2 Dogs, and thinking about a pet snake.?

Question

I have 2 labs that are very tame. and thinking about owning a ball python. Now i know i can control my dogs, but the snake? How would that reaction be, if any?

Answer 1

Just be careful handling it around the dogs. Some dogs will become very excited around small creatues and try to injure them. I handle mine when the dogs aren't around. You'll have to see--your dogs might not even be interested.

Answer 2

Keep the snake in a room that the dogs rarely go in if possible. Snakes, ball pythons especially, prefer quiet places in order to feel safe. Ball pythons are especially shy snakes and do bite (like any other snake) when threatened, even if it's only threatened by noises. I would not handle the snake around the dogs at all. Handle the snake privately in a room with the door closed so it can feel comfortable in it's new home.

Answer 3

I have a ball python and a shih tzu mix dog. Ball pythons are one of the most hesitant species of snakes to strike. They are very shy and slow-moving. My dog and snake have been introduced from a distance and the snake curled up and hid his head under his coils (poor baby!) That's what a ball python is most likely to do. Other species of snakes would probably strike at the dogs.

Try to avoid too many encounters between the snake and dogs, as this can't be much fun for the snake.

Answer 4

I have 3 dogs (rottie, lab, and blue healer mix), a rabbit, and a ball python, and there has been no confrontation. The dogs are curious but are more or less scared of it, or it seems that way. I think you will be just fine. Ball pythons will only get about 5 feet, so don't count it it injuring your dogs, it will probably hide from them if anything.

Answer 5

They are more expensive to keep then dogs