevin's book is great...good husbandry and health issues covered, some of the best explanation of genetics as applied to ball pythons, a zillion to-die-for pictures of known ball python "morphs" as well as a bit of explanation about ball pythons and their trade in Africa. If you're going to buy one book, it'd be the one I'd recommend. =)

thank you all for your thoughtful responses!


I agree that one of the attractions is that snakes are never *really* domesticated. I have always loved birds, fish, and reptiles for the very fact that they are sooooo alien. Providing an environment that is accepted by these critters is incredibly satisfying to me.

I am so excited about the potential of herps in my life.
I have always loved snakes, but never considered keeping them until recently. Now it feels like it was there in front of me all along and I was blind :lol:

anyway, I will continue to read and learn for a couple of months and hopefully I will have a new obsession by year's end. I have some upcoming business travel in the fall so I am putting any snake adoption on hold until I know I will be here every day during the first month or two. I hate travel!