Reptile & Amphibian Forums

has anyone ever had a python that escaped its cage, or been bitten or constricted by one of these snakes? i want to get one but i dont wanna put myself or family in harms way.

As long as you have a secure cage, no worries, I have been bitten a few times, and it is not that painful, I have only had one attempt to eat my thumb and that was my fault, I was handling mice and forgot to was my hands(stupid) and he bit and wrapped me up, balls dont get large enough to do cause physical damage, and I would say that about 90% dont incorporate biting into their defense, most ball up and chill, but still, you might get bit and I think that it is better to expect it than to fear it cause its going to happen sometime, especially if it is a feisty one
thanks
tony butler

Escapes happen - you do your best to prevent them but they occasionally happen to the best of us - usually they don't go very far - if you've got a real adventurous one it may take you a couple of weeks to find it.

Balls are generally docile - make sure you get a captive born ball. You learn to read your snake handle it appropriately and don't make stupid sudden movements and you shouldn't get bit.

If you do get bit it's not a big deal - even from adults they mostly tag and release - I've been bitten worse by kittens. I've only heard of constricting incidents from Wild Caught balls and those were generally constriction of the hand or arm and due to poor feeding habits.

A dog or cat would present much more of a hazard than a ball python.
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

7.33.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi - yeah I know but my kids love the book)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.2 frogs rescued from pool skimmer

"A dog or cat would present much more of a hazard than a ball python."

I think there maybe a few mice and rats out there that may disagree with that statement!

I have a slide open terrarium for mine and even though he tests the top every night as I am going to sleep he has yet to slide it open, though I have heard of some actually accomplishing it.

When we got ours I was terrified of snakes and we did adopt it,in part, as a way to get me past that fear. I will say it is nerveracking to go to sleep watching it test the top trying to get out! For the first month I duct taped the entire way around the cage to keep the top from being able to slide open. My wife got a big kick out of it. But is has worked for me... I only wrap part of the way around now! LOL
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Rescued Ball Python - Apep
0-1-0 Rescued Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
0-0-1 Rescued Aggressive Bearded Dragon - Zeus
0-0-1 Rescued Non-Alpha Green Iguana - Bud
1-1-0 Rescued Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
0-0-1 Rescued Dieting Panda Hamster - Mr. Fluffy
0-1-0 Rescued Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

Yup, my female escaped twice, both due to my little brother and sister leaving the cage open, first time was 3 months, second time was 10 months, she's fine now with a padlocked cage, just make sure they are secured in the cage with a lock, as for constricting and biting, balls usually don't, mine never have they are a great beginner snake.Boas get a lot bigger so if u get one of those get it as a baby and tame it that way. Hope I helped out
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Kris
2.0 Green Iguanas- Vince and Spencer(rescue)
1.1 Leopard Geckos- Shorty and Boo
2.1 Ball Pythons- Zeus, Monty, Nina
1.0 Russian Tortoise- Peaches
1.0 Painted Turtle-Lucky
1.1.? Hedgehogs- Dizzy, Buddha
2.2.15 Rats- Homie,Sugar,Pancakes,Teddy,babies
0.1 Hairless Rat-Kimo
1.1.5 Degus-Ruby,Charm,babies
1.1.12 Mice-Twix,Brownie,babies
0.3 Ferrets-Durango,Ferris,Bandit
0.1 Bunny-Cookie
1.1 Guinea Pigs-Fat Albert, M&M
1.2.5 Cockatiels-Kiana,Kelly(only word he knows)
1.0 Homing Pigeon(Rescue)
0.1 Ringneck Parakeet-Big Blue
0.1 Australian Shepherd-Bayleigh
1.0 Smooth Fox Terrier- Karl
2.0 Mutts -Stubby, Toby
0.3 Cats-Sweetie,Shayla,Kleo
My Lovely Family