Why not a ball python?

neromelano · 01-02-11, 07:52 PM

What do you look for in a snake that prohibits you from getting a ball python? Some like rare animals that everyone doesn't own, others like a bit more activity from their snake. I love venomous and cal kings myself. I get almost physically ill at the corn snake/ball python trend, although we may just owe our hobby to their popularity one day. Tell me what you like in a snake and why not a ball python..

infernalis · 01-03-11, 12:40 AM

Personally I prefer active snakes, Our BP is a nice enough snake, but he spends all day under his hide.

My favourite is the Garter snake, they are hyper active, very curious and Diurnal. AND available in more colours than any others I can think of.

Plus they burrow, climb and swim..

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/thamn...to-thread.html

NennaMeerkat · 01-03-11, 01:09 AM

Wow a BLUE!?!??! snake that is just freaking awesome. Looks like he got into a vat of paint LOL

I perfer smaller snakes and overall I like a snake that won't just "dash" out of your hands or do a leap from high up. We had 2 corn snakes for a while that when you got them out were CONSTANTLY on the move...kinda annoying if you just want to sit and chill. When I worked at a zoo several years ago the only ball python they had never liked me and always struck at me (snagged my nose one time) whenever I picked him up. Other people he was fine with though.

The snake I like the most is the Western Hognose. Fell in love with their charming features and quiet personality. They also are a rather "fat" snake than being rope like. From the two we had at that same zoo it seems they are also more docile and will just curl up and chill in your hands rather than constantly being on the move.

I will say this...Pibald colored ball pythons are GORGEOUS and if I ever get the chance I will own at least one. Here is a picture:

I also LOVE the bumblebee:

It may be that people like the ball python because they can come so deserve in markings, colors, and patterns?

silvsupratt · 01-03-11, 01:28 AM

i go with whatever type of mood im in at the time, thats why im building a large collection of a different variety.. if i want one to cruise around my arm ill play with one of my corns, but if we're just chillin i take out my young JCP which i dont really like doing all that much right now, so im looking at a couple BP's right now for that very reason

BTW gorgeous blue garter :O

percey39 · 01-03-11, 01:55 AM

Hmm with my pythons i love em BIG. As im from the land down under i can only keep native species, so for that reason i own scrubbies and olive pythons. I must admit though my true passion with snakes is in the venomous species. Im focusing mainly on building my collection of hots up a bit more so than my pythons.

We all start somewhere when we enter this hobby and for that reason corns and balls are great snakes for you guy's. Also with the amount of morphs available to you's there is no shortage of owning a different snake to someone else with these two species. Both corns and balls have some amazing looking animals being produced by many different and reputable breeders.

Lankyrob · 01-03-11, 05:46 AM

I love snakes full stop really. Not many that i don;t like tho there are a few that i wouldn't necesarily want to own myself. I tend to prefer "normal" snakes rather than the morph's, especially with Balls.

Recently beginning to fall more for the lizard line of reptiles so the future may well be four legged!!

Will0W783 · 01-03-11, 01:07 PM

A ball python was my first snake, but I would not recommend them as a first to people just starting out. They are very very finicky eaters, very sensitive to humidity and temperature changes, very lazy. In general they are just delicate pains in the butt. That being said, I love my BP. But I prefer snakes with a bit more size and personality to them. I love all Morelia (my carpets are some of my favorite snakes) and the giants like retics and Burms are also very cool snakes to own. I had a superdwarf retic and she was very intelligent and curious for a snake, and I recently adopted a Burm so we will see how he comes along.

As far as colubrids go, I prefer the unusual. I own a male FWC and a female Spilotes and both are very neat snakes. I absolutely adore Spilotes- they are alert, intelligent, curious snakes that will watch your every move while you are in the room!

shaunyboy · 01-03-11, 03:45 PM

because i'm a morelia addict

just gotta love carpets.....!!!

cheers shaun

Will0W783 · 01-03-11, 06:11 PM

Amen to that, Shaun! And Wayne, I totally want an albino checkered garter now. I saw one at the local pet store---DAY-GLO snake. I'm just afraid to have something that small. But someday....

marvelfreak · 01-03-11, 06:24 PM

Hello and welcome!

Med size with sweet color and active. Is what i look for in a snake. I love Carpet the great snakes of all time. With Rainbows and Bloods follow right be hide. I have had ball pythons and they're ok just not my cup of tea. Diamonds Carpet are the world most beautiful snakes.

infernalis · 01-03-11, 07:45 PM

Maybe I'm a freak, but I have never met an ugly snake yet.

Even the oddest of snakes have a primal beauty that draws me to them.

No arms, no legs, yet they manage to subdue prey that has an advantage on them.

Arboreal snakes often grab birds from flight, Certain snakes can dive under water and grab a fish (try that with your hand sometime) Dekayi snakes extract snails from the shell with only their mouths, Garter snakes take down frogs (who can leap further than the snake is long with one bound), boas catch rabbits, etc..

So even though we will probably always have a Royal Python, I will certainly always have many more others.

I even have a certain fondness for "cranky snakes" Like my Black Racer. Not many people keep those, they don't like to be touched, they bite, but they are so intelligent and always aware of everything around that I will always keep at least one.

Reptile_Reptile · 01-03-11, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infernalis

Maybe I'm a freak, but I have never met an ugly snake yet.Even the oddest of snakes have a primal beauty that draws me to them.

amen to that

**Aaron_S** · 01-05-11, 08:46 AM

I keep multiple ball pythons and I don't recommend it for every new snake owner. As Kim stated they can be bad eaters and I find they tolerate handling less than a corn. Cornsnakes are the ULTIMATE beginner snake.

BlindOne · 01-05-11, 11:48 AM

I'm not sure what it is, I have -zero- interest in BP's. Finicky snakes annoy me.

Ch^4 · 01-05-11, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infernalis

Maybe I'm a freak, but I have never met an ugly snake yet.

Even the oddest of snakes have a primal beauty that draws me to them.

No arms, no legs, yet they manage to subdue prey that has an advantage on them.

Arboreal snakes often grab birds from flight, Certain snakes can dive under water and grab a fish (try that with your hand sometime) Dekayi snakes extract snails from the shell with only their mouths, Garter snakes take down frogs (who can leap further than the snake is long with one bound), boas catch rabbits, etc..

So even though we will probably always have a Royal Python, I will certainly always have many more others.

Well said! Snakes are awe-inspiring and beautiful creatures, and as you mentioned, I don't think there's an ugly snake out there.

They are powerful, yet extremely agile and graceful. Their odd methods of locomotion are astounding. Tasting the air, "seeing" heat, controlling a highly complex muscular system like a flawlessly orchestrated symphony; truly spectacular and unique. And I almost forgot their individual personalities.

BPs are certainly not the best snake for a novice, but I feel they are fun and challenging to work with.....every experienced keeper should have a pair of balls!

(I was not trying to be sexist in any way, shape, or form...I just couldn't resist!)