re: Advice on keeping ball pythons as pets

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If you are just getting it for your kids, don’t.

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No, I have an interest in them as well. The kids just had an encounter at a reptile show where they held one each and the looks on their faces were priceless! They keep asking for one, so I want to get them each one. Nothing expensive, but something cool they will like and grow to love.

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One for them to live in and one to feed them in. You don’t want to feed them in their “home.”

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Is this a psychological thing to keep them from getting “bitey”? Should I invest in a snake hook and use that only when moving them to/from feeding?

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Get a good heat rock as opposed to lamp. It’s easier to control.

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Never heard of one… I’ll look into that!

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They can also get out of just about anything. You will need a tank that has a lid lock, and you will probably still need put something on top of it to hold it down.

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I’m leaning towards a side-opening tank so I can put a standard slide-lock on it. Would that be advisable?

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Also, someone will need to take the snake out every day and handle it. It’s not something that you are just going to leave in a tank. So make sure you prepare for that.

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I think this is the main thing that draws me to them for the purpose of the kids caring for them. Handling and daily water care are a good starting point for realizing that you have to pay attention to things you are doing and working with.

Luckily my boys are very cerebral and naturally cautious.