Ball Python Care - Page 3

redsided · 10-02-11, 07:32 PM

My moms problem was feeding mice. But i convinced her since these were garter snakes... dont need mice. Now she loves em. Doesn't want to touch them but likes em a bunch. Still hates the idea of mice.

alessia55 · 10-02-11, 07:53 PM

My mom was a really hard person to turn over and allow me to get my first snake... I was 15, so maybe this will help... This is what I did:

Prove you're responsible. This means taking care of pets you already have, doing your chores, doing your homework, don't break any house rules, and get good grades.
Subtles cues! Stock up on books and magazines about snakes and reptiles. I had magazine cut-out pictures on my walls and snake photos as my computer destop backgroud. Your parents will pick up on your undying interest.
Be reasonable. Don't ask for a retic, a big boa, any other big snake, or any snake that has a tendency to be aggressive. Choose from "beginner" snakes like corn snakes, ball pythons, etc. that are less "threatening" looking, and easy to take care of.
Be persistent, but don't overwhelm them. You want them to know how badly you want a reptile, but you don't want that to be the only thing they hear you talking about 24/7. Do tell them about you school work, times when you've been good, etc.
Size & space matter! Remind them: some snakes, as babies, don't need large enclosures at all. When they're little, they can live in a 10gal. They don't bark, don't need to be taken out to walk, don't take up space, and don't shed fur all over the place. I showed my mom pictures of a baby corn snake and how little it was.
Be understanding. Ask them why they don't want you to have a snake, acknowledge their concerns, and calmly rebuttal them. My mom was afraid of snakes, so I made it a point to acknowledge that and answer any questions she had about them.
Most importantly: Be Patient! This process can take time. I know you want one now, but you have time on your side. Persistence and time will eventually work to your advantage. Don't get frustrated-- stick to it! Eventually your parents will turn to see your side.

It's been six years and I've owned 3 snakes, and my mom even holds mine now. But it all took time, patience, and understanding. Good luck!

ZARADOZIA · 10-03-11, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alessia55

My mom was a really hard person to turn over and allow me to get my first snake... I was 15, so maybe this will help... This is what I did:
1. Prove you're responsible. This means taking care of pets you already have, doing your chores, doing your homework, don't break any house rules, and get good grades.
2. Subtles cues! Stock up on books and magazines about snakes and reptiles. I had magazine cut-out pictures on my walls and snake photos as my computer destop backgroud. Your parents will pick up on your undying interest.
3. Be reasonable. Don't ask for a retic, a big boa, any other big snake, or any snake that has a tendency to be aggressive. Choose from "beginner" snakes like corn snakes, ball pythons, etc. that are less "threatening" looking, and easy to take care of.
4. Be persistent, but don't overwhelm them. You want them to know how badly you want a reptile, but you don't want that to be the only thing they hear you talking about 24/7. Do tell them about you school work, times when you've been good, etc.
5. Size & space matter! Remind them: some snakes, as babies, don't need large enclosures at all. When they're little, they can live in a 10gal. They don't bark, don't need to be taken out to walk, don't take up space, and don't shed fur all over the place. I showed my mom pictures of a baby corn snake and how little it was.
6. Be understanding. Ask them why they don't want you to have a snake, acknowledge their concerns, and calmly rebuttal them. My mom was afraid of snakes, so I made it a point to acknowledge that and answer any questions she had about them.
7. Most importantly: Be Patient! This process can take time. I know you want one now, but you have time on your side. Persistence and time will eventually work to your advantage. Don't get frustrated-- stick to it! Eventually your parents will turn to see your side.
It's been six years and I've owned 3 snakes, and my mom even holds mine now. But it all took time, patience, and understanding. Good luck!

Alessia made excellent points.

Speaking solely as a parent the first thoughts and concerns that come to mind are:
1. Life Span - How long will it live? Most snakes can live over 15 years. This can be a BIG deal for parents because the bottom line is will you care for it for its entire life span or will it become the parent’s job because you are off to college and can’t have it with you.

2. What kind of food is required? Many people, especially those that do not care for snakes, do not like the idea of feeding it mice, chicks, rats. And the idea of keeping frozen mice, chicks, and rats in the freezer grosses people out.

