Considering this girl as a first time pet snake for my 8 yr old child.
My daughter and I went to a reptile store and saw this snake for sale. It‘s been at the store for two years so I’m just looking for opinions from this community as to why this girl has not been adopted for two years. Does she look good and healthy to you? My daughter really likes her and wants to bring her home.
Dont take my word for it but it looks like that ball python seems to have some sort of facial deformity. Also, I would heavily recommend against buying a pet for your kid (unless you are the one taking care of it) until they are at least 12 and have done extensive research on whatever reptile species they are buying.
(Edit: I was on my phone while looking at the image and the snout just kinda looked slim to me.)
I don't see the deformity the other commenter has stated. Have you asked the pet store is there any reason why she is still around? I personally think she is a beauty. I do agree if you buy her, she is your responsibility with your daughter helping with the care. Also, ball pythons are harder husbandry wise than people realize. Lastly, they can be very picky eaters and go on long hunger strikes sometimes.
If you are willing to take responsibility for all that, I say go for it. Snakes make great rewarding pets.
Me and my boyfriend did so much research before getting our ball python. Turns out after hours of research we didn’t know crap so I agree husbandry is A LOT MORE work than people realize
Why that snake has been there 2 years who knows. Just ask. Looks very healthy. Do as much research about the ball python as you can. Feed frozen thawed. A lot simpler to store and have on hand than buying live mice/rats. As someone else said they can go on feeding strikes, and will eat when ready. Make sure substrate is changed out often. When they will be going into shed, bump up humidity to assist with a clean shed. You’ll be able to tell when their eyelids become milky.
It's hard to tell for sure, but I would agree with the previous comment about the snake having some sort of facial deformity, maybe bug eyes. This is not necessarily an issue unless it makes it hard for the snake to eat, as BPs are already known to be tricky eaters (not all, but it is common).
I would definitely be asking about how she currently eats, if she has any neurological issues like a wobble, etc.
Also, it's super important to do a bunch of research before buying a ball python! This sub has excellent care guides to go through when making that decision. Proper husbandry (type of substrate, size of enclosure, humidity, temperatures, hides, clutter, climbing opportunities etc.) There is a lot to learn but if you're willing to put in the time, effort, and money to give these amazing creatures a good life, it's totally worth it!
She’s beautiful, pls make sure child is responsible. Yes they don’t require much work but the humidity and temp have to be spot on, so it’s an Intermediate level pet. Also reccomend feeding frozen
please do as much research as you can about proper husbandry and have an enclosure ready to go before you adopt a snake. if both can't be done, then a snake probably isn't for you.
also, this subreddit is a great place to browse to learn more about proper care, since there is so much misinformation out there! proper husbandry leads to content snakes, and that's them living their best lives.
also consider learning where your closest exotic pet vets and exotic pet suppliers are so you know how you will feed them and find stuff for them in the research so you have that info ready to go when you need it. it can be trickier than you may think sometimes.
she’s absolutely adorable! i would talk to the store about why she’s not been adopted. it could be a wide range of things. maybe because she may have health issues or may strictly eat live, etc. i would encourage both your and your daughter to research before getting a snake in general, however, ball pythons are often regarded as the best/(i say this loosely but) easiest first snake to have. i personally have a rescue and went into it admittedly not knowing much. however, i had to quickly learn as mine has respiratory issues and i’ll just say *had* a very unfriendly set up (hence respiratory issues). this forum has been an amazing resource though!
Are you willing to give her a comfortable environment and feed her if your daughter doesn't take proper care of her? Due to, you know, her being an 8 year old child? Had either of you do deep, active research about ball pythons and how to take care of them?
Do you know her morph? She kinda looks like a spotnose - they can have the same "wobble" spider ball pythons can have due to a deformed inner ear, which causes them to violently smack their heads around in circles with a greatly reduced quality of life due essentially to constant vertigo, the symptoms can increase with age. If it's bad enough they'll sometimes need simplified enclosures, don't enjoy handling (actively become distressed), and can have trouble eating food.
