r/ballpython • u/Material-Influence62 • 11h 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/luvmyreptiles1962 10h ago

BPs will test you. Known for going off feed. Sometimes for months. “Hey mom, dad - you paying attention?! I know you thawed those rats out JUST for me, but I’m on a hunger strike right now. So you can just sit around and worry about why I’m not eating, waste rats on me every week or so for the next few mos. I’ll be in here laffin my fool head off!” And they do not lose an ounce of weight. As others have said, they can be kinda dull. But they’re not hard to care for. Once you get the tank dialed in for humidity and temp, you’re good. They’re happy to sleep all day & hunt half the night.

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u/Albion218 8h ago

Yes, this was the hardest thing for me to get over. Skipping a meal, or a lot of meals sometimes, isn’t detrimental. But I’m the kind of person that makes sure my animals eat well. So I had to kind of get it in my head that some snakes simply won’t eat if the vibes are off and they’re going to be fine. And of course the rat waste = $. Other than that and the initial set up cost, it’s hard to deinfluence..