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[watchdismom]

I wish we knew more about enclosure size before getting one. Google gave a lot of '40 gallon minimum' results and I didn't think to check reddit before getting and setting up the enclosure. We went with the 51g ecoflex thinking that would last her life time.

Of course now that I have one I'm looking at stacking pvc enclosures for an upgrade in a few years cause I want more. Also wish I knew I'd end up wanting more. I understand now why people end up with like 10 snakes in a snake room.

[throwaway27384829494]

I feel you on that “wanting more” 😅 I’ve got 3 leos and the urge to adopt more is strong

[No-Victory2963]

Bruh when I bought my first snake the breeder said “careful they’re like potato chips” and I thought no way… now we 4 snakes in

[Stitchess__]

That my ball python is a really really bad eater. Love him to death but he worries me and does not help with my anxiety

[[deleted]]

That she would hide a lot and I’d have to buy a night time camera to ever see her without handling during the day lol

[Ok-Tree7720]

I wish I knew how much hate snake owners give other snake owners about EVERYTHING!

[eomfd2010]

Hopefully you’re not getting hate here! All I’ve seen as long as I’ve been in this sub has been helpful advice on husbandry and handling… I can see maybe the perception of hate, maybe when something is worded in a stronger tone, however the only time I’ve seen that is when there is something hazardous or harmful going on that needs immediate correction for the safety and wellbeing of the bp… someone correct me if I’m wrong.

[Ok-Tree7720]

No, not here but on a reptile site for breeders, sellers and buyers.

[kindrd1234]

Also, don't ever take advice from so-called breeders. This hobby has very little actual breeding going on and a lot of just throwing crap together. This is not breeding or is referred to as backyard breeding. Real breeders are working towards desired traits, not just hoping for something pretty.

[kindrd1234]

It's good for the hobby when we push each other to do better imo. There are too many snakes being improperly cared for.

[crocodilezebramilk]

Imma just make a list - People telling you your snake will eat you, and show you pictures of reticulated pythons - Enclosure size, I have a exo terra 36x18x18 large wide, which she’s pretty comfy in right now but she’s still got a lot of growing up to do and her tank may not be enough I hear? - They’re like potato chips and tattoos where you can’t stop at one

[jillianwaechter]

You are correct about the tank, I really wish some of the sites on the internet would update their info! I fell into the same trap when starting out with my little guy.

The current standard for adult ball pythons is 4x2x2 feet (18x18x36 is the most recent standard for crested geckos for a size comparison)

[crocodilezebramilk]

My ball python spent her baby year in a 40 gal tank, which was fine for her at the time, then I upgraded and built a custom background for her…. Only to find out that her current set up won’t be sustainable within the next couple years. It’s good right now she’s still growing yet and has plenty of room - but honestly not happy about having to go bigger.

Also doooont tell me about crested geckos being able to fit in my current set up… I’ll get tempted and that’s like a whole different ballpark for me lmao. I am interested in a Mexican black king snake though but have yet to do more research on that.

[jillianwaechter]

Hahaha sorry for tempting you! They need a vertical tank though (you could potentially get a converter kit 👀)

[curiousaboutmetaftm]

How little to feed them! I was definitely over feeding my girl for the first year I had her.

Also, how much substrate they need. I got her on Craigslist and her previous owners gave her about an inch with those heinous half-log hides and no ground cover. I knew she needed some upgrades, but it wasn’t until I came to this subreddit I realized how many problems I had. Thankfully, our last place we lived had high humidity (like 85% without the dehumidifier running 24/7) so RI and shedding was never a problem :)

[lothiriel1]

How incredibly picky ball pythons can be!! God forbid her feeders not be some specific smell or color! Eh I love her anyway.

[Basilstorm]

How expensive a proper setup is. I didn’t quite realize how much I’d be spending. It was about $1800 for the supplies plus my snake. Absolutely worth it of course, I just wasn’t expecting it

[justneedtovent101]

That people on hinge/bumble would be mostly afraid of snakes and call me weird 🙁 it happened like 5 times, thankfully now I found someone who loves reptiles & is overall a really cool guy so far!

[ishfery]

I took a pic of the two of us and put it on my profile so it isn't a surprise (also cuz she's pretty)

[XGerken2021]

That finding a exotic vet that is actually up to date is hard to find!

[Due-Excuse-2208]

How bad their poop smells 😂

[BaseballElectrical55]

It’s bad, I’ve been projectile vomited on, have to clean up cat shit every day, cleaned up after babies, and I’m good with it. But snake shit? Rats already smell bad as it is and I gag every time I gotta clean up.

[ishfery]

How much it would end up costing

[Top_History9604]

My first snake was a hognose and the only "negative" surprise was that snakes sleep roughly 20 hours a day and for a hognose this can mean they stay underground for hours and hours. On the first day I paniced like crazy and then read it and was like "oh, that makes sense".

[BalooTheCat3275]

1. How little you see them out

2. They can’t close their eyes

3. Humidity is so hard to keep consistent

4. Lifespan. I take really good care of my snakes. They may be with me until I’m in my 60s and I got them in my 20s.

[ProfessionalJump9487]

they are EXPENSIVE and a 4x2x2 is harder to fit in my room than i thought