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I have most of my life wanted a ball python (well started as just a snake) but we grow I have the opportunity to get one and was wondering if I could pick your brains I know a little about care feeding etc. But do not want my inexperience to be taken advantage of by any of the local pet store clerks looking for a bigger commission. Any and all info would be greatly appreciated
Escape artists they are.Quote:
Originally Posted by nanna
They and other snakes are known for being picky eaters.
Price and check the availability of "pinkies" live and frozen.
Also check on other "rodents" because they grow.
This is as good a first pass summary as any:
Python regius - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The person I am talking to sent me this info about what the snake comes with they are asking 200.00 but have been trying to sell him for about a month so I don't know if that is negotiable or not
Tank (I don't know the size for sure. The guy at the pet store said it would be big enough*for his full size.)Day lamp Night lamp Snake house (a thing he curls up in)Heat Pad Large Water dish (that looks like a fake rock)Temperature Strip Surge protector (that has a timer for the day and night lamps) to plug it all in!
I've been out of the Pet Shop loop for MANY years, I build my own equipment now days.
There is a book out there Amazon.com: The Ball Python (Herpetocultural Library) (9781882770724): Philippe De Vosjoli, Philippe De Vosjoli: Books I highly recommend you get this book and read it FIRST. The auther goes into great detail on raising Ball Pythons, care, feeding, breeding, everything you need to know before you buy. It's readally available and worth the expence.
+1 to all said above
I wish I would have know about that book 15yrs ago, I may order it now anyhow
I have had mine for 15 years now, I inherited it not by choice and wasn't crazy about it initially but have sort of warmed to it
it also helps tremendously if you find a vet and pet store that is used to selling and or caring for reptiles and not just cats and dogs, we only had it get sick bad once so far, but that required us giving it injections and it almost didn't make it
got mine in a 2'x4'x4' enclosure which in addition to the heat lamps has a few branches and shelves for it to crawl on and wrap himself around, not hard to make at all
be careful letting it loose near furniture that has any openings on bottom and coils inside too, (including car seats)
Yes car seats are evil... So many bad memories of loose snakes and car seats... Lucky me nothing bad happened but the nerves and stress level could level a city block...
A friend of mine raises and sells ball pythons. He would love to talk with you. If you want contact info and website, PM me.
$150-200 is reasonable for a Ball Python, though you can get them cheaper.
They're pretty easy to take care of apart from the escape issue and the finicky feeding. Some will only accept live food.
If this is going to be your first snake, I'd advise you to rethink the Ball Python idea. They do get large (though not very long), and smell can be a bit of an issue.
Start off with a kingsnake or cornsnake or something similar. They may get longer, but they're much less massive, and they're also quite active. They still are escape artists, though.
I personally preferred keeping lizards and tarantulas to snakes. Can't anymore :( .
Just spotted this thread while cruising the forum. I keep and breed many species of snake and have done for quite a few years, I`d be happy to answer any questions you have :) You`re right to be wary of "man in shop", he will tell you all sorts to get you to buy the snake. Some of the "advice" I`ve heard from people in shops is just awful......
You can email me if you want a quicker reply, I`m at [email protected] :)
I was thinking ball python because of there aggression being minimal. but I will look into the others.
Thanks
+1 to the corn snake suggestion. They aren't as hefty as a ball python but are cheaper and come in a wicked amount of colour morphs. Ball's are good snakes, but a corn may be a little easier for a beginner to own. There are some very good forums dedicated to snake and reptile keeping, look them up and you will find more info then you could ever imagine.
my 2 cents: You don't need any heat lamps if you've got the right size under tank heat mat to heat up a portion of the tank hot enough. DO NOT buy any sort of heat device that goes into the tank, the snake WILL burn itself eventually.
Don't bother getting the snake from a pet store unless they specialize in reptiles. If you can find one of them, you should be ok, otherwise look for a breeder in your area as well as local reptile expos and shows.
In regards to food, he will need mice and full grown may even take rats, if I remember correctly for the Ball. Feed frozen, avoid live. While frozen does not provide the chase, live rodents could harm or kill your snake. Frozen is much easier to store as well.
Escaping. It will probably happen at least once. Get a good, tight fitting lid, and if you get a ball, you will need something to secure the lid. You can use bricks, books anything heavy. Some lids come with locks, but my favourite is those ratcheting tie down strips that you use on cars tying down stuff. If he does get out, snakes will often go up, or towards heat source. you can lay out a feeder inside a homemade trap to get him back if you can't find him.
the most important thing is probably to do your research and get everything set up( ie heating so you can see the heat fluctuations) a little while before you get him.
good luck
When I had to rely on frozen (Fairbanks in the winter!!) mice I would place them in a zipper sandwich bag and place it to thaw in a bowl of warm water. With the prey item tawed and warm I got very good results from finicky eaters.
+1 (and more).......do your homework before you commit to a reptile.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dude123
You know this: but I do want to point out that reptiles are not pets - in the traditional cuddly sense. At best they'll tolerate handling, and some individuals from even the most docile species will not like being handled at all.
They are very interesting companions, and I'd never say you shouldn't keep them (I did). For the most part they're boring, actually. I found their mannerisms interesting, which is why they (and the lizards, frogs and tarantulas) worked for me.
Also, have a backup plan. What happens if you find you hate the reptile? If you find it's too much work (and money....they're not cheap to feed - especially if you're a student), what do you do?
Zoos are increasingly unwilling to take reptiles. Letting them go in areas where they are not found naturally is both cruel and illegal. I had friends who would buy Ball pythons in Ohio and find they were too much of a hassle to take care of, so they'd let them go free (in Ohio!!!! Think winter).
I was lucky in that when I got married, and was told (by my wife) that I couldn't keep my last surviving tarantula anymore, I knew someone who wanted to adopt her (the tarantula :)). It's not necessarily easy to find people to adopt reptiles.
I don't want to dissuade you from getting a snake if you really want one. I just wanted to make sure you were aware of potential issues.
+1 to this too, thats exactly how I do it. Store the mice in individual plastic bags and thaw them in warm water then feed outside the tank.Quote:
Originally Posted by DwarvenChef
WOW
Thank you all very much all the information I have gotten and suggestions have been great. I have a couple web sights to research and a couple of people who are willing to answer questions via e mail. I have a lot of work and research to do and will most likely have a set up far before I have a snake. Thanks again
Nanna
Yeah ball pythons are a very good started snake for that reason. Don`t be put off because of the picky eater thing, just be prepared. Great snakes are Ball pythons, I love them :) My biggest is pushing six feet now which is huge for a Ball python. She had to have surgery for a prolapse recently so I had to do a six week course of injections after that and she was good as gold! She`s such a sweetheart...... :)
Ball Python's are excellent starter snakes very timid...if your really into it...Get a red tail boa. They are very docile not as much as a Ball, but still fun.
My family has since grown I got my ball python a couple months ago and I love her dearly just changed her from live to F/t and I have 9 baby corn snakes.
Good deal, Nanna-I had a ball python some 25 years ago, used to keep it, and a much larger boa constrictor as pets. They do tend to escape, though. As for feeding, call me morbid, but my friends and I enjoyed watching them feed on the weekly live mouse (or a big rat for the boa!). I never had an issue with one not eating, though I have heard of snakes being chewed up by their prey if it was left in the cage. Go figure. Good luck. I wish I could still have a snake or two. Would love to have a big king snake!