Questions about the BP

[grantlapaz]

I get my ball python early next week (possibly tomorrow) and wanted to know if there's anything special I should know beforehand. I'll be able to chose between morph or non morph. Any behavioral differences between the two? Also I really would like to handle him/her often or for long periods of time. Is that alright? I know there's a reason their cages need to be hotter and more humid than what we're used to so I don't want to deprive him of that. Thanks all! :D

[DDW]

I've heard BPs tend to be picky eaters, and I think handling for long periods depends on the personality of the snake itself. And you should allow the snake to settle in before handling(also depends on the individual snake) I've not heard of difference in personality between morph/non-morph. Congrats on your new serpentine friend^.=.^ and good luck:)

[Albert Clark]

Every ball python has their own personality and wil respond differently to external stimuli. The biggest most positive thing you can do for a new snake is have their enviornment correct with the proper temperatures , humidity and adequate hiding spaces. Also , leaving them alone for about a week to two weeks will be a good foundation to begin with. Don't try to feed them or handle them during that time. Only go into the enclosure to change and clean water and to spot clean any waste products.

[Aaron_S]

I get my ball python early next week (possibly tomorrow) and wanted to know if there's anything special I should know beforehand. I'll be able to chose between morph or non morph. Any behavioral differences between the two? Also I really would like to handle him/her often or for long periods of time. Is that alright? I know there's a reason their cages need to be hotter and more humid than what we're used to so I don't want to deprive him of that. Thanks all! :D

To address your morph question, yes there's some differences between morphs and non-morphs. Some morphs, like the spider, have a "wobble". It's a neurological effect where they move awkwardly. Often their head turns to the side or they don't right themselves if they fall over.

Every ball python has their own personality and wil respond differently to external stimuli. The biggest most positive thing you can do for a new snake is have their enviornment correct with the proper temperatures , humidity and adequate hiding spaces. Also , leaving them alone for about a week to two weeks will be a good foundation to begin with. Don't try to feed them or handle them during that time. Only go into the enclosure to change and clean water and to spot clean any waste products.

No waste product if you don't feed them for 2 weeks :P


This is fine. I personally recommend just a week to settle in then feed the snake. I like to get 3 consecutive meals in my animals before handling them. I also recommend this to all those new to the hobby.

[Albert Clark]

To address your morph question, yes there's some differences between morphs and non-morphs. Some morphs, like the spider, have a "wobble". It's a neurological effect where they move awkwardly. Often their head turns to the side or they don't right themselves if they fall over.



No waste product if you don't feed them for 2 weeks :P


This is fine. I personally recommend just a week to settle in then feed the snake. I like to get 3 consecutive meals in my animals before handling them. I also recommend this to all those new to the hobby.. True, but the animal may have urine or urates that he passes that would need cleaning. He still should be drinking water. Even though he is not being fed he may still have stool that hasn't been passed from a previous feeding. You know how long they can hold onto stools for various reasons.

[grantlapaz]

I've heard BPs tend to be picky eaters, and I think handling for long periods depends on the personality of the snake itself. And you should allow the snake to settle in before handling(also depends on the individual snake) I've not heard of difference in personality between morph/non-morph. Congrats on your new serpentine friend^.=.^ and good luck:)

Ok thanks a bunch ddw! I'll be sure to let him settle in.

Every ball python has their own personality and wil respond differently to external stimuli. The biggest most positive thing you can do for a new snake is have their enviornment correct with the proper temperatures , humidity and adequate hiding spaces. Also , leaving them alone for about a week to two weeks will be a good foundation to begin with. Don't try to feed them or handle them during that time. Only go into the enclosure to change and clean water and to spot clean any waste products.

Okay, I still need to get the humidity in check, I dont have a gauge for that yet. Ty

To address your morph question, yes there's some differences between morphs and non-morphs. Some morphs, like the spider, have a "wobble". It's a neurological effect where they move awkwardly. Often their head turns to the side or they don't right themselves if they fall over. No waste product if you don't feed them for 2 weeks :P
This is fine. I personally recommend just a week to settle in then feed the snake. I like to get 3 consecutive meals in my animals before handling them. I also recommend this to all those new to the hobby.

Very interesting, I doubt I will be getting a spider morph (or any morph) anyway. I just know I'll be able to chose and want to know about both sides.

. True, but the animal may have urine or urates that he passes that would need cleaning. He still should be drinking water. Even though he is not being fed he may still have stool that hasn't been passed from a previous feeding. You know how long they can hold onto stools for various reasons.

Yeah, that'll make sense. They were fed yesterday so they probably will still have some business to do. :p


The temps in my tank range from 92-4 hot side, and 78-80 cool side. How is that? I can also chose between 2 month old and 7 month old bp's, so any tips with that? Sorry for the constant bombard of questions.. I just dont want to get anything wrong. :)

[DDW]

No problem^.=.^ I'm not sure about just bps but I'd probably go for the older one just for the reason it would be more established in feeding and shedding. The two month will have only had a few feeding in and had shedded only a few times, the older however more times to ensure a healthier well started animal. Be sure to ask for feeding and shed records. And I'd ask if the sheds where broken up or in one piece(of course one piece is better) don't forget to check for injuries or illness too. :)

[grantlapaz]

alright, will do.. Got a few more items for the tank, including a humidity gauge and decent water "dish" (one of those natural looking rock looking ones, which is probably too big)

I'll add the shedding to the list of things to ask him when I get there. Trust me, it's a long list! :laugh: That "laugh" emoticon is pretty weird lol

[DDW]

As long as you don't overfill the dish I don't think it should be a problem as long as it's not too big for the adult size. (Though I'd ask someone with experience)

That emoticon is weird lol ^.=.^

[Minkness]

Congrats on tour new friend!

