I've wanted a ball python for a long time...

clawlan

Don't harass the sea turtles!
Dec 29, 2006
880
0
16
Atlanta, GA
So, I've always loved the ball python and finally I will be moving into my own place (graduating college) and cant get one. Anyone have experience with them?
 
i've been keeping and breeding them for 6 years, they are really awesome snakes, very tame and love to be held. do you plan on getting a baby/juvi or adult?

make sure you have a very tight lid on the tank it's going in, even put some type of weight on top..they are great escape artists.
you wont be dissaponted with one, they are very rewarding if kept healthy. and they grow fast!

these are some SUPER old shots of some of mine as babys..maybe 4 years ago

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(this one went missing for 2 years, tuned up in the basement 2 floors dowm , lol)
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one of my larger ones a few years back..dollar is there to show size
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wow, you sound like a great resource. I have done a good amount of research on them over the years so I feel that I am pretty prepared. I would like to purchase very young so that they can become acclimated to me. I would like to be able to handle them frequently and make sure they are comfortable with that.

Do you have any pictures of your enclosures? I'm trying to get ideas on how to set one up. What supplies do you use? I know I am going to need heating, (pads, light), water, substrate, etc etc. I;m more wondering the specific materials you use and what your setups look like. I have a hard enough time aquascaping; I like to build off the ideas of others.
 
Do you have any pictures of your enclosures? I'm trying to get ideas on how to set one up. What supplies do you use? I know I am going to need heating, (pads, light), water, substrate, etc etc. I;m more wondering the specific materials you use and what your setups look like. I have a hard enough time aquascaping; I like to build off the ideas of others.

no pics right now, but i will try to get some, i mainly use 20gal longs for babys/juvi's, and 40gal breeder tanks for adults, substrate can be newspaper, or aspen bedding..i use newspaper just because its easier to clean, but aspen looks better, and they seem to like it.

i use a heat lamp(dome type) on one side, and a heating pad made for reptiles on the other, with the middle of the tank being the coolest part so they can get out of the heat. heating pads are a must since they use the heat to help digest food items, i use dog bowls for water dishes, even for the small ones, they sometimes like to sit in the water while shedding, i also use those half log cave things as seen in pic number 4, they like to fit tightly into them to feel secure, i mist them with a water bottle every morning and night to keep up the humidity.


babies are good to start out with, within a month, if held alot..they will become much more content with being taken out of their enclosures, mine usually just sit in my hand, or go right up to my neck, lol.

another important thing, i dont know if you've read this anywhere..but their heads are very sensitive, which is why they roll up into a ball when frightened..to protect their head..they HATE when its touched, especially when they are small, they usually just pull their heads back and freak out, but i've had a few that nipped at me..just thought i should mention that :)
 
well if you have any other tips and tricks, id love to hear them. I'm sure I'll be PM'ing you in the future if i have questions or concerns.
 
Yes, they are a cool snake. I dont have one...but wish to buy one.

All i have right now is a 50/50 Kingsnake.

And a lil tip i was told, dont keep your water dish in your tank for more then 2days max. The stuff that grows in the water, is the #1 cause to respiratory infection in snakes.

And dont go all out and buy a HUGE tank for your snake if its still small.
They get scared easily when their tank too room that they wont feel so secure and wont roam around as much.
 
Yes, they are a cool snake. I dont have one...but wish to buy one.

All i have right now is a 50/50 Kingsnake.

And a lil tip i was told, dont keep your water dish in your tank for more then 2days max. The stuff that grows in the water, is the #1 cause to respiratory infection in snakes.

And dont go all out and buy a HUGE tank for your snake if its still small.
They get scared easily when their tank too room that they wont feel so secure and wont roam around as much.


i use bottled water just for that reason, sometimes i forget about it with the fish and all, never had a problem :)
 
back in college I knew a couple of guys with one.....the thing got out all the time. one time it got into their couch and wrapped around some of the metal springs/coils... they ended up cutting the couch apart to get him out
 
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