Need an opinion

[One More Herper]

What do you think makes a better pet? Ballpython or Bearded Dragon, why?

-Ben

[meow_mix450]

hmm i cant really say, cause ive never had a ballpython but for beginners i would say bearded dragon, thats if you had never had a reptile, and it all depends, the first snake you would get would be corn??? im guessing, and lizard is a bearded dragon
all IMO
Meow

[snakehunter]

BALLS RULE its an animal thta eats other animals, how cool ia that

beardies eat vegies and some meat, but im a carnivore myself, and prefer to stick to my own kind :)

[Nicky]

i've never had either but if i had a choice it would be a ball because i personaly think there beutiful animals and have great temperments once they get over there inital shyness.
but thats just my thoughts. do some research see some pics and decide for yourself which u like best.
good luck with whatever u go with
kayla

[BoidKeeper]

Ball python because they don't eat bugs or need a complicated set up like a beardy does. Not heat lamps of UVB lights needed. No speacial vitamine supplements to buy etc.
Mind you if I was going to pick a snake over a beardy there are about 6 other snakes I would chose before I would chose a ball. I've got about 10 balls right now and if I wasn't trying to produce an albino I wouldn't have any, maybe two but that's it.
Other great pythons to consider instead of a ball would be a childrens or spotted python. Jungle Carpets don't get much longer then a ball and are a much better python IMO. There are also lots of great small boas to consider too. Rosy Boas, Sand Boas, Rubber Boas, Hog Island Boas etc.
Cheers,
Trevor

[Bighead]

IMO it all depends on what you're looking for in a pet. I have both and I have to say that my beardies are my favorite. They are more fun to interact with and seem more intelligent. My male will see me from across the room and run to the corner of his tank and bob his head at me. I will run over to him, bob my head back at him and then runs back to his basking spot. My female will also wave "hello" sometimes which is fun. Balls do have personalities too, but it's not quite the same for me. On the other hand, balls require much less maintinence. No fresh foods and crickets to feed every day, making salads, cleaning up poop, enclosure expenses, etc. They are definitely the cheaper and less time consuming pet. Oh, and although its not a great idea, beardie's will eat a pinky mouse if you give it to them.

[drewlowe]

I more partial to lizards.

Yes beardies take your time and money. LOL But they truely do make great additions to the family. I couldn't part with my two, they just have so much more personality than expected from a reptile. So if you can get over the fact that you have to have a nice size cage, heat lamp, floresent fixture, bugs and salads, calcium, and vitamins then i would say get a beardie.

If your looking for something a little less demanding then i would say get a snake. I haven't kept balls, but i do have some corns that i wouldn't part with either. It's all up to you. Do some research and find out what best fits your needs.

Jamie

[Zoe]

Bearded dragons are more complicated, so not a good choice if you're just starting (they need high temps, UV light, a varied diet, etc) whereas BPs are relatively simple. Go witha BP if you're starting, but if you have some experience and prefer BDs go for it, jsut make sure that you do your research.

Zoe

[meow_mix450]

if your intrested in sanke which is the best to start with???

Meow

[BBreptiles]

Ball pythons would be less work in general.

Bearded Dragons call for alot of work. You will need at least a 55 gallon tank for 1 adult, UVB light for vitamin D3, and a Basking light to help maintain high temps so your beardie can digest its food.

Be prepard to cut vegies and fruits at least once a day and powder them with calcium supplement. Crickets, Wax worms, and Mealworms would also need to be apart of your beardies diet so make sure you have a supply of at least one of those three listed.

Impaction is a very common problem in beardies which is caused by feeding to big of food items to small beardies. This can result in a temporary paralysis until the blockage is passed.

Although this sounds like a lot of work it is a joy to keep Bearded Dragons as pets. Basic knowledge and a little free time can insure your beardie lives a long healthy life.

