Want a BP, should I get one?

So.. I got a Corn Snake in April.. and now I've officially got the Ball Python itch. I know they can be finicky eaters, require specific heat and humidity, and are bigger (in girth,as opposed to longer like your corns)..

We got baby Ball Pythons in the pet store and they're so cute. I don't know if I want to buy one from the store or if I should go with an established adult from a breeder.

I'm sure you'll all say breeder.. I think it's just because I can get them cheaper at the store.. (35 plus tax)

Pros and cons of Ball python ownership appreciated. I've read up on care and think I could handle it.

Thanks for any input..
Thea

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Originally Posted by TheaN526

So.. I got a Corn Snake in April.. and now I've officially got the Ball Python itch. I know they can be finicky eaters, require specific heat and humidity, and are bigger (in girth,as opposed to longer like your corns)..

We got baby Ball Pythons in the pet store and they're so cute. I don't know if I want to buy one from the store or if I should go with an established adult from a breeder.

I'm sure you'll all say breeder.. I think it's just because I can get them cheaper at the store.. (35 plus tax)

Pros and cons of Ball python ownership appreciated. I've read up on care and think I could handle it.

Thanks for any input..
Thea

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Most breeders don't have established adults on sale, and if they do there much more expensive.

Get a baby from a breeder for about the same price. Just think of the shipping as non-vet bills that you should need to take for the pet-store animal.
Remember, smaller babies want smaller cages. Don't start with a 20g IMO, get something like a 10g or a 15q tub.
You'll need a UTH with a good digital thermostat and a couple good probe thermometers.

Thermostats run int he 70-80 dollar range.
If you don't have the 200 dollars + to spend on this animal, you shouldn't get one. It seems like you were concentrating more on money, so I just thought I'd make sure you understand that.

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Originally Posted by blackcrystal22

Most breeders don't have established adults on sale, and if they do there much more expensive.

Get a baby from a breeder for about the same price. Just think of the shipping as non-vet bills that you should need to take for the pet-store animal.
Remember, smaller babies want smaller cages. Don't start with a 20g IMO, get something like a 10g or a 15q tub.
You'll need a UTH with a good digital thermostat and a couple good probe thermometers.

Thermostats run int he 70-80 dollar range.
If you don't have the 200 dollars + to spend on this animal, you shouldn't get one. It seems like you were concentrating more on money, so I just thought I'd make sure you understand that.

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I have a 10g right now. :) No problem on that. And I am getting my tax money and I'll have the extra 200 to spend on the rest of the stuff. Are babies easier than adults? I'm just wanting to make sure I know everything before getting a BP. I almost might adopt one as well. Just looking into all the options.

Babies are very rewarding imho :D Whether you get it from the pet store or a reputable local breeder is up to you. As long as you make sure that the baby has eaten a few times before you get it, they are wonderful.

Coming from someone who has both a corn and a ball...the main pro of having a ball is their personality. They are (usually) much more laid back than corns. Most of them seem to just enjoy laying on you for the most part. They are just great snakes. Most of them are very sweet, docile and fascinating to watch (when they decide to venture out :P)

The main cons are the ones you already know about: the finicky appetite and the more specific temp/humidity requirements. I'd say the picky eating is the most aggravating part for me. My corn devours practically anything you put in front of her, so it always really gets to me when my ball acts like she's forgotten how to eat :rolleyes: But then a couple weeks later she decides she's hungry. You definitely do learn how to worry less when you have a ball :P

They are really worth it though. If there's any snake you can seriously get attached to, it's a ball python. It will become your "baby."

So if you have the money and you're ready to do it right...then definitely go for it!! :gj: You won't regret it!! Just be prepared to fall head over heels for the little charmers!! :D

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Originally Posted by blushingball419

Babies are very rewarding imho :D Whether you get it from the pet store or a reputable local breeder is up to you. As long as you make sure that the baby has eaten a few times before you get it, they are wonderful.

Coming from someone who has both a corn and a ball...the main pro of having a ball is their personality. They are (usually) much more laid back than corns. Most of them seem to just enjoy laying on you for the most part. They are just great snakes. Most of them are very sweet, docile and fascinating to watch (when they decide to venture out :P)

The main cons are the ones you already know about: the finicky appetite and the more specific temp/humidity requirements. I'd say the picky eating is the most aggravating part for me. My corn devours practically anything you put in front of her, so it always really gets to me when my ball acts like she's forgotten how to eat :rolleyes: But then a couple weeks later she decides she's hungry. You definitely do learn how to worry less when you have a ball :P

They are really worth it though. If there's any snake you can seriously get attached to, it's a ball python. It will become your "baby."

So if you have the money and you're ready to do it right...then definitely go for it!! :gj: You won't regret it!! Just be prepared to fall head over heels for the little charmers!! :D

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The thing about working at the pet store is that I get to ensure their health. It's up to all of the associates to do so but my co-worker is not into snakes like me so I have taken a more active approach in making sure everyone is fed, cages are cleaned, and everyone has water.

When we got the babies in this week I took them out and placed them in their viv. They were so funny-exploring the cages for an escape route. haha. They were all huddled together at one point today planning a mutiny or takeover. When I moved suddenly one of them struck at the at the glass. It was strange.

