New BP owner

[dgibbs]

My 14 year old son is wanting a ball python very badly. His best friend already owns one, along with a Burmese Python. I'm scared of snakes, and even more afraid of their food (mice!). But he's completed all the things I told him he needed to do before I'd let him have one, so now I'm stuck. What advice can you give me? The best friend's mom says we can bring the snake over on feeding day to help with my vegetarian ways....but what else do I need to know? What size tank, and anything else would be much appreciated. Thanks so much!!
Debby

[Sausage]

I don't think the feeding plan would work; moving the snake around like that may stress him out, causing him to refuse food.
For cage requirements, check out the caresheets on this site, they should answer any questions they have for that.

[kplunk]

Well if you haven't read this care sheet I think you should have a go at it

http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=59

But about bringing the snake over to your friends house every week for feeding that could be stressful on the snake and not to mention a big hassle for you and your friend every week to coordinate.

What about just letting your son feed the snake. He is 14 he could easily handle feeding the snake a F/T mouse or rat, or even a live one if thats the route you go.

[dgibbs]

So do the mice scream while being eaten? That's my main problem with having him feed them here. I was told that we need to feed it in a separate tank anyway, so would it be the actual transport of the tank that would bother the snake?

[dr del]

Hi,


I feed all of mine defrosted food so I really can't give you any information on live feeding.

Its worth asking when your buying your snake what it's eating and see if they have any that are eating defrosted as it's a lot easier to have a sealed tub of frozen food in the freezer than having to go pick up live food every week. But I certainly wouldnt let it's diet be the deciding thing that stops your son getting the particular snake he wants - sometimes they can be converted from live to frozen/thawed.

The general concensus seems to be there is no need to feed in a seperate enclosure and, in fact, the stress of being moved can discourage the snake from eating. Ball pythons are secretive snakes on the whole and changes can throw them.

The care sheet covers pretty much all the information on husbandry but since all snakes can be individuals to a certain extent it depends a lot on your final choice of snake.

And , as an extra warning, if you do feed live it's important to watch to make sure the process goes smoothly. I'm sure someone who feeds live routinely will be along to answer any specific questions about it but everyone seems to agree the mouse/rat should never be left in the tank unattended.



dr del

[ryandlf]

You get used to the mice...and you rarely hear them scream (although I have once or twice) its just a quick little squeak.

[juddb]

I would read the caresheet mentioned above, and have the setup correct before making the purchase , also as mentioned above moving the snake all over the place for feeding is a bad idea. If you cant watch the feeding or whatever maybe you should think about getting him an iguana or box turtle or something.... Just my $.2

Judd

[AzureN1ght]

I've never fed my BP live--and he's only had one feeding with me so far (I'm pretty new at this myself), but if the sound of a mouse screaming is your only concern, then feeding frozen/thawed sounds like a really good option for you and your son.

When I bought my BP from the breeder (NERD), they got my BP feeding F/T before I brought him home!

Frozen/Thawed mice are humanely euthanized (usually in a Co2 chamber), then frozen in bags. You bring them home, thaw them thoroughly then warm them up just before feeding time. The mouse is already dead, so no "screaming" involved--and it's something that your 14-year old could easily do by himself. Another benefit to F/T, is if your BP decides not to eat on a given week, you don't end up with a "pet" mouse for a week (or more)!

Transporting him every week isn't a good option for a BP, and I don't think it's necescary to feet the snake outside of his tub/tank.

Just my

[AzureN1ght]

I would read the caresheet mentioned above, and have the setup correct before making the purchase , also as mentioned above moving the snake all over the place for feeding is a bad idea. If you cant watch the feeding or whatever maybe you should think about getting him an iguana or box turtle or something.... Just my $.2

Judd

I'd have to disagree about getting him an iguana instead. They are not very good "beginner" lizards--even though many people buy them as such. I had one when I was younger, and was in -no- way prepared to satisfy the dietary requirements, the environmental requirements, or the size and nasty attitude that he developed as an adult... Too many iguanas end up in shelters as adults because of unprepared people buying them as pets for their kids.

Better beginner lizards would be Bearded Dragons or Geckos--they stay much smaller than iguanas. They do have specific dietary requirements, but those are easy supplements.

[casperca]

I also feel that you should take him back. I just rescued a BP from a 14 year old who couldn't take care of it. It was on its deathbed when I got it (he is now doing much better). This is why I am a firm believer that parents should NOT buy their children animals that they are not willing to take care of themselves. The animal is the one that suffers as a result of this "learning experience" or however the parent justifies it. Ball pythons can definatly be a challenge and should not be a "starter" animal for anyone, much less a 14 year old. My advise to you is to take the snake back to the store. Pick up a leopard gecko or a fat tailed gecko. They make great pets and are easily maintained on a diet of crickets (unless feeding live crickets disturbs you). Just make sure whatever animal you buy, you won't mind taking care of (because the burden will eventually fall on you).