Total newbie - lots of questions

[Theflyingyogi]

Hello all!

I want to start out by saying I'm completely new to the hobby. Have no snake yet, (Have my eye ona gorgeous candino pewter which I will attach pcitures of) but have plenty of questions!

I have very minimal experience with reptiles and my things are birds. I had a bearded dragon and after my separation with my partner I no longer have the beardie. I currently have a leapard gecko, which she's my pet rock. I never see her, like at all - people think I exaggerate. I know she's alive because I clean the poop, the food is gone and she moves from one hide to the next. Other than that. I never see her - even at night.

So that about sums up my reptile experience, although I did enjoy me beardie his poop would kill my job. I'm sure it didn't help that it baked under a heat lamp while I'm at work. And let's face it, no one poops roses as much as we'd like to think we do 😅.

I have always liked snaked but never the idea of feeding them. Which is why I said I'd never bring one home. Until I found out about frozen, thawed method - which i can do. Before I make the same mistakes with the above reptiles I would really love some first hand experience. I have two amazing dogs, so I'm not looking for a cuddle pet. Of course I'll interact with the snake and take it out. But, I don't want a pet rock....

So what I'd like to know is..


What is the activity level of the snake? I understand that they are nocturnal, and I won't see much if any activity during the day. However, what are nights light? Do they come out and explore or do they pretty much stay in the hide as well?

What is th poop situation? How bad is the order from 1 to 10? And how often do they go (young and older snakes). It sounds like a silly question, but I don't want my apartment to be smelling bad.

About how much am I looking to spend on feeding the snake monthly? I'd be feeding frozen.


I have the basics covered, I have a 20 gallon long tank, I have the screen top with locks. I have the heat mat, and the hides. I missing the bowl, and substrate. Not a fan of the newspaper, as I like more natural enclosures. I live in miami but keep my apt at about 80 when im not home (air off) and about 76 when I am, at bed time i drop it to about 70. Will the snake be ok at night or might I run into issues? I know that they need between 50 to 60 percent humidity. I was thinking of seal off part of the mesh top with aquarium safe silicon to try and hold moisture in. Ideas on this?

I know this post is very long! But I rather ask away then bring home an animal and have it suffer.

Ps. For a male candino pewter is 650 shipped a good price? 😅🤷🏼*♂️

Thanks ya'll!

[herp nerd]

ok so the poop situation is about a five if the snake poops in his/her water bowl then it smells terrible (like rotten egg) But usually it doesn't stink as bad in the litter. And they go normally a few days or a week after they eat. mostly if its a bigger frozen mouse or rat it would be costing 1.25 $ but the smaller the mouse the smaller the cost. Your tank is good I reccomend appropriate wood shaving as litter. I hope you get a snake and I hope this helps

[Jim Smith]

If you want a more active snake, then I recommend that you consider one of the Colubrids rather than a Ball Python. Depending on the laws of your state, you might also want to consider a Garter snake. They have lots of personality and eat fish instead of F/T mice and rats. Just a thought...

[condescomputers]

I have a few questions for you, but first the poop. Id say its like a 6 or a 7. The poop smells horrible, and snakes have a distinct smell. Its not as bad as a cat, but its worse than small mammals. One good this is snakes only poop once every week or two, or even longer with certain species.

So why do you want a snake? Why do you want a ball python? Would you consider a snake that gets to about 7 feet and 45 lbs? Have you looked into Kenyan Sand Boas? What about Super Dwarf Retics? Theres quite a few more species you can easily keep besides ball pythons and corn snakes. Personally I would rather have a normal phase snake that most people don't have than a phase of a snake that everybody owns.

Do you have anyone near you that can help you with your tank, and your snake? This would make a huge difference in the decision of what snake to keep. If you have someone local that can assist you you can definitely keep a snake that is a bit more on the difficult side.

I always try to steer people away from ball pythons, and its purely due to the fact that everyone and their mom has a ball python. If you are going to buy a snake buy one that is of a species that has a small following. Something like a kenyan sand boa, or an Amazon Tree Boa, maybe a carpet python, what about a Hog Island boa, a Woma Python, or a Western Hognose?

Most of these are easy to care for, except the ATB.