BP Lifestyle/Culture (Question heavy)

[Guiding Golden]

This is a bit of an abstract question, so please bear with me. It's something that's very important to me, as a prospective owner/enthusiast.

Coming from a history of pets, dominated by dogs, I know that "dog people" have our own unique lifestyles and subcultures- particularly specific to our breeds of choice. There's also a certain level of endearing "craziness," for lack of a better term, within the serious dog enthusiast community.

I'm very interested in knowing how, or if, any of this translates into the world of snakes and BPs. So, to be more direct: Would you say that there's a lifestyle and culture, unique to BP owners? If so, what does that look like to you? In general, would you say the community of BP enthusiasts is tight and supportive or are there any major Achilles Heels within it?

On a smaller scale, in regard to lifestyle, how has yours changed since you've acquired your first BP? How much time do you spend enjoying your BP(s) hands on vs. admiring from afar? Is your BP ownership a characteristic you find yourself using to describe yourself to others?

[KMG]

Im not a BP only kinda person. I like to have a collection of different things. I understand what you are saying but have never found myself in the "crazy" side of pet owners. I dont dress my dog up and take her to dog parties or treat her like a person. She is my pet and she is treated as such. Not that she is not spoiled.

I do think that my old english bulldog would say more about me as a person than my snakes. A bulldog is a great breed but it needs a dominant type A leader. Without it you will have a stuborn little brat on your hands. She is strong and pigheaded at times which I like and I think could identify me. I feel that anyone can own a BP. I dont think that it takes a certain personality type to care for a BP like it does with some breeds of dogs. They are just to sweet, which can not be said for all snakes. My GTP for example takes a defferent type of owner that doesnt mind bleeding every now and again. But going with your specific BP related post I truly feel that a BP is a great snake for anyone willing to be responsible enough to correctly care for it and does not require a certain type of person.

To me my snakes are just fun interesting creatures that I enjoy owning. I dont have any personal friends that own snakes and most of my friends that know I have snakes were shocked to hear it, I guess that tells you how much I live a snake person lifestyle. I do have friends that would like to own/or have owned snakes but their wives wont let them. I know, I told them to get new wives but again their wives wont let them. I dont think that people that see me would ever guess that I am into snake keeping.

My snakes are nothing more to me than a hobby that I enjoy. I do handle my snakes regularly but also enjoy watching them, especially my GTP. I probably give each snake about a hour of hand time a week.

One thing that I like about snakes is how is doesnt change my life. Meaning, when I am gonna be gone for a few hours or even days I have no worries about the snakes. With a dog I find she dominates many things like how late I stay at a friends cause I need to get home to let her out or feed her. Or if Im leaving for a few days I have to get her care and cart her around before the trip and then plan the return time around the best time to pick her up. None of this is needed with a snake and they allow you freedon and enjoyment. They also dont eat your home when you dont play with them.

I hope this was in line with what you are wondering. Dont take me as the norm for a snake owner, Im probably not. At least my fiance tells me Im not normal. LOL!

[Don]

I don't think you will find a particular "life style" associated with keeping ball pythons. If you look at the membership of this site, you will see there are a wide range of people who keep reptiles. Some are young and just starting out, but many are older and more established. I think trying to peg or generalize too much leads one to step into a trap. We shouldn't try to put people into little boxes but look at each one as an individual. In fact, if there are any common characteristics of ball python/reptile owners is that they are very individualistic or independent thinking people. I also am a motorcycle enthusiast. However, if you met me during the workday, you would be surprised to learn that I have reptiles and motorcycles.

As far as Achilles Heels, my opinion is that irresponsible owners/keepers are our biggest threat and weakness. That is why I participate here and why this forum is so active, because others feel the same way.

Since I've acquired my BPs, my evenings and weekends have changed. Last night, I came home after working a long day and had to work on converting babies over to f/t, clean rat bins, answer emails from potential buyers, update records, etc. It made for a very long day. In addition, we have guests coming this weekend, so tonight will be another long night cleaning snake bins. Many people will tell you that breeding ball pythons is easy. I'm not one of them. It is fun most of the time and I enjoy our animals. But, it is work.

[PitOnTheProwl]

When I got my first 1 to 5 there wasnt a huge change, now that I am over 30+ there have been some changes to my schedule but its only to make sure everyone is taken care of and fed.
Other than that, no one would know anything unless I brought it up in a conversation OR let you in my back bedroom

[DooLittle]

Ok, I'm not 100% sure of this is the what you are looking for in an answer, but-
Bps aren't the only pets we have, so I wouldn't say I was "defined" by them. We are animal lovers. I have cats, dogs, parrot, pet rats, feeder rats, asf's, chickens, uromastyx, anole, chickens, leopard geckos, guinea pigs, bps, and a boa. Have had hamsters, and rabbits and fish too. Our bps come out once or twice a week, depends on feed, if anyone's shedding, and our schedule. My boa usually more.

Things that have changed since we became snake owners? I will tell anybody who will listen about them. We have taken them to our daughters school for show and tell each year during their reptile unit. That has been a great experience, we are reaching 25-30 kids each year (this year though her teacher asked if another class could join, so double!) that now think snakes are cool, instead of being afraid. Each year there has only been 1 or 2 kids who didn't want to pet them. This year, one of the girls who was afraid from last year came up and pet one. So we are able to educate the kids about them, and show them they are not big scary monsters at all.

Something we maybe all have in common? Impulsive personalities- we will be the last one to say "oh no, don't get another snake.". We are evil, and will encourage you to get that beautiful snake you just found at a great price, that is one you always wanted. . So, fair warning, they are addictive, and you will want more! Hope that answered some of what you were looking for.

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[KMG]

Something we maybe all have in common? Impulsive personalities- we will be the last one to say "oh no, don't get another snake.". We are evil, and will encourage you to get that beautiful snake you just found at a great price, that is one you always wanted. . So, fair warning, they are addictive, and you will want more!

Amen!!!

[Andrew B]

I tend to agree with what the other guys are saying in the fact that bps do not influence my culture outside of my hobby. I am a soccer coach a father of 2 a husband and a business owner, most people don't even know I have bps and when they find out I do they get a little blown away. I don't own tons of other animals just a dog named Reggie, but reptile owners seem to be very accepting of all animals and not the other way around, so maybe our culture is just more of an animal culture if any. Cheers


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[Mike41793]

Well i would say being apart of the bp lifestyle means you have to have an addictive personality. I remember when i said i would stop at 1 bp. That was 4 years and 6 snakes ago.

EDIT: x2 to what Doolittle said. Didnt read the responses so idk i was basically saying the same thing lol.

KMG- i LOVE english bulldogs. I want one so bad lol You should make a thread for yours in the Dogs section here.

[Guiding Golden]

Thanks for the EXCELLENT responses, everyone! Very, very intriguing.

As for the impulsivity- I guess I already have my foot in the door, in that area. Went to my first reptile show over the weekend and I was supposed to be the voice of reason, discouraging my friend from buying anything... That didn't go so well

[Fidget]

I love this question b/c I can hardly even remember what life was like before becoming part of a dog culture, and yet I'm very new to the BP community. In my experience, which is really limited, my BP community is an online community so far, while my dog community is and has always been "live." But I just came back to snakes after a 30+ year detour, and though everyone in my acquaintance knows I'm a dog person, very few people know I have a soft spot for snakes. I guess I can't give you much of an answer, OP, except to say that every time I meet a group of people with similar interests, I find my life is a lot richer for it. Welcome aboard.