Thinking Of Getting A Ball Python

[The_Dude]

I'm thinking about getting a ball python. Any pointers?

 

[TylerFerretLord]

You need your basic reptile stuff:

Heat lamp
Water dish
Cave

They eat mice, so be prepared. I feed my two frozen ones.

It's best to get them as babies, or at a young age. You need to feed them pinkies when they're that small.

Handle them daily.

I bought two (male and female) and they get along fine.

Make sure to keep the lid weighted down! They are VERY strong.

 

[SoCalMom]

Ok, I'm going to try to say this without coming off rude...


I thought you had experience with all sorts of reptiles including many snakes? So if you have as much experience with snakes as you claim, you shouldn't need pointers...

 

[t1tanrush]

I thought he had experience keeping large boids... so a small ball should be no problem..? lol I'm perplexed.

 

[Deep Freeze]

No need to get offensive guys, he is just looking for advice. Sheeesh.

 

[SoCalMom]

No need to get offensive guys, he is just looking for advice. Sheeesh.

Well...he bragged how he had so much experience, so it's kinda confusing that he would be asking a simple question...

 

[k.o.d]

Either way at least he asked questions before buying something, so that shows at least a willingness to learn, so rather than being negative, assist, it makes things so much easier if people help rather than hinder.

Ball or Royal pythons are ( in my opinion ) one of the prettiest of the pythons, do not grow large ( max out at around 5ft or so ) and are very chunky ( when healthy )
basic setup is an enclosed vivarium with decent absorbent substrate, a water bowl, heat mat and heat lamp, some branches and a hide and a basking area underneath the heat lamp ( approx 72-76 F )
The viv needs to be long enough so there is a temp difference between the heat area and the cooler area as snakes regulate their temperature by moving from hot to cold rather than sustaining temp like humans do
They need feeding on rats, mice, day old chicks etc, in the wild they will eat birds and bats etc, start off with pinkies and as they grow, work up to full grown adult rats, chicks are not a good diet but unscrupulous breeders feed them because they are cheap and are readily accepted by the snakes.

If at all possible go for captive bred Royals as the captive farmed and wild caught came with some horrible diseases and parasites, but most of all the CF and WC Royals were total buggers to get to eat, whereas captive bred are on the whole so much more used to being handled and fed defrosted food.

Am not an expert but have experience in small pythons and corns, but am sure there are lots more people on here with much better knowledge.

Steve

P.S If someone makes themselves out to be experienced, highly skilled or knowledgeable about something, they better be able to back it up. I can see both sides of the argument.

 

[OohFeeshy]

you shouldn't need pointers...

'Pointers' is a different animal to 'how do I keep them'. Pointers is simply asking whether anyone who has kept them has any tips and tricks that perhaps are not mainstream knowledge, in the same way that keeping hundreds of species of community fish doesn't mean you should know everything about keeping a ray tank.

 

[moray]

keeping a new animal of any species, even if you have kept similar should be researched thoroughly, as it was pointed out he is asking for pointers, and good on him, the herp keeper who thinks they know everything is a keeper with animals that are not looked after to their individual needs. There are different view points on lots of exotic husbandry, care etc and the more info you get the more you can make an informed decision on how you want to keep that animal.

I have kept different exotics for a while now, and I would hate for anyone to question my abilities regarding the ones I've got because I want to ask questions about new ones. I would also like any advice on new or not commonly known "tricks of the trade" that can make my animals happier and healthier - I think that all owners that care for their animals would agree on this.

 

[SoCalMom]

you shouldn't need pointers...

'Pointers' is a different animal to 'how do I keep them'. Pointers is simply asking whether anyone who has kept them has any tips and tricks that perhaps are not mainstream knowledge, in the same way that keeping hundreds of species of community fish doesn't mean you should know everything about keeping a ray tank.

Yea, thanks. I'm well aware of the difference. Hmmm... ever think I read it wrong? Exhaustion does strange things to you

 

[Jaded12]

*sigh* people on this forum can be so.... UGH... at times! The kid asked for advice maybe instead of b*tching at him, which won't accomplish a single thing, y'all should try helping him.

Now Ball Python are awsome snakes, I had a female for awhie but gave her to a friend of mine to use in his breeding program. One very important tip is when you buy him/her make sure to find out what they've been eating, how long ago they ate, when they last shedded and if possible its a really good idea to watch the snake eat before purchasing it, as ball pythons can be super picky eaters and the last thing u need is getting it home and finding out it won't eat anything. Good luck and be sure to post pics when/if u do get a new snake

 

[Betta5]

Well i was going to get one b4 i decided on a tort. I can only say i would make sure its captive bred and ask if you can see it eat. If they say no then its most likely not eating and i would look somwhere else. Also as said i would go for a baby too. Ask if you can hold it to. You can get a quick idea of temperament. If the keepers/breeder gets it out with a 10ft long snake catching device then its prolly a mean one. I know they are a nice breed as they are calm and 'nice', but you always get some nasty buggers. Thats about all i can say and good luck

 

[The_Dude]

Whoa..I leave the computer for a few hours of sleep and I get an all out assault. I meant species specific pointers, like stuff I don't know. You people are vicious sometimes. I have a ton of experience but I always find it wise to go and ask for a second opinion. I use common sense and just don't go head first into things. That's my reason for asking. I didn't expect to get mauled on the forums, but I guess you people just haven't heard my logic, but now you have. So, for my sake and the sake of the forum's integrity, stop attacking me at every turn. Oh and thanks for the help, for those of you who felt it easier to help instead of ripping at me like vultures on a carcass.

 

[cheesy feet]

you shouldn't need pointers...

'Pointers' is a different animal to 'how do I keep them'. Pointers is simply asking whether anyone who has kept them has any tips and tricks that perhaps are not mainstream knowledge, in the same way that keeping hundreds of species of community fish doesn't mean you should know everything about keeping a ray tank.

Yea, thanks. I'm well aware of the difference. Hmmm... ever think I read it wrong? Exhaustion does strange things to you

I own a royal, have had her nearly 2 years.PM me if you have any specific things you want to know.

 

[The_Dude]

Ok then. Thanks. Yay!