Thinking of Getting First Snake

[corvettefan]

I'm no noob to reptiles, as my family has two leopard geckos. They're easy to take care of, fun, have great personalities, and are the best pet I've had in a while. I have two younger brothers, and one of them got a leopard gecko for his birthday, I got one around the same time, but my youngest brother doesn't have anything. He takes care of my gecko when I'm not around and does a really good job. I'm thinking of giving mine to him, and snagging a Ball Python. What are some pros and cons to getting a Ball Python over a Leopard Gecko? I doubt I'll get one (mom doesn't like the idea that it could possibly get out, and roam the house) but if I convinced my mom, I definetly will.

Thanks for reading!

 

[Barbel]

I actually think ball pythons are easier to take care of than leopard geckos; no, supplements and they only eat once a week. Especially if you go frozen, which I always recommend. They do have bigger poop, but they don't poop all the time like leos!
And don't worry about escapees. Yes, they can get out and it has happened to us a couple of times, but if you have a good locking top and make sure it stays closed tight, they can't get out. If they do get out, they normally don't roam far.
I really don't see any cons when it comes to ball pythons. The only thing is that you can't hold them for about 48 hours after eating. IMO that's about it!

 

[T&KBrouse]

BPs are by far my favorite snakes. They have great personalities (usually) and a gentle nature.
Well... unless you're a rat...

The drawbacks, I'd have to say, is they are notoriously picky eaters. I have 12 bp and as soon as the temperature drops outside, even when they're in a climate controled room, they go off food. It isn't uncommon for my males to go off food for 4-5 months at a time. It can get really frustrating.
Oh, and I have one male that was nipped by a brown mouse when he was a baby. He's 6 years old now, and still will not touch a brown rodent.
Another issue is you have to have to have to be sure sure they get the proper heat and humidity. Too dry and too cold can lead to a respiritory infection very easily.

Once you get the care right and accept their little quirks, they are simply awesome animals.

 

[corvettefan]

Yeah, I heard they go off food for a while. That would seem really irritating and stressing for someone. Why can't you handle then after 48 hours? I also heard that some will absolutly not take frozen food, which could be a problem for me as I live pretty far from the local pet store. (There is a PetPeople but the only thing they sell are tanks, crickets/worms, bulbs, and supplements)

 

[BalloonzForU]

I agree a ball is the way to go, K hit all the good and bad points. You could go with a corn snake as they are good first time snakes as well, but they are not as fun as the balls and corns poop a lot as all colubrids do!!!

 

[T&KBrouse]

The issue with not holding them for a day or so after eating is pretty standard with all snakes. They need time to digest and if they get disturbed, theres the potential that they could regurgitate their meal, which isn't good for them (and we won't even go into the smell of a regurged rat... :sick

 

[Alliemac]

Regurged rat is the worst smell EVER. I'm shuddering just thinking about it. lol

Balls are great. Friendly, great personalities, good with kids, not too big and gorgeous colors. I've also heard that they can be picky about frozen thawed but I've never had a problem with mine. As long as you're getting rats from a good source like a breeder I've never known anyone to have a ball that couldn't be switched from live to FT. In fact my sister adopted a 7 year old ball about 6 months ago that the owner claimed would only eat WHITE live rats, nothing else. She had him on FT within the first month by giving fresh killed two weeks in a row and then frozen but thawed and heated with a hair dryer the third week. She had to do the dead mousie dance for about 20 minutes the first time with FT but he eats like a champ now.

 

[BalloonzForU]

Regurged rat is the worst smell EVER. I'm shuddering just thinking about it. lol

The worst is when they leave it for you over the heat source!!! :sick:

 

[Alliemac]

For sure! I was at a show a couple of months ago that a boa regurged 3 rats that he ate 2 days before. That was the worst I ever smelled. We practically had to evacuate the place. lol

 

[Barbel]

We have purchased several snakes that were on live only diets and "refused" to eat frozen. We have never purchased a live rat for feeding... EVER!! Never even fed pre-killed. As far as going off feed, it does not stress me at all. Since it is a natural thing for them to do, it just really doesn't bother me. It is only annoying when you are trying to get a female up to breeding weight and she decides not to eat for two months! I also see it as a way to save money on feeders for a while.

 

[ihazabp]

I think they're great pets! I've never had an issue with my Ball Python: Never has refused a meal, never struck at me, etc. They're beautiful and gentle; what more could you want? They don't need alot of requirements as stated before, but SOME are picky eaters (also as stated before.)