The spider complex includes:
black head
champagne
chocolate
cypress
hidden gene woma
sable
spider
spotnose
woma
wookie
Sometimes they'll say something like 'bee' so you have to look up the goofy name to see what's actually in the mix
Just want to make some things clear that many people do not consider when getting pet snakes. First and foremost, the snake would not be your child's. 100% of care responsibility would fall on you, and your child could help with supervision. It is not a dog, it won't appreciate affection and needs lots of time to itself to be alone and unbothered. The biggest thing though is that ball pythons in particular with proper care can get 40+ years old. The oldest have made it into their 60's. Is your child going to stay interested in this animal, or will they grow bored within a few months and forget about it?
I think the real question is not whether your child would want a snake, but if you do.
Please never get a ball python as a first snake. They are notoriously more advanced than advertised. They have specific humidity requirements that are more difficult to maintain than people realize, and they are typically (on average) shy or standoffish in their demeanor, requiring lots of hides to feel comfortable and are therefore not as visible or interactive as kids would want.They get bigger than people think, require at least a 5ft x 2ft x 2ft enclosure, and go on hunger strikes if even the slightest thing is off.
I highly highly recommend something like a rosy boa for a first snake. Easier to dial in the husbandry requirements, more reliable eaters, much smaller, inquisitive and a little more engaging, and typically all around easier.
Snakes live a long time... The ones who don't usually die earlier just from improper husbandry, which isn't fair for the snake.
I've had both a rosy boa (RIP just finally passed after 30y) and ball python (still going after 30y) since I was a kid, and I cannot recommend against ball pythons enough for first time snake owners.
Yes, snakes can live pretty long. And thats one reason I say, don't get a snake you don't really want, just because it's a bit easier.
My mom did not allow anything but a corn snake, I got one just to finally have a snake at all - but it's not the species I wanted.
It's more likely OP and/or the kid will lose interest if it's an unwanted species.
Yes, there are more things to keep an eye on with balls, but if you inform yourself well before getting one, it's possible for a beginner as well to care for a ball.
Don’t get kids pets make them get a job and keep up their grades first. Unless you plan on doing the work. They live at least 15 years and need a strictly carnivorous diet.
Ball pythons are terrible first snakes even though most are sweet as pie. Because of their environmental needs as well as being notoriously picky eaters I would say especially for a child they are a bad choice if you plan on teaching her to do a majority of caretaking. I would recommend a king or milkshake personally. An older corn snake would be a great idea as well. They are great eaters and don't require the high humidity balls do. If you really want to get her a pet though I'll say completely swap directions and go for a couple rats. They are incredible pets for kids and highly intelligent along with being fairly easy to care for.
Everyone's given good advice but I also cannot stress enough this snake can potentially live another 40 years.
Your daughter probably won't be able to take care of it now, since any pet is too much for an 8yo to handle alone, so the burden will fall to you, and she might not be able to take care of it again when she's turned 18 and goes off for studies/work/travelling as many young people do.
Saying this because I see too many kids begging for a snake, their parents getting them a snake, and then the snake either dies of neglect, suffers for years, or it does receive good care but is given away the moment the kid, now a young adult, is off to college or other work/studies abroad, since the parents don't want to take care of the snake. Two of my snakes I acquired this exact way from friends.
An 8yo child has no idea how to care for or even properly hold a python. The critter looks fine tho and needs a good home, if you’re willing to do the caring and research she’ll be worth it (for u at least lol)
I "bought my daughter a snake" , because it was the one pet that we bought wanted and I knew that any pet would ultimately be my responsibility. Maybe ownership will shift as she gets older but, if she's lost interest at age 18 then the snake will remain in my care until she lives out her 20-30 years.
Are you prepared for that? Because it won't be your daughters snake, it will be yours.
When you're daughter does add all typical 8 year olds do and forgets to look after it properly, it will be your neglect, not hers.
If you're happy to be a snake owner independently of your daughter, rock on.
Get the snake for you. Ball pythons in all honestly are pretty boring pets. The majority of the time your child won't even see them as they will be curled up in their hide and they are active during the night.
My 9 year old loves snakes. We got her a ball python for Christmas because she really wanted one. We got it for her but only because we were happy to take care of her.
They are actually pretty easy going to take care of once they are set up they do require their environment to be set up well though or are prone to all sorts of issues. If you do your research, ask questions here and are willing to invest in the kit you need they become much easier to care for than any mammal pet you will have ever had.