If you have the time and money i would get a beardie but if not then a ball python would be the better choice. Whichever one you choose be sure to read as many books, care sheets and ask as many questions as you can before you make a purchase.

BBreptiles

[V.hb]

beardie setups are simple. heat light, uv bulb water dish and something to sit on.. thats not complicated!! :)

[Zoe]

I meant relatively. Obviously Bearded Dragons aren't terribly complicated, but they are more work than a ball python.

Simply put:
Lighting:
Ball python: whatever, window light, bulb
Bearded dragon: UV spectrum bulb and fixture

Heating:
Ball python: UTH on a med setting would do the trick (although, of course, the temps would need to be perfected)
Bearded Dragon: Lows of 75-80, highs vary (adults: 98-100, babies, 105)

Feeding:
Ball pythons: rat or a couple mice every week or two
Bearded Dragon: As babies, crickets/mealworms every day and a salad of kale, collard green, melon, squash, bell peppers etc every other day. Opposite for adults with the occasional pinky.

Water/Humidity:
Ball Pythons: spray every couple days or every week
Bearded Dragons: weekly baths and daily spraying


When put in terms of "all that is needed" any animal is simple (all an etb needs it a rubbermaid, a bulb, a UTH), I just meant that a bearded dragon would be more work than a ball python should be.

[Lisa]

One thing to consider is the behaviours of these two animals vary greatly. Ball pythons tend to be lumps (juvies are some what more active, but no one stays a kid forever) where beardies are some what more active compared to BPs. Are you going to be happy with a snake that just hides most of the time?

[BoaBoi]

Best snake to get IMHO is the Columbian BCI.

James~

[One More Herper]

Thanks everyone!
Its going to be a beardie i think

-Ben

[Gregg M]

They both are totally different but I think both make good pets....... A ball is a bit easier to care for but dragons are not hard to keep....... If you want simple, go for a ball python.......

[Will]

beardie setups are simple. heat light, uv bulb water dish and something to sit on.. thats not complicated!!

They are alot more work than a Ball would be. The first year of a Beardie's life, especially. They eat ALOT of pinhead crickets when they are small(up to 2 dozen PLUS a day!), and the food bill for those are through the roof compared to a mouse every week or two.

I went out and started a breeding colony of my own instead of paying 10 bucks a week for his crix, I spent 40 bucks to breed my own. Over the long run that saves you qutie a bit of money(I bred enought to sell to friends, which offset the cost as well), but then you have to put up with loose crickets in the house, cleaning and maintaining crickets, AND feeding the Dragon. I didn't mind it, but it took me longer to take care of one Dragon, than it does for me to take care of the 12 snakes I have right now.

They are fun little critters though. After all, who couldn't love this face...? :D

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/512/2033Beard2.JPG

Hats off to all the BD breeders, out there, I can only imagine how much work goes into it! :)

[Linds]

Originally posted by Will
They are alot more work than a Ball would be.


That doesn't mean that they are harder to take care of, or any less suitable for a novice keeper. It all boils down to what you want out of the animal. Both are so very different in all aspects of husbandry and temperament. While one may be suitable for one person's idea of a pet, the other may not be, and vice versa. Asking which one makes a better pet, is like asking what makes a better snack, apples or oranges :p

[meow_mix450]

yup...everyone has an opinion on what kind of reptiles they like, im just in you chameleons, i find them intresting, so far many other reptiles, it doesnt bother me doing more work. Each time i spray or cup feed, he slowly learns that im the keeper and the one thats giving him food and taking care of him, i just enjoy that, i really doesnt bother me how much work it takes, jsut depends what you like, i didnt find taking a bearded dragon hard... but this is my opinion thanks

Meow

[Will]

That doesn't mean that they are harder to take care of, or any less suitable for a novice keeper.

Not nessesarily harder, but definitely more time consuming than a snake. I'm not saying one is 'better' than the other, that's a matter of personal judgement - But beardies are defintiely more involving.

Cheers