New to Ball Pythons

[Johnny Hive X]

I'm extremely interested in purchasing a Ball Python. I've spent hours researching and reading about them, caring for them, feeding them, housing them, etc. The problem with it all is that the information seems to be different or varying slightly from source to source.

I'm going to a reptile show in a couple of weeks and am hoping to make a purchase there. If I don't purchase there, I'm planning on contacting a reptile breeding facility that sells to all the local pet stores to see if I can cut out the middle man and get a Ball Python before they send it to a pet store.

I'm wanting a hatchling (as young of one as possible) and I understand that stress is a huge factor with this type of snake. I figure, why put it through the burden of going from breeding facility > transportation to pet store > pet store > transportation to my home > it's home here?

I went to the pet store and was researching prices on all the items I'm looking to buy for it. I'm planning on getting a 20 gallon locking terrarium, heat pad, bark substrate, large water dish, 2 hides, thermometer, hygrometer, and decorations.

My buddy has a Ball Python and after reading information online and his input, it all seems skewed. Someone on another forum said that he is keeping his Ball Python in basically a Rubbermaid container for it's first year. This isn't very appealing to me, but he says it's to help keep his living space small and it will help keep the snake stress-free. I am wanting to have the habitat all set up and bring the hatchling home and place it in what is going to be it's home for years. I feel like in the long run the stress will be worse from being in a plastic tub for a year then being placed in a more outside looking environment. Should I keep it in a tub or in what will be it's permanent home upon bringing to my house?

Another thing that seems varied is when feeding the Ball Python, my friend says to take it out of it's home and feed it in something else. He says that if you feed it while it's in it's home, it will start assuming that hands being in the tank means feeding and it might bite more. He says that all of this is true unless you handle the snake often, keeping it guessing. If I don't plan on handling it, he says to feed it in something other than it's home. But, from what I read, the feeding is the biggest stress-related issue. Won't it be stressed out and not eat if it's constantly being shuffled from home > feeding tank > home > feeding tank, etc?

What is your guys' input on all of this and do any of you have any other helpful tips or anything seeing as how this is my first experience with purchasing and keeping a snake?

Thanks so much!

[starmom]

Welcome to the forum!!!

A hatchling ball python (or any ball python) can be shipped right from a respected breeder to your home. I don't understand why you put the pet store part in there...? There are lots of great breeders; you only need to check them out, decide what you want, and pay for it.

A hatchling will need a small environment and many people use tubs for this reason. It does not stress them to be moved to a reptile cage or a fish tank when they are bigger; say about 700g or so.

Feeding outside of the environment is not necessary and it is a myth that you must or you'll get bitten or whatever. It can stress the snake out to move it and it is just simply not needed.

In your list of needed items, a large water dish is not needed and you forget to include a thermostat- very important.

Anything else?

[LadyOhh]

There are plenty of breeders here if you just want a pet..

Keep it in its permanent home and change things dependant on what the stress levels are (add hides, lots of junk to keep it concealed). If it becomes a huge problem, then you can revert to the tub for a while.

Feed where you want. I have never had problems with feeding in the tank/tub.

[ViciousBliss]

kudos to you for such good pre planning. that was all my hope and dream, to purchase everything needed, and THEN choose an animal. not to say i don't love my Snikolas. he's a bit over 3 feet, and i've only had him for a lil over a month, but so far he's been a phenomenal pet. he's a rescue with some lamp burns and had a bad shed but he's doing SO well now. BPs are definately resiliant! i've not had a problem yet with feeding in the enclosure, i put a clean piece of paper in his tank, feed him, and when he's done chowin down and has chilled out a lil bit, i take the paper out and stick his hides and water back where they go.

as i said, my BP is a bit over 3ft and he's my first, so i don't have hatchling experience, but from what i understand, you've done your homework.

i'm sure you're going to be a phenomenal BP owner!

[Johnny Hive X]

Thanks so far for the advice! I'm definitely happy with myself by trying to figure everything out before just buying a BP on an impulse - that would be unfair to it. It deserves just as much planning and emotion, etc as any pet would.

I've already had a member PM me with tank preparation and the such. I appreciate that.

