Help give me a crash course on ball pythons

[MissterDog]

Hey all!

So good news! You may recall seeing a fees posts I've made about it being a while until I could get a ball python (1-2 years from now). Turns out I may actually be able to get one a little sooner than I originally anticipated!

So that means I have to double down on research!

I'll be honest that a ball python will be my first snake (only have cats and betta fish).

I know some don't recommend bp's as their first snake as their husbandry needs are very demanding but I'm not interested in other snakes, at least not enough to commit 15-20 years to an animal for the sake of experience.

So I'm trying my best to research as much as possible about their behavior and care, get hands on experience with bps by visiting pet stores and handling them (I would never get mine from there though) and looking for local reptile shelters or shows. I aware of the work and commitment I'll be getting into and I'm determined to do what is needed to make it work. Even started my own ball python funds to save $2000 for everything I'll need to get started found a vet too!

Anyways this is where I could use some help. I've been learning a lot from this forum (you guys have been so awesome!!) and videos from breeders and I believe I've got the basics down but wouldn't mind getting any additional advise on areas that should be studied more or are often overlooked. Especially when I'm starting to bump into conflicting information or topics that have open debates.

So if you guys have any advise or recommended resources (articles, videos, books, checklist) to share please do!

Thanks for taking the time to read this!

[JodanOrNoDan]

Seriously, unless you are going to breed, almost everything you need to know is here. These animals only become difficult to take care of when you break the "rules". If you want to make things easy in the beginning, start with a tub setup. If you want to do a "pretty" setup, wait till you know your animal well then you can experiment. Read a few threads on feeding "issues" and you are pretty much set.

[L.West]

I always tell people to get all the correct equipment before getting your snake. If you have the correct equipment: cage, heat source, thermostat then it won't be difficult at all housing your snake,

Good luck with your new snake - they are wonderful pets.

[Eric Alan]

Seriously, unless you are going to breed, almost everything you need to know is here. These animals only become difficult to take care of when you break the "rules".

This. Learn the "rules" before you look at bending/breaking them. There will be seemingly conflicting information, but once you understand their basic needs, the conflicting information slowly turns into nothing more than different ways to achieve the same results.

Also, there's a reason why they call it a crash course. Soak up as much information as you possibly can before adding your new one. I know that's your goal, but I can't emphasize this point enough.

Here is the best book I've come across when it comes to comprehensive ball python care: Pythons of the World, V2, BALL PYTHONS (http://vpi.com/store/products/python...ing_in_usa_can). My wife got it for me as a gift early on and to this day I still open it up for reference at least once a week.

[Sargentnoid]

In the short time I've kept ball pythons I've lerned a ton from this site the one thing I would recommend before you get your snake is set up everything for at least a week or more to make shure you get your temperatures and humidity were it needs to be before putting in your new snake. I changed my setup 4-5 times before I got mine were I wanted it then let it run for a week to make shure it was rite and still had to make small adjustments

[paulh]

I looked on Amazon for ball python books costing less than $10 new. Used may be less expensive. I have not read any of them, but here are three (in no particular order) that I consider the cream of the crop, based on what I know about the authors. Sutherland and McCurley are well known and very experienced ball python breeders, and for many years De Vosjoli has been publishing the Herpetocultural Library, the gold standard of high quality for low price herp care books. Check out the reader reviews on Amazon.

Ball Pythons (Complete Herp Care) by Colette Sutherland, Paperback, $6.74. Also see http://www.ballpython.com, the Sutherlands' web page.
The Ball Python Manual (Herpetocultural Library) by Philippe De Vosjoli, Paperback, $8.57
Ball Pythons in Captivity (Professional Breeders Series) by Kevin McCurley, $6.29. McCurley's web page: http://www.newenglandreptile.com/index.php/homepage

[Sargentnoid]

Sorry for the double post

[MissterDog]

Thank you everyone! And oh man thanks especially for book recommendations! Looking at everything you guys toss at me Definitely focusing on making sure I have the rules down.

[Kira]

I don't believe in the concept of "starter" snakes. If a ball python is your dream snake, get a ball python. As long as you do plenty of research and are willing to spend the time and money for a proper setup, then you will have a thriving snake!

As others said, it will be ideal if you set up your enclosure with the correct temps and humidity before the snake arrives. That way things will be less stressful for both you and the snake

[cletus]

I don't believe in the concept of "starter" snakes. If a ball python is your dream snake, get a ball python. As long as you do plenty of research and are willing to spend the time and money for a proper setup, then you will have a thriving snake!

As others said, it will be ideal if you set up your enclosure with the correct temps and humidity before the snake arrives. That way things will be less stressful for both you and the snake

That's spot on. Tweaking your temps can be tricky in a brand new setup and the wild fluctuations you will most likely experience are not good for your snake.