My husband still has not held her and backs away when we walk by. In addition, a vet check is in order, especially for internal (take a recent stool sample) and external parasites. She engages with us from the cage, will follow our fingers, LOVES just hanging out with us. Provide a dish large enough for your snake to soak in. Soaking is especially important during sheds. A ball python, disregard of being a wild or a pet one, will bite if it’s afraid. I have loved snakes and daydreamed about a pet python ever since I was about 9 (I’m currently 22 years old). Many people that aren’t familiar with snake keeping immediately imagine the headlines about snake owners being killed by their giant Burmese or reticulated python when someone mentions a pet snake. Ball Pythons are considered to be one of the most well-mannered snake species and are known for their docile temperament. Find a pet, pet care, or connect with other pet owners. We’re hoping he’ll change his thoughts soon. I cannot get enough of this darn thing!!!! This will make it easier to reach into the cage to get the ball python out for handling. Find a pet, pet care, or connect with other pet owners. You can be as hands-on or as hands-off as you’d like to be, within reason, of course. Still, it seems that the reasons ball pythons do make great pets far outnumber the reasons they may not make great pets for someone. Experts vary on the length of recommended quarantine time but 3 to 6 months is not extreme. © Reptile.Guide. Ball Python Vs Boa Constrictor Pinterest Pin As a result of habitat loss due to excessive exotic pet trade, boa constrictors are protected species of snakes. favorite this post Nov 18 Ball pythons They’re very docile and relatively easy to care for, and housing can range from simple to elaborate. Ball Python Care: Final Thoughts favorite this post Dec 15 Another alternative is to provide a humidity retreat, which similarly uses a covered container with an access hole lined with damp sphagnum moss or paper towels to provide the moisture (a water dish is still provided outside the retreat). It is a very easily tamed species. Craigslist has listings for pets in the Orlando, FL area. If you have adopted a ball python for yourself, you should make it feel at home and give some time to adjust to the new situation. Hope you’re able to get one! Paying for food and upkeep for a pet python is very cheap, making them highly affordable pets. Craigslist has listings for pets in the New York City area. favorite this post Dec 8 trust me, snakes are amazing, and you totally should get one, Hey Dan, Provide sturdy branches and a dark hiding place for your snake (they like to feel securely enclosed so it should be just large enough to accommodate the snake). If you wish to have an exotic pet but are a relative beginner with reptilian ones, the curious and gentle Ball Python is perfect for you. Craigslist has listings for pets in the Tampa Bay Area. Lianne is a veterinarian, epidemiologist, and freelance writer who's written nearly 400 articles for The Spruce Pets. The home that the school gave us is approx. Read our, Kingsnakes and Milk Snakes: Species Profile, How to Care for a Central American Boa as a Pet, Feeding Snakes Frozen Mice and Other Prey, How to Adjust Prey Size for a Growing Snake. ... $150- Fancy Ball Python and Complete Setup - One Year Old (Valrico) pic hide this posting restore restore this posting. Craigslist has listings for pets in the Dallas / Fort Worth area. Astroturf is probably the easiest because you can cut a few pieces to fit the cage and simply replace the dirty pieces as necessary (the soiled pieces can be soaked in a solution of one gallon of water with 2 tablespoons of bleach, rinsed well, dried and then used again). The ball python, also called the royal python, is a python species native to West and Central Africa, where it lives in grasslands and shrublands. Ball pythons (Python regius) are another good beginner snake. Take care and be well!!! An incandescent heat bulb or ceramic heating element can be used to achieve the basking temperatures. A well-balanced ball python diet consists of: 1. The Ball Python, scientific name Python regius, also known as “Royal Python” is a non-venomous constrictor snake. Life Expectancy: Typically 20 to 30 years, but 50 years is not unheard of. If it is unavoidable, be sure to thoroughly disinfect the area. Ball pythons can happily live their entire lives without ever being handled, or you can handle them (almost) every day – as long as they haven’t had a meal recently. they only need a small tank, and can fit on most dressers so there isnt that much room being taken! Dangling the prey in front of the snake with forceps usually gets the snake interested in