Quick question about stress..

[Nyxxi]

Hello all. Recently, I've been thinking a lot about buying a ball python, and have a few quick questions. I owned a black ratsnake for seven years and she passed away not too long ago, so I've wanted to get another snake... and I've heard BPs can be a lot more delicate than ratsnakes.
So, I bought a 35 g terrarium, got a new heating system and more lights, and I'm trying to find the best location for my tank. I used to keep my ratsnake in my livingroom, but I wonder if that'd be okay for a ball python.

Basically, the question is: how much do external stimuli bother ball pythons? I don't have a lot of visitors or loud noise in my house, but I am constantly in and out, and if I play music in my room, that can be heard through the walls. Would this stress the snake out?

[BHReptiles]

As long as you keep the snake feeling secure by offering good snug hides and lots of terrarium clutter (since a 35gal is way too big for a baby ball python), your new snake should be fine. Just be on the lookout for the snake to go off feed. If it stops eating, then it's stressed.

[Nyxxi]

The only reason I've bought a larger tank is that I'm not looking at buying a baby. I'm probably going to buy a year-old from a breeder, but if I do get a young snake, I'll be dividing the terrarium. Thank you for your help!

[martin82531]

A hiding ball is usually a happy ball so going in and out of the house should be ok. I would recommend blacking out the two sides and the back of the terrarium to help provide extra security. There are cheaper ways of doing it but I like these, I believe they have different backgrounds.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...uctId=10939504

[Archimedes]

My ball has two snug hides and is blocked out along the back with one of those cheesy aquarium backgrounds. He's secure and happy in those tight spaces, although I am looking at maybe adding some more clutter for him to hang out in.

[angllady2]

To be honest with you, you going in and out of the room shouldn't faze a ball. Mine are in my bedroom, on the wall next to my bathroom, so I am in and out of there a dozen or more times in a day. They don't care.

Vibration might cause a problem, it depends on the snake. If you do choose to get a larger ball python, try to find one from a breeder who has a fairly busy lifestyle and whose snakes are used to a bit of commotion and you should be fine. I guess that would translate to, buying a ball python from someone who lives in a large rural house with no kids and no other pets around and who doesn't talk above a whisper is not going to be the best choice for you. Buying from a breeder who has a dedicated snake room in their house to keep barking dogs and screaming kids from flipping over tubs and whose neighbor has a garage band is going to be more of a fit for you.

Gale