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Potential New Owner

slingham Jul 24, 2008 11:51 PM

Hi Everyone,

I'm sure I'm not the only one to post something like this but oh well. I'm starting to research Ball Pythons and I'm really interested in having one as a pet. I've never owned a snake before so I want to make sure that I have the knowledge before hand to know how to care for and what to look for.

I've previously been in the Saltwater Reef Tank hobby, so I understand the need for attention to detail and constant monitoring aspects of raising animals.... HOPEFULLY snakes are a tad bit cheaper than a Reef tank lol! So if anyone would mind helping me out and getting me started on the right foot I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.

Replies (1)

kingofspades Jul 25, 2008 03:05 AM

Ball pythons are much simpler than Salt water tanks.

Essentially, get a healthy ball python. Put it in an enclosure of proper size. Most people use 1.5 times the snake's length, I like to go around 2x the length, to give some room.
Substrate can be woodchips (Aspen. NEVER cedar or pine), newspaper print, paper towel or reptile carpeting. I prefer aspen or newspaper.)
Heat one side of said enclosure, preferably with an under tank heating pad and thermostat, so that the snake has a gradient of 88-90 degrees F on the warm side and about 75-78 on the cool side.
Give the snake a hide on the warm and cool side.
Make sure the snake has a decent sized water dish so that it can soak if it wants to.
Keep the humidity at around 60%. If your snake sheds in one solid piece, the humidity is good.
Feed the snake a prey item that is about the same size as the thickest part of the snake every 5-7 days.
You can spot clean the poop and pee (both are solid) once a week or so, since they only really poop a few days after a meal.
Completely clean and sterilize the enclosure once a month or so...

and that's about it.
You can handle your ball python if you want, but don't over do it...since it is stressful.
Don't handle after meals for a few days.

Snakes are relatively easy pets.
The key rule for ball pythons is that no two snakes are the same.
You may get one that never skips a meal...or you may get one that eats once a month...if that.
You could get a tame snake that will sit in your lap...or you could get one that will try to bite every time you look at it.
Snakes are diverse.
-----
"What is man without the beasts?
If all the beasts were gone,
men would die from great loneliness of spirit.
For what happens to the beasts,
soon happens to men.
All things are connected."

-Chief Seattle (Duwamish Tribe)

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