what is it like to have a ball python?

[fishmommy]

I am pretty jazzed about getting a ball python. I am wondering what is it really like to have one? How active are they in their enclosures? Also when you handle the snake, what do you do together? Do you let them go outside in the grass? Do they hang out on you? Other playtime activities?

I'm looking for real-world experience to set my expectations appropriately before making a purchase.

I am particularly interested in the ball pythons because of how they look and their gentle nature, so I want to understand better how to enjoy them within their limits. The well-being of the animal is my #1 concern of course

its easy to find all the husbandry and technical info, but harder to find info on how people interact with their pets and what normal handling and playtime is like. ya know?

thanks

PS - long time fish keeper, first time herper.

[tigerlily]

to the site.

Ball pythons are pretty shy. If you are looking for a display animal, it's probably not the best choice. They are nocturnal, and will remain in their hides for most of the day.

Having said that, I love them. They are awesome. The 3-5' size is perfect, and most do have a good docile temperment. They will tolerate handling for short periods. I have some I could take out every night and they would be fine, but I have others that stress relatively easily.

My best recommendation is to find a breeder and begin with a baby that is well started on feeding. Make sure your enclosure is set up and running prior to bringing your first bp home. Also are you comfortable feeding live vs. frozen/thawed? You may need to find a breeder that is feeding what you have access to.

I hope that helped a bit.

[JenHarrison]

Snakes really don't "play" persay...handling is a bit stressful for them as we're seen as predators. They don't have the same thought process as a mammal. Some tolerate/enjoy it more than others though. With my guys, they come out every Sunday (each one has their own 20 minutes of time) and then 1-2 more times varied throughout the week for 10-15 minutes each. I just let them slither on or over me while I'm sitting on the couch or in the snake room. I have one that doesn't like human interaction at all, so I don't take her out unless to clean her tub.

They're just nice to look at and if you get one that is docile and doesn't mind handling time, they can be a joy to spend time with. They're facsinating animals and it's awesome just to watch them do their thing -- slither, get into/onto things, eat, etc.

[Mina]

Ball pythons are wonderful!!!!! Our Dax is very sweet and gentle. His favorite thing to do is be a "snakey bracelet" for his Daddy. He is curious and likes to investigate people and his surroundings when he is out. Dax eats VERY well!!! Right now he is around 9 months old and when we attempted to measure him last night he is around 27 inches long.

We have two snakes, a ball python and a cornsnake, and the python is by far the more relaxing snake to be with. Dax will watch tv with us and go from one of us to the other.
Now as far as activity inside the cage. With my Dax, forget it. We rarely see him out. I move his hides and check on him every day, but now that he is used to and familiar with his home, he does not explore. Often at night we can see him just inside one of his hides lurking. However, his gentle nature, his curiosity, and his beauty more than make up for the fact that he likes his privacy. My advice is get one, you won't be sorry!!!!

[joepythons]

I am pretty jazzed about getting a ball python. I am wondering what is it really like to have one? How active are they in their enclosures? Also when you handle the snake, what do you do together? Do you let them go outside in the grass? Do they hang out on you? Other playtime activities?

I'm looking for real-world experience to set my expectations appropriately before making a purchase.

I am particularly interested in the ball pythons because of how they look and their gentle nature, so I want to understand better how to enjoy them within their limits. The well-being of the animal is my #1 concern of course

its easy to find all the husbandry and technical info, but harder to find info on how people interact with their pets and what normal handling and playtime is like. ya know?

thanks

PS - long time fish keeper, first time herper.

Not being rude here,ball pythons are not puppies or kittens.I never allow any of my snakes to touch the grass whenever i take them outside.This is for several reasons,i do not want them to get hurt,to protect them from bugs or from any chemicals that might be on the grass.Its true though ball pythons are great to have as pets,but in the same sense they are not playfull.I keep my handling at a minamum for one reason and that is to keep the stress down on the snake.I give you a thumbs up for researching on their care and needs.Like i said not being rude just being honest.Welcome to the group also

[fishmommy]

no offense taken to anything you might have to say I'm pretty good about constructive criticism....being in the Cichlid hobby for a long time has taught me to heed the advice of experienced hobbyists!

like I said I am trying to set my expectations to be appropriate for the animal.

I do eventually want to get a Chondro as a display animal, but I think my first herp will be a BP. I would love to handle the BP, so these tips are good info for me to keep me from making mistakes or overdoing it.

I gather that each animal varies in personality, so I will have to learn to read mine with time - but everyone's advice will help me to start off with the right mindset.

I am hoping to feed frozen/thawed, so I will try to find an animal already eating that. I am fortunate enough to live relatively close to N.E.R.D, so I will likely purchase my snake from there, but I am not averse to adopting an unwanted adult if the right one comes along.

I am in no rush - still educating myself and working on getting my spouse used to the idea LOL

[Freakie_frog]

no offense taken to anything you might have to say I'm pretty good about constructive criticism....being in the Cichlid hobby for a long time has taught me to heed the advice of experienced hobbyists!

like I said I am trying to set my expectations to be appropriate for the animal.

I do eventually want to get a Chondro as a display animal, but I think my first herp will be a BP. I would love to handle the BP, so these tips are good info for me to keep me from making mistakes or overdoing it.

I gather that each animal varies in personality, so I will have to learn to read mine with time - but everyone's advice will help me to start off with the right mindset.

I am hoping to feed frozen/thawed, so I will try to find an animal already eating that. I am fortunate enough to live relatively close to N.E.R.D, so I will likely purchase my snake from there, but I am not averse to adopting an unwanted adult if the right one comes along.

I am in no rush - still educating myself and working on getting my spouse used to the idea LOL

For your first snake get a hatchling from a breeder. Adopting is great after you have some experince with the animals. Rescues and adoptions have the bad habbit of comming with medical problems. You want to enjoy the little guy with out worrying about health problems.

NERD is a great place to get a hatchling.

Good Luck and Keep us posted

[python kid]

just go buy a bp book and read it.

[Freakie_frog]

just go buy a bp book and read it.

Books offer alot of good general info. But nothing beats first had experiance. It sounds like you have been thinking this out which is a good thing. If your not confortable with what you know about keeping pythons you can wait a little while longer till you think your ready to start keeping Balls.

Great job on not rushing in to the buy and finding out as much as you can first.

[fishmommy]

I am buying a book also, but again it's the first hand accounts I am looking for here

I plan to buy Kevin's (NERD) book when I go out to his reptile shop next time. It seems to be the best book I have seen, though big $$$ unfortunately. I have done a lot of research online already....the technical details are all over the place and easy to find.