BP not good beginner snake - Page 6

EmbraceCalamity · 01-08-13, 12:30 AM

Wow. I wasn't trying to start a novel. Just an observation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by limey

You are assuming, Embrace Calamity. One must not assume. I'm talking in the past tense... I have offered her food every week... in the past.

Yes, and you cited that as your reason for your frustration, hence me doing the same.

Quote:

Originally Posted by limey

I'm not so much getting worked up mate, it's difficult to convey your message by writing sometimes. In person, I'm very chilled. On a forum, I write more "to the point", but that doesn't mean I'm getting worked up. Just getting my message across.

You said you were frustrated with your snake. Frustrated is a level of worked up in my opinion. That is what I was referring to.

Quote:

Originally Posted by limey

I guess when others come on here and say "I disagree" and "they are perfect for beginners", I feel like people are trying to tell me I am wrong. I don't think anybody is necessarily right or wrong, we are talking "case by case basis" here. They aren't right for everybody. Just like most people couldn't manage handling the pack of timber wolves I used to work with a couple years back. It's not always cut and dry.

Wait...you said they're not good beginner snakes (reference: title), but when people say they are, then you say there is no right or wrong and it's only "case by case basis."

Quote:

Originally Posted by limey

Then people wonder why there are so many snakes given up, abandoned, neglected or given away... I guess I'm straying from the point here.

I don't think anyone wonders that...

Quote:

Originally Posted by limey

Beginner in my mind is something that takes very little effort to upkeep. The average guy in the street (not me) wouldn't think you have to do considerable research before getting a pet snake. Many people would just get a few tank essentials and just get one. Those people are your typical beginners. And those people might have their snake die on them or end up not knowing what to do and giving it up to a shelter. Everyone told them to get a BP, and they failed at it's upkeep. Why? Because keeping one might not be as simple as a beginner assumes. And that is why I don't believe this is a beginner snake. My opinion.

If your idea of a "beginner" snake is something that requires little or no research or knowledge, then you're out of your mind. That doesn't exist, nor should any snake be put in that situation, "beginner" or not. Every animal on the face of the planet requires research and knowledge. Some are more delicate and require more work, but they all need proper care that can only be given by someone knowledgeable.

~Maggot

limey · 01-08-13, 12:51 AM

Ahhh, I can't win. Especially if I'm going to have my posts picked apart.

How's about me phrasing it like this:

1. A ball python wasn't the right snake for me.
2. I did a fair job keeping my BP in good shape considering I live near the arctic circle.
3. Lots of snake people are quick to recommend ball pythons.
4. Keepers should always advise the prospective keepers to do considerable research before getting a snake because to many people (generally speaking, and not referring to me) it might not be common knowledge that keeping a snake can be trickier and very different than, say, keeping a dog.
5. Ensure newbs know what they are getting into (the best you can) before recommending a species and simply saying "these are good beginner snakes", as many people do.

These are the points I'm trying to make. And in an ideal world, the last 2 points are things I would like people to be aware of.

Case in point... we had a lady come on here in the early autumn asking all kinds of questions on the forum. She'd never owned a snake before and had just bought a BP for her young son. She wanted to try and take care of it right. When some of the members tried to advise her of the husbandry needs of the BP she seemed very overwhelmed. She couldn't meet some of it's needs, if I recall, she couldn't get the cold side warm enough, the part of the U.S. she was in was very dry and had trouble with the humidity, plus all kinds of other problems. In the end, she found it very difficult, not as she had imagined a beginner snake to be at all. Perhaps if she had purchased a corn snake, it might have survived or even thrived.

The lady, in her frustration (with both the hubandry and some of the members here (who can also get a bit high and mighty at times it would seem) left the forum. Nobody knows what became of the snake, but it probably wasn't good. Inevitably, my point is, a corn snake is perhaps a better all-round beginner snake. It would be more forgiving of beginner errors.

EmbraceCalamity · 01-08-13, 12:59 AM

I don't think anyone is or ever has disagreed with anything you just said. My comment had absolutely nothing to do with whether or not BPs were good beginner snakes.

