pros and cons of BP ownership

[Frithrah82]

Hi all! I've kept snakes for a few years now and feel that I have been doing pretty well in keeping what I have got. Along with the three that I currently have, my boyfriend also has a corn and we're lined up to get a kingsnake within a month for him. He is very excited about having snakes finally (he's pretty new to it) and has been looking into a few larger snakes that he might like. At this point it seems like he is swaying towards ball pythons, and I couldn't be happier, I love my boa, but there's something about bp's that just catches my eye, not to mention the interesting color morphs available (as pricey as some may be)... We aren't planning on getting [whatever snake he decides on] until a few months to a year down the road, but since we're shopping around as it is I figured I'd ask about the pros and cons to ball python ownership (i dont have any issues with husbandry of animals based on what i've already learned so that isnt a concern). Any input into what its like living with a ball python would be appreciated, and i'm ok with the whole truth (not that anyone would sugarcoat anything) it takes a lot to scare me out of something just because theres a bit of challenge involved (although for all that Ive already read there isn't too much to it with balls)
Thanks Ahead of time
~Fuzzy

[Piers]

the only con to ball pythons is that they will go off food for long periods of time. This can be stressfull to the owner. The only other thing is some of them are pray spacific ie some will only eat mice, hamsters or grebiels(?) that can get costly.
I've had a few go off one pray item to another and then back for no reason, very frustrating.
But other than that they are great snakes, longe lived, easy to keep, a good first snake all around and not too hard to breed.
Just got to remember patience, a healthy snake will eat eventually if conditions are right.
Good luck and keep use posted
Piers
guppyranch@uniserve.com

[lilyskip]

I love my bps. As Piers said, it is aggravating when they go off feed, but you do save money on food. i am also beginning to wish for snakes that get a little larger, like boas, but since you've got one of those, that base is covered. BPs are fantastic if you're prepared and know what you're doing.

[Frithrah82]

so by saying they go off food what exactly does that entail? they just wont eat for a while? Why do they do that exactly?

[lilyskip]

going off feed = they stop accepting food. you offer it, they don't take it. they fast during winter/breeding season, and some of them just go off food for their own reasons.

[daver676]

The only thing that annoys the hell out of me about my bp is the refusal of food. Grrrrr....

[Vengeance]

Hummidity needs could also be a problem. I haven't read much about Boa's so I don't know if you have already tackled this problem but sill something to keep in mind.

[Linds]

Important to keep in mind that these are very timid snakes. They will just sit still on you most of the time usually because they are afraid. There first defense is to curl up and be very still. People often mistake this for being "tame", when in fact this is defensive behaviour.

Originally posted by Frithrah82
so by saying they go off food what exactly does that entail? they just wont eat for a while? Why do they do that exactly?

Longest period of time I have had a ball python go off feed for was 1 year and 6 days :rolleyes: For what reason, only he knows. Nothing changed in his husbandry nor did he lose much weight during that period of time either. A lot of snakes will go off feed around this time of year due to breeding behaviours and resume again in spring. Ball pythons are more sensitive to stress than a lot of other snakes which can cause them to refuse food as well. Some stresses may include excessive handling, being in high-traffic areas or having a pet sitting on top of the cage frequently.

[Vengeance]

What is considered excessive handling? I haven't handled mine at all other then to inspect him before I first got him and then put him in his cage. But I was hoping that after the 2 week adjustment period that I would be able to handle him regularly starting out at like 10 min intervals daily and seeing how it goes from their. But what is considered excessive?

[foman]

I also handle mine often and they don't seem to be stressed, infact when I handle them they love to sit around my neck and chill, if i let them they sit there pretty much all day. I have never had a problem getting them to eat , once they are in the feeding bins watch your fingers. I'm not saying that some BP"s don't go off food, but I don't think it is from handling them.( at least mine are not botherd by being handled).

[maiden_canada]

they go off feed, and they're pretty boring seriously, they just lie in their hdie all day and might go look around their enclosure once a day for a few minutes. have you thought of getting a JCP or an arboreal species? or maybe something more interesting like a BRB. i like my ball python, they just don't do anything

[Soul_Reaper]

I've had my ball for a couple of months now, from day one she's been eating fine. As a matter of fact i think that her appetite has gotten bigger, she almost took my fingers as a snack with her food last friday!! LOL!

