Im New:] - Ball Python Info

[NatalieFaye1031]

Im REALLY interested in getting a ball python... After interacting with one in my biology class i got hooked! i was originally looking at a boa... but after researching i decided on a BP... My question basically, is what should i know before adopting a BP? i know all the basics... feeding, housing, ect.. but is there anything further i should know? like temperment... how often can they be handled? are they okay without a lot of social interaction? how are they around a lot of people? that kind of stuff

Thanks!

[Dabonus]

BAM!

http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules/...warticle&id=59

[Kaorte]

!!!

You have come to the right place for anything and everything about ball pythons.

They are fantastic little animals and are normally quite calm with handling. That being said, these are not social animals like dogs or cats. They would enjoy being alone over anything else. They are easily stressed so they shouldn't be handled excessively. I don't handle my snakes much anymore because I have 6 of them, but I would say once your snake is settled in and eating consistently, 15 minutes a day is acceptable.


I know you probably think you know a lot about these snakes already but there is a lot of information that is not in the care sheet ( http://ball-pythons.net/modules/Sect...warticle&id=59 ).

A few common newbie mistakes are:

1. Using half log hides instead of "rock cave" hides. Ball pythons like tight cramped spaces so low to the ground, tight fitting hides are best. I use plastic cereal bowls from the dollar store.

2. Too much heat or not enough heat. If your house is warmer then 75* on a normal basis, you will only need an under tank heater. With whatever heating source you use, you need something to control it with. A reptile thermostat is the preferred means of control. A thermostat is not the same thing as a thermometer, which is just as important.

3. Inaccurate Thermometers. 90% of first time snake owners will come out of the pet store with a bunch of round dial thermometers. Those things are garbage. They can be up to 10* off in both directions. You should never rely on these for measuring temps. Instead, you want a digital thermometer with a probe. You could buy one of these from the pet store for about $10, or you could head to the home depot, lowes, or walmart for the accurite weather station for $12. This unit measure ambient temp, ambient humidity, and temp with a probe. This unit is very good and is the only thermometer/hygrometer you will need in the enclosure.

4. Feeding. Many newbies think that you MUST MUST MUST feed a ball python in a separate enclosure. While this is true for some of the larger snake species, it is just not true for ball pythons. Ball pythons can be very picky and are very shy. Many will not take meals in a separate enclosure which can be very frustrating for a new owner. Make your life easier and feed in the home enclosure

5. Gigantic enclosure. Ball pythons, again, are shy secretive snakes. They are quite happy in small cramped enclosures. Providing them with "roaming room" will only make it harder for you to maintain proper temps and humidity, and might also stress your snake out. Ball pythons up to a year old should be kept in a 10g tank or 15qt tub. Adult males should be kept in a 20g long or 32qt tub, and adult females should be kept in a 30g breeder or 41qt tub.


I hope this helps you out a little bit and puts you on the right path for getting a ball python! They are great little animals.

[Mr_BoaJangles]

Frist off welcome,

Research prior to adoption is always key to having a happy snake.

Make sure you know where your getting your appropriate sized F/T mice from. Purchase and set up your enclosure prior to getting the snake.

If you have the housing set up correctly prior, your snake will ajust to its new home faster and will be in good spirts for handling.

Let your snake be for the first few days to a week if you can wait. This gives them time to chill out. Then make it a point on non feeding days to take him/her out for 5-15 minutes at a time of handling time. After a few months of doing this a few times a week the snake will get use to you and feel safe. You will notice it will just sit with you rather then try to run off and hide. A calm snake is fine with being around groups of people, but they will never be fans of fast spaztic movement. So make sure that if your friends are over wanting to handle it they need to not spook the snake.

Good luck!

[NatalieFaye1031]

Thanks everybody for the replies!

Veryyyy helpful! :]

I actually think i am adopting a sub-adult to adult ball python from someone who no longer wants him/her.

The one i am currently looking at comes with his tank ect.

Now i do have another question: if the owner has been feeding him in a second tank should i continue that or switch him over to feeding in his tank.

Also: which is better. live or frozen? or should i just continue what the previous owner was doing?

thanks!

[Kaorte]

I would just start feeding him in the home enclosure. Moving to a new home, even if he is kept in the same tank, is still stressful. You are much more likely to get him to eat if you feed him where he is comfortable, in his home enclosure.

Neither live or frozen are "better". I would continue with whatever the previous owner was feeding.

[NatalieFaye1031]

Great! thank you!

One more and then im done! :]

Once a snake has adapted and is eating regualrly ect. How do they do with outings? Ive seen a few posts on this site where people are taking pictures of their snakes outside and such. I would love this, cause im an amature photographer! but is it alright to take them outside? or out and about or w/e?

[Kaorte]

Great! thank you!

One more and then im done! :]

Once a snake has adapted and is eating regualrly ect. How do they do with outings? Ive seen a few posts on this site where people are taking pictures of their snakes outside and such. I would love this, cause im an amature photographer! but is it alright to take them outside? or out and about or w/e?

I would say after the snake has fed 3-4 times in a row. You can take your snake outside for photos, just make sure it isn't too cold or too hot outside. Try to keep the snake out of direct sunlight.

I wouldn't recommend bringing your snake to a public place unless you have the consent of others around you. Many people have irrational fears that could lead to legal action taken against you

[mr. s]

First of all, I have never had a single problem feeding outside the enclosure. Although many newbies think you MUST feed outside the enclosure, I think there is this wave of common thought that feeding outside the enclosure is somehow terrible for the snake. As I said, I have never had a problem feeding in a separate container, and I think it is speculation that this causes stress to the snake, considering how many people have done it over the years. Also, there are many that feel that it reduces aggression to feed in this way. In all, you should know that it is a bit of a heated debate which I will not get into.

Yes, and no about taking it outside. Yes, taking a snake out for a few minutes on a warm day should not be a problem, but I would be careful about where you let it go to avoid anything that might be harmful. And no, don't go taking your snake out to walk to the local pet store to show off or to your friends house to hang out. Those things are just asking for problems. This could do a number of different things and is just not the best idea.
The only rule is that you must post lots of pictures for us to see.

[Vypyrz]

to the forum. You are doing the best thing you can by researching first. Another good thing to do is read through some of the threads where people address the problems they are having and the solutions offered. That way you will know what some of the potential issues or problems that may arise and how to prevent or deal with them when or if they do...