3. What kind of environment / habitat? (Cost)

4. Are you mature enough and responsible enough to care for the snake?

Again, speaking solely as a parent, if I were your mom and didn’t like snakes, my biggest concern would be feeding it. Let’s say you are off to college and found out you can’t bring your snake with you. It is now MY responsibility to care for it and feed it. Well, I don’t like snakes and I REALLY do not want to feed it mice or rats because that’s gross. …

So, my advice- pick a snake that does not require mice/rats as the main food. I think a garter would be a great starter snake because they eat earthworms, amphibians, leeches, slugs, snails, insects, crayfish, and small fish. Food is essentially inexpensive and your mom shouldn’t have an issue with feeding it. There are a lot of people here that have garters and can give you all the advice and proper care information that you will need.

Plus garter snakes are much more active than ball pythons and they do not get as big. Generally speaking, a smaller snake is less scary than a large snake.

Proving to Mom that you are responsible:
Try making a deal with your mom, see if she will go for the "reward system." We work on a reward system at my house. My son has to prove to me that he has earned whatever it is wants. For example, when he was about 12 yrs old he wanted to dye his hair blue. So I told him he had to make honors all year, more A’s than B’s and then we could dye it during the summer. He held up his end of the bargain, so I dyed his hair blue. My son owns a Savannah Monitor but I wouldn’t let him have any pet until he was 15. I didn’t feel he was old enough for such a responsibility and your mom may feel the same way.

For this to work, you will need to think about the things that your mom is always telling you to do. Then make a deal with her that you will prove to her how responsible you are by doing that over a period of time and as a reward for being responsible you want a snake. For example, Clean your room every day WITHOUT her telling you to, clean the kitchen every day after dinner WITHOUT her telling you to, mowing the lawn, shoveling snow, scouring the bathroom, doing laundry, etc.

The best way to pitch this idea to your mom is:
“Mom, I would really like to have a pet snake and I have done the research and I think a garter snake would be great because they don’t get big and they don’t eat mice. They eat worms and fish which is not expensive and easy to get. I also know that I must prove to you that I can be responsible and take care of it on my own. So I will make great grades in school and keep my room clean and anything else you wish for me to do. I know this will take time so if I am able to prove to you that I am responsible, would you consider it by next year please? Just think about it and we can discuss it again when I turn 15-16.”

Some links I found about garters:
BioKIDS - Kids' Inquiry of Diverse Species, Critter Catalog, Thamnophis sirtalis, common garter snake
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/gaston/Pests...gsnakecare.pdf

GarterPython · 10-03-11, 06:48 PM

Her biggest probem is the frosen mice and the food but the insects and stuff doesnt help because that is worse than frzen mice to her. She doesnt want them in the freezer I said that I could get my on freezer still didnt care. She also just hate snakes period but I gotta wait for the right time to ask her to look on the forum. Trust me on that I know my mom well.

**millertime89** · 10-03-11, 09:54 PM

well with a ball there's no live insects, and you don't have to keep a stock of frozen mice, you can always just run to the pet store on feeding day.

GarterPython · 10-03-11, 10:06 PM

Thats very true millertime89. I gotta say that because thats actually a good idea. Thnks everybody, espesially................everyone.

**millertime89** · 10-03-11, 10:26 PM

the only complication I could foresee is if you get a picky eater, you'll be throwing away a lot of mice until he/she decides to start feeding. PetCo individually wraps them and you don't even see them until you cut the bag open (be careful, I cut off part of the tail on the last one). And then its only a matter of a minute before its in the snake's mouth.

GarterPython · 10-04-11, 07:30 PM

Yea ill try anything at this point and I know it will take time and I am willing to take that time but it seems like it is going almost nowhere.

Snakefood · 10-04-11, 08:51 PM

make sure you check the local laws/restrictions when choosing your snake. Garters would be a great starter snake, except if you live in BC, it's against the "indigenous species act"

GarterPython · 10-04-11, 09:02 PM

I live in alberta and as I said insects and stuff would be worst than the frozen mice.

GarterPython · 10-05-11, 03:07 PM

I want a snake so bad. Im going to try and get to the book or petstore to get some books mabye then I have a bit more of a chance. I have always wanted a snake even since I was like 6. No joke. Now i get why i didnt get it back then but I now am old enough to get one.

Snakefood · 10-05-11, 03:18 PM

you should check around for reptile/snake rescues in your area to volunteer for. Being willing to commit your time to snakes in need, even if you can't have one at present, goes a long way to showing your serious about your passion. It also lets you practice your passion during the span of time that you are unable to have your own.

GarterPython · 10-05-11, 03:21 PM

There isnt to many rescues around here and I already told my friend that I can baby sit his snake any time he is gone.