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[kingkung]

I think I am going to get a ball python. The yellow belly looks cool and the normals look cool too. Should I get a baby or adult?

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[Mr. Misha]

If you're getting one as a pet, I'd get a baby. It's awesome to watch them grow.

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[Naom9Anne]

My first one was a little older than a hatchling as I was a little intimidated by one which was so small and also one which was a little bigger. My others followed quite quickly from her so I have one about 4 months old at 288g, then I got my boy who is around 550g empty who is puppy dog tame and then this week I got some real youngsters.

I would suggest going for a younger snake, it doesn't have to be a hatchling but I think it doesn't matter what size you get. I think getting them young with room to grow so they grow with you and your experience is a good starting point. I have mine ranging from 60g to my 550g boy and the only difference I really found in size it that it is easier for me to put my boy around my neck, the others are a little too small for this but they'll get there and I can't wait to see how they'll look as juvies!

Get a feel for the different sizes and see what you're comfortable with if you feel happy with a hatchling go for it, if you feel you want something a little larger on larger prey go for something slightly (but not too much) older, or you could go for a yearling which is slightly bigger still but still has plenty of growth

[kingkung]

How fast do they grow, do males grow bigger than females?

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[Crazymonkee]

Females grow larger than male and there is no set rate of growth but fed correctly it'll weigh around 500-800 grams by about a year old

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[jclaiborne]

If you get a baby its amazing watching them grow...they can put on some size fairly quick. Females will get bigger than males

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[Naom9Anne]

A lot can depend on the individual BP, size of prey, how little/often you feed etc

An example: BP bought on 5th October cb13 weighed 200g, dropped to 192g and on weighing last night she 288g.

I haven't had any of my others long enough to compare. My boy is perhaps a year old, maybe less and is sitting at 613g full and aroung 3ft at a rough guess and he is more than manageable. People with older BP's will be able to fill in the gaps I've left

[Phantomtip]

I got at a month or 2 old. She's now a little over 3yrs, and 4ft longish. I was feeding her a good sized medium rat now shes back on smalls. I really need to get her weight up. Usually if they are fed properly and are well cared for they will be sweet and loving always unless inshed when they are uncomfortable and very cautious of being hurt. The weight and growth depends on what you feed, and how often. I've heard of some eating nothing but mice hoppers all their lives and some that eat jumbo rats. It all depends on the snake.

[kingkung]

When it comes to feeding, I prefer to feed live prey. With my lizards. I have roaches that I feed them and I will gut load the roaches before feeding to my lizards. Is it necessary to gut load a feeder mouse before feeding to your snake?

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[Phantomtip]

No because balls get all the nutrition they need from the rodent. The fod the rodent eats as long as its a good quality and not dog or cat food will suffice the balls needs. They process everything, bones skin internal organ and hair. Sorry I can't spell.