Things to Consider Before Adopting a Ball Python as a Pet

Not as doting as a dog or as cuddly as a cat, it seems like the main reason to keep a snake for a pet is because it’s cool.  Legless and tongue-smelling, the oh-so-hip qualities of a pet snake are hard for some to dismiss. Even the way snakes move sounds cool: they slither.

While this may not be your own ideal pick, it’s a wide, wide world of pets out there and for some cool cats, a snake is a dream companion.  A snake is also a hardy, hypoallergenic pet that requires very little work, which is cool in itself.

It’s agreed by most experts, breeders and pet store owners, that one of the best starter snakes is a Ball Python because of its more docile nature and greater manageability. But be sure not to get the Ball confused with the Burmese Python! Although related, Burmese Pythons do not make very good pets for the uninitiated snake owner. They tend to be bigger and more unpredictable—so unpredictable and so strong that a professional breeder recently told me that he would never take the python out of its cage or even feed it without another adult in the room.

However, before adopting a Ball Python as your very own, there are some factors to consider that are more pressing than hipness.

Here are some things that you’ll need in addition to the expected paraphernalia:

1. The next 15-20 years of your life. That’s how long most Ball Pythons live in captivity. They can be a challenge to rehome, and it’s illegal to set them free. It’s worth thinking about where you hope to be in 20 years and if that vision includes feeding a snake once a week.

2. A reputable breeder. Unless you live in Alaska, it appears that there’s a Repticon reptile and exotic animal convention coming to your neighborhood soon. Breeders and experts can help you to select the right snake for you.

3. Knowledge of the laws in your state. A good breeder should have knowledge of what he is and is not allowed to sell and where he can or cannot sell it. Another benefit of getting your snake at a reptile show is that the breeder is not able to sell anything that it’s illegal for you to have.

4. A strong stomach. You’ll be feeding your snake live or frozen prey about once a week for the next 20 years. This usually means mice and rats, not a bowl of kibble. Do yourself a favor: look up some snake feeding videos on Youtube before getting one. If you can’t watch the clip, you probably need to rethink your interest in caring for a snake.

5. Freezer space. Be sure that you’ve got ample room next to the Lean Cuisines and Ben and Jerry’s for Sammy’s frozen rats. To save yourself a late night run to the Circle R(at), for fresh rodents, it’s a good idea to a keep a bag of frozen mice or rats on hand. The good news is most snakes only eat once a week, so a bag of 10 should last for over a month.

If you consider these factors and you’re still interested in having a Ball Python as a pet, World of Ball Pythons is an excellent resource that is crammed with information about housing, feeding, and breeding your Ball Python, plus a comprehensive list of breeders and links to many forums where you can share information with like-minded snake lovers.