I can put my name on any of them when I want to. We have to wait until they feed and shed. 3 or so are in shed right now. We have 6 babies and 3 adults. I'm waiting until we find out what the sexes are. I'm hoping for a female.

It sounds like they're great and I will get really attached. I'm a worry wort though and I'll just have to remember that Ball Pythons put on strikes now and than. LOL

Yeah babies can be a little skittish because they are small and feel vulnerable. I never had a problem with mine, but even if you happen to get one that's a little snappy, almost all of them grow out of it :)

That's great that you get to be the one monitoring them and making sure they're healthy. Good luck!!

Really ball pythons are not that hard to take care of...if there healthy....they just need to have the right heat and humidity....also hides and a water bowl and there you go...

Captive bred pythons are much better eaters and not as finicky too. That is oone thing to keep in mind when purchasing one of these pets. I will only purchase captive bred pythons. Now, I did adopt a wild caught Ball and I've been lucky that he hasn't been a finicky eater...YET.
I'm also sold on the captive bred snakes because you reduce the risk of internal and external parasites and diseases that are associated with wild caught pythons. With the number of great vendors found here, you should have no problem finding the snake that is perfect for you.
Be forewarned though, you won't be able to stop at just one. They are like Lays Potato Chips. You can't own just one! ;)

Some breeders may have adult males for sale, most of them won't part with normal females as they are involved in their breeding program. I know that Adam at 8ballpythons has adult males.

If you know where your babies came from (captive hatched, farmed, wild caught) it may help you make the decision on whether to get one from your store or from a breeder. Established, feeding, parasite free animals are ALWAYS a much better bet for a new keeper. Breeders can tell you this and most likely you would be getting a healthy feeding captive bred animal :)

The problem with you getting one from your pet store is that in the short amount of time you will get to watch it before you make a decision is not necessarily enough time for issues such as parasites to become obvious. You will be better off than the average pet store buyer in that at least you'll know the one you pick out is eating.

Most BPs sold in pet stores are captive hatched. That means they take eggs from wild mothers and hatch them in captivity. That is WAY different than captive bred, which in most cases means the snake's ancestors have been in captivity for generations.

I'd go with a breeder. I've seen captive bred normal babies for as little as $15 at reptile shows. Also, many breeders will give away normal males for free, you just pay shipping.

As far as whether or not you should get one, you came to the wrong place if you wanted anything other than for us to talk you into it. As long as you are willing & able to put a little time, money, and effort in to setting up a proper enclosure, I'm sure you'll find owning a BP to be a very rewarding experience. The differences in size, build, temperament, and personality between corns and BPs complement each other very nicely. I'm very glad we own both.

If you have to be talked into getting a python, then I would say you might want to slow it down a bit and maybe hold off for awhile until you are sure. You MUST relaize that taking in one of these for a pet is a VERY long term commitment. These snakes have been known to live 20-30 years in captivity if taken care of. That's a VERY long time to commit to taking care of an animal of any species.
I'm not trying to discourage you, but I'm just making you aware that this is a long term deal and not something that will be over in a few years. I hate it when people have to be talked into getting a snake like this. That just means they aren't 100% positive about getting one and chances are, if they do get one, they won't keep it for the long term. Just some food for thought. ;)

Also, are you aware of the many different awesome morphs that are sold by breeders? I know most people don't want to get a morph right off the bat but mojaves and pastels are very beautiful and getting pretty inexpensive right now!

You don't NEED to spend 70-80 on good thermostat to start with. Although I do recommend eventually getting one that can control the temps digitally, for you. I'm still using dimmers and they can be a pain because you have to adjust your temps manually, and the temps will go back and forth.

Go to walmart and pick up an acurite thermostat. The one with the probe and humidity reader is the best they have, I believe. It will be near the lighting section.

Also, go to home depot and pick up some kind of light dimmer to use with your heat pad to control your temps.

you really don't have to spend that much money to get started:

Light dimmer $11
heat pad $20
T-stat $11
Plastic tub $8
or
10 gal (for a baby) $15-20 at walmart.
plastic bowl for a hide $2-6
ceramic dog waterbowl at walmart(heavy so your snake can't tip it) $4-5

Newspaper as subtrate- Free
or Aspen bedding for substrate (probably the cheapest loose bedding out there)- 5$ for a big pack that will last you a month or two

If you use a tub, make sure you get one with a secure lid and remember to make ventilation holes.

I suppose if you are just starting out, a dimmer would be fine but they are really not all that reliable. If you room changes more than 3 degrees within a day, you are going to have to keep adjusting the dimmer accordingly.

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

I suppose if you are just starting out, a dimmer would be fine but they are really not all that reliable. If you room changes more than 3 degrees within a day, you are going to have to keep adjusting the dimmer accordingly.

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yeah, they can be frustrating.


My next investments are going to be 2 rancos.

I definitely will adopt one in 2-3 months. I may also start out by fostering for the PNWHS(Pacific Northwest Herp Society) and see if a Ball Python is the right pet for me. I chose a corn snake initially for the ease of care and to start myself off. I've been learning so much by being a member of all these forums. I may not know everything but I am gradually starting to understand everything.

This thread was posted as a pro/con of owning a BP, not a convince me or convince me not to. I like to hear what other BP owners have to say and I know that it is a huge commitment. If I really wanted to I could go out and get one tomorrow but I'm not going to.

I'm patiently waiting for the right timing.