Ball Python Ownership?

Question

I'm looking to buy a Ball Python, and want to know some of the things that come along with owning one. I've found one with great temperament for $40.00, its about a foot long right now.

I don't have *everything* for it now, I have an aquarium, bedding, water dish, general information book. It ate on Friday, and I was told that it wouldn't need to eat again until this Friday.

Would it be okay without a heat lamp until Thursday if I buy it tomorrow afternoon? They said it is the last one for a while, and I'd like to get it before someone else does.

Answer 1

NAH U STR8 ESPECIALLY THATS A LITTLE BIT OLDER U KNO NAH NAH I DONT THINK U GOTTA STRESS IT BUT JUS IN CASE GET A SMALL HEATIN PAD AND A LIGHT SO WEN THE BULB GOES OUT U HAVE U DONT GOTTA RUSH TO GET A NEW 1

Answer 2

Ok if you can wait till you get everything for it that will be ideal you absolutely need a hide, water dish, tank bedding and heat source whether it be heat lamp or heat mat and thermometer. Regarding your situation If your hose is at room temperature around 75 it may be ok for a day or 2 but it may be a little risky if it just ate it may regurgitate it's food if it's environment is not warm enough. Secondly 40 dollars sounds like a great price but always remember that what you see isn't always what you get it may seem ok on the outside but could have medical problems so read your book and see that theirs nothing suspicious about the snake. Other than that I think your choice in a ball python is ideal they are very calm and docile snakes compared to the snakes like corn snakes and king snakes that try to escape at every possible moment good luck and I hope this helps.

Answer 3

:) I have 2-- I found out I was allergic to cats, so I got 2 snakes instead.

Make sure the bedding is aspen, or at least one that's not heavily scented or oily.

Get a hollowed out log, so s/he can hide. They like to curl up in a "ball" in small places.

Oh, and make sure you have something heavy to put on top of the terrarium lid, or something to tie it down with-- they WILL escape!

Why do you have to wait until Thurs to get the heat lamp? Do NOT get a heat rock, but try a heating pad until Thurs. I'd think it would depend on where you live, and what your climate is like if it can wait for almost a week without a heat source. Consider everything in it's environment-- humidity, direct sunlight, partial sunlight, etc.  

Answer 4

It's just eaten and requires certain temperatures to digest it's food (basking temp of 90 deg).

If you can keep the enclosure temps in the 80's (Fahrenheit) it should be fine until Thursday.

Their proper temps are 80 deg F (ambiant) with a 90 deg F basking temp.

Ball python care:

http://www.anapsid.org/ball.html

Answer 5

Glad to see you ask this!

:)

I hope we're able to get the guy, I want one REALLY bad!

He forgot to add that we also have a driftwood 'hider' thats flat on the bottom and rounded, and is about three feet long. Its pretty wide too, and we're sure the snake can fit into it.

Answer 6

not unless u had a  heatpad it would probably die or u cuold set it by a window and get heat thats wat i wuld do but i dont k now if thatll even work  but ya i strongly suggest putting the snake on hold so ya definetly  put it  on hold or put it by a window or on ur porch if u live in the country set it out for 12 hours wen ur not home keep him or her right  by a window ok good luck but i would wait

Answer 7

Yes it would be okay without a heat lamp till Friday, just make sure you keep in a cool dry place, and it will be fine.

We have Ms Lucy on here that has pythons, and she is our expert, I will star this and hope she answers you.

and that price for a white one is very responsible...

be careful, you don't want one that is all slimy or scaling, it means it is sick...check it very well before taking it home