Quote Originally Posted by LP. View Post
My friend isn't to educated on the subject of... Pretty much ANY herp, and he thinks he knows just about everything because he has a ball python and bearded dragon. So here are the things we've been argueing about. I know I'm right but since he's older he's automatically right.

1. Does a ball python need ANY kind of treatment for water?
I said no. No, but some people do use ReptiSafe or bottled water. It's not something you MUST do, and can get expensive if you have a lot of snakes in your collection. We use ReptiSafe right now, but when the bottle is gone, we're going to stop. Our snakes drank tap water just fine for years.


2. Is there any chance of either sex eating the other when trying to breed?
I said no. Well, they aren't black widows, but I would say there is always a chance, although with these guys it'd be super rare. I don't breed yet, so I wouldn't know for sure.

3. This one is kind of a 2 part question. Can you just look at a ball pythons tail area and tell the sex? Can you determine the sex of a ball python by the spurs, especially how they are positioned?
I said no to both. A lot of uneducated people think you can determine the sex in both of those ways. You can't. That's how people end up with he's that are she's, and vice versa. It can be a costly mistake. Like others have said, they have to be popped or probed.

4. Has to do with hets. He does not know a single thing about hets and morphs so I can understand why hes saying he's right about this, but hes stubborn and I cant convince him unless I have proof. Can you breed any 2 ball pythons together (Not het, poss het, 50% het, 66%het, any other het) and get any albinos?
I said no. No idea.

5. Do you have too raise the temperature or cool the temperature during breeding season?
I said cooling for the start, but only because I do not know about the entire cycle. He said you have to raise the temperature ATLEAST 10*! I believe it needs to be lowered for them to go into breeding mode.

6. Has to do with ALL snakes, also a 2 part. Does the type of snake have anything to do with the temperment? I'll give you an example. I was saying that I wanted to get a BRB, and he said have fun getting bit because they are always vicious and whatnot, and then an arguement started over that as well. All types of snakes are included. Also, does the morph of the snake have to do with the agression or behavior or anything besides genetic defects?
I said no to both, although I've heard stories about most burms being hissy, and most GTP's are always agressive. Burms are very docile from what I've read on them. A lot of people like to keep them because of their temperment. I think, personally, the only thing going against a burm is it's size. A snake that big is not for me, at least right now. Otherwise I think they're amazing creatures. GTP's are known to be snippy. That's just how they are. I've read that if your very experienced, you can own one with getting bit every now and then. But honestly, snakes do bite. They're snakes. It comes with owning them. Dogs bite, cat's scratch, you get it. If you plan on owning an animal of any sort, I'd say know what your getting into. I've been tagged by a BP before, and so have a lot of people on here. It doesn't make us love our snakes any less, because we know it goes with owning a snake. Your friend has a BP but is warning you against bites. Seems to me like your friend wants to be the one in the spotlight You came to the right place for information,that's for sure! Let us know how your debate turns out!

Answers from you guys will be helpful