need some info on ball pythons?

Question

my 15 year old son wants a snake, is a ball python good one for him to get. don't want one that is going to get 5 or 6 ft or larger. have dogs in the house don't need them being snake food. also how aggressive are they. only serious answers please

Answer 1

A ball python can be a good starter pet, but a few considerations first. Make sure that your son has done his research and knows how to have the cage set up properly. All snakes have specific requirements for heat, humidity, food preference, substrate, hiding spots, etc. Also, better to get from a breeder rather than a pet store. With pet stores, you never know where the snake came from and what it has been fed or what kind of eater it is. No matter where you got it from, you should take it to a vet who is experienced with reptiles to give a wellness exam. One thing to note about ball pythons is that they are notorious for being picky eaters. What works best for me and for others that I know is to feed it pre-killed mice (yes, they WILL eat prekilled mice if done properly) in the dark (with a red light on- they don't "see" red light). I thaw the mice out overnight so they are room temperature, warm them under a heat lamp (never use a microwave as it heats from inside out) and use a salad tongs to put in cage and wiggle in front of snake (you do not want to hold it with fingers as the snake will then associate your hand with food) She eats every time----for 15 years. Also, I don't know where the first guy heard that ball pythons teeth get 1 1/2 inches long!?!?!?!?!?!?! NOT TRUE! However, although ball pythons in general are mellow, it's not to say that they can't bite if mishandled or nervous and it does hurt. If you feel a ball python is not for you, a corn snake is a great choice for a beginner. They are active, generally good eaters, not picky eaters, handleable, and good temperament. They do not get big either. If you need more info or advice, you can e-mail me @ [e-mail]. Good luck!!

Answer 2

Well, my first snake was a Ball Python. I too got her when I was 15. I'm 25 now. I'm still learning new things about the species. My first one has passed away and now I have a second one. I love these snakes. They are not too extreme but, they are definitely different than the average pet! My first one did bite but it was my dad's fault. Dinner was in the tank and wham he got bit moving the water bowl. (I have read that even though a python is not venomous, you should go to the hospital and make sure there are no teeth in you.) First one was a female about 5.5' long. She was full grown when we got her as an adoptee. Very docile except for that one bite. Second one is about 3.5' now. I bought her when she was about 2'. I have never had any problems with her being aggressive either. (yet anyways!) As for poop and smell, they eat once a week so guess what, they poop once a week and if you clean it up promptly there is no reason for a Ball Python's tank to smell at ALL. They don't pee either, they pass a white turd looking thing and that my friend, is their so called "PEE". Never use sand. It is very abrasive and I'm not sure but I believe it can cause impaction. In the past I used corn cob bedding but I have read that that is also very bad for them. Now I use aspen. As one of the other answerer's said make sure your son reads up on them but remember, he can't know everything he needs to know about them without doing a little trial and error for himself. He'll learn what works and what does not. Each B.P is a little different. Whatever kind of snake your son gets don't be a chicken and play with it too! You'll soon want one of your own!!!

Answer 3

Ball pythons are relatively safe pets to have. How big they get depends largely on your feeding schedule and the size habitat you design for them, so that's controllable. I've had cats and a dog with our ball python, and have never had any problems. Just make sure that when you handle the snake, the other animals are closed out of the room. What they say about snakes is really true- especially ball pythons- they're more afraid of you. So handling them frequently and properly (in a calm, unexcited manner) will ensure that they become used to it and will make good pets. They're pretty low-maintenance, really. I would recommend it, and your son is old enough to handle that kind of responsibility.

