Quote Originally Posted by RobertsKitty View Post
I am hoping to get my first ball python sometime soon and I had a few questions.

The first I'm just curious, about what time in the evening do your snakes become active. I know this is a highly variable question because each snake is different. I'm really hoping that by around 8 or 9 at night that it would start to wake up and move around just because that is when we are home and relaxing in the living room. This would also be the time I would hope to be able to handle the snake. I have read a lot of different info about rooming a snake that has been sleeping from its cage. Some say its a big no no and others say its fine. Ideas and opinions?

Also I have gotten a LOT of varying information on what to feed and what size. What are, if any, the generally accepted guidelines for feeding?

I have also seen a lot of varying info about enclosure size (from 10 to 75 gallons for an adult). I am assuming as with most things bigger is always better but what is the best average size without busting the bank?

Are there generally any personality differences in gender (females more or less friendly etc) or is it all pretty well the same?

Thanks for all the information!

1. Yea mine generally come out randomly in the evenings when the sun is setting or already set (That is completely dependent on them having natural light available via a winder for example) although BP's don't require a light cycle, they are obviously in tune with their instincts for being nocturnal. I have never heard of any problems arising from handling or do any necessary cage maintenance will do "damage" or is a no no.

2. I'm assuming based on it being November, you wont be getting a hatchling BP, but something that is a couple/few months old now, and whatever you get, even an undersized bp, should be able to take pinky rats (weigh AROUND 16 grams) without a problem. I am a believer in rats helping with good growth and you can save the trouble of making the hard switch later in its life. Get them on F/T pinky and fuzzy rats (or live if a picky eater, and the pinky/fuzzy wont harm your snake), and you wont have any problems feeding small- larger F/T when adulthood arrives.

3. As for caging, you said "bigger is better" which is not true at all in the case of Ball pythons. They need a secure housing with hides and the ability to hold humidity and heat well! This is nearly impossible with a "cage" or a fish tank is probably what you are referring to. You can save a lot of money by getting a steralite tub (appropriate size for snake size measured in quarts up to 40qt which is generally used to house adults) at walmart and soldering or drilling not to many, but a few holes in the sides, not the top to keep humidity up but allow ample ventilation. Plus you only have to deal with some sort of under tank heating whether it be heat tape, heat cable, heat mat, for a hot spot of no more than about 1/3 of the tub and the side with the hide. Then for ambient heat throughout the entire tub, a lamp far enough away to only provide a surrounding warm up, or a space heater in a small area like a closet or extra room to keep warmer.