Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We all have read books, etc. about ball pythons and have learned things about ball pythons that were not in books. Tell us what you've learned about ball pythons that you didn't read in books. Also, if you've read one thing and a book but learned that it was not absolutely true, tell us about that too.

This should turn into a good thread

i love my balls....but i must say as far as hunting goes they can be some of the dumber animals in life..lol but on a better note I feel that they are easy to bond with. I don't mean it'll fetch a stick for ya..lol but I haven't had a snake seem as happy to be held as one of my balls.....one example is when I walked in on him trying to escape. I heard something rustlin around & when I went in there he was squeezing out of a hole I didn't think possible so I decided since he was big to just watch & see what where he'd go & instead of going the direction he was, he turned around & stared at me for a sec. I put my hand out a little & He streched himself the couple feet to reach my hand & climbed up onto my neck & shoulders & just hung out for a few hours. It was like he got out just so he could be held..lol

pretty much........they'd rather not be touched,picked up,held,or bothered in any way except to be fed maybe......and then they just want the food.......not the human contact.......

I learned that most of the crap in most of the books I guess is correct more or less.......(only read a couple books....did the rest the hard way.....easy way?.)

....I learned that they eat when they want......not you want them to........not even live gerbils or anything.....

I learned that they lay more than 4 or 5 eggs like most think.....8 to 12 is better anyways.......

I learned that they fight and bite for male combat........

I learned that they don't like small cages that are too hot or too cold or .....you know........

I learned that gang cages works very well..........better than one on one breedings actually.......

having fun yet?.......

balls hate humans.........yep
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"I still hate snakes"
...........................KNOW

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I can't believe my ball hates people. She enjoys wrapping herself around my neck. Come to think of it, she must really love it because she squeezes really, really hard.
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Kane

I know this is just more of your dark twisted humor however you should have used the term that most snakes fear people rather than hate people. Most things in nature including humans fear things that they dont understand.. However humans are the only species that actually creates hatred for what they fear..ie racism...prejudice..etc. Snakes however can be tamed wich means that some can actually be taught not to fear humans. Do they like being held probably not. However they tolerate it and some definitly enjoy the time out of there cage at the very least ..so would you spending if you spent life in a 15 qt. tub..LOL...and ive learned that more humans hate snakes than snakes hate humans..LOL
I have a childrens python that used to refuse to eat unless it was wrapped around my finger.heres a pic

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0.1 Leos
1.1 Corn snakes (1 Lav & 1 Ghost)
0.1 Banan California King
0.0.1 Childrens python
1.1 Brazilian Rainbow boa
1.0 Rat (as pet not food)
1.2 Ball pythons (1pastel 2 normals)
"whats with you and all those dang reptiles?"

That is a very true statement. Very well stated. The pic of the children python was sweet. Thanks for sharing.
Regards,
Jason
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JH Reptiles
www.jhreptiles.homestead.com

I know what he meant by, "they hate people".

Your Children's may have only eaten like that because the enclosure was way too large, and it felt insecure. I'm not sure, but it's a possibility, cuz the cage in the picture looked way too large for a smaller children's.

just a thought,
Chad

I know what JY meant as well...however alot of people dont get it and some on here would get the wronh idea.
as for the children actualy he ate fine before ..he is a garbage disposal. Most childrens will eat no prob and dont have the stress issues as BP's wich is why they make good beginner snakes.I accidentally let him see his food before he got off my finger once and after that he just kind of enjoyed it. I have heard from other childrens owners that they have had this happen as well. I have recently swapped him out of that cage and put my adult cal king in there and moved him into a rack..he was actually more active in the larger one.
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0.1 Leos
1.1 Corn snakes (1 Lav & 1 Ghost)
0.1 Banan California King
0.0.1 Childrens python
1.1 Brazilian Rainbow boa
1.0 Rat (as pet not food)
1.2 Ball pythons (1pastel 2 normals)
"whats with you and all those dang reptiles?"

That is really cool.
Jason
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J & H Reptiles
www.jhreptiles.homestead.com

hey ballheaded,
you're the guy that took the balls from that chick in penn right? how are they doing?

Yep, that's me!

They're doing GREAT! Eating like crazy and getting PLUMP.

thanks for the inquiry!

I don't have the answer to life~ the universe~ and everything else~

But very simply~ I learned~

That if the snake looks like it might be geting ready to bite you~ it is.

If the snake bites you it bleeds more than it hurts.

If you toss a paper towel over the snake's head when you open the tub it interupts the snakes ability to track you and you might NOT get bit!
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Cheryl Marchek
AKA JM
Check out my website at:
The Red Dragons Den

WoW, what kind of ball pythons do you keep...i have only delt with one crazy ball python that liked to strike at everything that moved..the rest are gentle as can be and there is no need for the strategic towel move.

I only three or four biters~ out of over 50 BPs~ thats not bad. Besides~ I have to admit I have more respect for the snakes that keep my on my toes!

I've got one old girl she stalks me. Doesn't worry about any one else in the house~ but if I get anywhere near her tub she gets in coil position to nail me!
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Cheryl Marchek
AKA JM
Check out my website at:
The Red Dragons Den

that the only good teacher is experience itself. You've got to work hard, keep good records and try to pay attention to the small things. They eventually add up to big things.