They take more care than a corn but still...no "seven headed demon", just buy the BP care book and get all the info needed and you should be good to go. :)

[Ron]

they're pretty boring seriously, they just lie in their hdie all day and might go look around their enclosure once a day for a few minutes.

Did you expect something else from a nocturnal snake? Try checking them out at night when they are active.

[Vengeance]

Originally posted by maiden_canada
they go off feed, and they're pretty boring seriously, they just lie in their hdie all day and might go look around their enclosure once a day for a few minutes. have you thought of getting a JCP or an arboreal species? or maybe something more interesting like a BRB. i like my ball python, they just don't do anything

I've only had mine for 4 days, first day he found a hide stayed in it never came out (for obvious reasons). Second day he was all over his cage checking out everything climbed all over the trees, across the vines, all over the cage, I sat and watched him for a good hour, then he stopped and just hung out at the top of one of the branches just sitting in the foliage. Third day, he ate, so again he is obviously stayed in his hide.

To generalize and say Ball's are boring is ignorant, just because your Ball is boring doesn't mean that all Ball's are boring.

[Delirium]

Agreed. Fred is super fun and he hasn't even met us yet ;). He's keeping himself very amused it seems lying around on his trees, in his hides, snooping around the expanse of his enclosure (little ******* is looking for a way out...I know it...but oh no Fred, there will be no escapage for you my little slithery friend...you hear that Fred?? *shakes fists*).

Of course i'm a person who enjoys observing animals whether they interact with me or not. So far, four days into our stay together, he's shown curiosity, patience and more relaxation then I could ever muster. Fascinating little bugger. He probably thinks were both freaks, sitting there staring at his cage for hours at a time.

Dee

[ohh_kristina]

The ball pythons I have are rescues. One is a WC - a 6 or 7 year captive. He has an AMAZING feeding response and only doesn't eat when he's in shed - but I'm sure he would, I just don't offer. My other male is a little sketchy when it comes to food. He refuses usually ever two or three weeks, for a two or three week period. The longest he has gone without food is about a month and a half.
As for ball pythons not being active, I find that to be untrue. Both of my ball pythons are extremely active in their cages at night. They are also very comfortable being held and will crawl all over if I let them. Of course, during the day they are hidden - but what else do you expect from a nocturnal animal? I only handle mine once every two or three weeks and they seem to do great on that schedule. Ball pythons are sometimes very shy.
I'd say go for the ball python. I love mine to death! They are interesting and beautiful and all around great snakes, IMO. They are very underrated.

[jfmoore]

One attribute to put into the “pro” column: longevity

The record life span for any snake of almost 47 and one half years is held by a ball python. And that animal came into a zoo in 1945 as a young adult specimen when keepers didn’t know as much about their care as we do today.

Get a healthy ball python, take good care of it, and long after your dog, ferrets, corn snakes, fancy mice and rats, and even boa and geckos have passed on to their next existence – that ball python may well be peering out of its hide staring at you in your rocking chair. Pretty neat to have a “pet” that can share a lifetime with you, even if it is a slightly unconventional pet.

-Joan

[sapphire_moon]

Cons----go off food for sometimes long periods of times, making you want to pull out your hair trying to figure out if it's something you did, he's sick, or just not interested. They hide during the day.

Pro----Long life, not usually nippy (though I'm sure some can be), beautiful snake, since they are NOCTURNAL (Awake at night) you can watch them before you go to sleep!

Both my bp's usually hide until we fall asleep. But my little female will stick her head out of her hide (doesn't matter if it is the warm hide or cool hide) and watch us get around for work, just before we leave she will go back inside her hide. The male though, he just lays in his warm hide all day. And comes out to "play" at night, usually totally wrecking it, moving his hides, his water bowl taking the suction cup plants off the side....but he is laying innocently in his hide, like "no I didn't do it!" lol..........

and another pro IMHO is they just seem to have puppy dog faces!

