Hey guys a Few Qs

I spent about 30 mins at petco the other day holding a ball python and i really enjoyed it...i have always wanted a pet snake and after handling one for a while yesterday i have had that desire rekindled.

My Q's are this...if im considering getting a ball pyth, what kinda start up kit do i need?

what size tank (this was a small one only about 2 ft long)? what size tank per foot of snake or watever do u guys recommend.

at that size what do u feed em? id prefer live mice(or watever) over frozen.

i read somewhere u need a bowl for water for them to soak in? what else a hiding spot or anything?

thermal lamp? do u guys put thermometors in the tank with snakes to read temp? like fish tanks have thermometers in them

do they become ill easily?

i have had kept betta(fish) and they are very sensitive to everything
Water temp, PH levels amonia levels , light , activity, feeding. they get sick real easy and i dont want to have to pay that much attention to every aspect of rasing them.

like my dogs are fine, u feed em, let em get some exercise, clean up after them and bath them. pretty easy

i have 2 kids and a baby on the way and 2 large breed dogs.

Anything u guys could tell me to prepare me for getting one id appropriate.

Thanks

I've found this thread to be very helpful regarding the housing/husbandry of your future snake.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=55849

In my experience, which isn't much, Ball Pythons are significantly less active and require less attention than a dog (by a long shot). But they are pretty clever so you have to keep an eye on them, and they do have routine needs that should be met. But no where near as much as [most] dogs.

Someone with more knowledge will correct me if anything is misleading. hope that helps!

This thread is also a great source for answers to most of your questions.
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=56846

Welcome to BPnet and the wonderful world of BPs!!!

I applaud you for doing reaserch and seeking answers before you purchase a new BP. You are well on your way by registering here!

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Originally Posted by Slim

Welcome to BPnet and the wonderful world of BPs!!!

I applaud you for doing reaserch and seeking answers before you purchase a new BP. You are well on your way by registering here!

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Hampton Rds VA u in the Navy? see ur ribbon there my wife and i use to be stationed there about 8 or so years ago
IT and GM

grats on doing research before gettin your animal. I think all the threads linked above will answer most of your husbandry questions :) I also came here before i got my first snake and it was one of the best forums i've ever joined.

There is one thing i can recommend though, get your snake from a reputable breeder. avoid most pet stores at all costs.

id rather see some one who was properly educated here buy from a pet store rather then some one off the street. at least we know it will be cared for and the pet store suggestions will be disregarded.

pet store BP's need loving homes too.

Both of my older BPs came from less than reputable pet stores. They are both healthy snakes and I love them very much. The BP I got from a breeder was improperly shipped and frozen like a rock when he arrived. He survived, but it was a scary experiance.
Good luck with your new snake, when you decide to get one, and good on you for doing your research first.:gj:

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Originally Posted by Darkyst

Hampton Rds VA u in the Navy? see ur ribbon there my wife and i use to be stationed there about 8 or so years ago
IT and GM

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I'm retired from the Air Force. That's my Afgan Campaign Medal.

from this link
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=55849
what exactly is he doing with the aluminum foil? placing it on the bottom of the tank OVER the heating pad?
also what exactly is this "rheostat" and is it pretty much a must have?

no body mentioned that the pythons get sick easy which is a huge plus for me
now i need to decide what kinda python/snake to get

u dont have to worry about snakes going after dogs or babies do you? lol i am not really worried i wouldnt let the snake have free run of the house but im just curious if he sees a baby does he see a snack i doubt i have to worry about +90lb dogs

also if its small i doubt i have to wrry about any of that but i dont know how big they get

The tinfoil in that thread is put on top of the screen lid to hold in humidity.

As for worrying about the snake with a baby, or dog, you'll be fine with a BP. If you were to have a burmese or reticulated then yes, but nothing to worry with the BPs. My red tail boa likes to take an interest in my cats when they go by this enclosure but thats about it.

We had a party this weekend, and kids everywhere. They got a kick out of my bp. As long as you handle them enough, you have nothing to worry about. They aren't aggessive snakes. They are defensive. If they are scared they will curl up in a ball and stick their head out the middle. Its so cute! The biggest thing they will be able to eat is a large rat. They will know a dog or a child is too big to be food. lol. It's also very educational for children. One child said it felt like a pair of boots! Not a very pleasant thought, but it was funny.

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Originally Posted by Enser54

The tinfoil in that thread is put on top of the screen lid to hold in humidity.

As for worrying about the snake with a baby, or dog, you'll be fine with a BP. If you were to have a burmese or reticulated then yes, but nothing to worry with the BPs. My red tail boa likes to take an interest in my cats when they go by this enclosure but thats about it.

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he puts tin foil on the bottom of the aquarium too i think he puts the tin on the bottom then the heat pad then the bark and aluminum tape on the top

Be sure to read the caresheet here too:
http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules/...warticle&id=59

Also consider the possibility of keeping your snake in a plastic tub instead of a glass tank. Most people find it is easier to keep the proper temps & humidity in one of those. Also, it doesn't look as nice as a glass tank, but BPs hide most of the time anyway.