Still researching...

[Moonshae]

I'm new to the site, I've never had a snake before, but I'm pretty settled on getting a BP. Found this forum and am glad, since there's a lot of confusing and contrary advice out there, and no one really seems to say why their way is better than the others, just that it is. So hopefully I'll be able to find some answers when I have specific questions.

[Chu'Wuti]

BPs are great snakes, especially for beginners, because they don't move fast and tend to freeze rather than strike. They just have a calm nature that makes them easy to handle. That being said, when you get your snake, you should leave it alone for at least a week so he can get used to his new home.

You also asked about enclosures in your other thread. Yes, some people are very anti-"fish tanks." There are pros and cons, though, and you don't always hear the pros.

One of the advantages to tanks made especially for reptiles is that it is easier to maintain humidity. One of the disadvantages is that they are more expensive if you want a display tank. However, if you are fine with something like a Rubbermaid container, you'll have a very inexpensive, easy-to-clean tank that will maintain the proper humidity easily.

I personally have kept snakes in "fish tanks" for many years--about 30--and have never had a problem. I currently have a BP in a 55 gallon naturalistic vivarium. I have no trouble maintaining adequate humidity (or even raising the humidity during a shed) because I have a soil substrate and live plants in the tank. However, I wouldn't recommend this for everyone, and I didn't try it until after reading Philippe de Vosjoli's book, The Art of Snake Keeping from cover to cover.

One recommendation--if you can, avoid getting your BP at a pet store, and be very wary of the advice of any pet store employee. Quite a number of people have gotten diseased or underfed snakes that way and have continued underfeeding their snakes based on the advice of the pet store people.

This forum is an excellent resource with lots of information that will be invaluable as you proceed--and let me say--you are really smart to research first! You are way ahead of many people, because you're learning what the snake you want needs before you do everything wrong! You'll be doing everything right if you spend enough time researching.

[Tiger Lilly]

It does my heart good to hear that some people actually do the research BEFORE getting an animal, of any kind!

BPs are great snakes, especially for beginners, because they don't move fast and tend to freeze rather than strike. They just have a calm nature that makes them easy to handle.

One recommendation--if you can, avoid getting your BP at a pet store, and be very wary of the advice of any pet store employee. Quite a number of people have gotten diseased or underfed snakes that way and have continued underfeeding their snakes based on the advice of the pet store people.

I couldn't agree more, especially with your recommendation. Just because someone works in a pet store doesn't mean they know about all the animals sold there...and you know they only 'maintenance feed' their critters to save on the profit margin.

[siz]

Just have to say, I love to hear that people are doing their research!! Chu'Wuti gave you lots of good info, if you have any more questions, fire away!

[Will0W783]

I have to add always nice to hear someone is doing their research before buying. Definitely have to third the pet store advice as well. I have gotten a few snakes at pet stores, although only reptile-based ones. There was one place that I really liked, but I went in one day and was looking around and was appalled when I saw what the teenage guys working there were doing to a poor Amethystine python. They said it was a "mean" snake, and one was holding it while the others blew up plastic bags and waved them in front of the snake until it struck at them and popped the bags into its face. I asked them what the hell they were doing, and told them they better be prepared to deal with that snake for a long time, as they'd basically ruined it for all but dedicated keepers. Most people who go into pet stores aren't looking for a snake that bites. I would have bought it then and there to get it away from them, but it was $300, and I didn't have the funds. Later that day when I got home, I was still steaming, so I called and asked to speak to the manager and told him what I saw. Don't know if anything ever came of it, but months later that poor snake is still there. I don't have the space for a scrub, but I wish I could. I will NEVER buy from there again, and honestly, no other pet store either. You pay way too much for an animal the workers don't usually know much about. A breeder can tell you when it was born, its entire feeding history, any quirks, etc.