Why Are Ball Pythons Beginner Species?

[Spaniard]

My point is that beginner snakes should not need to have all that much time, research, effort, and money put into it.

Thats your opinion and you're entitled to it, I however wouldn't change my choice in getting bps as my first snake for anything. No matter how easy something is there are people out there that will screw it up, that's life.

[DutchHerp]

If they're really truely responsible pet owners, they will

If all the world leaders were nice people, there wouldn't be war either.

Although this statement is more or less true, it is not true in the same way it is for BPs. Most BPs have excellent temperament from the second they hatch until they die. I've even seen plenty of people talking about taking a mother off her eggs and she only hissed.

Most colubrids are spastic as hatchlings, which can make them a little difficult to handle by the time you consider how delicate the little things are. They may bite and/or musk. They rattle their tails, which to some is quite intimidating.

All I said is that Ball Pythons aren't the only species of snake that has good temperament, so that cannot be the main reason for BPs being beginner snakes.

[ChristinaP]

Before you get ANY pet, you need to research care. This includes basic pets such as cats, dogs, fish even. Some people say guinea pigs are easy, mine sure wasn't. Some people say cats are easy, I had one pass because of a blockage in his urethra and couldn't pee. My dog gets demodectic mage once a year (she has an immune system disorder) and yet dogs are considered "easy beginner" pets, hence people get them for their children to care for.

Same with balls, once you research how to care for them, the really are easy to care for. Check your temps, fed every so often, clean the cage, keep the humidity a certain level. Not much different. If you really are responsible you will do the research.

[Jenn]

I kept wc garters before I ever purchased a snake. My first purchase was a corn. Then I bought another corn. Then I bought my first BP. Now my house is filled with BP's and I hardly ever handle my corns anymore. I just keep them for display. My recommendation for a first snake... Skip right over the corns.

[The Letch]

If they're really truely responsible pet owners, they will

That changes the discussion for me from "Why is a BP a good beginner snake?" to "What makes a good beginning snake owner?" The general idea that I'm getting of the definition of a beginner snake owner is someone who sees them in the pet store, gets googly eyed and says "OOOh, that's sooo cool! I gotta have one!" Tells the clerk to set them up with all the "expensive" gear they just have to have and takes the snake home with a book (if the snake is lucky) and sets about attempting to keep the snake alive.

I am new snake owner but don't feel I fall into the category of "beginner" as I just described. My wife and I did a ton of research before we ever even picked a BP up to handle it. We had our enclosure set up for days before we ever brought her home to make sure temps and humidities were just right. We made our decision to get a BP on sound judgement regarding the snakes needs and our desires. Now, does that make a BP a good beginner snake? Yes, for us. It's folks that do the "I wanna snake and that's all" thing that generate bills like HR669 and news items about little Billy getting choked out by a Red Tail.

Sorry for the rant. I'm big on personal responsibility and folks that gets pets without doing the research first to ensure they can give a good home roast my chestnuts.

[ChristinaP]

That changes the discussion for me from "Why is a BP a good beginner snake?" to "What makes a good beginning snake owner?" The general idea that I'm getting of the definition of a beginner snake owner is someone who sees them in the pet store, gets googly eyed and says "OOOh, that's sooo cool! I gotta have one!" Tells the clerk to set them up with all the "expensive" gear they just have to have and takes the snake home with a book (if the snake is lucky) and sets about attempting to keep the snake alive.

That question I feel has been answered. Temperment, size, hardiness, easy to clean habitat, feeding, heck cost of food even. The other stuff comes (humidity and temp) with research, which is why I am soooooooooo big into research and responsibilities. I don't think you understood what I was saying.

[littleindiangirl]

I have to agree 110% with Casey. She hit it on the head!

I think the problem is you are comparing ball pythons to all of the other animals in the pet trade. Can you honestly think of any other snake or reptile that is easier to manage, incredibly hardy, very unlikely to strike and comes with a low price tag?

Everything about ball pythons is easy compared to other snakes. Corns are flighty and often poop on their handlers, milks and kings musk and pee, that is a big turn off for people. They may have different requirements that are easier to meet (as in, a heat lamp is sufficient), but by far I would rather handle a ball ANY day over a corn snake!

[The Letch]

That question I feel has been answered. Temperment, size, hardiness, easy to clean habitat, feeding, heck cost of food even. The other stuff comes (humidity and temp) with research, which is why I am soooooooooo big into research and responsibilities. I don't think you understood what I was saying.

All of what I bolded plus the "coolness" factor of telling your friends you have a python is what makes it such a popular (perhaps not necessarily best but popular) first snake. The folks that are after the "coolness" factor first and foremost simply aren't going to do the research beforehand and the items that I bolded will enable (usually) them to keep a snake alive long enough to do the research after the fact. Just my .02

As to what you're trying to say... I think I understand but this particular medium of conversation isn't all that great at conveying almost ethereal concepts. I find it very difficult sometimes to fully express myself on a forum.

[littleindiangirl]

The folks that are after the "coolness" factor first and foremost simply aren't going to do the research beforehand

I dunno about that. I bought all of my animals because I thought they we're cool!

[Freakie_frog]

Here is why I tell people that I suggest Ball Pythons too.

1: Their relative small size makes them I deal for even children to handle and keep.
2: Their temperament is more predictable have other python and Boa species.
3: They aren't typically as flighty as some colubrids can be.
4: They are a little more heavy bodied snake so for people that want to hold a more substantial snake they are your ones