few questions

[Somed00d]

1.how big do they grow on average.

4-5 feet.. average adult weight is probably around 2-3kg for females maximum is about 5kg.

2.i have a dog and my mum and dad are saying if it escapes it could attack or strangle the dog :S i would never forgive myself if something happend.

They wont bother your dog. if you got an aggressive one by chance it may strike in defense but do no harm. i trust them close to my cat.. maybe if you had a pet rat you would have a problem

3.how much for absoplutly everything would they cost on average?

Depending on your setup i would budget at least $400. The expensive part is the thermostat and it is not wise to cheap out on that one..

4.what size tank do they need for a full adult?

They don't need alot of height a 2x3x1 would be enough. Many people including myself keep them in rubbermaids..

[sg1trogdor]

Well if you are going to get just one then price isnt an issue but when you get into the double digits or even triple as some of us have then they are very expensive. I paid about 400 bucks for everything (tank, uth, substrate, furniture in the tank, t-stat, and snake of course.) you may be able to get off cheaper cus I was ripped off for my first snake but shes my baby so its ok.

[phillip2]

yes i am willing to do all those things,if i did have to get rid of it im sure there wont be no demand in 20 years! also is a 5 foot snake handable lol?
if i get a red light what do i need 2 control it as i would like to watch him in night.I think ill get a make as there smaller

[RobbinRN]

As for size, I have two males for the same reason. Not planning to breed so that wasn't an issue to begin with. Alice just hit 3 ft and Charger is a tad over 2-1/2 ft.

They are very easy to handle. They are curious and love to explore their environment, but sometimes they just sit on my lap and chill.

When I return them to their cages, they explore everything for a few minutes and then return to their hides. Alice ALWAYS go to his bowl for a big drink of water after being out for a little while. They are indeed active in the evening hours and it's a lot of fun to watch.

As for dogs, everyone I know said the same thing when I got my first snake. I think it was probably because I have pomeranians, one of which is a very petite 4 lbs. Turns out that tiny pom LOVES the snakes. When I get one out, she gets all excited and has to give the snake a few licks. When I place one of them in the box I use while I'm cleaning a tank, she sits next to it the entire time. Once I got a really cute picture of her sitting on top of the box! I always say she's my little snakesitter

Cost runs pretty much what everyone here has already said, but well worth it.

As far as lifespan is concerned, I'm almost 44 and, since I consider adopting a pet a lifetime commitment, I'll need to instill my love of animals in my grandson because he might just inherit a few snakes!

You came to the right site for advice. Ball pythons are very beautiful and sweet...you won't be disappointed.

Robbin

[phillip2]

thanks,im not sure on a corn or ball,as corns are more attractive and more better feeders etc, but balls can be smaller (males) i just dont know :S
also for a baby is a 24x12x12 good enougfh as i have that
i already have a uth thermostat and stiuff as i had a leopard gecko.

[piper]

yes i am willing to do all those things,if i did have to get rid of it im sure there wont be no demand in 20 years! also is a 5 foot snake handable lol?
if i get a red light what do i need 2 control it as i would like to watch him in night.I think ill get a make as there smaller

Hello phillip,

Sorry and no offense, but it does not seem like you are taking this seriously enough.

When you say things like "if i did have to get rid of it im sure there wont be no demand in 20 years"... Thats not very positive thinking and seems like you may not be ready for the responsibility of this kind of animal. Get a kitten.

Ball pythons are recommended by some as "beginner" snakes and by others not. Reason is mainly the fact that the husbandry needs to be on par all the time and another is the fact that are very picky eaters. Mine has finally decided to JUST start eating white mice, the first few times she wouldn't even acknowledge it was there.

Thanks

[phillip2]

no i do im just worried as it is such a long time
i would be prepared,
what about the tank size as ive asked above ^^^?

[piper]

That tank size sounds fine for one that's a yearling or a bit older. Mines a 36x12x12 and mine is a bit longer then that aquarium. I believe in giving them some space, but also clutter up the space with fake plants, make they have 2 hides and so on. If they have too much room they can get stressed out and not eat etc.

Just to give you an example of how fast they grow, when I first got mine, the 2 hides I had for her I thought would do great for atleast a year, 3 months later she still likes going in them, but I can always tell which 1 shes in because the hide is lifted off of the ground. yesterday her back was sticking out of the backside of the hide as well.

Thanks

[phillip2]

would that tank do for a young one
i am in the uk so might be ddifferent ut after the normal what is the next cheapest morph?
thanks

[piper]

would that tank do for a young one
i am in the uk so might be ddifferent ut after the normal what is the next cheapest morph?
thanks

If you want one with a different pigment to it, I would have to say a pastel. The 1 I just picked up was about $200 I think with delivery.

I have seen them for about $150.00 on some sites though. A normal, depending on the sex (Females are more expensive) can be between $50-$100. Some people will give you deals on them as well if you buy others.

This is him:


And this is my normal:


They are a little more pricey around where I am because we don't have as many breeders as they do in the states or the UK.

I think that aquarium could work if you can clutter it good.

But I'm not a professional either.