need information for my son any helep would be appreciated

[frustrated mom]

thank u guys for ur concern....i have vets who specalize in snakes i can get ahold of if needed...when i meant funds r limited i meant i dont have 600 to go drop on snake and setup....as far as food my son s goin to be givin a year supply ..plus my freind breeds them and said no prob on helping with a good food supply...and yes he has researched it extensivly and so have we..its not something we have entered lightly...we have been researching balls for almost 2 years and have introduced him to freinds that have balls so he knows what to expect...he even reminds the owners when we go over to wash hands before and after...i appreciate the concern but yes we can take care of vet and food an the electric it uses...and we have researched extensively..a freind was goin to use sand for substrate my son chewed him oyut for 10 min on how it can get under the scales and cause problem and insisted he buy the approved subsrate ...preferably the cedar cuz it smells better..but thats his opimon..he even added to the reind they make a cork one that is similar to sand but safe for snakes u can get that instead.if u use sand i not speak to u ever again...so no worries we have done our research on it..and have calculated in the costs of upkeep of a snake....

[aRepDysfunction]

I am going to be the polite one on this one, cedar substrates can cause serious damage to snakes and other reptiles. i am hoping that you meant either aspen or cypress.

[CosmicOwl]

Originally Posted by aRepDysfunction

I am going to be the polite one on this one, cedar substrates can cause serious damage to snakes and other reptiles. i am hoping that you meant either aspen or cypress.

Also, I pretty it's a myth that you shouldn't keep snakes on sand due to it getting under their scales. I'm probably possible that sand could get under a scale, but I don't think it happens often. Pure sand would probably be bad for various other reasons, but a lot of people use the sand/soil mixture without issue.

For something that is a complete anecdote, my corn snakes scales have looked shinier and nicer since switching from aspen to dirt. The dust you get from a lot of bedding is probably worse the the potential risk of getting sand under a scale.

[Terranaut]

Cedar and pine can be toxic to reptiles. Do not use them.

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by frustrated mom

thank u guys for ur concern....i have vets who specalize in snakes i can get ahold of if needed...when i meant funds r limited i meant i dont have 600 to go drop on snake and setup....as far as food my son s goin to be givin a year supply ..plus my freind breeds them and said no prob on helping with a good food supply...and yes he has researched it extensivly and so have we..its not something we have entered lightly...we have been researching balls for almost 2 years and have introduced him to freinds that have balls so he knows what to expect...he even reminds the owners when we go over to wash hands before and after...i appreciate the concern but yes we can take care of vet and food an the electric it uses...and we have researched extensively..a freind was goin to use sand for substrate my son chewed him oyut for 10 min on how it can get under the scales and cause problem and insisted he buy the approved subsrate ...preferably the cedar cuz it smells better..but thats his opimon..he even added to the reind they make a cork one that is similar to sand but safe for snakes u can get that instead.if u use sand i not speak to u ever again...so no worries we have done our research on it..and have calculated in the costs of upkeep of a snake....

You should double check all the research done. I am really liking the enthusiasm of your son but I don't know what they teach in school in regards to how to differentiate between good and bad sources.

You should do more research and sift through it for more advice.

For ball pythons, aspen, cypress, cocohusk,eco earth, paper towel, newspaper are all great substrates to use. I personally have used each one with my ball pythons and all have their pros and cons but currently I stick with newspaper/paper towel as it's just easier for me.

I would shy away from any other wood bedding.

[frustrated mom]

yes i ment cypress sorry...that is the one my son wants to use...i count think of the name that late..lol i had brain shut down nd yes we r continuing to do research u can never do enough
he isnt in school yet...hess very excited about starting next year

[Hyokenseisou]

Right, because kids shouldn't handle snakes...

(A child at an event dealing with my 6'3" guyana boa just fine, he was respectful, gentle, and calm; he loved Bear.)

I've seen plenty of kids this age, younger, or older, handle snakes JUST fine without then dropping dead. I also know plenty of friends, breeders, enthusiasts with kids of all ages handle snakes, sometimes better than the parent and they're all just fine. Some people grow up around that and so they know how to handle them. Now I wouldn't suggest a 4 yr old handling a hot herp.... But that's just suggested for anyone, at least not without EXTREME precaution and care.
I say, good on ya for letting your son be exposed to herps. I understand that it just isn't for everyone, some people have true phobias and can't get over it no matter what, but exposed and education is key to understanding the mysterious and beautiful.

[aRepDysfunction]

dude no one here was debating the benefit of exposing them to herps, or letting them touch, learn or play with them. The concern is with letting someone so young adopt one as a pet when said pet will potentially still be around after the kid is done college.

I have a few young nephews, i try to buy them gifts and by the time i have delivered them gifts, they are on to their next obsession.