Total newbie - few of questions

[Luvyna]

Hi, welcome to the forum and to snake-keeping! Good on you for getting all your supplies and info before getting a snake as well.

Here is some info on ball pythons based on my personal experience:

1. Activity level - After the initial week I would say a ball python's activity is just above that of a rock lol. I never see mine during the day and only rarely at night. If I'm lucky I'll catch him sticking his head out of his hide in the morning before all the lights come on and the blinds are up. If a BP is healthy and unstressed they should not usually be actively roaming the enclosure during the day.

If you want a more active snake, I'd recommend with going with a corn snake. They are very beginner friendly, less sensitive to stress than BPs, better eaters, and you are more likely to see them roaming around. They also have less intense humidity requirements.

2. Poop - One of my favourite things about keeping a snake is how infrequently you need to clean up after them. Maybe 1-4 times a month at most and very manageable. The smell is not as bad as cat or dog poop in my experience.

3. Cost of feeding - Depends on where you buy from and in what quantity.

4. Substrate - I would recommend Eco Earth coconut husk or Forest Floor cypress mulch for substrate since you want a natural look and you are using a glass tank, as these substrates hold humidity well.

5. Temperature - 70F ambient temp is too low for a ball python. You should ideally keep ambient temps in the 78-82F range, and they should not fall below 75F.

6. Age of snake - Younger snakes are actually more prone to being defensive and nippy than adults, because they are small and feel vulnerable and are still figuring out what might eat them and what won't. While most snakes will calm down as they grow up, some will stay nippy and defensive. If you want a snake with a more established and calm personality, I'd actually recommend getting a yearling or adult snake. Just make sure to try holding the snake before you buy it to see how it tolerates handling, and you will usually get what you see.

Unlike dogs captive-bred snakes don't have a critical period of socialization when they are young. I think a snake of any age can become accepting of human handling as long as they are introduced slowly and gently, and have a calm personality.