Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,
I currently own a cornsnake, and my husband and I are looking for a bigger snake.
I have been reading up on balls, and I was wondering if you guys could give me some pros and cons?
I was talking to the breeder from whom I bought my corn (he also breeds boas and pythons), and he said that although balls are nice snakes, they hide all of the time, and basically curl up in a ball when you hold them. I am looking for something to wrap around my arm and chill out! Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Mindy

It depends on how large of a snake you want. You get them small but some can get very large and fast. You might want to look into geting something that won't get much over 5-6ft. Not all balls coil up some of them do enjoy crawling around and being nosey. They aren't as intimidating as some of your larger snake so you would handle them more often.

Not all balls are shy and curl into balls. Mine has never curled into a ball once in the 8 months that ive had her. She seems to enjoy(tolerate) being held by me and crawling around. I can watch movies with her and what not. But i guess it all depends on the snake.

Rob Woods

I would definitely recommend a ball python. They do tend to hide during the day but at night, mine is all over its cage. There are many times that mine will curl around my wrist and be content to stay in that position while I'm watching TV. At other times it likes to explore. These guys don't get too big, not like a boa might, but still have good size and great temperament.

Also make sure you get a captive breed ball python from a reputable breeder. If possible see it in person. If possible see it feed. Beware of pet store snakes, you really don't know what you're getting and the promises they make would make a politician blush. Just my opinion.

jgriffi, what do you mean by "You should consider a snake that doesnt get 5-6Ft long..."??

were you implying a ball python gets 6 foot?

>>jgriffi, what do you mean by "You should consider a snake that doesnt get 5-6Ft long..."??
>>
>>were you implying a ball python gets 6 foot?

Hello - I dunno what jgriffi was implying, but are YOU implying that ball pythons DON'T grow to 6 feet and longer? Just curious.

-Joan

Jamison, he wanted to know what type of snake to get and I mentioned that balls don't get too big. I went on to mention things about larger snakes and then said he should consider something that doesn't get over 5-6 ft. That includes balls and smaller pythons and boas, not the big boys. I haven't seen a ball over 5 ft myself.

okay, i had no idea what you meant when you said that. And to the person who said i was implying that balls dont get over 6 feet, how long have you had your ballpython?

I am looking for something to wrap around my arm and chill out! Any suggestions?

Get a dog or a cat. That's not what snakes are for.

-----

That wasn't very nice!!!!

For your information, I have 2 dogs and 2 cats, and I know that snakes aren't something to "cuddle up" with... but, I surely don't want to handle a snake that BITES me everytime I touch it, and I certainly WANT to touch it! I know there are different types of snakes that you just "sit back and watch", but that isn't what I am looking for. I am looking for something that will "tolerate" me handling it. I am sorry if I bothered you with my silly question! I thought these forums were FOR questions... and most people answer very nicely, with wonderful information. Seems like the perfect place to do "research" about a species.

As for the rest of you, I appreciate you all taking your time to respond to my post. I have gotten some great info, and a lot of things to think about!

Mindy

i think a ball python is just what youre looking for. they dont get very large, and they are very mellow compared to alot of other constrictor snakes.

from my experience ive noticed that they are shy when young but as they mature they become more "friendly"

a con might be that they dont always eat when you want them to. no biggie.

do a little more research, and if you decide to purchase one, buy captive bred and feed it frozen/thawed rats (ratpups)

I have 40 balls here and not one of them exhibits balling behavior, because I handle them freqently. I think they are a great snake to "chill out" with. If you never get your snake out, of course it's going to be reclusive...

Christy

Well, you will certainly get a biased opinion on this forum so keep that in mind. A Ball Python is a great snake and they all exihibit their own personalies just like dogs or cats. I will recommend a ball but you have to handle it if you want it to be a companion. Also, be sure to get a healthy captive bred that will eat frozen that has been treated for parasites or guaranteed not to have any problems.

Thank you, and I am seriously considering a ball. We would be handling it often.
I wasn't trying to be rude... I guess I'm too sensitive. I wish Jeff would've given me some input, because I checked out his website, and he definately knows his snakes! He certainly has some beautiful pics on his site!
Thanks again!
Mindy

But I like the ball pythons best. Out of four balls, only one really balls up and stays balled up while handled. You just need to acclimate them, or get one with a more brave personality.

On the other hand, jungle carpets are cool snakes with pretty similar and just as easy care as ball pythons. You might want to look into them too.

Hi Mindy – Here are some things to think about regarding keeping a ball python:

PROS

Long-lived. Your dogs and cats may come and go, but that pet ball python may last your lifetime! The record life span for any snake of almost 47 and one half years is held by a ball python. And that animal came into a zoo in 1945 as a young adult specimen when keepers didn’t know as much about their care as we do today.

Usually docile. Any snake has teeth and can bite, of course. But ball pythons seem much less apt than other pythons to bite defensively. And a ball python which is well acclimated to captivity tolerates handling well. As far as the observation that “they hide all of the time,” well, most snakes do if given the opportunity. Give your ball python a nice low, tight place to hole up and it will be that much more apt to feed well and tolerate your presence when you interact with it. And compared with some of those whippy colubrids like garter snakes or milk snakes, balls are definitely in the “chill out” category. As far as balling up when you hold them, they soon drop that defensive tactic with a little gentle handling.

Reasonable size. They get large but not huge – 8 to 10 pounds and five feet long is not uncommon; many smaller, some larger. A three to four foot long cage is suitable for the lifetime of the snake.

CONS

Long fasts. Some juveniles and all sexually mature ball pythons refuse food for periods of time ranging from weeks to months. This can be stressful for the owner, but is totally normal for the species. We’re talking 4 to 6 to 8 months or more. No food. No problem.

Temperature requirements. Their husbandry is definitely more demanding than that of a corn snake, but ball pythons are pretty tough critters, far less delicate than some other commonly-kept boid species. Mainly, you must be able to provide the proper supplemental heat they require in most parts of the northern hemisphere.
__________________________________________________________________
Accurate information on their captive care is now readily available on the internet, at regional herpetological society meetings, and in print. I’m looking forward to August, 2004 when I will be able to say that I’ve had one of my ball pythons for a quarter of a century. And I still have one from the first clutch I hatched over twenty years ago. I hope our answers have helped you with your decision.

-Joan

GREAT INFO!
I really really appreciate the time you spent typing all of that for me!
I am leaning toward a ball python; however, a few people on another forum have recommended jungle carpet pythons... do you know anything about them?
Thank you so much,

Mindy

a few people on another forum have recommended jungle carpet pythons... do you know anything about them?

Yeah, are you good at force feeding and do you mind getting bitten? Just kidding.....sort of. I'm not the best source for carpet python information. I'm sure the folks on the Carpet Python Forum will steer you straight. Good luck.

-Joan

uhhh, no - I can't force feed, and I definately don't want to be bitten!
Can you give me any tips on BP breeders? I have been checking out the web, to see what people have available... but, it is impossible to know who you can trust! (right now I trust you!)
There is a business that lists on the kingsnake classifieds: www.socalreptile.com
Has anyone dealt with them. Their animals seem so inexpensive... and I don't know if that is good or bad. (would be great for my pocketbook though!)

Thanks,
Mindy

i find that if you get a female Ball, she will not fast at all, or not as often as a male. Of course, if shes getting bred, thats a whole nother' problem.