Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i really like gtp and i was thinking about getting one in a year or two(no room for one now).and if you know me you think im crazy cuz i was scared of my baby female ball python cuz she WAS aggressive lol.but i want this snake more for looks and just to experience an arboreal snake.i got a few questions.can i keep one in a 29 gallon tall tank its whole life??how do you clean the cage without getting bit??and i have only been into herps for about a year and snakes only about 6 months...am i ready for one??(remember im not getting one for a year or 2)

I would read a good book on gtp's like Greg Maxwell's complete Condro or the more complete chondro first to make sure you are able to set up the cage the way it needs to be and provide all the things a chondro needs. He also has some basic info on care and things like that on his site, there are other sites that offer simular information. Some people believe that a chondro is contient in a 2' * 2' cube its whole life. Greg on the other hand prefers atleast a cage 36" long and 24" high and deep. Removable perches are the best way not to get bit. Just make sure your cleaning the cage during the day when you remove the snake. If you do not want to chance getting an agressive chondro I recommend trying to find a breeder that will work with you to provide a snake that isn't agressive but does feed well. I would try to get an established adult in that case. Since you are afraid of your ball... I'm not sure how you feel about feeding off tongs. If you don't do it right or use long enough tongs there is a possiablity of getting tagged. Personally I wouldn't own anything I was afraid of. At some point you will have to remove the snake either to clean the cage, take it to the vet or for other reasons. Animals are great sensors of fear. Fear clouds our mind and some times makes us think of or do things that get us in trouble.
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