[Ghostbuster]

i was thinking about getting a ball python some time ago, but i didnt have the time or money to be able to care for it

[Ghostbuster]

i need a shitload more details.

first off, wtf is a flexwatt? :P

[Keemo]

yeah i love snakes, but at the same time dont know much about them or how to take care of them. I'd love to one day have one, not for sexual purposes of course, but they are very sexy in my book.

[Nerp]

I have one male BP and he is housed in a 40 gal breeder tank. I also have many other reptiles, but mostly am into turtles and tortoises.



JessCurious gave you some great questions to think over. Myself I love the BP because to me it's a nice size and it moves slowly, it's not a racey snake. One of their biggest drawbacks generally is the fact that some can be picky eaters and some do little mini hunger strikes which can drive you crazy with worry until they start eating again. :russian_roulette: They come in many beautiful colors and patterns, but I still like the more natural and common markings.

Another thing I would add to the list is how much are you wanting to spend? Not just the cost of the snake, but the equipment and even the food to feed it. Perhaps even looking at your feelings at to what the snake's food preference might be. Many people have difficulty feeding an animal to a snake (like mice, rats, or rabbits), but are fine with insects and fish.

P.S. Another word of warning about reptiles...they are like Lay's potato chips...you can't have just one.

This post has been edited by Nerp: 15 June 2007 - 05:04 PM

[Ghostbuster]

JessCurious, on Jun 15 2007, 04:38 PM, said:

Before you get a snake, you should ask yourself what role you want it to play in your life.

Do you want a pretty decorative animal to look at?
Do you want an animal that will be active and interesting during the day?
Do you want a snake you can walk around the house with, draping it around your shoulders?
Do you want to be able to handle it daily, or would you rather just observe it?
What size snake are you comfortable handling?
Do you have a source for prey animals in your area?
Do you have a vet local to you who is experienced in the care of reptiles?

I ask because what ball pythons want often conflicts with what first time snake owners want. If you clarify what you want to get out of your pet, it will help you find the right pet for your needs.

i would like to be able to carry it around anywhere, and one thats as big as my arm would be cool. i plan on moving to austin in a few months so there should be a good vet somewhere.........though i do like the vet i have for my dog now, moving pains <_< .

but ya, i would like to interact with the animal on a daily basis if at all possable

[Nerp]

Finding a good herp vet can be hard to do. Most have very little knowledge with them and it's important they know them because it's easy for medication to kill a reptile. Reptiles also tend to not show that they are sick, until it's serious. They also can make lousy patients. Hingeback tortoises for instance love to pull their heads in and lock down their shells tight, then they can will just sit and wait for hours to open up.



JessCurious: Are you breeding your BPs?

[Ghostbuster]

JessCurious, on Jun 16 2007, 08:31 AM, said:

I rather thought that might be the case...most first time herpers with a new pet want to play with it a lot....and ball pythons hate that.

Ball pythons are shy, reclusive, don't want to be touched, don't want to be carried around, and will stress out and quit eating if they get too much attention.

Consider a red-tailed boa instead...they get bigger, but if you get a male he'll stay under 7 feet, and they tolerate handling a lot better than ball pythons do and with a better feeding response. Also be aware that no snake really likes being handled a lot...they are happier left alone. Handling is something we impose on them because we enjoy it, and many snakes tolerate it well but none of them seek it out.

-_- well in that case i guess i wont get one at all, im sure there will be long stretches where i dont handle it, but if its going to stress out the animal i wont do it

[Nerp]

guy22, on Jun 16 2007, 10:06 AM, said:

-_- well in that case i guess i wont get one at all, im sure there will be long stretches where i dont handle it, but if its going to stress out the animal i wont do it

Snakes are just like any other animal, they each have their own personalities and likes/dislikes, then add into the equation that they are still wild animals. Often if you work with them when they are young, they will become use to being handled...some even seem to enjoy it. You just need to work with them and always listen to what they are telling you. When they say enough is enough, then put them away. You also need to remember simple things like most can't be handled during shed times, or right after feeding. Just like people, many are grumpy when woke up in the middle of their sleep time.

[HeWhoLovesHorses]

you know nerp, i was hoping ever since i had seen your avatar that you where a herp lol

had over 20 reptiles at one point before i got in........and my favorite where, and still are my turtles and tortoises. had to give all of them up when i joined the military though.........just was not able to take them with me when i move, let alone give them the care they need.


my favorites where my F box turtle, explorer (a good name for that little reptilian bulldozer.......she was not scared of ANYTHING within a few years of catching her)
3 of my eastern painted turtles (still remember the latin name for them lol) snappy M, bubbles F, and squeak F. i also loved my green iguana, stretch.........forgot how much i missed them until today.........hopefully i will again have my little collection........though....it will be impossible it get most, if any of my old group back :(

i also had 2 leopard tortoises, but for some reason, they died shortly after they came into my care.........the thing that really sucked was being around reptiles a good deal of my life, i could tell that they where not doing their best very early on..............and there was nothing i, or my vet could fined out to help them......and being reptiles.......it took a long time for them to die.....eventually from starvation due to the fact that they refused to eat once they got sick......or what ever it was that affected them so....and yes, i was force feeding them for a wile to.......if i do get any african tortoises again, they will probably not be leopards........even though they look so cool........

This post has been edited by HeWhoLovesHorses: 03 July 2007 - 01:34 PM

[HeWhoLovesHorses]

please dont tell me i killed the reptile thread........:(

[Ghostbuster]

HWLH should be known as turtle dude from now on huh? :P

but thats cool man

[HeWhoLovesHorses]

lol..........my love or horses is COMPLETELY different from my love of reptiles lol

[Talons]

I've got several reptiles...two leopard geckos, three juvenile crested geckos, a black corn snake, a frog in the aquarium, a long tailed grass lizard and a western side blotch lizard.

I love the cold blooded along with the warm blooded ^_^

[Ghostbuster]

HeWhoLovesHorses, on Jul 7 2007, 06:03 AM, said:

lol..........my love or horses is COMPLETELY different from my love of reptiles lol

i wasnt meaning it in a sexual way

[Nerp]

HeWhoLovesHorses, on Jul 3 2007, 03:33 PM, said:

you know nerp, i was hoping ever since i had seen your avatar that you where a herp lol

forgot how much i missed them until today.........hopefully i will again have my little collection........though....it will be impossible it get most, if any of my old group back :(

Yep I am certainly into my turts and torts...really nice to meet another lover of the shelled ones.

Do you still keep in contact with whomever got them?

How long ago did you get out of them?