Mom wont let me keep the python..

[joemophase]

they sell locks

[littleindiangirl]

Well, if rats are dead, ur snake doesnt have to hunt or strike, so she willl become way more calm, because he has no need to strike even to eat. I u are goin to come to me with the "it will loose it's instincts" story, forget about it, u will own the snake until it passes away, it needs no feedin or huntin instincts.

Feeding once a month wonth make it starve, but it will be hungry most of the time, so once a week until it is one yrs old would be better...

This is not true. She may not have much of a feeding response if she gets to the point of being able to just throw a rat in the enclosure, but most often you will have to dance the rat in front of her to make her believe the rat is alive. I only have one BP that will eat a rat if we just throw it in the enclosure, the rest must have that stimulation before they strike to eat it. Be prepared to do the zombie rat dance every week if you feed f/t.

Her feeding response on feeding day may be completely different from how she is to handle. I have some killer feeding responses from some of my sweetest snakes. Every snake is different and judging their personality and stress management on the feeding response isn't accurate.

Bp's are picky eaters and many times, if they refuse prekill (pk) or frozen thawed (f/t), you will have to start her eating again with a live rat or mouse.

To the OP, keep asking away, the best way of learning is from other herp owners that have been the noob at one time or another.

[Brimstone111888]

Well, if rats are dead, ur snake doesnt have to hunt or strike, so she willl become way more calm, because he has no need to strike even to eat. I u are goin to come to me with the "it will loose it's instincts" story, forget about it, u will own the snake until it passes away, it needs no feedin or huntin instincts.

Feeding once a month wonth make it starve, but it will be hungry most of the time, so once a week until it is one yrs old would be better...

Seriously I've noticed like 4-5 wrong things you have said over the course of your info. They don't lose their instincts and they do not become more calm as a result.

Feed once a week ALWAYS. You will never need anything larger than a small/medium rat. I would be more careful feeding large or jumbo sized rats to a ball pythons, as they are way more than they need and they could do some damage to the snake. If you stick to small/medium rats there should never be a problem when feeding live.

Snakes are not supposed to escape or be expected too. If you have a tank(don't use tanks if you can get around it) but some locking clips.

[littleindiangirl]

Maybe he didnt mean to word it that way. Yes, snakes will try their very hardest to escape, so a very secure cage is KEY! Otherwise, you will be dealing with a lost snake. They are escape artists.

[Gary Orner]

Not sure if it has been posted but you could have your mom join here and read the posts. Also she could ask the questions she has.

If she does not want to join she could still read.

[ellie.the.strange]

Thanks for all your help!
Your information has been very helpful, I've read her some of the posts, and I've gotten her to re-consider. Now the hard part will be convincing my dad.

Brimstone111888 said not to use a tank if you can avoid it, but the girl who owned the python said it was already in a tank.
What is the downside to keeping it in a tank, and what other types of enclosures are there?

Also, she said the snake was in hibernation right now, and I think it was from lack of food. Is this a serious problem, and how do I wake it up?
Since it hasn't eaten in some time, do you think I will have problems getting it to eat again?

[Spaniard]

Bps do not go into hibernation. What she is experiencing is probably a fasting snake due to improper husbandry and assuming its just "hibernating".

The advantage to using a tub over a tank is that plastic holds in heat and humidity much better, thus making caring for the snake a lot less of a hassel. Having the proper temps and humidity are crucial to your snake feeding regularly.

Getting the snake to eat again could be a problem but it should not if you make sure the temperature and humidity requirements are met properly.

Sometimes no matter what you do they just won't eat though, and that is one of the hard parts, knowing how to stay calm through a fast and being ready to take the animal to the vet if significant weight loss occurs.

[ellie.the.strange]

How long can a snake go without eating, and not suffer significant damage?

[Kesslers Kreatures]

Brimstone111888 said not to use a tank if you can avoid it, but the girl who owned the python said it was already in a tank.
What is the downside to keeping it in a tank, and what other types of enclosures are there?

The tank can be tricky for some people, I for one had no problem getting my temps perfect in a tank and have had no problems. It just all depends on how stable you can keep the enclosure. Also there are tubs that you can keep your snake in, But you have to ask the others about that. I have never kept my snake in a tub.

Also, she said the snake was in hibernation right now, and I think it was from lack of food. Is this a serious problem, and how do I wake it up?
Since it hasn't eaten in some time, do you think I will have problems getting it to eat again?

I don't think they actually fully hibernate like a bear... Correct me if im wrong. Although they may refuse food during the winter time which has happened to me before. If the snake doesn't eat just try every week on a regular feeding schedule. Don't stray from the schedule cuz the snake will get hooked on a schedule and know when its time to eat. I feed every weds.

[Kesslers Kreatures]

Getting the snake to eat again could be a problem but it should not if you make sure the temperature and humidity requirements are met properly.

I agree, make sure the temps are right before trying to feed. The temps would be highest priority first.