Is A BP Right For Me?

[lizlover]

I was wondering if a BP would be right for me. I need a snake that gets 5ft max that is a good beginner snake. I read the FAQ and it seemed like it would be a good snake for me. I need it to be able to have summer heat because it has to be in the garage. It needs to be able to have 40% humidity sometimes a little higher sometimes a little lower. I was just wondering if the conditions would be ok for a bp. Also I would have to probably feed F/T mice I wondered if I could buy those at a pet store or if I had to keep them in my freezer.

Thanks for the help

Alex

[nita]

Originally posted by lizlover
I was wondering if a BP would be right for me. I need a snake that gets 5ft max that is a good beginner snake.

This fits a BP they rarely exceed 5ft especially males.

I read the FAQ and it seemed like it would be a good snake for me. I need it to be able to have summer heat because it has to be in the garage. It needs to be able to have 40% humidity sometimes a little higher sometimes a little lower.

The snake most likely will not survive in your garage, you need to maintain a constant temperature gradiant of 80F on the cooler end with a basking spot of 95F on the warm end. This is maintained winter and summer. These snakes do not hibernate, the only thing that would change in the winter months is a drop in temp at night to 75F but back to normal during the day. If you can't provide this then you should look at a different animal. Now if you have a heated garage then that is different too, can you maintain the temps winter and summer then go for it. Also you need to maintain a humidity of 50% - 60% and up to 75% or so when the snake is going to shed. That can be done though by misting the enclosure.

Also I would have to probably feed F/T mice I wondered if I could buy those at a pet store or if I had to keep them in my freezer.
Alex

Most pet stores sell FT mice or rats. Trust me rat eaters are much better, they grow faster and one rat is cheaper than the 4-6 mice it takes to fill up your snake. The bonus to FT is that you can keep a supply in your freezer though so that you arent' having to run out every week and buy food. Any other questions or clarifying ask away.

[BoidKeeper]

No snake can live in a garage. What is summer heat? All reptiles need a hot spot so they can thermoregulate. Balls need 60% humidity. Balls should eat rats, mice are too small. And yes you can buy frozen feeders at some pet stores and keep them at home in the freezer.
Until you find a better place than I a garage I would not get any pets.
Cheers,
Trevor

[lizlover]

Ok maybe I will have to rethink a snake. I think my parents MIGHT let it be in the house but I doubt it. I just thought it would be ok because my lizards are in the garage. Oh well guess I better start kissing feet lol. Thanks for the help and more advice is welcomed.

Alex

[lizlover]

Oh and we would have a shed kind of thing to keep all my pets in in the garage. (beardies and uros). I wondered if that might make a difference.

[wizbit13]

I dont see a massive problem as to where you keep the snake, as long as the enclosure that you keep it in can be kept warm enough and the humidity kept as decent levels. If it has to be in the garage them I think a tank is going to be out of the question as I can see this being quite hard to keep a stable temp when the nights are cold. I think as long as you put a lot of thought and effort into the enclosure and check it for a while before you actually buy the snake, then there should not be a problem

Adam

[lizlover]

Ok thanks Adam. I am still thinking of ways to keep it cool in the summer. But keeping it warm will be easy. Any ideas of keeping the garage or just the shed cooler?

Alex

[BoidKeeper]

Any area that is not climat controled is not suitable for a pet. A garage is meant to house a vehicle, not an animal. If your parents won't let you have it the house then don't get it. You off to a bad start right away. I've heard these stories many times before and they never end well for the animal in question. Why not wait until you get your own place where you make your own rules. What's the rush? I didn't get my first snake until I was 27.
Cheers,
Trevor

[lizlover]

Trevor I dont understand how I am off to a bad start. IMO I am off to a good start asking these questions so I dont screw up. There isn't a rush at all I am just trying to find ways I could keep a snake. My parents MIGHT think of letting me keep it in the house if there is no way it can get out. Could you please tell me some good cage ideas to not let it get out.

Alex

[concept3]

what kind of temperatures are you talking about in your garage? Do you know how hot it gets in the summer?

[Bartman]

I see exactly where Trevor is coming from, and all he means is that you shouldn’t rush into buying the animal. You need to make sure you have the space, temps, etc. for the animal, and most likely you can’t get it in a garage.

I must say though, good on you for asking questions BEFORE you buy the animal, and not after.

Could you please tell me some good cage ideas to not let it get out.

Get a normal tank and the snake should not get out. Don’t be irresponsible as well, meaning leaving the tank unlocked (if theirs locks) or just leaving the lid plain open because you forgot. The only time I had a snake escape was my ball python that was out of an aquarium where the plastic top was melted and he somehow got out. Just make sure the tank is brand new with no broken parts or cracks they could get out of.

