Scared of snakes

Bradyloach · 03-04-12, 06:06 PM

Hey guys! I've always been scared of snakes, like I've never ever held one. But over the past week I've been looking at the ball pythons. Of course if I got a snake I would wait like a year till I moved out and I could get a hatchling from a local breeder. But are these good starter snakes? I have a savannah monitor. And my brother has a bearded dragon which I take care of sort of! But I have lots of money, so I could afford a mouse every week there no doubt! What do you guys think? What's the minimum tank size for an adult? Or hatchling? Thanks guys

youngster · 03-04-12, 06:14 PM

Ball pythons are a piece of cake if you can care for a monitor properly.

Take a look at Alessia's (alessia55) website on BP care.
Ball Python Care, Information, About ball pythons

alessia55 · 03-04-12, 06:17 PM

Thanks Eli!

Also, (as on the feeding page of my website), ball pythons will need RATS as grown ups, not MICE.

Read through my website and feel free to ask more questions!

Ball Python Care, Information, About ball pythons

Bradyloach · 03-04-12, 06:18 PM

I've read your site 3 times already!!! I just wanted some owners tips! They seem like a really cool snake

Squirtle · 03-04-12, 06:23 PM

bp's can go off feed sometimes for long periods and it can be stressful. i'd get a king snake or corn if i were you.

Skumbo · 03-04-12, 06:27 PM

Colubrids (milksnakes, cornsnakes, kingsnakes, etc) are definitely great especially if you're scared of snakes at all, their heads are a lot smaller, therefore certainly aren't as "intimidating" looking. That said, BP's are extremely docile in general so I wouldn't worry too much about either.

They also stay a bit smaller and are usually just as easy to care for as BP's!

Bradyloach · 03-04-12, 06:27 PM

I can do stressful

theapexgerman · 03-04-12, 06:27 PM

Why not a corn or a milk or a king snakes make a better pet than a ball python for some one who barely getting into the snake hobby less requierments than a ball for most part a corn,king,milk arnt as likely to go off fed and arnt picky eater besides a few but balls are great I think coulbrids are better

theapexgerman · 03-04-12, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skumbo

Colubrids (milksnakes, cornsnakes, kingsnakes, etc) are definitely great especially if you're scared of snakes at all, their heads are a lot smaller, therefore certainly aren't as "intimidating" looking. That said, BP's are extremely docile in general so I wouldn't worry too much about either.

They also stay a bit smaller and are usually just as easy to care for as BP's!

Damm you beat me to it

mattchibi · 03-04-12, 06:30 PM

An adult male will be fine to live all of its adult years in a 28 to 32 qt tub, and most adult females and big males can live in 41 qt tubs. Hatchlings will start in anywhere between 6 and 15 quart tubs.

Rough dimensions of tubs:
6 quart tub: 8" x 13 1/8" x 4"
12 quart tub: 10 1/2" x 15 3/4" x 5 1/2" (I use these right now for 4 of my hatchlings)
30 quart tub: 16 1/8" x 23 3/4" x 6"
41 quart tub: 17.75" x 33.5" x 5.25"

Got those measurements from Cornel's World, one of my preferred rack suppliers in Canada.

While if you choose a glass tank setup, I believe adult males under 1000 grams can thrive in a 20 gal, while a female or male bigger than 1000 grams will probably want to eventually live in something bigger. Contrary to popular belief, BP's do not like to climb. So finding an enclosure that isn't too tall, and is long and flat, almost like a "cave", is best for BP's.

Great site alessia, had no idea you made one. Kudos

Edit: oops forgot to add, I agree with those above posts about issues with BP's feeding and other requirements.. corn snakes are quite a bit easier. But if you are willing to put in the time to learn and provide a great home for your pet ball python, I definitely think you should go with what you will like the most in the long run.

Gungirl · 03-04-12, 06:31 PM

Get the kind of snake you like. I got a GTP about 2 months after I got into snakes. Just do your research and ask questions along the way. I love my royal, he is very calm and mellow. Set your viv up a few days before you get it in order to allow you to make sure your temps and humidity are good.

Bradyloach · 03-04-12, 06:35 PM

I want a snake that will can be handled with stress?

theapexgerman · 03-04-12, 06:38 PM

Well no snakes like to be handle when stress but go with a corn or a milk snakes there tons of morphs and not bad price I think milks are better than corns my milk was the first snake I got 4 years ago and very well handle even as a baby and I held a lot of milks over the years and only a few was fussy

Bradyloach · 03-04-12, 06:40 PM

Ya, i have to buy my sav her adult enclosure and a couple more things. Then I'll be looking at maybe a snake or another lizard

theapexgerman · 03-04-12, 06:42 PM

If you do get a milk stay away from a hondo there one of the ill temper as babys