I'm going to buy from a breeder. Does anyone have any recommendations? My friend purchased his BP from:

http://www.rcreptiles.com

It's a breeder based out of Pennsylvania. I live in Ohio, so that would be good. I've found a few other websites:

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/animals/pythons/

http://www.reptilecity.com/

I was curious about something else as well. I'm going to be buying substrate of some sorts. With the snake urinating/pooping, will I be able to tell where it's at so I can change only that portion of the substrate? I plan on removing everything and fully cleaning it throughout the year. Is it possible to tell where it's waste is so I can remove it?

Do the hides for the snake have to be completely sealed except for an entrance hole, or could it be something like a half log arch type thing that has openings on two ends - somewhat tunnel like?

Does water needed changed daily as well?

Thanks so much everyone.

[starmom]

A very short list of breeders:
NERD http://www.newenglandreptile.com/
8Ball http://www.8ballpythons.com/index.htm
TSK http://ballpython.com/page.php
Ralph Davis http://www.ralphdavisreptiles.com/
Jasball John http://mysite.verizon.net/vze7wjl4/j...ons/index.html
Barker's http://www.vpi.com/store

Substrate:
A lot of people use newspaper but the dyes in newsprint are toxic. I get Kraft paper from this site: http://www.packagingsupplies.com/Kra..._Products.html. Kara just turned us on to it and they have great prices!
The snake pees and you change out the paper and put new paper in. No guessing if the snake has pee'd and no guessing if you've gotten it all with a partial change

Hides:
Balls like to be hidden So it is best if the hide is enclosed except for the ingress/egress hole. The logs are fairly dysfunctional- go with something different especially since you want a wee tiny snake.

Water:
Clean the bowl and give fresh water daily.

Anything else? I think it's great that you're doing everything now- before you get the snake!! Kudos!!!

[Johnny Hive X]

A very short list of breeders:
NERD http://www.newenglandreptile.com/
8Ball http://www.8ballpythons.com/index.htm
TSK http://ballpython.com/page.php
Ralph Davis http://www.ralphdavisreptiles.com/
Jasball John http://mysite.verizon.net/vze7wjl4/j...ons/index.html
Barker's http://www.vpi.com/store

Substrate:
A lot of people use newspaper but the dyes in newsprint are toxic. I get Kraft paper from this site: http://www.packagingsupplies.com/Kra..._Products.html. Kara just turned us on to it and they have great prices!
The snake pees and you change out the paper and put new paper in. No guessing if the snake has pee'd and no guessing if you've gotten it all with a partial change

Hides:
Balls like to be hidden So it is best if the hide is enclosed except for the ingress/egress hole. The logs are fairly dysfunctional- go with something different especially since you want a wee tiny snake.

Water:
Clean the bowl and give fresh water daily.

Anything else? I think it's great that you're doing everything now- before you get the snake!! Kudos!!!

I'll check into those breeders. Thank you!

I think I'm going to stick with a mulch/bark substrate and see how that goes. That Kraft paper is a bit pricey for me and I'd like the look of mulch better. Thanks for the tip though - I might look into it in the future.

I knew BPs like to be hidden - that's all I seem to read about: the stress factors, etc. I'll look in to finding some completely enclosed hides instead of the logs.

If I have any other questions I think of, I'll ask. Thanks so much!

[Johnny Hive X]

Another question:

Should I feed my BP live mice? That is what my friend has done all along. As I've researched, it seems like people feed dead food that is thawed out. I understand that by giving it live food, there is a possibility of the mouse/rat scratching or hurting the snake. I watched some YouTube videos and the snake expert said it's OK to feed live as long as you are supervising. Give it 15 minutes and if the BP hasn't eaten, remove the mouse.

What is the overall opinion here?

[darkangel]

Just wanna let you know... that bark is a pain in the butt to clean. I started off with that with my first snake and it was very time consuming. You also have to check it for dampness because there can be liquid urine which you obviously can't see on that type of substrate - so spot cleaning doesn't tend to work out. I started off wanting a 'natural-type' enclosure but within two weeks I was converted to tubs/newspaper. They are SO MUCH CHEAPER it's ridiculous, uncomplicated to clean, and the snakes seem more content in a simple, snug home. Just wanted to offer my opinion...

Edit: IF your snakey will eat frozen/thawed, it will likely be financially a lot easier on you. However if you decide to go this route, it may take a little more patience on your part in the beginning to get him accustomed.

[Johnny Hive X]

I also read elsewhere that astro-turf works as a decent substrate. Has anyone tried this?

I really would like to feed it live food - it just looks so much cooler, but I definitely don't want my snake being hurt.