Reptile & Amphibian Forums

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Are you good for the ball?

i dunno, all they basically need is a 20 gall long cage, heat pad, water bowl, sprayed every day, and a rat a week, right? if so i think i can care for one.

All I can tell you is do as much research as you can to learn more about them and what you have to do to take care of them. There's more to it then what you said. Warm and cool spots in the tank, humidity levels, at least 2 hides are needed, learning the signs of health problems and how to prevent them, etc. etc. Look through caresheets over the internet and maybe try and get a book called "The Ball Python Manual". If their is a concern by your parents on whether or not you can take care of one, doing all of this may help show them that you're serious about being a responsible owner. Anyway, just suggestions for you.

ok, the info i gave you was just general stuff, i do know more and will read up more if i do get one.

...it doesn't rain every day. So why exactly would you spray your captive Ball Python every day?

Western Africa....????

Eastern......Am I wrong? Toga on East?
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RicK @ BbI

Ball Boutique,Inc.
The home of the singing snakes!

If North is UP on that map, what does that male LEFT? Give ya a hint, Never Eat Shredded Wheat, going in a clockwise motion.

Grammar school stuff man.

Maybe some togas, but that stuff is mostly in Greece and frat parties. LOL!

TOGO.
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yup o not a
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RicK @ BbI

Ball Boutique,Inc.
The home of the singing snakes!

Got me ----you are right West.... I am up late and my meds are wearing off......zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
My face red......
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RicK @ BbI

Ball Boutique,Inc.
The home of the singing snakes!

Maybe you're right and Cali is an eastern state and New York is in the West?

LOL! Its late here too. And damn HOT! I'm a Canadian, and its tooooo hot to live right now! Yuck.

Should move to PA where we are cool!
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RicK @ BbI

Ball Boutique,Inc.
The home of the singing snakes!

Your money all looks the same! LOL!

well, dont they need humidity? i dont mean heavy sprays.

Sort of. Being subterranean/cover-loving animals, they inhabit a niche that is MORE humid than the outside air. But they don't get rain on every day, and if you watch a BP when its sprayed, it HATES it. There are ways other than misting to keep the humidity above the RH of the room your cage is in. LOTS of ways.

And aquariums are for fish. Snakes go in snake cages.
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ok.

Read this care sheet. Everything except the keeping of them in fish tanks (aka aquariums):

http://www.ralphdavisreptiles.com/interactive/resources/ball_python_care.asp

ok.

Do you have any experience with snakes? What and for how long?
A Ball Python is gonna be less resistent to husbandry errors than a north american colubrid (corn/rat snake. Meaning, you are likely to kill it before you realize you have done something wrong. They are often wild caught or captive hatched and unless you are knowledgable in feeding and care you are likely to be frustrated with them. If you want a snake you can handle and have out then go with a corn or rat or again, more resilient snake. A ball seems all nice and mellow and it is easy to think it is just chilling. BPs stress from excess handling, from changes in their cages/food. And, having worked in the pet trade,I know how unfun it is to take home a snake and NOT TOUCH IT for a couple three weeks so it will settle in and start eating. Most people can't help themselves, then come back in a month with a snake that is strung out and unhealthy.
Personally I think there are better choices for a young kid interested in snakes.
BTW..yeah, I have three kids. The youngest is 9 and not into snakes really. The 12yo is very into them and he much prefers the baby Children's Python he has (nippy and all) to the idea of a BP. He had a choice of the two. Given a poll with my three the 15yo likes Hognoses. Though they can be problematic. They all think Kingsnakes could be neat too.....maybe because we don't have any. They have, in the house if not their sole responsibility, corns, rats, waters, BP, Children's, a black headed Sumatran Short Tailed Python. Invariably, if they are showing off snakes they pull out one of the Childrens. Maybe it is for shock value...as the CPs will bite as likely as not, though do no harm. (killer feeding response!)
IF you are SET on a BP then go the extra bit and go to a reputable breeder, get a captive bred snake that is feeding well, is parasite free and much more likely to be a good pet than a snake at a pet store.(for the most part)
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Sonya

Haven't we warned you about tampering with the structure of a chaotic system?
Mrs. Neutron

ok, i have a corn.