First-Time Snake Owner, Considering A Ball Python

[Oxylepy]

Screen top conversion:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...tment-Tutorial

Setting up a glass tank:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-With-Pictures!

[Craiga 01453]

My two cents: you can't go wrong with a BP or a King. I keep both and both have pros and cons.
Do your research, do your homework and decide which animal is better for you. You and only you will be responsible for this animal for 20+ years.

Have you handled both species? As juveniles and adults?

[Bmocken]

I've looked at AP cages. Really nice, but very expensive. I can pick up a used 36x18x12 (That's a 30 gallon, if I remember my geometry well enough) glass terrarium from the pet store I mentioned for $30.

A clear tub would work pretty well though. Fairly escape-proof, too, right? Is there any issue with the plastic melting from the UTH? Or is 90 not hot enough to do that?

I would highly recommend using a tub. I have mine in a tub that has locks for the lid on either end and no the uth if controlled correctly with a thermostat will not melt the plastic. Your hotspot should only be 90 and that can't melt plastic. While glass is tempting price wise it is much more difficult to control humidity and temps. A tub is even cheaper then a glass tank and is a lot easier to maintain the correct environment.

[ringorock]

Dagger, I sent you a pm. Check your inbox.

[PitOnTheProwl]

Is there any issue with the plastic melting from the UTH? Or is 90 not hot enough to do that?

Think about it....... Does it melt while you are holding it?

[Dagger311]

My two cents: you can't go wrong with a BP or a King. I keep both and both have pros and cons.
Do your research, do your homework and decide which animal is better for you. You and only you will be responsible for this animal for 20+ years.

Have you handled both species? As juveniles and adults?

I've researched them both quite a bit, which (I'm assuming) is why I've gotten so many different answers to the same questions. They're both pretty hardy snakes, and I guess different people just get different setups that work for them and their snakes.

As for handling BPs, I've only handled young ones, loved how relaxed they are. King snakes (Colubrids in general really) I've handled quite a bit, of varying sizes, but only wild caught ones. They're native here (I've personally watched a common kingsnake fight a water moccasin slightly larger than it and win), I grab them any time I can, just to show my younger brother, who also loves snakes.

I would highly recommend using a tub. I have mine in a tub that has locks for the lid on either end and no the uth if controlled correctly with a thermostat will not melt the plastic. Your hotspot should only be 90 and that can't melt plastic. While glass is tempting price wise it is much more difficult to control humidity and temps. A tub is even cheaper then a glass tank and is a lot easier to maintain the correct environment.

By "Tubs" you mean those giant rubbermaid things you use to store clothes so moths won't eat them, right? And locking lids? Like the clasps on the side?

Think about it....... Does it melt while you are holding it?

Good point, our external body temperature is probably close to 90.

[Craiga 01453]

I've researched them both quite a bit, which (I'm assuming) is why I've gotten so many different answers to the same questions. They're both pretty hardy snakes, and I guess different people just get different setups that work for them and their snakes.

As for handling BPs, I've only handled young ones, loved how relaxed they are. King snakes (Colubrids in general really) I've handled quite a bit, of varying sizes, but only wild caught ones. They're native here (I've personally watched a common kingsnake fight a water moccasin slightly larger than it and win), I grab them any time I can, just to show my younger brother, who also loves snakes.

Ok, awesome. So then it's just up to what animal works best for you. Good luck! Keep us posted.

[Bmocken]

Yes Rubbermaid or Hefty storage containers work great. It's what I've been using as I saved up for an Animal Plastics enclosure. He could stay in the tub longer but I wanted to change over from a UTH to a radiant heat panel. Once I had the tub set up and dialed in the temps it stayed dialed in and my BP has ate every time I've fed him.

[Dagger311]

Ok, awesome. So then it's just up to what animal works best for you. Good luck! Keep us posted.

So far I'm still undecided.

BPs IMO look cooler than Calis (especially if you're comparing the normal ones without special morphs), but I love the black kingsnakes.

BPs are also easier to handle, or maybe that's because I've only ever handled wild (And therefore stressed by human contact) kings.

BPs also get a lot bigger as far as weight goes, but they're not as energetic as kings (Again, may just be because I've never handled a CB King, and wild ones are just hyper), so they're probably still a little bit easier to handle, despite the added girth.

Kingsnakes are easier to set a tank up for, since humidity in my state is a non-issue for them. It wouldn't be overly difficult to get a BP tank going either though, so this isn't really a massive consideration.

I've heard kings are better eaters, but I've never tried to feed a snake, so I wouldn't know.

They're both very long-lived, so no matter which one I get, it's going to be a commitment well into my 40's at least. I've considered this several times (especially the fact that I'll not be living in this house for all of those 20+ years, so It'll have to move with me), and I'm willing to take care of it for that long.

Yes Rubbermaid or Hefty storage containers work great. It's what I've been using as I saved up for an Animal Plastics enclosure. He could stay in the tub longer but I wanted to change over from a UTH to a radiant heat panel. Once I had the tub set up and dialed in the temps it stayed dialed in and my BP has ate every time I've fed him.

You feed them in their cage? I was told to put them in a different one, because substrate can cause impaction and they could associate opening their cage with feeding time. I thought that was weird though, because if you feed it, then handle it, you could make it regurgitate the food back up.

[spellbound04]

So far I'm still undecided.

BPs IMO look cooler than Calis (especially if you're comparing the normal ones without special morphs), but I love the black kingsnakes.

BPs are also easier to handle, or maybe that's because I've only ever handled wild (And therefore stressed by human contact) kings.

BPs also get a lot bigger as far as weight goes, but they're not as energetic as kings (Again, may just be because I've never handled a CB King, and wild ones are just hyper), so they're probably still a little bit easier to handle, despite the added girth.

Kingsnakes are easier to set a tank up for, since humidity in my state is a non-issue for them. It wouldn't be overly difficult to get a BP tank going either though, so this isn't really a massive consideration.

I've heard kings are better eaters, but I've never tried to feed a snake, so I wouldn't know.

They're both very long-lived, so no matter which one I get, it's going to be a commitment well into my 40's at least. I've considered this several times (especially the fact that I'll not be living in this house for all of those 20+ years, so It'll have to move with me), and I'm willing to take care of it for that long.



You feed them in their cage? I was told to put them in a different one, because substrate can cause impaction and they could associate opening their cage with feeding time. I thought that was weird though, because if you feed it, then handle it, you could make it regurgitate the food back up.

Each snake prefers it a different way, mine (since it's a baby) struggled to get his food in his tank. He would get his mouse in the substrate and then when it got dirty refuse to eat it! You may have to experiment the first couple weeks to see what is the most effective method.