Snake Question

[fish-r-fancy]

Hi I was planning on getting a ball python. I have done plenty of reasearch and now I want to hear from people with experience. I would appreciate it if people gave my some tips and suggestions on keeping ball pythons. Also would you recommend this for a beginner snake keeper? Thank you

 

[grahamsokel]

I wouldnt reccomend a ball as a beginners snake.They are notorious for going on starvation diets and can stop eating for months at a time.i was at my wits end when mine did it the first time although now he feeds regular

 

[fish-r-fancy]

Thank you very much.

 

[Kiarra]

Other than them being fussy and at times inconsistent eaters...they're a good snake for beginners. Generally easy care requirements, generally docile temperament, don't get hugely big, and fairly pretty.

I don't keep a ball python (biggest snake I have or have ever had is a ribbon snake). But I do work in a pet store and do have some experience with them. Biggest tip I can possibly give you---never, ever feed the snake in its cage. It will learn to strike at things that enter the cage, thinking they're food. Even if it's their nice, otherwise tolerated caretaker just reaching in to grab them.

 

[fish-r-fancy]

Thank you for the advice. If I were to get a ball python I would buy a rubbermaid container or something so that it learns that that is were it eats. Thank you again

 

[fish-r-fancy]

Okay I think I really want a ball python and if it decides not to eat for a while after a ton of reasearch I have come to believe that ball pythons can go a whole year without eating so itr will be fine if it goes without eating for s little while. After all my reasearch I still have a questions. My first question is how big should the water bowl be that I put in the tank with the snake? Also what temp. should the water be set at? Thank you

 

[Kiarra]

The water bowl should be wide and shallow, and always be big enough that the snake can immerse its whole self in it.

Just put room temp water in, and it will adjust to the temperature of the cage. No special adjustments necessary. Just don't put the water right over a heat mat, or right under a heatlight.

 

[fish-r-fancy]

Okay Thank you

 

[grahamsokel]

If you really are going for a royal ask to see it feeding before you buy it.There is a lot of CF royals out there and as a beginer they would prove to be a nightmare

 

[fish-r-fancy]

I wasn't planning on getting a royal I was planning on getting a ball python.

 

[Saedcantas]

Us Brits call them "Royal pythons" As their scientific name is Python regius, in the US they like things a bit more straightforward and call the same snake a "Ball python" because particularly shy or young individuals have a habit of rolling into a ball

Here's my own Royal Python caresheet

Make sure you do lots and lots of research before you go ahead and buy one, it's important to be absolutely certain of what you are getting into and that it is the right animal for you

Lotte***

 

[fish-r-fancy]

Thank you for the link that was very helpful. I never knew that ball pythons were called royal pythons in the U.K.

 

[fish-r-fancy]

What are you guys using as hide boxes that have a natural look?

 

[shrimply]

I have never kept a ball python kind of skipped that step,lol. I do however have two corns and a boa so kind of know what I am talking about ( i hope )

Anyway cheapest natural hide you can get. Gather some fallen leaves in autaum and soak them in bleach for an hour. Leave them to dry them cover a carboard box with them. Looks great and super cheap.

 

[fish-r-fancy]

Thank you Shirly. I was thinking of just going outside collecting some rocks and using the hot glue gun to glue the rocks together. I think it will be safe because once the glue dries it is plastic. Do you just buy those plants atr a petstore or anywhere? Looks really nice.