it. The color and patterns in its skin changes from one specimen to another; especially if the specimen comes from the pet industry. Imagine having to feed your pet a whole rabbit, or even a whole pig. Additionally, the prevalence of ball pythons as compared to more rare species of snakes often, unfortunately, means they can wind up in a shelter or rescue. This isn’t a problem with ball pythons. We were a non snake loving home. 4’Lx2″Dx1’H. This process takes me about 20 minutes per snake, because I use frozen / thawed rodents. They can live for 20-30 years with proper care.. Still, snakes get sick at a much lower frequency than most other pets. Their maximum length is six feet, and that is the exception, not the rule. ), Blue-Eyed Leucistic Ball Python Morph Care Sheet for New Owners, Dragon Snake Care, Diet, & Habitat Advice for New Owners. The ubiquitous ball python, also known as the royal python, is a small to medium-sized constricting snake endemic to Western and Central Africa [2]. It’s always a good idea to handle the snake that you’re going to buy before you make your decision. Ball pythons are fantastic pets for both beginner snake enthusiasts and more experienced owners who may appreciate them more for their various color morphs. They are however adept escape artists so a securely fitted top is absolutely necessary. This means that the ball python will require some additional equipment, such as a humidifier to ensure you keep humidity levels comfortable and provide a healthy and comfortable place for your new pet. As long as you already made sure that a ball python is a good fit for you, you can fall in love with a blue-eyed ball python, or a black and white ball python, or a scaleless ball python. Good luck trying that with a hyperactive puppy or a hungry cat! There is no perfect pet for anyone. Ball pythons don’t require vaccinations, monthly parasite prevention, annual bloodwork, routine dental cleanings, spaying or neutering, or even yearly visits. Are Ball Pythons Cheap Pets To Own? Plus, premium pet kibble can get rather expensive. Wellesley Exotic Pet Vet, 2020. Ball Pythons are a very popular snake in the United States. It is a snake known for its captivity among people. They typically grow between 2 to 5 feet (though some can grow to 6 feet), ball pythons are not as large as many of the other constricting snakes that are kept as pets, are quite docile, and are easy to handle.. The initial cost of ownership of a ball python may be decently high around $600, but that’s just because of the required supplies that every owner needs. The only factor that a ball python’s appearance changes are the purchase price and availability. Unlike many common pets, ball pythons don’t need very much attention from their owners. favorite this post Dec 6 Male spider het pied ball python Imagine falling in love with the blue eyes or beautiful coat of a husky, only to find out that they wouldn’t fit into your family or lifestyle. Everyone’s situation and expectations vary too much for that to be a reality. As babies, ball pythons eat one mouse or rat once a week, then only every two weeks as adults. favorite this post Dec 16 Adult Ball Pythons (oakland lake merritt / grand) pic hide this posting restore restore this posting. They typically only eat and defecate once a week or less. Choose a snake that has a well-rounded body, clean eyes and vent, and that shows no signs of respiratory problems (wheezing, bubbles around nostrils). ... 2020 Baby BANANA PIED Male Ball Python Snake (Snakes) (Flower Mound) pic hide this posting restore restore this posting. some snakes dont require that much room! It is not a bad idea to ask for a feeding demonstration to be sure the snake readily takes a meal. I just may need to have some custodial rights after!!! Most ball pythons would rather curl up in a ball to hide than bite somebody. Do not use a microwave to defrost frozen rodents and do not prepare them in the same area that you prepare food. Even when it does happen, it isn’t painful and rarely requires medical treatment. You may even want to try feeding a hamster or gerbil, although this may make your snake more likely to refuse mice if it develops a preference. Red eyes or black eyes? Ball pythons between 3 and 4 feet (91.4 to 121.9 cm) in length should be moved up to large mice or small rats. The ball python is a good snake for a beginning snake owner. Learn how to create a happy, healthy home for your pet. Young ball pythons grow about a foot a year for three years. Ball pythons have a lot of qualities that make them a better first-time pet than other species of snake. MorphMarket currently has 26893 Ball Pythons for sale listed by 1852 Ball Python Sellers in the United States. All are handled weekly, desert is huffy but does not strike. Instances of bites among ball pythons are quite rare. Ball Pythons (aka Royal Pythons) are one of the most popular captive reptiles due to their friendliness, managable size, and wide variety of colors and patterns. Price may vary by location. Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital, Ball Pythons. A snake can be captured in the jungle but sometimes can not adapt to life in captivity. Cleanliness. ), What Toads Eat In the Wild & Captivity: Expert Food List & Diet Guide, Expert Leachie Gecko Care Guide: Care for a Leachianus Gecko, Kenyan Sand Boa Care, Habitat, & Diet Guide for New Owners, 15 Florida Lizards That Are Native to the Sunshine State (With Pictures! As long as body weight and condition are maintained, this is not problematic. Find a pet, pet care, or connect with other pet owners. Feeding: I feed my ball pythons once every 7 - 10 days. If your family is possibly on the wall about you getting a ball python, definitely have them read this article and my reply. The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Use multiple thermometers to monitor the temperatures in the cage (one at the bottom of the cage and one at the basking spot). And they will usually be a healthy twenty years – ball pythons are not prone to the end-of-life maladies that plague our mammalian pets, like organ failure and joint disease. There’s bound to be a ball python morph that’s perfect for you. favorite this post Dec 12 Ball python 1. How Long Do Ball Pythons Live in Captivity? The ball python has different requirements to a corn snake when it comes to temperature and humidity levels, due to their natural habitat. The only exception to this is if your snake gets sick. Ball Python Substrate Option #1: Coconut Husk Coconut husk, also referred to as “coco husk,” is made from roughly chopped chunks of coconut shell. However, it is by no means necessary, and that small annual workup will still not compare to the routine veterinary bills for a dog or cat. As long as he’s not losing weight or looking sick it’s fine, just keep offering food ever two weeks. Pet stores that specialize in snakes will either have ball pythons on hand to purchase, or they may help you find a breeder. 2. Banfield Animal Hospital, 2020, Ball Python Care. The scientific name for Ball Python is … I was by far a snake lover and I still wouldn’t say I’d be ok with all others, but I am so glad we had this opportunity and when it’s time to return Frankie to the school, I am NOT going to be happy. Ball pythons can be fed exclusively mice or small to medium-sized rats (as appropriate for the size of the snake) and only need to be fed every week or two. Young snakes should be fed fuzzy mice every 5 to 7 days while older snakes should be fed increasingly larger prey and can go a little longer, up to two weeks. This is the most common reason for them to be aggressive. We took the ball python (over a corn snake) and she is the most laid back pet ever. Ball Python Care. This is fine, and it can be beneficial to stay on the safe side. The most significant advantage of this is that there is still a great deal of information and experience regarding proper husbandry. Cash preferred, not really interested in trades, red or chacoan tegu if at all. If you take good care of your ball python and acquire it as a baby, you can easily expect to spend the next twenty or more years of your life with it. Ball pythons are not terribly active snakes so a smaller enclosure is fine (use a 10- to 20-gallon tank for younger snakes and a 30-gallon tank for an adult). If feeding your snake live rodents, do not leav… ⭐️ Fun Fact: Did you know, ball pythons are one of the rare species in which the females tend to be larger than the male? Find a pet, pet care, or connect with other pet owners. There are much rarer, and exotic species of snakes and other animals that someone could potentially acquire, but ball pythons are just on the cusp between “common pets” and “unique pets.”. Here’s another bonus to the user-friendly size of a ball python: they don’t eat huge prey items. One of the biggest perks of owning a ball python, or any snake, is their low maintenance requirements. Plus, you don’t have to worry about training them, exercising them, grooming them, keeping them busy, or even giving them attention. In some cities around the world, their ownership as pets at homes are prohibited. They belong to the family Pythonidae, a group of heavy-bodied but non-venomous snakes native to Africa, Asia, and Australia. Reptile.Guide is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. favorite this post Dec 13 Baby Pied Ball Python When you are ready to get your ball python, look for a young, captive-bred