Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Okay, I need help please!! My family and I are thinking of adding a ball python to our "mixed-bag" of critters. I have read and re-read just about everything I can, checked out breeders, found a few snakes that have peaked my interest but there is this nagging worry that is lingering and I need some expert advice. I have just spent the last hour reading messages on another site and nearly every message was about a ball not eating. I know they are finicky but just how bad is this problem? Can I really feed frozen?? I contacted LLL Reptile about some CB babies that are very pretty but they are eating live and the gentleman told me that it was a crap-shoot whether or not they would eat frozen/thawed. I DO NOT want to feed live....even if it were completely safe for the snake. I just can't do it. I know, call me squeamish....but I just can't do it. Pre-killed, frozen...I can deal with. We originally thought of a corn snake (we have had a wc black ratsnake, a garter snake and a rough green....worlds away from a python) but I really want something with a bit more "heft" and like the idea of ball pythons being more accepting of handling. I have the set-up, have the books....just need to know if this is the right snake for my family. I have a nine year old daughter, various other critters and a snake timid hubby. I want my husband to enjoy this snake as much as I do....and really don't want to hear "I told you so" . Thank you for your help!!

having bred/kept ball pythons for over 30 years, and having rescued MANY over that time, I will give you a few pointers:

1) ball pythons make WONDERFUL pets particularly if you can start off with a captive bred baby....avoid wild caught adult imports. The key is to start off with a healthy and feeding youngster (doesn't matter if it is only live...these snakes will eventually be weaned on to dead prey).

2) I have found that most of my hatchlings need 3-6 meals of live fuzzy mice before they are switched to frozen/thawed prey. Once on dead prey, they never look back. So, you may need to feed a couple of live meals to get your baby kick started...some tricks to try are to simply warm up a dead/thawed mouse (like under a heat lamp for a SHORT period of time being careful that the dead mouse isn't too warm) and offer the dead mouse via forceps while the bp is in its hide box shortly after the lights go out - these snakes are nocturnal hunters so mimic their natural hunting behavior. You do NOT need to resort to all of the riduculous tricks I read on this and other forums....PATIENCE is the best remedy!

3) People who complain about ball pythons not feeding just simply do not understanding Python regius natural behavior....it is really that plain and simple. Assuming you have a healthy bp that has fed regularly for you, and assuming you have the proper cage and environment, many bp's will go off feed during the winter months (no matter where you live)...and, there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with this; that is part of their natural behavior. One of my bp's, that has been in captivity for over 35 years, will go on 4-8 month fasts EVERY year and this snake is the picture of perfect health. Some bp's will feed continuously but it has been my experience that at some point, even these eager feeders will take an occasional siesta from feeding. The way I look at it is that I save money during the winter time by not having to feed my bp's. I still offer prey every 3 weeks just in case they have a need to feed.

I hope this helps with your decision. A corn snake is certainly another great choice. There are also MANY other fantastic boa/python species to choose from if you think you will have a hard time accepting your ball python's occasional self imposed fasts: various carpet pythons, borneo short tailed pythons, olive pythons, children's pythons, hogg island boas, rosy boas, sand boas just to name a few.

Good luck,
Rob Carmichael, Director/Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
City of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation (IL)

Rob, I was really impressed with your post. I love the whole perspective you give on feeding. It is NORMAL for them not to eat. I consider them my thrifty snakes. Once you get past the 'problem eater' stigma it is much easier.

>>having bred/kept ball pythons for over 30 years, and having rescued MANY over that time, I will give you a few pointers:
>>
>>1) ball pythons make WONDERFUL pets particularly if you can start off with a captive bred baby....avoid wild caught adult imports. The key is to start off with a healthy and feeding youngster (doesn't matter if it is only live...these snakes will eventually be weaned on to dead prey).
>>
>>2) I have found that most of my hatchlings need 3-6 meals of live fuzzy mice before they are switched to frozen/thawed prey. Once on dead prey, they never look back. So, you may need to feed a couple of live meals to get your baby kick started...some tricks to try are to simply warm up a dead/thawed mouse (like under a heat lamp for a SHORT period of time being careful that the dead mouse isn't too warm) and offer the dead mouse via forceps while the bp is in its hide box shortly after the lights go out - these snakes are nocturnal hunters so mimic their natural hunting behavior. You do NOT need to resort to all of the riduculous tricks I read on this and other forums....PATIENCE is the best remedy!
>>
>>3) People who complain about ball pythons not feeding just simply do not understanding Python regius natural behavior....it is really that plain and simple. Assuming you have a healthy bp that has fed regularly for you, and assuming you have the proper cage and environment, many bp's will go off feed during the winter months (no matter where you live)...and, there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with this; that is part of their natural behavior. One of my bp's, that has been in captivity for over 35 years, will go on 4-8 month fasts EVERY year and this snake is the picture of perfect health. Some bp's will feed continuously but it has been my experience that at some point, even these eager feeders will take an occasional siesta from feeding. The way I look at it is that I save money during the winter time by not having to feed my bp's. I still offer prey every 3 weeks just in case they have a need to feed.
>>
>>I hope this helps with your decision. A corn snake is certainly another great choice. There are also MANY other fantastic boa/python species to choose from if you think you will have a hard time accepting your ball python's occasional self imposed fasts: various carpet pythons, borneo short tailed pythons, olive pythons, children's pythons, hogg island boas, rosy boas, sand boas just to name a few.
>>
>>Good luck,
>>Rob Carmichael, Director/Curator
>>The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
>>City of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation (IL)
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Sonya

Failure is not an option. It comes bundled with the software.

