Why Are Ball Pythons Beginner Species?

[DutchHerp]

Chicago winters, silly southerner

And of course our friendly neighborhood Venom wants to chime in with another immature and unnecessary comment, I suppose to try to make himself look stupid?

Read it again, and then think about how stupid the thing was you just said.

There's the key word

If YOU do not think BP are not a good beginner snake it's ok I, don't own one, don't recommend one to someone looking for a first snake that is as easy as that, however it will not change the fact that their disposition, size, ease to handle make them a good beginner snake.

Right, so less just recommend a retic as a beginner snakes since for YOU they have the same charactheristics.

Don't think you get what I'm saying..

I'll say it again:

I believe -- yes, my opinion, like you pointed out -- that the reasons you all give to support your point that ball pythons are beginner species also apply to some of the advanced species.

I'm not saying retics are beginner snakes; actually, that's exactly my point. Some of the "beginner snake" characteristics Ball Pythons have also apply to retics..actually a lot of them.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

And I will say it again it is not about husbandry and requirements alone it is about a combination of things that include size, temperament, ease to handle as well as requierements and husbandry.

When you ad up everything they are one of the best snake for someone just starting.

Because YOU find them not to be a good beginner snake due to YOUR experience does not mean they are not.

[RebelYell83]

any snake is a good beginer snake,however,if somebody has a corn,with minimal husbandry needs,and it lives and does great for 2 years with no heat,barely any humidity,they THINK they are doing good,and buy a ball,keep it the same way,and are less likely to listen,,just my 2 cents in a lot of cases with people i have dealt with

[ChristinaP]

any snake is a good beginer snake,however,if somebody has a corn,with minimal husbandry needs,and it lives and does great for 2 years with no heat,barely any humidity,they THINK they are doing good,and buy a ball,keep it the same way,and are less likely to listen,,just my 2 cents in a lot of cases with people i have dealt with

I agree 100%

[DutchHerp]

And I will say it again it is not about husbandry and requirements alone it is about a combination of things that include size, temperament, ease to handle as well as requierements and husbandry.

When you ad up everything they are one of the best snake for someone just starting.

Because YOU find them not to be a good beginner snake due to YOUR experience does not mean they are not.

Don't think you're teaching me something new here Deb because I tried my best to say "In my opinion" or "I believe" as much as possible in every post.

[Skiploder]

The husbandry needs of just about any snake require a little homework and research. Reptiles in general are not exactly "beginner" pets in that regard.

Colubrids also need proper temperatures, security and species specific care. Some colubrid species are even more mellow than balls.

I could make the case that a gopher snake is every bit as affordable, is easy to handle, and is more forgiving of husbandry lapses compared to a ball. Yes, they require a bit more diligence in the way of cleaning, but I've been catching wild ones for years and find most to be quite docile.

Are ball pythons the most forgiving snake of husbandry errors? No. There are better choices out there, even in the python family.

Spotted pythons require almost the same living conditions, stay small, poop in small compact logs and tend to be docile and tolerate a lot of handling. The also are less prone to miss meals and are a bit hardier.

To get back to the OP's question:

Are ball pythons a beginner snake? Yes.

Are they the easiest beginner snake to care for? I don't think so.

[West Coast Jungle]

My thought is they are a beginner species as opposed to a more advanced snake species. For example one that gets huge and needs more than an old fisk tank for an enclosure or needs water to swim, branches to perch or climb, specific food requirements and/or other specific husbandry needs. There are always the potentially dangerous snakes being either hots or just the big giant constrictors that could take the life of inexperienced handlers or family members. There are also the real fast and large snakes like a False Water Cobra. One would have to agree that those snakes are for the more advanced or experienced keeper. So in comparison a ball python would be a beginner snake when compared to the much more difficult ones to keep in captivity.

In my opinion colubrids are also beginners as they are real simple to care for but definately could wiggle away from an inexperienced snake handler with their quickness.

[_Venom_]

And of course our friendly neighborhood Venom wants to chime in with another immature and unnecessary comment, I suppose to try to make himself look stupid?

Read it again, and then think about how stupid the thing was you just said.



Don't think you get what I'm saying..

I'll say it again:

[.

Don't call me stupid.

[DutchHerp]

Again, you don't read my post at all and post another stupid comment.

[_Venom_]

Again, you don't read my post at all and post another stupid comment.

You're annoying.