I don't have experience with a ton of morphs, but Ibheard somewhere that darker morephs are more deffensive and lighter morphs are more chill. (Super cinny vs. Lucy). I can't confirm that to be true however.

Personality is absolutely individual! Ibhave a beautiful lesserbee who looooves to hiss like he's a big, bad snake when I get him out of his tub, but then is perfectly fine aftet that! Silly snake.

Leaving them alone for a time is important. I wish I would have taken that advice whrn I first gor my BP. It took me over a month to get him to eat regularly, then he developed an RI which threw him off of feeding again. My other 2 snakes however, ate on day 2 of having them, and don't have any issues being handled. (Hognose and MBK).

Either age of snake is a good choice really. Younger will be easier to work with on handling but the older will be more established as DDW said. I got my guy when he was 9 months old, and I think that's part of why he hisses when I go into his tub or touch him at first.

Good luck on choosing your new buddy! Looking forward to lots of oics!

[Aaron_S]

No problem^.=.^ I'm not sure about just bps but I'd probably go for the older one just for the reason it would be more established in feeding and shedding. The two month will have only had a few feeding in and had shedded only a few times, the older however more times to ensure a healthier well started animal. Be sure to ask for feeding and shed records. And I'd ask if the sheds where broken up or in one piece(of course one piece is better) don't forget to check for injuries or illness too. :)

How does the snake shedding in one piece have anything to do with the health of the animal? Shedding is dependant upon husbandry.

[DDW]

How does the snake shedding in one piece have anything to do with the health of the animal? Shedding is dependant upon husbandry.

It's dependant on husbandry, yes but you'd want to know about that to tell if the snake has been kept in proper husbandry. Good sheds= good husbandry. Good husbandry= healthy animal. Bad husbandry=potentially sick animal. Plus I'd want to know if a particular snake has problems shedding. But I may just be nitpicking,:)

[Aaron_S]

It's dependant on husbandry, yes but you'd want to know about that to tell if the snake has been kept in proper husbandry. Good sheds= good husbandry. Good husbandry= healthy animal. Bad husbandry=potentially sick animal. Plus I'd want to know if a particular snake has problems shedding. But I may just be nitpicking,:)

Your last comment tells me you don't believe that shedding is 100% dependant on husbandry.
Snakes are born to shed in one piece. They do it from a week old to the time they eventually die. For decades this holds true. Snakes don't shed bad because they suck at it. They shed bad because requirements are not met. That is on us for to supply that.

Unfortunately, a lot of people in the hobby don't want to admit their mistakes and just blame the snake. Not saying this is you, it just so happens this is a common myth.

[grantlapaz]

Congrats on tour new friend!
I don't have experience with a ton of morphs, but I heard somewhere that darker morphs are more defensive and lighter morphs are more chill. (Super cinny vs. Lucy). I can't confirm that to be true however. Personality is absolutely individual! Ibhave a beautiful lesserbee who looooves to hiss like he's a big, bad snake when I get him out of his tub, but then is perfectly fine aftet that! Silly snake. Leaving them alone for a time is important. I wish I would have taken that advice whrn I first gor my BP. It took me over a month to get him to eat regularly, then he developed an RI which threw him off of feeding again. My other 2 snakes however, ate on day 2 of having them, and don't have any issues being handled. (Hognose and MBK). Either age of snake is a good choice really. Younger will be easier to work with on handling but the older will be more established as DDW said. I got my guy when he was 9 months old, and I think that's part of why he hisses when I go into his tub or touch him at first.
Good luck on choosing your new buddy! Looking forward to lots of oics!

Thanks for the awesome reply :D
Your guy sounds hilarious, I love personalities in pets. :) I'll be sure to leave it some time to calm down and relax when I get him in. It's important to me that he/she likes to be held and handled, or at least stays calm with it. I'm having a hard time making up my mind on the age... I dont know if its that big of a deal or not. And trust me, I will be flooding pics. Probably too many honestly :rolleyes:


As long as you don't overfill the dish I don't think it should be a problem as long as it's not too big for the adult size. (Though I'd ask someone with experience)

That emoticon is weird lol ^.=.^

Ok, I'll definitely ask the guy that's helping me :)

Snakes are born to shed in one piece. They do it from a week old to the time they eventually die. For decades this holds true. Snakes don't shed bad because they suck at it. They shed bad because requirements are not met. That is on us for to supply that.

Appreciate the info

[DDW]

Your last comment tells me you don't believe that shedding is 100% dependant on husbandry.
Snakes are born to shed in one piece. They do it from a week old to the time they eventually die. For decades this holds true. Snakes don't shed bad because they suck at it. They shed bad because requirements are not met. That is on us for to supply that.

Unfortunately, a lot of people in the hobby don't want to admit their mistakes and just blame the snake. Not saying this is you, it just so happens this is a common myth.

My bad XD as you can see by my signiture, I'm glad you corrected me:) thanks. having good sheds should still suggest a healthy snake(or at least healthy living conditions) right?