Should I get a Ball Python? - Page 3

Snakefood · 10-05-11, 04:25 PM

I have heard that there are fine, but that if you ever try to switch OFF ASF's, you'll have massive troubles doing so.

**Pareeeee** · 10-05-11, 04:27 PM

hmm okay thanks, maybe be cheaper in the long run just to get regular rats then!!!

Snakefood · 10-05-11, 04:32 PM

if you have a mud-room or back shed. get a breeding pair or trio. then you have no probs, prey-wise and it's UBER CHEAP

**Pareeeee** · 10-05-11, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snakefood

if you have a mud-room or back shed. get a breeding pair or trio. then you have no probs, prey-wise and it's UBER CHEAP

I live in an apartment and just have room to add a snake enclosure. Rats are pretty stinky critters, I know, I used to keep em as pets. Another reason I wouldn't raise live rats for food. I couldn't kill them

I want someone else to do the dirty work of dispatching them for me, lol!

PS: I found a breeder that's selling out their Normal Ball Pythons for $30! I asked them what they feed and they said frozen food.

Snakefood · 10-05-11, 04:55 PM

That's an awsome price! whereabouts are you. One of my customers breeds Normal BP's and has a clutch hatching about now, i could probably get you a good deal on a baby.

Steve'O · 10-05-11, 05:22 PM

I would say as long as you do your research, have the money to provide the proper enclosure, and time to spend working with your pet, then get the animal that most attracts you. Ball pythons in my experience are very easy animals to keep. I would say easier than most pets, including dogs, hamsters, and fish. I keep many species and don't think you should have much problems keeping a ball python as a first snake. The great thing is they come in so many color paterns. They are not super active, but mine enjoy getting out and like to move around, but are not going to shoot across the room where you can't catch them. They attain a nice size, enough to have some weight in the hand, but not so much as to overwhelm. Just keep reading the forums and talk to other owners. If you have a reptile show in your area, try to attend one to see all the different animals and talk with the breeders and other owners. We have a reptile show here in KC every two months. Remember to look at your budget and remember that the enclosure and supplies can cost as much or more than the animal (if it is a normal) at first. Good Luck!

Steve'O · 10-05-11, 05:31 PM

Also, I recommend starting with rats and sticking with rats. It is a pain sometimes to get an animal to switch to rats and mice are not as nutritious and don't get big enough for a full grown BP. I feed all mine FT (frozen thawed) off tongs. You can mail order them in bulk and keep them in the freezer. Don't want a two dollar feeder chewing on your expensive pet snake. Never, never, never leave a live rodent in unsupervised with your snake. If the snake is not ready to eat, even a small mouse can do serious damage...

**Pareeeee** · 10-05-11, 09:02 PM

Don't worry about the live rodent thing, as I said before I have no interest in breeding or feeding live rodents. I have seen HORRIFIC photos of what a live rat can do to a snake...made me cringe...

The setup cost will be minimal - all I need is a tank lid (which I may build, I want something strong that will also be good for keeping humidity in), UTH and bedding. I've got a tank in storage (used to house my old Bearded Dragon, RIP...), hides, fake plants...

I'm thinking of either painting the sides of the tank or taping something around it so the snake feels safer. I've heard having glass all the way around can make them insecure. I want him to be as comfortable as possible!

Again, thanks for all the helpful posts, people!!

**Pareeeee** · 10-05-11, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snakefood

That's an awsome price! whereabouts are you. One of my customers breeds Normal BP's and has a clutch hatching about now, i could probably get you a good deal on a baby.

I'm located in Ontario...other side of the country, lol!

Snakefood · 10-05-11, 09:07 PM

Yeah, it was worth asking.

As for the privacy, I went and got some of those stamps from the dollar store (all different leaves) and a few different colors of glass paint (for mine, browns, burgundy's and greens) and I am in the process of overlapping the stamps (outside of glass) in different colors for different layers until the 3 sides are solid leaf print. I think it's going to look really natural and classy!

ZARADOZIA · 10-06-11, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pareeeee

Don't worry about the live rodent thing, as I said before I have no interest in breeding or feeding live rodents. I have seen HORRIFIC photos of what a live rat can do to a snake...made me cringe...

The setup cost will be minimal - all I need is a tank lid (which I may build, I want something strong that will also be good for keeping humidity in), UTH and bedding. I've got a tank in storage (used to house my old Bearded Dragon, RIP...), hides, fake plants...

I'm thinking of either painting the sides of the tank or taping something around it so the snake feels safer. I've heard having glass all the way around can make them insecure. I want him to be as comfortable as possible!

Again, thanks for all the helpful posts, people!!

For Sasha's viv walls, I went to the Dollar Store and purchased:
--Griprite liners. They are cabinet liners come in 1 foot wide by 5 feet long packages.
--Lots of non-toxic glue (like Elmers or Roseart)
--Moss from the arts n crafts area.
--Plastic tarp
--Small roller brush & paint pan set
--Velcro that has a sticky/tape side

This is messy, but inexpensive. I think I spent 20-25.00 total for everything.

Lay plastic tarp out. I used my table since it is 6feet by 3 feet.
Lay out liners so they are side by side but not touching.
Pour glue into paint pan, use roller brush in glue as if it were paint.
"Paint" the glue onto the first liner, making sure all area is covered and the layer is thick.
Let sit for about 2 minutes so the top layer of glue becomes slightly tacky.
Cover the liner with moss, lay it on HEAVY and press down hard. Allow to dry for 24-48 hours.
Repeat this process for enough liners to cover the walls of the tank.
After the glue is DRY, pick up the liner and gently shake loose any excess moss.
Flip liner on back, afix the velcro to the top to corners and then hang it inside on the tank wall.

(I enjoy a good art project)

**Pareeeee** · 10-06-11, 07:40 AM

LOL similar to what I did with my Crested Gecko tank - I carved a foam rectangle to make it look bumpy and "natural", got some silicone caulking and spread it over the surface, then I pressed repti-bark all over it. Cut a hole in to fit a small plant pot, potted an orchid on the side. It looks kind of like the bark of a tree with little plants and vines hanging off it. I should take a pic and post it at some point. I was all proud of myself when it actually worked, ha!

I love DIY! (it's usually cheaper too)

**Pareeeee** · 10-06-11, 07:41 AM

SPEAKING of DIY...can you DIY a lid for a snake tank that would be 'inescapable'?? I was thinking wire mesh and wood frame...I don't have a lid for the tank that I have in storage and was just wondering...

ZARADOZIA · 10-06-11, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pareeeee

SPEAKING of DIY...can you DIY a lid for a snake tank that would be 'inescapable'?? I was thinking wire mesh and wood frame...I don't have a lid for the tank that I have in storage and was just wondering...

Yes. That's what we did for Sasha's.
Here is the thread with pics of Sasha's viv. The lid and stand are custom built. http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/pytho...tml#post635228

This is a pic of the under-side of the lid my husband built. The lid slip over the glass viv. If you look in the corner you will see small blocks of wood, I had to place them there because Sasha kept wedging hersel in the gap and scraping her back. Now she can't get in there.

Snakefood · 10-06-11, 09:38 AM

ya hubby custom made one of the enclosure lids out of wood and fine wire mesh. He put "twist locks" on it to lock it tight. I personally think it looks nicer and works better than the store bought locking lid.