pros and cons of BP ownership

Frithrah82 · 12-09-03, 03:10 AM

Hi all! I've kept snakes for a few years now and feel that I have been doing pretty well in keeping what I have got. Along with the three that I currently have, my boyfriend also has a corn and we're lined up to get a kingsnake within a month for him. He is very excited about having snakes finally (he's pretty new to it) and has been looking into a few larger snakes that he might like. At this point it seems like he is swaying towards ball pythons, and I couldn't be happier, I love my boa, but there's something about bp's that just catches my eye, not to mention the interesting color morphs available (as pricey as some may be)... We aren't planning on getting [whatever snake he decides on] until a few months to a year down the road, but since we're shopping around as it is I figured I'd ask about the pros and cons to ball python ownership (i dont have any issues with husbandry of animals based on what i've already learned so that isnt a concern). Any input into what its like living with a ball python would be appreciated, and i'm ok with the whole truth (not that anyone would sugarcoat anything) it takes a lot to scare me out of something just because theres a bit of challenge involved (although for all that Ive already read there isn't too much to it with balls)
Thanks Ahead of time
~Fuzzy

Piers · 12-09-03, 03:47 AM

the only con to ball pythons is that they will go off food for long periods of time. This can be stressfull to the owner. The only other thing is some of them are pray spacific ie some will only eat mice, hamsters or grebiels(?) that can get costly.
I've had a few go off one pray item to another and then back for no reason, very frustrating.
But other than that they are great snakes, longe lived, easy to keep, a good first snake all around and not too hard to breed.
Just got to remember patience, a healthy snake will eat eventually if conditions are right.
Good luck and keep use posted
Piers
guppyranch@uniserve.com

lilyskip · 12-09-03, 04:25 AM

I love my bps. As Piers said, it is aggravating when they go off feed, but you do save money on food. i am also beginning to wish for snakes that get a little larger, like boas, but since you've got one of those, that base is covered. BPs are fantastic if you're prepared and know what you're doing.

Frithrah82 · 12-09-03, 04:25 AM

so by saying they go off food what exactly does that entail? they just wont eat for a while? Why do they do that exactly?

lilyskip · 12-09-03, 04:26 AM

going off feed = they stop accepting food. you offer it, they don't take it. they fast during winter/breeding season, and some of them just go off food for their own reasons.

daver676 · 12-09-03, 09:11 AM

The only thing that annoys the hell out of me about my bp is the refusal of food. Grrrrr....

Vengeance · 12-09-03, 10:03 AM

Hummidity needs could also be a problem. I haven't read much about Boa's so I don't know if you have already tackled this problem but sill something to keep in mind.

Linds · 12-09-03, 12:59 PM

Important to keep in mind that these are very timid snakes. They will just sit still on you most of the time usually because they are afraid. There first defense is to curl up and be very still. People often mistake this for being "tame", when in fact this is defensive behaviour.

Quote:

Originally posted by Frithrah82
so by saying they go off food what exactly does that entail? they just wont eat for a while? Why do they do that exactly?

Longest period of time I have had a ball python go off feed for was 1 year and 6 days

For what reason, only he knows. Nothing changed in his husbandry nor did he lose much weight during that period of time either. A lot of snakes will go off feed around this time of year due to breeding behaviours and resume again in spring. Ball pythons are more sensitive to stress than a lot of other snakes which can cause them to refuse food as well. Some stresses may include excessive handling, being in high-traffic areas or having a pet sitting on top of the cage frequently.

Vengeance · 12-09-03, 01:15 PM

What is considered excessive handling? I haven't handled mine at all other then to inspect him before I first got him and then put him in his cage. But I was hoping that after the 2 week adjustment period that I would be able to handle him regularly starting out at like 10 min intervals daily and seeing how it goes from their. But what is considered excessive?

foman · 12-09-03, 01:44 PM

I also handle mine often and they don't seem to be stressed, infact when I handle them they love to sit around my neck and chill, if i let them they sit there pretty much all day. I have never had a problem getting them to eat , once they are in the feeding bins watch your fingers. I'm not saying that some BP"s don't go off food, but I don't think it is from handling them.( at least mine are not botherd by being handled).

maiden_canada · 12-09-03, 03:20 PM

they go off feed, and they're pretty boring seriously, they just lie in their hdie all day and might go look around their enclosure once a day for a few minutes. have you thought of getting a JCP or an arboreal species? or maybe something more interesting like a BRB. i like my ball python, they just don't do anything

Soul_Reaper · 12-09-03, 03:23 PM

I've had my ball for a couple of months now, from day one she's been eating fine. As a matter of fact i think that her appetite has gotten bigger, she almost took my fingers as a snack with her food last friday!! LOL!

They take more care than a corn but still...no "seven headed demon", just buy the BP care book and get all the info needed and you should be good to go.

Ron · 12-09-03, 03:51 PM

Quote:

they're pretty boring seriously, they just lie in their hdie all day and might go look around their enclosure once a day for a few minutes.

Did you expect something else from a nocturnal snake? Try checking them out at night when they are active.

Vengeance · 12-09-03, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by maiden_canada
they go off feed, and they're pretty boring seriously, they just lie in their hdie all day and might go look around their enclosure once a day for a few minutes. have you thought of getting a JCP or an arboreal species? or maybe something more interesting like a BRB. i like my ball python, they just don't do anything

I've only had mine for 4 days, first day he found a hide stayed in it never came out (for obvious reasons). Second day he was all over his cage checking out everything climbed all over the trees, across the vines, all over the cage, I sat and watched him for a good hour, then he stopped and just hung out at the top of one of the branches just sitting in the foliage. Third day, he ate, so again he is obviously stayed in his hide.

To generalize and say Ball's are boring is ignorant, just because your Ball is boring doesn't mean that all Ball's are boring.

Delirium · 12-09-03, 04:32 PM

Agreed. Fred is super fun and he hasn't even met us yet

. He's keeping himself very amused it seems lying around on his trees, in his hides, snooping around the expanse of his enclosure (little ******* is looking for a way out...I know it...but oh no Fred, there will be no escapage for you my little slithery friend...you hear that Fred?? *shakes fists*).

Of course i'm a person who enjoys observing animals whether they interact with me or not. So far, four days into our stay together, he's shown curiosity, patience and more relaxation then I could ever muster. Fascinating little bugger. He probably thinks were both freaks, sitting there staring at his cage for hours at a time.

Dee