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pros of owning a ball python?
i am looking to get a reptile, my first!!! and i have heard that corns snakes and snakes like that are good but i also heard ball pythons were good and i like them more because they are fatter and bigger!!
i know the care for them.
now to the question... i think that they are nocturnal correct me if i am wrong, so they wont be at during the day so although they look really nice you will ever see them am i correct? and they prob dont like to be disturbed during they day, so why do people like them if i know then i might get one? also how often do they bite? and how often can you handle them?
thanks!
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Re: pros of owning a ball python?
A ball python is a great snake that will often become tame enough to sit quietly in your lap while you watch TV.
All snakes are individuals, and some INDIVIDUALS can be temperamental and prone to bite. But most ball pythons are very docile, and would rather hide their head than strike if they are frightened. Hatchlings can be nippy--understandably, they are scared of most everything. This is true of hatchlings of all species of snakes, though.
Ball pythons will spend most of their time resting quietly in their hide--usually all day, and part of the night. You can take them out to interact with them--so long as they're eating regularly, and behaving normally, it won't do them harm.
I would keep handling of a hatchling down to about 30 minutes per day, max, after they're eating regularly for you. Adults can be out for an hour or so. I wouldn't recommend handling for excessively long periods on a regular basis.
The most important thing to remember is that the ball python needs to be warm. Room temperatures in most homes are only around 70F. That is 10 degrees too cool for a ball python. Holding the ball python close will help keep it warm, but it's still breathing cold air while you have it out, so keep handling sessions appropriately short. Breathing cold air for long periods of time could lead to respiratory infection. (Either that, or keep the room at 80F, lol). Also be aware that temperatures above 90F can be deadly.
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BPnet Veteran
Re: pros of owning a ball python?
Originally Posted by JLC
A warning about buying a ball python....they're ADDICTIVE!
No doubt! haha
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Re: pros of owning a ball python?
I own both ball pythons and corn snakes, and they each have their pros/cons. Corn snakes are cheaper, more active, easier to feed, and need less heat... on the downside they poop & pee MUCH more frequently, aren't as easy to handle (they can be squirmy/flighty), worth less if you breed, and have less "exciting" morphs. Ball pythons are super mellow for the most part, fairly hardy, and and require less care overall. As for the biting question, it happens but not often - I've been tagged twice by a ball, and each time hurt less than a paper cut (didn't even feel one of them). Anyway, both corns & balls are great snakes, so it all depends on what you're looking for! I'd probably choose a BP if I could only have one, mostly due to their lap-snake personalities.
You picked two good species as a first snake, but I should mention a few other possibilities. I keep Australian pythons (Stimsoni, Maculosi & Jungle Carpet), and really enjoy what they add to my collection... pretty similar to BPs in their husbandry, but a little more outgoing and unusual looking. My Stimsoni in particular get a lot of "oooohs" when I show them off. I also have a little Western Hognose snake, and she is a doll - really enjoys human interaction (to the point of neediness), and has the cutest face known to mankind. So while I would never talk you out of a BP or corn, keep in mind there are LOTS of cool snakes to consider. Don't worry, you'll end up with more than one... the addiction grabs hold of us quickly and strongly, LOLOL.
Last edited by Lolo76; 08-02-2010 at 03:25 AM.
Lolo's Collection...
Ball Pythons: 0.4 Normals, 1.0 Pastel, 1.1 Mojaves, 1.0 Black Pastel, 2.0 Spiders, 0.1 Lesser, 1.0 Orange Ghost, 0.1 Honeybee
0.1 Spotted Python, 1.1 Stimson's Pythons, 1.0 Jungle Carpet Python
3.4 Corn Snakes, 1.1 Western Hognose Snakes, 1.2 cats, and 1.0 dog (47lb mutt)
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Re: pros of owning a ball python?
P.S. I personally don't mind the nocturnal behavior of a BP, since that's my schedule too! But they usually wake up around dusk, so even daytime folks have a chance to see them up & about... and like the others said, you can always wake them for handling.
Lolo's Collection...
Ball Pythons: 0.4 Normals, 1.0 Pastel, 1.1 Mojaves, 1.0 Black Pastel, 2.0 Spiders, 0.1 Lesser, 1.0 Orange Ghost, 0.1 Honeybee
0.1 Spotted Python, 1.1 Stimson's Pythons, 1.0 Jungle Carpet Python
3.4 Corn Snakes, 1.1 Western Hognose Snakes, 1.2 cats, and 1.0 dog (47lb mutt)
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Re: pros of owning a ball python?
Originally Posted by Big Gunns
The number one "pro" of owning a Ball Python is that some day you may actually be lucky enough to be in the same location as Big Gunns...and if you're really lucky...he may look your way.
They're great starter constrictors. Good luck if you get one.
Why don't you come up to a Toronto show? Brian from BHB does every year!
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Re: pros of owning a ball python?
Just remember ball pythons can go off their food for months at a time. Some people have a hard time dealing with that.
Good Luck!
Jim Smith
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