First-Time Snake Owner, Considering A Ball Python

[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.