~Maggot

limey · 01-08-13, 01:05 AM

I understand mate.

Speaking to whole forum now: Me, for example, now knowing what I know, I wouldn't say "ball pythons make great beginner snakes, you should get one", and anyone that says otherwise argue with them.

I would be more inclined to say "Ball pythons might make a good first snake for you if you feel you can meet the following criteria and required husbandry - X temps, X humidity, X space and hides and water, and feeding blah blah blah."

Like I say, there's a lot of people that don't know squat about snakes out there and they hear that ball pythons are great beginner snakes from other keepers and on forums like this, and they might go out and get one and then think "oh poo, what have I got myself into"...

The statement of the year should be "it's a good first snake if...

The key word is that "if"... that's where people need to be educated on snake care. A beginner snake to people on here might be a walk in the park, but a beginner snake to a real, never-before reptile keeper might be a really challenging, daunting thing. Just remember that.

sws · 01-08-13, 01:19 AM

i think the same can be said for ANY pet animal/human all pets of every kind have some special needs i mean look at dogs and cats they get abandoned more then snakes and treated worse in alot of cases, i dont think this is a BP or even snake problem more a pet owner/buyer not doing enough research and then getting in over their heads. I personal have saved more pets then i like to think need saving and not just snakes.

so over all i think in the end we all all correct in are own way limey has very valid points(personal i cant have a corn afraid of hurting them they are soooo freaking thin) and so do the rest of you guys, BPs are and are not good beginners same with corns it really is snake by snake basis(well and human by human).

limey · 01-08-13, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sws

i think the same can be said for ANY pet animal/human all pets of every kind have some special needs i mean look at dogs and cats they get abandoned more then snakes and treated worse in alot of cases, i dont think this is a BP or even snake problem more a pet owner/buyer not doing enough research and then getting in over their heads. I personal have saved more pets then i like to think need saving and not just snakes.

so over all i think in the end we all all correct in are own way limey has very valid points(personal i cant have a corn afraid of hurting them they are soooo freaking thin) and so do the rest of you guys, BPs are and are not good beginners same with corns it really is snake by snake basis(well and human by human).

True, well said.

sws · 01-08-13, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by limey

True, well said.

....0.0 -tilts head to side- thank you most the time i get seriously beeped out when i say stiff like that, its why i basically quit forums for over 3 years was tired of getting yelled at by people.

Philmul · 01-08-13, 03:40 AM

When I got a ball python I did my research and after that I new I was taking on a snake that was very picky and could eat fine for yrs an stop eating for months or just intermittent through out her yrs. but after reading all the other pro's I still thoughts I would take the challenge.

No body is picking on anyone. Just trying to help, some are agreeing that they are not for beginners, they say corn snakes are better. Then others are saying why they think balls are good first snakes

**Aaron_S** · 01-08-13, 07:56 AM

Everybody should just take my advice and start with a corn.

Kettennatter · 01-08-13, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

Everybody should just take my advice and start with a corn.

If somebody has no specific requirements and wants a first snake, I would agree with that statement. I've seen people with a big adult snowcorn who thought they had a juvenile albino burmese, and set up heat like it was a burmese. It's amazing how hardy corns are.

sws · 01-08-13, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

Everybody should just take my advice and start with a corn.

maybe may be not, me and corns do not get along if i had started with one i would have ended up either losing interest or letting my bro take it from me like he tried to do with my BP, i really think people should look at both and see what one is more appealing and probably handle each breed.
i have found corn snakes that tried eating me and yes they wore adults so it really does come down to the snake and the person adopting it then, you can have a easy snake and not like its personality so you don,t like the snake.

limey · 01-08-13, 04:28 PM

I will probably get another snake at some point. I can't deny I still find snakes very interesting. I may get a corn next time. Either way, this isn't going to be the end for me and snakes. Just gained some wisdom from the experience... also learned a lot about myself and what I look for in a pet!