I used to own tarantulas years ago but I ended up being allergic to those hairs they like to kick off at you so I had to sell them and try a different hobby. I decided that I'd like to try owning a snake or snakes. I wasn't sure what breed to get but I looked up "snakes for beginners" and the two that popped up the most were corns snakes and ball pythons. People told me to get a corn snake as my first since they are less picky when it comes to feeding but I just liked the look of the ball python and liked everything I read about them from their docile nature, to their stocky build, to just being a calmer snake overall than any other, from what I was reading at the time. I haven't been disappointed. Best pet I have ever owned by far!