Is a ball python a good pet for a 9 year old.?

Answer 1

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO
GET THE POINT
SNAKES ARE MEAN ANIMALS AND PYTHON ARE KNOWN FOR WRAPPING AROUND PEOPLE AND SQUEEZING TO DEATH SO I WOULD SAY NOT A GOOD IDEA GET THE KID A DOG OR CAT

Answer 2

Whatever happened to getting your 9-year-old children a goldfish as a first pet?!

Anyway, I don't see a problem with it, assuming that you do your research and never leave the snake (no matter what size) with the child unattended and always teach your child good hygiene, having them wash their hands right away after they touch the snake or anything the snake has touched.

I would actually get a corn snake for your child. They are great beginner snakes and perfect for young children as there is no doubt that they lack the strength to strangle a child.

And don't listen to the person saying that pythons are dangerous and will squeeze a human to death. There are few documented cases of a constrictor suffocating a human being and those cases are usually the fault of reticulated pythons (the longest snake in the world, known to have a nasty, aggressive disposition). Ball pythons are calm and docile but I don't think that they should be the sole responsibility of a 9-year-old child, as they may be neglected.

Answer 3

My son is 6 and my daughter is 3 and they love our ball python, Monty. We do all of the maintenance for him, but my kids are always holding him. Ball pythons are pretty docile.
As with any pet you need to make sure that it is getting taken care of, but I would think that a 9 year old could learn to do the cleaning of the tank and changing the water on their own.
Just to let you know, my husband played with snakes when he was young, but I have never even held one until we got Monty. I love him just as much if not more than the kids do.
The other reply that said that these snakes are not know for "squeezing" the life out of humans is totally correct! Besides Ball Phythons don't get much bigger than 4 or 5 feet, 6 tops.
Hope this helps.;-)

Answer 4

Make sure that the 9 yrold is not only responsible but also is informed about the responsibility and commitment that it will take as along with any other pet. make sure you get the snake as a baby so not only will the child not be in any serious danger but he/she they can grow together and the child will have more experience on the handling before the snake is large enough to do any damage. I have 3 boas and 3 pythons, as well as 3 children under the age of 10.

Answer 5

It depends on how involved you want to be in the care of the ball python. You and the child should always practice good hygien. Keep the snake cage pristine clean at all times. The Ball Python can live a very long time, just like dogs and cats, and will grow to about six feet in length, and be about three inches thick (thicker after eating). Also, contrary to popular opinion, you cannot just give the snake to the zoo or pet store after you tire of it. If your child is patient and responsible, I say yes, give them the snake. But make sure you keep on him for the rest of his days that he take care of the snake properly.

Answer 6

I WOULD say yes, but I'm not so sure about a nine year old. It's just that I'm not sure if s/he would take care of it. It would be perfectly fine if your kid took care of the snake, or if you take care of it when your kid forgets.

I have both a corn snake and a ball python, and have talked to many people who also have both, or either one. Honestly, I would say that corn snakes are more bitey than ball pythons. I have NEVER heard of a ball python biting anyone. The closest I have is my friend's ball python biting their cat, but their cat was annoying it. A lot. As in, trying to eat it. So of course the python bit. But as long as you don't poke it in the eye or something, I doubt it would bite. Oh the other hand, I hear of biting corn snakes a lot. They don't hurt, but I do hear of biting quite a bit.

Answer 7

Yes, they are great animals, i have had 2 classes with ball pythons and they were great, when they aredomesticated they are more tame and do not constrict around people, and imagiine being able to tell all ur friends "i have a pet snake" if u decide against it u r missing out, but if u still want to get another animal, i actually am partial to the chinchilla myself.

Answer 8

People who say no know nothing about pythons. 15 foot burmese python? bad idea. 4-6 foot ball python?? Great idea. They're fairly low maintenance, generally tame, and they can make great first pets, providing you think the child is ready for the responsibility. Keep in mind that they may quickly tire of the animal and you will be stuck caring for it...

Answer 9

No reptiles are good pets for a 9 year old unless they have an adult that is willing to do 100% of the care. Reptiles require specialized enviornments to live and 9 year olds are not likely to monitor it sufficiently.

Answer 10

No. Reptiles are not a good choice for young children. The rare cases in which children can successfully care for a reptile usually involve households where the parents had reptiles the entire time the child was growing up. Reptiles need very specific care, including constant monitoring of temperature, humidity, cage cleanliness, water, etc. They can carry diseases, and they can sometimes bite.

Answer 11

it depends on how big it is? i had one when my boyfriend's brother was living with us about 5 years ago. around the time when he was 9. you just have to make sure that you wash your hands EVERYTIME before and after you touch them. if they have even the slightest smell of some kind of rodent or other animal that they would attack, they will hurt you or your 9 year old. but we kept ours in a cage with locks on it and made sure we fed ours and all that. we even went and got a 6 foot 9 red tail boa. and she was even good with the kid. its all in how you treat the animals. and i would recommend that when its feeding time (if you get the snake) that you should feed it. let your kid watch through the tank if he or she wants. i personally think that the snake would be fine, as long as you took precautions and things like that.