[daver676]

Originally posted by maiden_canada
they go off feed, and they're pretty boring seriously, they just lie in their hdie all day and might go look around their enclosure once a day for a few minutes. have you thought of getting a JCP or an arboreal species? or maybe something more interesting like a BRB. i like my ball python, they just don't do anything

On the contrary, my bp is usually active in the evening and when I go to bed. In the morning she is usually in her hide, but she comes out at dusk like clockwork.

[Soul_Reaper]

and another pro IMHO is they just seem to have puppy dog faces!

That is so true! BP's have the cutest faces ever, they look so friendly...

I also disagree with whoever said that they are boring snakes, mine is usually curious about everything, she's always strolling around the cage and falling off the big log (she's not the greatest climber...she's persistent tho, lol!)...but of course, she's never around during the day.

[GotBalls?]

well I have only had mine for 2 weeks.. have wanted one for years and so far the only thing I found frusterating was feeding. But that was just my inexperience of not knowing how and when to offer the food. Hopefully he won't go off food often , if ever as it is a little nerve wracking. But when he did eat, that was awesome to watch!

Otherwise he is great! Absolutely adorable.. I agree with whoever said they had the cutest faces ever. I think that has always been my main attractiong to them other than thier placid nature. All the ones I have had the pleasure of handling never offer to bite and are so relaxing to handle. Thier size is JUST right for me.. not too big or too small.

My guy has been incredibly active, much more than I would have expected... he is usually out and about all night after dark and even sometimes in the morning when I wake up.

He is obviously a little under about people, but it actually very curious and if i open up his enclosure while he is out exploring he will come right out and up to my arm or face, and I have even handled him a few times ( was keeping it minimal until he ate) and he will motor around looking for a nice warm spot to relax in.

I couldn't be happier with my guy!

Nicole

[Frithrah82]

so um, no one ever got back about what excessive handling means... and I'm very curious about that as well...

[Piers]

exessive handling is probably over an hour + at a time, couple times a day. Its not so much the time but what your'e doing at that time too. Sitting quietly is one thing but walking around bumping and jaring the snake around is very much another thing.Don't even get me started on going out in puplic!
A lot of handling will stress the snake and might cause it to go off food.
I don't handle most of my snakes at all other than cleaning and the odd inspection.(too manysnakes). the few that I do hold I only hold for ten-twenty minutes tops,not cause of stress but I have lots to do(or so I tell myself,lol)
Piers

[Dark_Angel_25]

My Ball, 8Ball, we chose because when we picked himout, 1) he was the only one who didn't 'ball' up, but started slithering around my arm and tongue lashing like crazy, he seemed really active and curious.

This morning, (Dec. 11) he was out when I was getting ready for Work, usually when I turn his day lamp off (whatever time) he comes out on cue, and he climbs the vines and branches in his cage with fervour.

As for the handling, I take him out almost everynight, and have no problems. As someone mentioned, I usually am laying on the couch and he just roams around me and settles down somewhere warm, but I can take him out and handle him and then put him in his feed box, and offer food (rats now, I had NO problems switching, he just took it as is) and he eats it everytime.

All in All, I think that the Ball Python is an awesome snake to have, they are very comical when trying to climb as they aren't the most graceful at it (:D) and they have a face that is very VERY cute... not predatory looking at all (but watch out come feeding time!) and the size is short and fat, which makes them seem cuddly. So to me, they are a great pet, and not boring in the least.. everyone / thing has an off day where they would rather hide from the world.. Ball Pythons (and any snake really) just has the opportunity to climb under a rock and do it!

:):):):)

[MajickSprings]

Originally posted by maiden_canada
they're pretty boring seriously, they just lie in their hdie all day and might go look around their enclosure once a day for a few minutes.

I'm starting to think that my BP isn't your normal BP. She is VERY active in her tank and when I hold her. She's not the "sit still" type of gal. She is always busy except for 2-3 days after she's eaten. Then she's quite happy soaking in her water tub all day and going into her hide at night. But the rest of the time she's very active going around her tank and when I take her out. She seems to like to "sniff" everything.