Quote Originally Posted by DVirginiana View Post
...I was responding to the poster directly above that response that was talking about getting snapping turtles at age 13, not the OP.
I've said multiple times that I think the OP has done their research and, while I wouldn't recommend a BP as a first snake, that it certainly can be done. Did you even read my most recent post?

My reasons for recommending another snake prior to a BP (which MANY people did on this thread, so I'm not sure why my post was singled out) in an ideal situation is that someone who is completely unused to checking temps/humidity/ect. has a lot more leeway with temperate species until they get their husbandry correct, the lifespan is shorter for someone who doesn't actually know whether or not they'll really enjoy keeping snakes, and the setup is cheaper for someone who may have limited funds.
Does this mean no one can get it right with a BP their first time around? No. It's just my opinion that a BP isn't THE ideal beginner snake.
I quoted a few people but only your post showed, weird. But I'm not singling you out I just think people are being too harsh with the OP's age. Keeping reptiles for me kept me away from drugs, alcohol and all the other bad influences young teens experience and I think it is great they are so enthusiastic about getting a ball python and starting a passion for reptiles. Since they proved this is something they truly want and spent so much time researching we should be helping them out instead of trying to sway them. This is the next generation that this hobby will eventually rely on and all the knowledge the better! I'm personally glad I didn't stick with colubrids and went with pythons and boas so why make the OP get a animal they are not happy with?