I learned to always listen to those that have experienced success and thank them for it.

I learned that ball pythons will humble you. Soon as you think you have them figured out they will throw you a curve ball that gets you thinking again.

I've learned that power-feeding doesn't mean you will get females to lay quicker and bigger clutches. Some of my skinniest females that are bad feeders are usually the first to go.

I've learned never to count my eggs after ovulation but only after they've been laid.

I've learned that the 50/50 average rule is only wishful thinking. I hatched out one pastel from 11 eggs last year. My later clutches did much better.

I've learned that to be successful you have to provide a product and service that far exceeds your customers expectations.

I've learned that this business takes a lot of hard work and dedication and most of all true passion.

I've learned that the more you complicate things with gadgets and gizmos, the more complicated things get.

I've learned to be open minded. Who would have ever dreamed that a single snake could sell for over $20K and more!

I've learned that by far, this is the most rewarding thing I have ever been involved in. And I'm not talking about the money part of it.

Having fun!

MJ
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Markus,

I truely moving response and Well spoken. It is refreshing to hear someone comment on the UNDERLYING benefits to caring for these creatures.

Myself, I think one thing that has always stood out is pythons ( snakes in general ) continuosly remind me to be patient in two ways. First, the way they are content to simply "be". Snakes are outstanding examples of evolutionary survivors. There ability to adapt is incredible. Second, the act of handling pythons ( snakes ) in itself forces one to be patient. The threat of a bite calms me down. Especially when I am not familiar with a particular specimen. A reminder that animals are spontaneous and at times chaotic in nature. Also, in my opinion, the same in captivity. Do you recall the story of your friends large companion that has been raised since a hatchling attack out of the blue? I have heard this story many times from hobbiests and all with different explanations. This brings to my attention exactly how far up the evolutionary ladder are we from other animals? Turn on the news and you tell me. Just a thought...

ToddG
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1.1 Balls - Male het/albino, Female 66% het/albino
***Fingers crossed for next season!!!***

you aren't supposed to handle your snake when there is a large bulg right by the vent, because your snake will think you are just as good a place as any to drop a "hot steamy one" on you.
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0.1 "Tremper" looking Albino Leopard gecko (Lex)
0.0.1 tiger crested gecko (peachs)
1.1 Feral cats that we adopted (Fuzzy, and Bear)

I'm not a owner of any herps, just a domicile attendant.

My image Gallery

x
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Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
"Gimli"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa
"Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa
"Arwen"
0.1 California Kingsnake
"Gentoo"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
"Indigo"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

I have learned that just because you own a ball python does not mean your an expert. Even if youve owned one for a while. I beleive with anything being an expert means many years of experience.
I have learned that not all those in the BP world are acrually in love with herps and the herper community. Some are more in love with dollar bills and themselves. Good news is they dont last as long as the others.
By reading this and other forums I have learned that there are many types of people who own snakes and just like the snakes themselves no two herpers are alike.
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0.1 Leos
1.1 Corn snakes (1 Lav & 1 Ghost)
0.1 Banan California King
0.0.1 Childrens python
1.1 Brazilian Rainbow boa
1.0 Rat (as pet not food)
1.2 Ball pythons (1pastel 2 normals)
"whats with you and all those dang reptiles?"

that I don't know sh**..........everyday is a new lesson...still learning.

I had a female give me 8 slugs and 2 good eggs the other day. That is sh**. Oh well...she did't owe me anything.

MJ
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But as you stated....."She didn't owe me anything"......I hear ya. We, as their care providers, owe them the BEST of EVERYTHING!

And THAT'S what matters the most!

..

that is definitely a good answer. Even thoughs who literally wrote the book still never stop learning. Probably why it never gets dull.LOL
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0.1 Leos
1.1 Corn snakes (1 Lav & 1 Ghost)
0.1 Banan California King
0.0.1 Childrens python
1.1 Brazilian Rainbow boa
1.0 Rat (as pet not food)
1.2 Ball pythons (1pastel 2 normals)
"whats with you and all those dang reptiles?"

I've learned that just when they start "agreeing" with you (eating on a regular schduele and such) they stop for 9 months.

They all have their own personalities. No matter how much everyone says "you can't put human emotions to a snake" I believe they do, to some extent, feel happy, sad, upsett, scared, secure, insecure, etc...etc, this goes for all snakes.

that CB are no longer "wild animals" but they are still "instinctual animals" treat them as they are.

And that no matter what new snake you get, do TONS of research before getting the snake.
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1.1 Ball Python, 0.1 motley amel corn, 1.0 western hognose, 1.0 red blood

I've learned what truely amazing creatures they are and that no two are alike - that they definitely have their own personalities.
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Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
"Gimli"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa
"Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa
"Arwen"
0.1 California Kingsnake
"Gentoo"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
"Indigo"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

That experience is absolutely the best teacher.

Books are useful, but only marginally.

Keep things simple.

Don't pester your balls (and don't play with your balls either, )... they're inherently shy... the more privacy you give them, the better.... I've learned to leave them alone except during single weekly feeding sessions (the snakes that is).... if they choose to not eat, then I simply change their water, spot clean, and slide the tub back in the rack and try again 7 days later

Mark