What are the pros and cons about getting a Ball Python?

Question

I've had experiences with other snakes but not one as large as a ball python. Just wanted to get some last minute advice after the research to see what people have to say :) Thanks

Answer 1

Pros:

-Relatively small size(3-5 ft usually)

-Easy to handle

-Very hardy(won't die if you make a newbie mistake)

-If you could afford it, comes in a lot of varieties - but even the normal looks nice.

-Easy care

-As a python only needs to eat once every week or two

-Don't go to the bathroom too often so cleaning is easy

Cons:

-There will always be stupid and/or ignorant people who will hassle you for owning a snake and say stupid things like "oh, watch out it will eat you"

-Ball Pythons are notoriously horrible eaters - they will often go on hunger strikes which can last months and while the snake is fine doing this it is VERY frustrating as a keeper. Also, I've heard some are even so picky that the color of a mouse may affect whether or not it will eat.

-Escape artists! Make sure you have a good locking lid that can't be lifted or slide - they are much stronger than you'd think.

Good luck and have fun if you get a new snake!

Answer 2

Insert name here got that care sheet from http://exotic-pets.co.uk/royal-python.ht... FYI. Insert, stop plagiarizing. Ball Pythons are actually quite small, and have no real cons as far as snakes go. They're very easy to take care of as compared to most other species.

Answer 3

since you've had other snakes, i'm guessing you're familiar with the basics.  i had a ball python for several years, from the time it was just born until it was about 3 feet long.  they are very easy to care for.  they are relatively calm and rarely bite.  it's a good idea to start handling it while it's young so it can get used to you.  regular handling is good for exercise also.  they eat very well.  i used to feed it live mice from the pet store once a week and then once every 2 weeks after a year or so.  make sure you get a water bowl big enough for the snake to fit in.  they like to curl up inside the bowl.  a heat rock is also a good idea.  snakes obviously need heat, and the heated rock helps with digestion after feeding.  a good hiding area is also important.  it can be as simple as a tupperware container with a hole or something a little more natural like a hollow log.  anything else is pretty much just for show.  they don't do a lot of climbing, so branches aren't necessary.  a good tank size is around 2 x 3 feet roughly.  it doesn't need to be high since they are mostly ground snakes.  make sure you have a top that is secure.  once they get older and bigger, they are very strong and will push the top right off your tank.  overall they make very good pets.  enjoy.

Answer 4

PROS

Very Gentle, Easily Handled

Doesn't Bite (Better chance of being attacked by a freakin' shark)

Beautiful Morphs to Choose From

Relatively Cheap

CONS

Sensitive Eaters

VERY Good Escape-Artists

Adult can eat your pet bird, guinea pig, etc. (Personal Experience..)

Answer 5

Hey i have made you a care sheet for the python and hope it can answer any questions that you are unsure about. :

The Ball Python

What does a Royal Python look like?

Royal Pythons are also known as Ball Pythons due to them rolling into a ball in defence. This species of Python grows to an average length of 4 foot (1.2 m), with the females being the large of the two. Some specimens have been known to reach more than 5 foot (1.5m) in length.

Royal Pythons have a distinctive head, slender neck and a wide body. The body colour is black with yellow, gold or brown markings. The patterns may be banded, broken or reduced in some specimens and some may have a dorsal stripe.

Where are Royal Pythons from?

Royal Pythons are found within Central and Western Africa. They inhabit forests and are equally comfortable on the ground or in trees. These Pythons are active during dawn and dusk and hide away during the day.

Are Royal Pythons easy to keep?

Royal Pythons have to be one of the easiest species of snake to own, as long as the basic requirements are met.

Although these Pythons do grow big, they prefer a smaller enclosure then you would think. If the enclosure is too large, this could cause stress to the Python. There are a number of different enclosures you can use from vivariums, glass tanks and plastic containers. Young Pythons can be housed in plastic containers measuring approx. 20x10” (LxW), sub and fully-grown adults in a 36x15” vivarium.

You need provide your Royal Python with an ambient air temperature of 27-29C (80-85F) throughout the enclosure with a basking spot of 32.5C (90F) during the day. At night, allow the ambient air temperature to drop down to no lower than 23-24C (73-75F), with a basking area of 27C (80F). No additional UV lighting is required for your Royal Python. You can maintain the temperatures by using either a basking lamp with a guard or a heat mat, a thermostat should control both these.

While your Python is young, the best substrate to use would be kitchen towel or newspaper, this is cheap and easy to clean out. Once your Python starts to grow, you can use aspen, bark chips or cage carpet that is washable. A humidity box must be placed in with your Python. Cut a hole out of the plastic container, place vermiculite and sphagnum moss inside. Another hide should be placed in the enclosure so your Python can hide away during the day. To make the enclose look nice, place a large branch with some artificial plants around it.

Feed you Royal Python on defrosted mice and rats. The size of food given depends on the size of the Python, this shouldn’t be any larger then the widest part of the Pythons body. Young Pythons should be fed every 7-10 days, older Pythons every 10-14 days and adults should be fed every 3 weeks with breeding females being fed every 2 weeks.

Fresh water should be provide daily in a dish/bowl so your Python may drink or bathe. This is very important when your Python is due to shed its skin. Once you notice the Pythons eyes go clear after being cloudy, bathe it in luc warm water for 10 minutes, dry off then place back in its enclosure. The Python should then shed within 24hrs

Hope this helps, and good luck with your new pet snake..