Considering Buying a Ball Python.

[Vypyrz]

thanks for the handling tips guys.

Ok so, once i have the full set up (tank, hide, water bowl, thermometers, humidity meters, 'toys'), ill buy the snake and give her, 1-2 weeks of lonely time (im guessing that staring at the tank doesn't help at all, right?), and after that, I can handle her for like 20 mins each 3 days? and give her 3 day breaks after eating...

Does that sound right?

now that it has been mentioned: Poop, pee, and Bites...
Bites: i have NEVER heard of a BP biting, but im pretty sure it happens quite often... BPs wouldn't bite unless extremely uncomfortable or pissed off, right? How bad are their bites?

poop: I've heard they only poop once a week (if she eats once a week) like 2-3 days after eating. True or False? How easy is it to clean their poo? is it solid or diarrhea like? (sorry for the mental picture...lol), I've also heard that it is a good idea to 'poty train' them to poop on the water bowl... again, true or false?

Pee: how often do they pee?

Ball Pythons will only get fat if you make then fat. This is done by feeding more frequently. Alot of the chunkier BP's that you see are usually being fattened up for breeding, because once they go into breeding mode they won't eat for several weeks and/or months, so they need the extra weight. Since I keep snakes as pets and not to breed, I have no reason to fatten them up, so I have my BP on a more conservative feeding schedule. I ffed my 3 year old BP a 70-90 gram rat every 10 days, and his length and weight are proportionate.





Once you get your set-up and snake, it will need a week or so to settle in. You should avoid handling or disturbing the snake as much as possible, except for changing water and spot cleaning. After about a week, then attempt to feed it. After it eats, wait at least 2 days for the snake to digest it's meal, then you can start handling it. At first, it is good to keep handling sessions to 15-20 minutes at a time until the snake gets used to you and being handled, then you can increase the time.
Most of the time, BP's will bite for two reasons, and both are the keepers fault.
1) Startling or scaring the snake by making fast or jerky movements.
2) Handling the snake after handling rodents without washing their hands.
Most bites bleed very little, if at all. On the occasions that I get bit by one of my snakes, I simply wash the bite with anti-bacterial hand soap and put a little antibiotic cream on it and usually it heals in a day or two. If you have ever been bitten or scratched by a cat or dog, they hurt worse than a BP bite. If you have any tattoos or piercings, they hurt worse than a BP bite. The most important thing to remember about getting bit is get a picture of it and post it on this forum.
Their pooping schedule varies. Younger snakes will poop sometimes once every 4-6 weeks because they are using more of the prey to grow, whereas, adults may poop 2-4 times a month. It depends on the individual snake. Some snakes will hold on to it until they shed and then leave you a massive suprise.
Peeing also depends on the individual snake. Some may pee 2 or 3 times a week and some may only pee 2 or 3 times a month.
Their poop looks just like cat or dog poop. Pee is a bit different. Not only do they pee liquid but they also pass dry urates, which look like white or yellowish lumps.