BP not good beginner snake
Sadly, I'm going to be giving my ball python away to a new home. The main reason is relocation. Next month I'm planning on driving across the country to start afresh.
However, I am also disappointed that my ball python has not been the pet I expected. Even after much research, the ball python tended to be far more finnicky, extremely picky (much to her own detriment) and less intelligent than I'd hoped - to the point of being quite dumb. As such, I spent a great deal of time fussing over her, her enclosure, her food and her picky tastes, and feeling relatively little to no reward for my efforts.
It is a shame that ball pythons are considered beginner snakes by many people, because I would tend to disagree. People are quick to recommend them to newcomers. They are perhaps “beginner pythons”, but in my opinion definitely not beginner snakes.
As a first time snake keeper, but also an animal lover and former zoo keeper, I actually found my ball python too frustrating for any first-time keeper and as such I would refrain from advising them to newcomers.
This experience has sadly tainted my opinion not of snakes, but of keeping snakes, and I am considering it best not to have another in the future, but perhaps try another type of pet instead.
I would advise all beginner hobbyists to choose very wisely when considering a first snake.
Regards,
Limey
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Curator of Reptiles at a reputable zoo.
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