ball python?

Question

my husband wants a ball python. Is this a good idea? We have a 4 year old.

do they bite?

Answer 1

I had snakes all my life Boas, and Pythons are my favorite. Before my children I got the bigger breads of python. My reticulated python was 11 feet long, thats before I gave him to a friend. Last year I got a BALL PYTHON his name is slither,my son named him, and they are considered to be the very best first snake for children. It is extremely rare for them to strike they only get to be about 5 feet in length. The only problem that is a problem for ball owners is eating. They are weird about feeding. Make sure there inclosure is 95 degrees or better, no heat rocks because they will burn themselves and a water dish that they can fit there entire body in. If the snake wont eat keep trying (once a week) and they will feed eventually. My snake went for 2 months at one time, but make sure to offer it. Need more... E-mail me. These are great first time snakes for families with children.

Answer 2

Ball pythons are very docile snakes. They do not tend to bite and do not grow very long (about 4ft) However, be sure that the python is in a properly secure enclosure. I don't know if you are planning to get a baby or an adult ball python, but they are constrictors. An adult ball python theoretically could strangle a small child (even unintentionally) with the child having little chance of being able to pry the snake away. Of course with a proper enclosure and with proper supervision this is not likely to happen. I don't mean to put a terrible image in your head, but that is the only thing that would worry me and as I said it is highly unlikely. Oh and be sure that your husbands see's the snake feed before purchasing it (if possible find out if the snake is wild caught or captive bred) Wild caught balls sometimes refuse to eat in captivity, captive bred is your best bet. Sorry I kinda went off on a tanent there.

Answer 3

They can bite and break the skin. If they are cared for properly they are usually docile. Just don't leave your child unattended with the snake. A ball python wont get big enough to kill a 4 year old child. Please if you do get one do a lot of research. All reptiles need special care and wont survive without it. Here are some good care sheets for owning a ball python. Read them both and follow them carefully. Have everything ready before you bring a snake home.

http://www.kingsnake.com/ballpythonguide/index.html
http://www.anapsid.org/ball.html

Answer 4

They RARELY bite..not saying they NEVER do because anything's possible.I have a 2 year old daughter and I work in a pet store and she comes in and holds the Ball Pythons all the time without any problems if that eases your worries a bit.

Answer 5

Balls make excellent pets. They can bite, but so can anything that has teeth. :) It's pretty rare for them to bite compared to a lot of other snakes, and usually only the babies will get nippy sometimes. Please read up on a decent caresheet such as this one: http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&id=52

A lot of people claim that Balls are picky eaters, but if their enviroment is comfortable and they don't get too stressed, they'll eat every week for you. You shouldn't have to feed it anything larger than a couple of mice or a weaned rat for their entire life.

As far as being safe around your child, they are one of the most docile snakes. If anything, I would worry about your child stressing out or harming the snake than the other way around. I have dozens of snakes and two children at home, and they've never come close to harming my children. I understand your concerns, though, as I was worried when I got my first snake. However, after you own a Ball for a little while you'll realize how gentle they are.

Answer 6

Balls, or royal pythons are one of the smallest, no more than 3 1/2 feet or so full grown, the child is perfectly safe. They are greats starter snakes, and don't require expert care. If you need any tips on what to buy, just e-mail me at [e-mail] I am a reptile expert and can offer you some expert advide. Love to help.

Answer 7

I agree with them being a good temperment and usually good starter pets, but I want to add that you should keep the cage locked so your child does not have access to snake poop. As with any poo, it has salmonella (food poisoning) and if your child touches the cage or snake and then puts his hand in his mouth he can get sick. So just keep the snake and cage really clean and practice washing hands before and after holding the snake, mice, or supplies. The main thing is to keep your child away from the snake when hungry or eating. The snake may get confused if your child wiggles his fingers and it smells mice. The mice are more likely to bite than the snake! It is much better to get a snake that is used to eating pre-killed mice.

Answer 8

Yes - we have a ball, and have had her since my son was about 2.

As with all pets, it is always important to supervise your child (and your pet) when they are together, and - as snakes are not fond of rough handling, it would be best to make sure than any contact between snake and child is very closely guarded.

People seem to imagine all sorts of terrible things when you mention the word snake - however if you think about it logically, a smallish snake like a ball is far less able to harm anyone than a dog or cat.. and no one has any hesitations about having these with children.

Answer 9

Ball pythons make great pets. They are very gentel snakes and not agressive. One will be fine around a 4 year old. You defenatlly should get one

Answer 10

Ball pythons make excellent pets.

It must be kept in an all glass aquarium with a secure latching lid ( I suggest something the child can't open...)

The snake will happily stay in his/her tank 99% of the time. It must be let out periodically for exercise - it must be supervised!