Where do you live? If you can keep a Uromastyx in a garage with the correct temps of 120+ then maybe you could keep the snake in the garage as long as your tank has the right temps. I would also highly suggest, if you do, not to park your cars inside the garage as smoke is very bad for the reptiles.

[HeatherRose]

In a previous post lizlover stated that they live in California...

What's your garage like Alex? How hot and how cold does it get? Is it climate controlled? (I have a heater in my garage, for example, but thats' only because it gets sooooo cold :p) Do you keep cars/lawnmowers/tractors/weedwhackers or anything else like that in it? The more information you have about the climate in your garage and how controlled you can make it, the better you can decide if it's suitable for a ball python :)

I still recommend a rubbermaid as opposed to a tank, and you can make the more secure for a lower cost.

By the way, ball pythons are great starter snakes. The only problem you might run into is that they have a reputation for being very picky eaters, and can go off on 'fasts' sometimes. I'd also recommend feeding f/t rats not mice, as baby ball pythons are already big enough to eat small rats right out of the egg. Getting them onto rats from mice later on in life may be tricky, so it saves you a headache or two.

Good luck, you're off to an awesome start in your research ;)
-Heather

[BoidKeeper]

When ever parents MIGHT allow a child to take their new pet snake into the house I consider that off to a bad start. It is certainly a bad start compared to adolescents who's parents take an active role in buying the new pet snake as well as welcome it into their home. It just doesn't sound like you are bringing an animal into a very welcoming atmosphere.
You’re 100% about the asking questions part, good for you for doing that. At least you are asking about whether you can put it in a garage instead of just going a head and doing it. However, you don’t seem to be accepting the answers you’re getting to your questions. No matter how you word the question or what ever slant you put on it a snake can not and should not be forced to live in a garage no matter how you try and set up the cage. The cage has to be in a climate-controlled area for it to allow your snake to thrive. You don’t want you animal to survive you want it to thrive. The temps are too cold in winter and too hot in summer you said so yourself. You also read the FAQ section, which states minimum humidity for a ball is 60%. You said the garage is only 40%. So again you’ve answered your own question.
My biggest concern is the hesitation of your parents. What will you do with the snake if they say it has to go? Have you found a source for food? Who is paying for it? Who will pay the vet bills? What if the snake will not eat frozen thawed?
Take your time ask more questions, read a lot more about snake husbandry and convince your parents to allow the snake in your bedroom. Or wait till you’re out on your own. If you are serious about owning and caring for a snake now you will be then too. Animals do not ask to be placed in our care so we owe them the very best care possible. It is a privilege to own an animal not a right. Pet ownership can not be taken lightly you are taking on the responsibility for the care of another living thing. If you can not meet all of their needs all of the time than I don’t think you should get one. This includes keeping the cage indoors.
Cheers,
Trevor

[peterm15]

Actually sit here down have something worked out like a business plan, show her how this snake will join the family, care for it, responsibilities on it, show some books, reading material, websites - forums, tv shows and what is your plan in the future with it. If all this goes well and open minded, try and visit someone with snakes that will instruct you both on snakes without being crazy and putting more fear. I know people love to scare people with snakes when the people seeing them are totally fearful so find someone who wants and is capable of being a positive influence than a negative one. Depending on what is done in that session many people start to rethink this fear and some join the fearless.

My family is old world and from the old country. The idea of snakes as pets or staying in same house was not something easy to convince. But because I did all the above and try to teach than scare, I have most of them now standing in the same room with snakes, where they would not agree before. My mother was very fearful before now reachs out to touch the boids tails or skin, took 4 years but she was the most fearful and she is getting very comfortable now.

Just don' t pressure the issue, but show both pros/cons and people knowing your character will either believe you or never change that fear.

Cya...

Tony

That was posted by BOAS N PYTHONS for someone who was wantin to convince there whife into letting them get a snake.....

the same thing might work for you.... educate them and they might be more open into letting you keep the snake indoors.... in a temp controlled envrioment.... where you could properly care for it... it would be more enjoyable as well.... i dont know what the weather is like in cali but my guess is that its warmer all year round that our heat waves...lol... but maybe not good for a bp... these are my suggestions... as well as if they wont allow it in the house id suggest not to get it.... you would want to provide the best for your snake and i just dont think that quite cuts it..... but ten again there is anouther member who has quite a large setup n his/hers garage so if you could provide the right envrioment it shouldnt be a prob...AS LONG AS THERE ISNT CARS IN THERE AS WELL

[lizlover]

Thanks for that Peter. I would be working on it but my mom is really busy. But I am going to save that so I can look back to it. But I was wondering where and how many holes for ventilation i would need and how would I keep the humidity in? Also does anyone have any cage pictures of their BP steup?

Alex