Since it might be hard to predict what the pros and cons to owning a ball python are if youve never owned. But since there is no such thing as perfect, let us speak on the one perceived con of owning a ball python as a pet and that is getting it to eat. Ball pythons average only 4 feet in size, unlike their larger python cousins that make it up well over 20 feet in some cases. Ball pythons, also called royal pythons, are considered one of the best snakes to have for a pet, especially if your son or daughter has been begging you for a pet snake. There are many different ways to keep a ball python. While hatchling turtles and green anoles have been a staple of pet shops and dime stores for decades, would be herpowners can now fill their online shopping carts with everything from bearded dragons to ball pythons to poison dart frogs. Ball python cage setup how to create a ball python habitat. To avoid health problems, make sure that your ball pythons are old enough and large enough to breed before you attempt to get them to mate. Keeping a corn snake as a pet is it the best choice for you.
Everything you should know about breeding ball pythons. Mar 24, 2020 ball pythons typically also have relatively gentle temperaments as adults, which is often important to pet owners. Nov 16, 2017 ball pythons as pets your complete owners guide grab this great physical book now at a limited time discounted price. Amateur hobbyist or professional breeder, this is a must have book. Like all other pythons, it is a nonvenomous constrictor. Ball python python regius the ball python is quite simply the most popular pet python in the world. In closing, let me touch on the benefits of keeping ball pythons as pets. Female ball pythons will reach 35 feet in length on average. The average life span of a ball python is 20 to 30 years. Keeping your pet snake in a glass terrarium reptile knowledge. Whether you are someone who has recently made the decision to buy a snake and who wants some more detailed information about your new pet or someone who is simply interested in ball pythons, you will find a lot of interesting and useful. I started buying exotic pets just last year and i didnt regret wasting a lot of money. Since it might be hard to predict what the pros and cons to owning a ball python are if youve never owned one before, ive taken the time to write up a list for you.
To breed ball pythons, you need to get the necessary equipment. Ball python breeding, caring, where to buy, types, temperament, cost, health, handling, husbandry, diet, and much. While we arent here to discuss if dogs or cats make the better pet companion, here are some of the pros and cons of allowing pets in the workplace. The most popular way is to keep your baby ball python in a 1520 gallon terrarium. Many people also choose reptiles as pets because reptiles generally do not trigger allergies. Ball pythons are bred in captivity and are popular as pets, because of their small size compared to other pythons and their docile temperament. Ball pythons by colette sutherland nook book ebook. Free uk delivery on book orders dispatched by amazon over. I understand that corn snakes and ball pythons are recommended as. Ball python care sheet i learn how to care for your ball. Ball pythons are beautiful and come in almost as many colors as corn snakes. I also have nerds book and the vpi book is better in every way. Ball pythons can have a pretty big feeding response, dont be surprised at the intensity at which they make strike at the food just take precautions as to where the snake and you are both out of harms way.
I hope you will give a captive bred ball python a chance, you wont regret it. I will be suggesting three different species that make good pets for firsttime snake owners. Just a small little ball of snake, perfectly content to stay rolled up. So when i explain the pros and cons of keeping corn snakes as pets, i am basing it on 20 years of experience with many different species. D follow me around today as i do my daily pet care routine, starting with giving henry the rabbit his medication, feeding everyone, and setting up a new culture of fruit flies for my. Apr 04, 20 every pet is a good pet so long as it has the qualities youd like your pet to have. What are the pros and cons of using terrariums for a pet snake. Aug 22, 2008 royal pythons are also known as ball pythons due to them rolling into a ball in defence. A 40b tank is recommended for an adult ball python. When it comes to the pros and cons of owning a ball python as a pet, the pros drastically outweigh the cons as a ball python is generally considered a perfect pet. If you are planning on keeping all of the snakes, have enclosures ready for each of them to live and grow in. The ball python python regius, also called the royal python, is a python species native to west and central africa, where it lives in grasslands and shrublands.
A softcover book in the barrons complete pet owners manual series. It is threatened by hunting for its meat and for the international pet trade. Most likely, if you are reading this, you are considering the pros and cons of getting a ball python as a pet, and you want to find out as much. If youre wondering whether or not a ball python is the right pet for you, youll likely find it much easier to decide after taking a look at a pros and cons list. Read three different books or articles on ball python care, and you are liable to get three different temperature ranges.
Ball pythons are a heavy bodies snake with a nice balanced stocky appearance. Most likely, if you are reading this, you are considering the pros and cons of getting a ball. All you need is a heat rock, newspaper, and a nice aquarium, and youre good to go. Ball pythons as pets your complete owners guide ball pythons as pets your complete owners guide grab this great physical book now at a limited time discounted price most likely, if you are reading this, you are considering the pros and cons of getting a ball python as a pet, and you want to find out as much about them as possible. Ball pythons are the perfect snakes for anyone who likes the look of a python without the normally massive size. Ball python snake for sale live pet reptiles petsmart. Oct 06, 2018 ill be answering this as though were talking about the pros and cons of python regius as a pet instead of some other snake. Ball pythons wont really be up and about much at all. Ball pythons can be fantastic pets that teach kids so much, including responsibility, but parental supervision is required. When choosing a snake as a pet, realize you are making a longterm commitment because many species can be expected to live over 20 years. Pet owners have made snakes one of the more popular exotic pets. A short guide to the pros and cons of pets in the office. Grab this great physical book now at a limited time discounted price. Size appropriately sized and shaped habitat for a baby ball python to accommodate normal behavior and exercise, at least a 20l.
