Thinking about first snake...

[Toddnkaya]

I went to an exotic reptile store and really enjoyed holding a BP.
I have been doing a lot of research online,and I think I want to move forward.
I appreciate all of the information I have read here, and looking at all the stunning snakes.
I have been looking on craigslist, and noticed a lot of people rehoming their snakes, stating that they do not have the time for their pets. Does it really take that much care and time. I understand that you need time to handle the snake, feed the snake, and clean the cage. Is there much more to it than that? Oh and keeping the tank a safe temp and humidity.
I do have a 5 year old daughter and a docile cat. How much time do you handle your snakes in a day?
I would appreciate any feedback and insight.
Thanks,
Todd
Todd

[tsy72001]

No snake like to be left alone. We spend lots of time with the one we have, but really if you leave them alone for a few days they will not mind.

[Tzeentch]

You could never hold your snake and they would be perfectly happy.

The tedious part is feeding.
If you feed frozen, you have to keep dead animals in the freezer, then thaw them every week.
If you feed live, you have to buy mice/rats every week.

So most of the time in caring for them is feeding time.

Once you set up the tank/enclosure and get the proper temps/humidity, caring for the snake does not take up a lot of time. Unless you have 8 (or more) like I do...

[Inknsteel]

I get annoyed when I see snakes being rehomed on craigslist with an excuse of "I don't have time to take care of it"... If you're running your heat source on a thermostat (which you really need to do anyway to make sure it doesn't get too hot) you shouldn't have to adjust things much at all. The only real "time" involved is a quick spot check of the enclosure every day to look for urates or poo, and to change the water every couple days. Then as mentioned above, feeding... If you feed live, you have to make a run to the pet store once a week to pick up feeders, then bring them home, drop them in and watch until the snake strikes. If you're feeding frozen, it's a matter of pulling the dead rodent out of your freezer in the morning and setting it out to thaw. In the evening when you're ready to feed, warm it up with a hairdryer and offer (you may have to do the zombie rat dance, which might take an extra minute of time).

You don't HAVE to handle a bp at all. They don't "like" being handled, they merely tolerate it. The handling is for OUR benefit as keepers.

[neondreams]

I recently got my first ball python so I know what it's like to try and figure everything out.
As for time to care for it, so far I have not had much of a problem. Feed once a week, change the water and mist once a day (that's the only tough thing I've had to deal with is trying to keep the humidity high enough). I even bought timers on my lamps so that I don't have to worry if I'm home later one day.
And as far as handling, my snake was from a petstore so I'm still trying to get her used to being held and such but as long as you've given time for digestion I've heard people say you can handle everyday but a snake wont mind if you don't.
Good luck!

[jason_ladouceur]

don't have time to care for a snake? is that some kind of joke? my collection used to be almost 300 reptiles, and I don't remember spending more than 4 or 5 hours a week to take care of them. I spend that almost daily just looking after my 2 dogs.

[llovelace]

Welcome to BP.net
Good luck on your search for your BP

[wax32]

The tedious part is feeding....

Really??

That's the fun part!


One ball python takes almost no time to care for.... The problem is, you will soon want more than one!!

[Toddnkaya]

Thanks for all the great feedback! Is there any advantage to going the craigslist route? I was thinking that it it would be, as it seems to be a good way to get the whole set up at a great price. I also like the fact that the owners give some snake bio info such as it's a good eater,never bitten etc.
Assuming they are honest ... Also looking at buying a pretty younger one online .

[apeterson2]

Craigslist is not necessarly better for the following reasons, one the snake may have not been cared for or abused so you may end up adopting a sick animal which may die, or cost a lot in vet bills. As far as the set up it could be possible that the set up is wrong or missing things such as thermostats, so you may end up buying additional items for it or completely replacing it.

Don't get me wrong rescuing any animal from a bad owner is a commendable task and you may end up saving it's life. However, if you do the research get the proper set up and buy from a proper breeder you will get a healthy animal.