snake (you may have to find a breeder for this). Find a pet, pet care, or connect with other pet owners. Reason #4: Convenient and Affordable to Feed, Wrapping Up Why Ball Pythons Make Great Pets, come in a surprisingly vast array of colors and patterns, Leopard Gecko Care Sheet: Your One Stop Know It All Guide (Must Read! Ten years, give or take, simply never feels like enough time with our beloved little pals. The cleanliness of ball pythons ties in with the low maintenance factor, … They are low-maintenance compared to most pets. Your ball python will need an experienced reptile veterinarian, and they may (or may not) charge more than a small animal veterinarian. This can be attributed to the fact that they are generally hardy and very docile in nature. And perhaps the best part? If you already have a constricting snake at home, any new python (or boa) should be quarantined due to the risk of inclusion body disease. Your info might help in regards to my parents (plus cross-referencing with other websites) but tragically, I don’t have enough space for a large animal tank in my room-> I heavily doubt that my parents and siblings would welcome a great serpent in the living-room, considering that I’m the only snake-lover in the family, Hi! Look for one that is alert and curious and gently grips your hand/arms when handled. Find ball pythons for sale at your local PetSmart store! Ball pythons are extremely easy to take care of, and are incredibly low maintenance. favorite this post Dec 8 An under-the-tank heating pad designed for reptiles works well but can make it difficult to monitor the temperature. Consult a knowledgeable vet or experienced keeper for help if the fast is prolonged or causing weight loss over 10 percent.. It’s true: Anything with teeth can bite, but surprisingly ball pythons are known for their shy, calm demeanor. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List because of its wide distribution. The size and price of the mouse or rat will increase as your ball python grows, but it’ll never come close to the cost of feeding an average-sized dog. Ball pythons 2 to 3 feet (61 to 91.4 cm) in length can be fed two mice per feeding. However, you will not find a ball python growing longer than 5 feet. Appropriately sized frozen rodents, thawed/warmed to above room temperature. Best of luck to you!!! Also wish I could send you a picture of ours!!! You have many options for a substrate for your snake including shredded bark, newsprint, and Astroturf. “Absolutely not, those things are dangerous!”. It’s widely considered the BEST substrate choice for ball pythons and other tropical reptile and amphibian species. This is one of the reasons I like to keep ball pythons as pets -- and snakes in general. With a ball python, you won’t have to spend hours or lots of dollar bills on traditional pet things like DIY training or training classes, DIY nail trims and hair clippings or expensive grooming sessions, and daily exercise and mental stimulation. Like you might pick out a specific breed of dog or cat, or browse all of the pets in a shelter to pick the one that you find cutest, ball pythons come in a surprisingly vast array of colors and patterns. She is the best! Many people who are afraid of snakes are fearful of being bitten. Variety of Ball Python Available for Rehome as pets or for aspiring breeders (Santa Clara) pic hide this posting restore restore this posting. They’re one of the most common species of pet snakes (opens in a new tab) and for good reasons. They have a long lifespan as well, making them ideal for long-term companionship. Ball pythons are fairly small, and the typically reach only 36 to 48 inches long in adulthood. Find a pet, pet care, or connect with other pet owners. Moving the snake out of its cage into a separate enclosure for feeding is a good idea and will help in the taming process. On the flip side, while some snakes may stress out from too much handling, ball pythons are remarkably adaptable and agreeable pets. Furthermore, the overall activity level and temperament among the various morphs are pretty consistent in ball pythons. There are no guessing games or shots in the dark. plastic storage container) with a hole in the lid, to provide security for the snake so it will soak longer if necessary. Ball Python as a Pet. Ball pythons are an excellent middle ground. 2020, ball pythons ball python and will help in the dark oakland lake merritt / grand pic. In order, especially for internal ( take a recent stool sample and. ( oca ) pic hide this posting restore restore this posting restore this. The African pythons, growing to a maximum length of recommended quarantine time but 3 to 5 in! 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