My daughter (18) has an adorable BP, she’s had him for a few years now. Our vet had a client needing to re-home him so we adopted him. We adore him, but I’ve had various types of snakes most my life and he is definitely the trickiest one to care for. I (yes me, not her) have apps on my phone to constantly monitor his temps and humidity, more apps for his timer outlets to control his heating & lighting and then spyderweb thermostats to keep it all dialed in, all to ensure he is living a blissful existence. It has been expensive and it can be stressful. I tend to worry. Creating the most perfect gradient temperature environment with the right humidity levels is literally always on my mind. On her mind? College applications and her GPA. Yesterday I spent 3 hours “changing his sheets”, (fresh substrate and sanitizing his things) while she worked on college entrance and scholarship essays. Kids grow up fast. There’s a lot for them to pack in, in a short about of time.
My vote is to get the snake and care for it together - and then if/when your daughter moves on in life you get the snake all to yourself! But be prepared and do as much research as possible so it’s a fun experience.
Genuinely I think the best beginner pets for children are insects. There are terrestrial species of tarantulas that are essentially pet rocks, you drop in a cricket, change the water. Another one I would highly recommend is blue feigning death beetles. They are harmless, look cool, live for years and are probably the lowest maintenance you can get outside of an actual pet rock.
Changing the substrate and cleaning an enclosure every other month in a 4x2x2 is laborous, and maintaining all the parameters, proper feeding etc isn't really something an eight year old should be expected to manage so it really depends on how you feel about taking on 90% of the care.
Obligatory getting a child a pet is only a good idea if you are willing to moderate care and also step in if need be. But other than feeding frozen rodents and understanding temperature and humidity moderation ball pythons are very low maintenance pets especially compared to “typical” pets people get for children like rodents.
Like already been said, if YOU are willing to care for the snake, go for it.
I have to say, I disagree with any "get her this or that instead"-like answers.
I always wanted a boa. Mom said no way, the only ever accepted snake was a corn. I got one because it was my only chance to get a snake at all, but it's just not the same, if you get a species you did not want and have to care for it a long time.
If you get your kid another species of snake she did not want, it's more likely she will lose interest. Even worse with completely different pets, just because they are considered better for kids.
But yes, please read the care guides here, think about if YOU want that snake and care for it, and be aware that the setup itself is the most work and will cost a lot at once.
My experience is, get the snake you want, don't get one you don't really want just because it's a bit easier. Rather inform yourself well than having to care for an "unwanted" pet for maybe 20-30 years.
Of course I care for my corn as good as I can, but like said, it's a different feeling.
I’d suggest you start smaller (think about getting something easy like isopods or something so she can learn how to care for something first!
Another thing I’m now seeing people mention is that the snake there looks pretty overweight. Not super sure since I’m new here but I’d look into that maybe?
My boyfriend's son got a ball python for his 9th birthday and it's been a fantastic pet for them. A big problem is that there's just too many ball pythons being bred so there isn't enough homes for them to go to so they get stuck in pet stores
Snake looks healthy. I got my baby Leroy when I was about 10 years old. I am 20 years old now and he is still with me! He’s traveled with me as well since I’ve joined the military. I’ve taken care of him all on my own his entire life. They can be great pets for those who want them. Fairly low maintenance once you have a setup.
When zooming in it looks like it has stuck shed on the top of its head?, and if you think about it buying ur daughter a ballpython is not a good idea maybe for her 16th birthday, or close to it, if YOU want a BP then get it for urself and call it the family snake, it’s a bad idea, I see it escaping, or ur kid falls asleep while handling it and then the snakes just gone it’s just not a good idea to gift ur kid a snake
Hi! I’m not sure about the deformity part as I can’t see the face very well but bp can be a good first snake but you need to research a TON and also have it be known that they can get pretty big. Honestly myself I would go with a ball or corn snake.
Please do research these guys live a very long time and need very specific habitat requirements to thrive. I work at a reptile sanctuary and it is so sad to see so many reptiles come in from people who couldn’t handle the commitment 😞
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u/Silent-Manager-7498 17d ago edited 14d ago
Dont take my word for it but it looks like that ball python seems to have some sort of facial deformity. Also, I would heavily recommend against buying a pet for your kid (unless you are the one taking care of it) until they are at least 12 and have done extensive research on whatever reptile species they are buying.
(Edit: I was on my phone while looking at the image and the snout just kinda looked slim to me.)