im new here...

hey im new to the forum here and i have tons of questions about ball pythons (im looking at buying one soon, not sure though). i've kept a leopard gecko for a while and some anoles before but i have always wanted a snake. does anyone here have xbox live and wouldn't mind helping a newbie out by answering some questions? my gamer tag is dorado29

thanks in advance

Welcome aboard, hope you enjoy the site! :)
Sorry no xbox. Not even sure what it is. Don't know anything about gaming.

Welcome aboard! :welcome: This is da place if you want advice on any sort of herp.

As for the xbox live, nope, we don't have it (though my BF really wants a 360). Might you have MSN messenger? That would be a good alternative. Even without IM, you can ask whatever you want here on this site and you should get some great helpful answers. Just be prepared to give us pictures of your animals in return. :D

haha thanks for the welcome guys.... i have AIM (rcdc128)

about the cages: how big of a cage does a fully grown bp need? seeing as big cages are expensive i was thinking of making my own because i can weld and whatnot then probably fit plexiglass panels into it. do ball pythons prefer tall cages and climbing or relativly short cages?

Is it hard to get a bp to eat a dead mouse?

hmm i saw some pictures of a bumblebee and i dont know if this would be possible but maybe a trade would be in order: bumblebee for custom made cage (lol just a thought)

Welcome!

Ball Pythons are ground snakes and do not need any verticle space at all. Hatchlings can be housed in shoebox sized tubs/cages or small Kritter Keepers. 36x18x12 sized enclosures are used for adults, and keep in mind that glass aquariums with screen tops can make it harder to maintain humidity levels and such. Most people use tubs.

Here is a care sheet full of info for your snake:
http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=59

And info on the tubs:
http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=40

Good luck on any future projects!

oh wow i was expecting that they would need a really big tub/cage because they grow to about 4 feet

i was going to add this to the last post but i cant figure out how to edit... how much do bp's smell? is there any smell in the frozen mice? is it possible to set up a tank that pretty much runs itself? eg timers for the lights, heaters and whatnot... also how often do bp's go to the bathroom? (lol just trying to figure out how often i would have to clean the cage)

edit: woot i figured out how to edit haha

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dorado29

i was going to add this to the last post but i cant figure out how to edit... how much do bp's smell? is there any smell in the frozen mice? is it possible to set up a tank that pretty much runs itself? eg timers for the lights, heaters and whatnot... also how often do bp's go to the bathroom? (lol just trying to figure out how often i would have to clean the cage)

edit: woot i figured out how to edit haha

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they poop when you feed em hahaha but they do pee too so you gotta think about that too. and I have a few bps and no smell but idk about the other members here. and as for the bumble bee trade idea, im pretty sure no one who knows about the snakes they own would do that haha they're prettttttttty expensive dude. if you REALLY want a color morph I say check out a pastel they're the cheapest morph on the market and they're really pretty (also if you buy a spider morph and breed it to a pastel some of the baby's should be bee's theoretically)

welcome to the site! my bp's don't smell either. YAY!!! i haven't been able to switch them to frozen mice so i dunno about the smell from those.

the main thing now is that im 15.... i'll be going off to college in a couple years so i would have to get rid of my snake :( maybe somebody on the forum here in the new england states area would like a great deal on a pastel bp

Best bet would be to spend your money on something you can keep and get your snake after college. By the time you get out of college you may have other interests. I believe you should only get an animal if you can continue to care for it. They are live creatures, and what would happen if you headed to school and were not able to find a suitable home? What would happen then?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Blu Mongoose

Best bet would be to spend your money on something you can keep and get your snake after college. By the time you get out of college you may have other interests. I believe you should only get an animal if you can continue to care for it. They are live creatures, and what would happen if you headed to school and were not able to find a suitable home. What would happen then?

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i definitely agree! make sure you have a sure backup if you get one!

i'll probably go to college for the first two years about 15 minutes away so technically i'll be able to keep him for about 5 years..... what im trying to do is figure out if theres anyone in maine/new hampshire/massachusetts area that would want a free ball python in about 5 years lol..... i really dont feel like waiting like 7 years before getting a bp :(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dorado29

i'll probably go to college for the first two years about 15 minutes away so technically i'll be able to keep him for about 5 years..... what im trying to do is figure out if theres anyone in maine/new hampshire/massachusetts area that would want a free ball python in about 5 years lol..... i really dont feel like waiting like 7 years before getting a bp :(

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BP's live up to 30 years (maybe more) in captivity, if well cared for. You have to think of that. They have feelings, too! Would you get a dog before leaving for college?

But if you insist, go the route of Craig's List. You can get a BP and a full set up a lot cheaper there and you'll be a home for a bit before passing him on again - though I am personally against that. If you can't wait, find the next home before you get him, a sibling, a willing parent, a best friend?

PS Welcome to the site!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dorado29

the main thing now is that im 15.... i'll be going off to college in a couple years so i would have to get rid of my snake :( maybe somebody on the forum here in the new england states area would like a great deal on a pastel bp

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Yeah, I have the same exact problem. I am also 15, and right now do not have any snakes or reptiles. :( I agree with trying to find someone to take care of it if you truely can't wait. I share your pain, don't feel alone! Luckily though, I have a bunch of slackers for friends that don't want to go to college, lol! Although, I don't think that's my best bet...

I wish you luck though!

:welcome:to the most informative and caring internet site around...No xbox hookup here, but you will definitely find plenty of helpful and informative people here...:)