Owning a Ball python at 40?

[Bogertophis]

I'm currently in the military. I was thinking of staying 20 years and retire. But I'll be 45 when I'm done. I know snakes live for a long time. My concern is that my pet will outlive me.

I agree with Deborah's post above, & when you finally do get to have your own reptiles, you'll no doubt make some contacts that are also enthused keepers, so you'll want to make & keep an updated list of those you'd like contacted (including reptile rescues) just "in case". None of us know the future but you can't let that stop you from enjoying things in life as long as you're here.

And meanwhile, you can live vicariously thru the rest of us...