Let me start by saying, ball pythons are great snakes to keep. I've owned mine for about 9-10 months. I keep learning more each month about its behaviors. I read the ball python forums almost daily. Here's my opinion and answers to your post.

Some ball pythons will go off feed for a few months to many months. This can be frustrating to the owner if you are expecting them to feed on demand. They don't always. There is not an absolute that all ball pythons go off feed. It is highly variable.

Ball pythons will eat frozen/thawed rodents. If you can purchase one that is already eating this way, then you'll save the time trying to convert a live eater to f/t. Conversion can be done and there are methods that some people have developed to help accomplish this.

If you intend to purchase a ball python, first set-up its enclosure and get your temps and humidity in range before purchasing the snake. Many people make the mistake of purchasing a snake before they've got the enclosure settled. This causes more stress on the snake.

If possible, ask to watch the snake eat f/t. This is very important. Or, make sure that the seller is feeding f/t and find out what size. It will save you a lot of headaches to get one that is already eating f/t.

As far as their behavior, they hide most of the day and come out at night. They are nocturnal animals. If you expect a grand show during the day, you may be disappointed.

They are generally very docile, shy, and rarely bite. Just make sure you purchase a captive bred ball python and not a wild caught. Handle the snake if possible before purchasing. And last but not least, make sure you have located a vet that works with reptiles before purchasing the snake. Lots of people don't even think of this, but it always better to be prepared than to wait till its an emergency.

I am going to buy a yearling ball from LLL reptiles and yes those babies have awesome coloration! They also told me they are feeding on live mice, but I will try my best to ween it to f/t. Buy a ball and you will realize how awesome they really are!

i have 8 ball pythons and all of them eat frozen. even four babies that were feeding on live before i bought them. older ones tend to stop eating for a while sometimes but not to the point of becoming unhealthy. dont let the eating habits stop you from keeping one.

Lots of good information for you already, but I'll throw my change into the hat anyway.

I've had my Ball for eight years, since he was just a few months old. He's been fed stunned/live mice and rats his entire life. In that time, he's refused less than a handful of meals. He's developed a nasty infection from a rat bite, which leads us into f/t. He ate his first f/t mouse while in the Vet's care and another two days later. To quote the Tech, "boy, he really likes to eat...he just gets all excited". I've been feeding him one "Mice on Ice", which is about the perfect size for a baby, every few days and he still pounds them down...even while sick. As long as you start with a well established baby, you shouldn't ever have any real problems with feeding.

I've never had him on a feeding schedual, I just watch him and let him tell me when he's hungry. Generally, they'll get more active like they're actually searching for something and their tounges will flicker faster and with more frequency. It's something that a Herpetologist told me shortly after I got him and after years of owning him, it's proven to be correct 100% of the time.

As far as your hubby being able to hold one, it's all up to him but your Ball will be more than willing. My mother is extremely afraid of snakes and she's giving Dexter all of his shots right now...she's even held his lower half. And even through three weeks of medication and the last week of shed blindness, he's been a perfect angel and hasn't even so much as hissed once...knock on wood. He'll even let me enclose his entire head in my hand without any objections. The only problem your husband will have with a Ball, will be his own apprehensions. A pair of leather work gloves does wonders for building confidence because it takes away the fear, of the pain, of being bitten. One thing that I do with/for my mother is keep control of Dexter's first, say, eight inches so she can focus on just getting used to him slither and hold on with his tail. Both method's work great and can be used together.

Balls aren't quite as outgoing as corn snakes, but they're every bit as friendly after you gently work with them. They're shy snakes, and really head shy, so you have to keep that in mind when working with them. But other than that, great snakes and I would highly recommend one for you and your family. I worked at a pet store about seven years ago, when WC Balls were still the norm, and I tamed all but one of the Balls the owner of the store bought. A few even became almost as outgoing as my snake is now.

I cannot give you much advice on this. just my own personal experience, which seems similar to yours.
I just recently got a bp for my birthday(from my wife who was always deathly afraid).I have had snakes in my younger years but never a bp.
I also have 3 and 9 year old daughters two dogs and two bettas.
I have had no aggresion or eating problems with my snake( his name is Maximus). he does eat frozen thawed.
At this point my wife loves to hold and pet him as well as my kids(under daddy supervision).
So do you get a bp.....my answer would be yes! do you want to be picky of where you get it...yes....do you want to make sure it will eat frozen/thawed mice...yes....
just keep in mind BP's can voluntarily go weeks,if not months without eating. good luck..
jason

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1.0 ball python(normal)Maximus
0.1 golden retriever Amber
0.1 dalmation/lab mix nikita
0.2 bettas