I now get most of my animals from reputable breeders but petsmart is what started my love for reptiles. Ball pythons generally lay clutches of two to 10 eggs at a time with an average clutch size of six eggs. This nonvenomous constrictor is the smallest of the african pythons. This includes an egg box, perlite or vermiculite substrate, and an incubator.
In the wild, they are found in central and western africa and will frequent both the ground and trees, and are most active around dusk and dawn. Pythons can be great pets for the person who does a bit of research and is willing to put the effort into pet care. Ball pythons require very specific husbandry care, food, shelter. On the other hand, ball pythons that are not properly contained can escape inside a home and may be very difficult to locate. Buy ball pythons as pets your complete owners guide. Ball pythons python regius are great snakes for a beginner snake owner. Ball pythons tend to be shy, but they are relatively docile and easy to care for. They can grow to about six feet in length, but most never get much beyond four feet i. The record is a ball python living over 45 years in captivity. It is listed as least concern on the iucn red list because of its wide distribution.
Pros and cons of getting a pet ball python snake facts, pros and cons list. What are the pros and cons about getting a ball python. Jul 15, 2019 ball pythons python regius are great snakes for a beginner snake owner. The corn snake can be selectively bred, meaning they come in all sorts of different colors and patterns making it a very interesting animal to own. With regular weekly handling, these snakes can become very docile and easygoing. Ill be answering this as though were talking about the pros and cons of python regius as a pet instead of some other snake. You must be willing to feed prey animals to your snake though previously frozen, prekilled prey is the safest choice and you will probably have to devote some freezer space to frozen prey items i. But there are some pros and cons of each substrate. Although an occasional 6 footer has been recorded it is rare.
Dec 29, 2016 have they already got you the snake, or are they only thinking of getting to one. Ball pythons are actually quite small, and have no real cons as far as snakes go. A snake in particular that is popular with beginners is the corn snake. But as long as you keep your hands away from their heads, ball pythons are easy to handle. Ball pythons are generally a bit shy, but they make for ideal captives, because they are of a small size, are generally friendly, are manageable to care for, and come in a remarkable array of colors and patterns. The pros and cons of having a burmese python as a pet snake. Unlike many common pets, ball pythons dont need very much attention from their owners. Ball pythons as pets ball pythons are very docile and easy to handle snakes. Rack systems are the best way to keep medium to large collections of ball pythons where you can connect flexwatt heat tape to share heat.
I disagree with theotherdude about ball pythons being stressful 1st pets. Male ball pythons will reach 23 feet in length on average. A comprehensive guide with chapters discussing the ball python in nature, captivity, diet, selection, understanding the ball python, health concerns, breeding and egg incubation, baby snake care, color morphs, and more. Ball pythons as pets your complete owners guide grab this great physical book now at a limited time discounted price. They can range in sociability, but theyre usually happy to just hang out in their tank, and respond pretty well to being handled, as long as you start them young. If you are thinking of breeding ball pythons, then you are in for a tough job. Mar 20, 2004 i had 4 snakes at one time 2 ball pythons and 2 burmese pythons. Its no wonder why pets increase office morale just think of the feeling you get when a puppy runs up to your desk or.
While the bearded dragon is considered one of the most docile of all reptile species, weighing the pros and cons of ownership can help you make the most informed decision. The ball python is a good snake for a beginning snake owner. Book a private tour with me, noah, eric, jessica or bruce. Whether you are someone who has recently made the decision to buy a snake and who wants some more detailed information about your new pet or someone who is simply interested in ball pythons, you will find a lot of interesting and useful information about.
Good ball python books vpis pythons of the world, vol. You also have to admit ball pythons are supacoolz looking pet, right. Some specimens have been known to reach more than 5 foot 1. If youre still curious about what ball pythons are like, take a look around this blog. Dramatic in appearance, his triangularshaped head contains rows of spikes that create a thorny crown. Corn snakes, ball pythons, and red boasgood beginner snakes. What are some pros and cons of having a ball python.
Ball pythons stay much smaller than some other python species, growing to an average length of three to five feet. The ball portion of the pythons name comes from its coiled shape, as the snake often prefers to ball up. A ball python reaching 5 feet in length is considered large. So as long as the room you house your python in has natural lighting, you should be ok. Once the baby ball pythons have been born, its time to get them to their new homes. Top 3 books about care of ball pythons of 2020 the spruce pets. D follow me around today as i do my daily pet care routine, starting with giving henry the rabbit his medication, feeding everyone, and setting up a. The best starter snake is a corn snake, doesnt really matter which corn snake you get they are pretty. Ball pythons as pets download this great book today. Out of the several breeds of snakes we had over the years, the ball python is the one i would recommend the most. Mar 04, 20 pros and cons of getting a pet ball python if youre wondering whether or not a ball python is the right pet for you, youll likely find it much easier to decide after taking a look at a pros and cons list. I fed my ball pythons mice and for a treat, id feed them.
