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re: Advice on keeping ball pythons as pets

Posted on 2/13/24 at 11:52 am to
Posted by Rex Feral
Athens
Member since Jan 2014
11356 posts
Posted on 2/13/24 at 11:52 am to
Don't. What kind of weirdo are you?
Posted by lsu777
Lake Charles
Member since Jan 2004
31207 posts
Posted on 2/13/24 at 11:52 am to
it will bite you and them eventually and they live forever and snakes suck as a pet.

get them a gold fish
Posted by BigBinBR
Baton Rouge
Member since Mar 2023
4206 posts
Posted on 2/13/24 at 11:59 am to
They live for a long time. If you are just getting it for your kids, don’t. That thing will end up living with you for another 10+ years after they have left the house.

if you do decide to get one, Ball pythons are extremely docile. They would rather curl up into a ball when they are afraid vs strike out (hence the name ball python).

They are super easy to care for. Just get 2 separate tanks. One for them to live in and one to feed them in. You don’t want to feed them in their “home.”

Get a good heat rock as opposed to lamp. It’s easier to control. They also need a good bit of water. Something that they can completely submerge themselves in is best.

Before purchasing, make sure that you have some place close where you can easily get feeder mice and then rats when it’s bigger.

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.

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.


This post was edited on 2/13/24 at 12:06 pm
Posted by Sao
East Texas Piney Woods
Member since Jun 2009
65779 posts
Posted on 2/13/24 at 12:02 pm to
quote:

Kids are allergic to dogs/cats, but it’s time they learn some responsibility via pet ownership…


Honestly, I think we're all in agreement it's likely better to get a cute puppy and put the kids up for adoption and have new babies. Your future grandchildren deserve a cute Golden too, Pop Pop.

Posted by notsince98
KC, MO
Member since Oct 2012
18005 posts
Posted on 2/13/24 at 12:09 pm to
look into bearded dragons. Probably higher maintenance than a python but they are great pets.
Posted by Interweb Cowboy
NW Bama
Member since Dec 2010
3138 posts
Posted on 2/13/24 at 12:11 pm to
There are Hypoallergenic dog breeds just to name a few.

Poodles and their mixes, such as Labradoodles, Goldendoodles, Maltipoos, etc.
Yorkshire Terriers
Bichon Frise
Maltese
Schnauzers
Chinese Crested
Irish Water Spaniel

We have a standard Poodle and he's a pretty cool dog and smart as a whip. Never had a Schnauzer but the one I've been around seemed like good pets.
Posted by Cheese Grits
Wherever I lay my hat is my home
Member since Apr 2012
54725 posts
Posted on 2/13/24 at 12:11 pm to
quote:

look into bearded clams.


FIFY

quote:

Probably higher maintenance


Yes they are, but a good one is worth the effort.
Posted by LSUBFA83
Member since May 2012
3347 posts
Posted on 2/13/24 at 12:17 pm to
I've got one I don't want anymore but I'm not giving it to anyone with kids because she's gotten kind of bitey.
Posted by oogabooga68
Member since Nov 2018
27194 posts
Posted on 2/13/24 at 12:18 pm to
Get them some fish.

Snakes aren't pets.

They are display items for uninteresting people.
Posted by WaydownSouth
Stratton Oakmont
Member since Nov 2018
8174 posts
Posted on 2/13/24 at 12:19 pm to
People that keep snakes as pets should be in prison
Posted by ccard257
Fort Worth, TX
Member since Oct 2012
1311 posts
Posted on 2/13/24 at 12:26 pm to
I don't know why so many people keep citing the long life expectancy as a reason to avoid a python. It's a fricking snake. When you get tired of it, just lop it's head off and move on.
Posted by crimsonsaint
Member since Nov 2009
37250 posts
Posted on 2/13/24 at 12:26 pm to
quote:

Kids are allergic to dogs/cats, but it’s time they learn some responsibility via pet ownership…


How bout a hyena?
Posted by msutiger
Shreveport
Member since Jul 2008
69630 posts
Posted on 2/13/24 at 12:28 pm to
quote:

I've got one I don't want anymore but I'm not giving it to anyone with kids because she's gotten kind of bitey.


I’m shocked the fricking SNAKE is bitey
Posted by caro81
Member since Jul 2017
4903 posts
Posted on 2/13/24 at 12:28 pm to
Did your kids ask for a snake? if not then dont get them one. they are a very long term commitment and if they didnt sign up for it then you will need to deal with the snake later. No one will want it, ball pythons are a dime a dozen.

Despite what the lizard brain majority here think, they make good pets. Like any pet, the owner needs to be committed to the care of the animal. Do you know if your kid would even be ok with feeding it prey items that it needs to feed on?

the rat that you would feed to the snake may be something they kids would be more interested in, and live much shorter life spans.
Posted by GRIZZ
PRAIRIEVILLE
Member since Nov 2009
5230 posts
Posted on 2/13/24 at 12:32 pm to
Easy pet to raise. Low maintenance. Not dirty or smelly. Feed them 3-4x/month and make sure water is clean and full. Nothing to it. Leopard geckos are another option for low maintenance pets. Feed crickets a couple times a week. Cheap and easy.
This post was edited on 2/13/24 at 12:33 pm
Posted by tigerfive
Member since Nov 2020
490 posts
Posted on 2/13/24 at 12:43 pm to
I know someone who got salmonella twice from handling his snakes. Gross.
Posted by lionward2014
New Orleans
Member since Jul 2015
11719 posts
Posted on 2/13/24 at 12:46 pm to
quote:

People that keep snakes as pets should be in prison



Usually they keep the snakes between stints in the pen.

To OP the best type of snake is a dead snake.
Posted by L5UT1ger
Member since Feb 2004
2600 posts
Posted on 2/13/24 at 12:50 pm to
They get pissy when they molt and will bite at that time regardless of how much you handle them. Also, name it Houdini because it’s gonna get out the cage.
Posted by BR92
Member since Apr 2021
849 posts
Posted on 2/13/24 at 1:05 pm to
quote:

Snakes aren't pets.


Exactly -
Posted by Loup
Ferriday
Member since Apr 2019
11337 posts
Posted on 2/13/24 at 1:14 pm to
how do they get around with balls dragging? do they not get caught up in stuff? I've never seen a snake with external balls before
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