Answer 4

Ball pythons are great beginner snakes, especially because they don't get too big, unlike most pythons. You shouldn't have to worry about your dogs, if anything, you should worry about the snake becoming a meal for the dog. Ball pythons on average get about 5 ft but they can get up to 8 ft, so don't be surprised. Ball pythons for the most part are very quiet and they are not big on biting. They would rather roll themselves into a ball (hence the name "ball" python) than bite. They are great because an 20 or 30 gallon aquarium with sand in it, a small branch and a bowl of water and a heat lamp is all they need. They are clean pets and they never make any noise, they nor their poop really smells and they are very in expensive to keep. I bought mine when he was pnly 3 weeks old and just barely a foot long. I fed him 1 live mouse once a week. When he became a year and a half old he had grown enough to eat 1 small rat once every week and a half. They don't grow very fast either my snake is two and a half now and is just over 3 feet. So technically, by the time the snake starts to get uncomfortably big for you, your son will be grown and will take him to college with him. So you really don't have anything to worry about. Like I said, they are a great beginner snake however, you must discuss with your son what kind of a commitment he is getting into because almost all snakes live atleast 15 years and ball pythons can live up to 25 years. Hope I was of assistance.

Answer 5

I have dozens of snakes including almost 30 ball pythons. They make great pets as long as you have a proper environment for them. The males will get to around 3-4 feet and the females to 4-5 feet. They can get up to 6 feet, but it is rare. You can feed even the largest ones on mice their whole lives, so you won't have to worry about feeding them large rats or especially guinea pigs. Also, they will never be able to eat your pet dogs. Ball Pythons are imprint feeders which means they get used to a certain type of food and stick with it their entire lives. Besides, they are generally pretty docile especially if you handle them frequently.

I'd recommend doing as much research as possible before you commit to buying one, though. They can live up to 40+ years so it is definitely a large committment.

Good luck!

Answer 6

I have 2 balls (High gold- which is the girl, and a tiger ball python- which is the boy)

they are VERY DOCILE....... My girl though pretty much wants to be handles everyday. In my experience the girls get "thicker" than the guys, but the boys get "longer"

My boy (dino) is 4 years old and a tad OVER 5 ft..... my girl (nina) is 5 years old, and probably a tad UNDER 5ft (but she's visibly "bigger/thicker" than him)

Just do YOURSELF a favor and do a little research on them yourself (just in case he loses interest and you have to take care of it) they really are low mantinence (changing the water everyday is about the only thing you HAVE to do)

btw I use screened pine shavings NOT SAND!

Also I believe that there is no reason for a Ball Python's tank to smell at ALL if you clean up behind them promptly (which will only be once a week!)

good luck and keep us posted

Answer 7

I worked in a pet shop for 4 years and in my opinion, I wouldn't really trust ANY snakes. The ball python's are one of the "less: aggressive ones, though. They WILL get 5 or 6 feet long. What usually happens; someone will buy a young snake; not thinking how large they will get and what it takes to care for them. Then as the snake gets older and they realize the care they need, they don't want them anymore. Many used to come back; asking if we would take the snake. As a snake gets older, they will need larger "live" food, like rats OR guinea pigs to eat. When they shed, they will get more aggressive and will go through a period where they won't eat. Personally, I wouldn't let any of my children have any kind of snake. They are very susceptible to mites and colds, since they need a warmer temperature. I would really give it alot of thought before I would take this step.

Answer 8

I had one for about 3 years. We just put a heat lamp over top, a warming rock inside ( you can get this at a pet store), a piece of driftwood, a water bowl and covered the bottom of the tank in wood chips. You should feed him about once a week if you want him to grow fast. but they can go months without eating. HUGE TIP: Never feed your snake in the tank! If you do everytime you open the tank to take him out he will snap at you, its not his fault he just thinks its feeding time. Take him out and put him in the bath tub, drop the mouse in there and watch natures fury :) Also make sure you keep some kind of weight or latch on the lid to the tank. Snakes are sneaky little ba$tards and he will get out if you give him the slightest opportunity. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any more questions. Enjoy they are a lot of fun.

Answer 9

I would go for a corn snake for the 1st time they come in different colors and they arent very aggressive and they are easy to handle and care for

Answer 10

GET HIM A CORN SNAKE. i have both! corn snakes are the best first time snake>they don't usually bite! and they are also smaller than a python! mine is about 6 and still eats mice! about 5-7 a month! don't us a heat light unless your house stays cold! room temp. is fine for an adult! the cooler they are, the less likely to bite! the warmer they are the more nippier they are!! hope i helped!? good luck:)