Aug 01, 2019 before purchasing a snake, i did my research, which i include here. I am a junior highschool student from the philippines. Its relative timidity makes them particularly enjoyable as pets, as they are much easier to handle than more aggressive species. A complete ball python breeding guide for beginners. Ball pythons, being exotic pets, are more rarely owned than cats, dogs, and rodents. The ball python python regius, also known as the royal python, is a python species found in subsaharan africa. A topnotch ball python manual will offer you the most complete, detailed. Nor has it ever been easier to purchase one, or a few, or hundreds at a time. Ive had people at my house that were scared to death of snakes and.
Though a ball python may look cool and threatening, its actually pretty docile. Specimens have survived for over 40 years in captivity, with the oldest recorded ball python being kept in captivity 47 years and 6 months until its death in 1992 at the. This species of python grows to an average length of 4 foot 1. Fresh, clean, chlorinefree water should be available at all times in a large enough bowl for your ball python to soak in. Ball pythons, known for their calm temperament and striking patterns, are one of the most popular pet snakes in the world. Python regius or royal python commonly known as ball pythons are native to western and westcentral africa. Pros and cons of getting a pet ball python my pet python. If you are looking to become a breeder, look into purchasing a rack system. The most popular pet snake breeds are generally pretty relaxed as pets.
Most likely, if you are reading this, you are considering the pros and cons of getting a ball python as a pet, and you want to find out as much about them as possible. The key to keeping your ball python healthy is to provide an environment close to its natural environment, including temperature range, humidity level, light cycle and landscape. Ball pythons are among the most popular of all pet snakes, and make interesting pets for both beginning herp hobbyists and professional breeders. Jun 04, 2014 traditionally, the ball python is a relaxed, passive animal. You can set up these enclosures during the incubation period. What are the pros and cons of ball pythons as pets.
Growing to a maximum size of 3 to 5 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. Ball pythons benefit most from a regular light cycle of 12 hours light and 12 hours night. This makes them a great pet as they will always be easy to handle and will never need anything larger than. Each section contains speciesspecific information and some pros and cons. So ball pythons fit into a childs reasonable responsible abilities better than a lot of other pets as long as there is adult supervision. They are, however, significantly more expensive as you will see once you begin looking around for one. If you are looking forward to keeping these snakes as pets, then continue reading the following article for some useful tips. These pythons are native to the warm and tropical climates of subsaharan africa and are the smallest python from africa. Ball pythons typically also have relatively gentle temperaments as adults, which is often important to pet owners. Traditionally, the ball python is a relaxed, passive animal. Ball pythons are sweet natured, and very easy to take care of. Written by a respected breeder of ball pythons, this book covers a wide variety of key topics such as housing, health care, breeding, and genetics.
Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1. If it is the latter, you can just tell them you cant have one because you are somewhat inexperienced snake keeper and it would be better for you to get one in the future when you are more ready for it. This may make them more appealing than having a more. They grow to an average size of 35 feet, which makes them ideal for handling. Ball pythons colorings look better under fullspectrum lighting, but it isnt necessary to the snakes health. This is a very basic and generalized video that goes through some of the pros and cons of ball pythons as pets. Ball pythons, to be honest, are the woosies of the snake world. It should help you decide if ball pythons are the right fit for you. Little ball of joy i dont remember when we got our first ball python, i may have been 12 or so, but i remember thinking they were so interesting. Everything you should know about breeding ball pythons pet. I have kept garter snakes, hog island boas, regular boa constrictors, brazilian rainbow boas, indigo snakes, gopher snakes, corn snakes, kingsnakes, ball pythons and more. These ball pythons can grow up to breed your next generation of snakes.
The only con to owning ball pythons in my opinion is that. I suggest buying a good boa book and learning as much as. I started with the insect world with tarantulas, scorpions and centipedes but. My friend wants to give me an albino burmese python hatchling for. Theyre very easy to take care of as compared to most other species. Some information related to how to breed these pythons is covered in this article. In this article, youll learn how to create a proper habitat for your pet snake. Theyre a relatively small python easy to house and to find food of appropriate size for, as well as pretty h. Nov 03, 2016 want to know if ball pythons are good pets. Cockatiel book for keeping, pros and cons, care, housing, diet and health. This is the smallest of the african pythons and is popular in the pet trade, largely due to. Ball pythons are not good starter snakes, they tend to be difficult to get started eating.
Nov 12, 2015 ball pythons colorings look better under fullspectrum lighting, but it isnt necessary to the snakes health. Creating a ball python cage setup is the first step to proper snake care. What are the pros and cons of owning a ball python. Available to read on your computer, mac, smartphone, kindle reader, ipad, or tablet. Royal pythons have a distinctive head, slender neck and a wide body. Corn snakes, ball pythons, and red boasgood beginner.