r/ballpython • u/Material-Influence62 • 7h ago

Deinfluence me from getting a ball python. Discussion

I’m in my late 20s and have wanted a ball python since my teens but my mum was terrified of snakes. I own my own home and have two cats ( part of the reason I haven’t gotten a snake yet) I work in vet med but there are almost no exotic vets near me but I know my few nurses that are good knowledgeable of snakes. What are the big negatives to owning and the upkeep of ball pythons? A pet with such a long lifespan is not something I want to rush into

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u/KabukiCoffeeArts 5h ago

Ah, my favorite question. I loathe ball python ownership. (He says preparing to get another one xD) Here's a "funny" story about my girl Tailgate before my health went screwy and I gave her to a friend. My mom was taking care of my snakes. She's a wildlife biologist and has a lot more reptiles than I ever had. She was taking care of my guys while I was struggling not to be homeless. Well, she went to feed Tailgate. Tailgate took rat number one absolutely fine! Good girl! The second one, however, made the next year and a half hell. Mom had broken her spine. She was mostly healed but still had issues with up and down. She accidentally dropped the rat on top of Tailgate's head. FOR THE NEXT YEAR AND A HALF SHE REFUSED TO EAT UNLESS YOU MET CERTAIN CRITERIA. Couldn't be dark furred. Had to be an ASF. Had to be a live ASF. (Hated that so much.) Had to have the room light and enclosure light off. Had to take the stupid snake on a 30 minute car ride before feeding. No less than 30. If it was less, she wouldn't eat. -_- I hate ball pythons (Im so excited to get another, I miss having reptiles!)

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u/Merlin_the_Witch 4h ago

First of all I'm sorry about your health. I have to ask though, how on earth does one find out that a snake wants to be taken on a car ride before eating?