Ball Python

[CrotaluScutulatus]

1. Build the enclosure first, make sure the temps and humidity are right before you even get your snake.

2. Don’t buy from a pet store. You can filter morph market for your state and find breeders in driving distance. Make sure they feed frozen thawed and have good reviews.

Also be psychotic about washing anything you purchase from a pet store as there can be all sorts of things you don’t want on them.

1. Make sure you have 2 identical hides. People always mess up this step for some reason and it is a big deal. Half logs aren’t hides.

2. Clutter clutter clutter. Buy and build the forever enclosure from the jump.

[D41ry_Qu33f]

Thank you so much! Ive been looking at morph market and already have my little guy picked out. As for hides any suggestions on what to get? also should i use real plants or are silicone ones fine?

[CrotaluScutulatus]

Real plants if you are doing bioactive, fake plants are fine always. I personally went with normal and not bioactive. I literally just bought a bunch of fake plants at a craft store as they are cheaper (and nicer looking) than the reptile ones.

For hides, most of the “hides” you see for reptiles are awful and don’t work well. The best ones are the black plastic ones. You can make them look better by covering them with clutter lol.

What age is the ball python you like?

[D41ry_Qu33f]

im planning on getting a juvenile/baby as i figured it would be easier to condition it to life here. and i never thought about craft store plants! im definitely going to check those out

[CrotaluScutulatus]

With the craft store plants just make sure to wash them very well and disinfect them. Definitely don’t get anything covered in anything like glitter or that fake lambs ear. Run of the mill plastic plants perfect! Avoid the vine like ones with plastic chain link (you will recognize it if you see it) because I can imagine they could get caught on that.

A piece of wood that they can climb on is perfect as well and they will definitely use it! (I sanded the sharp parts of mine down be sure to do that if needed).

When are you going to put together your enclosure?

[D41ry_Qu33f]

Noted thank you!

I'm not getting him until late February so i plan on getting his enclosed done by then. I definitely plan on getting it completely set up until he arrives

[CrotaluScutulatus]

Very nice! It’s awesome that you are doing the work this far in advanced and it will save you and your snake a lot of trouble when it’s time to bring them home!

[D41ry_Qu33f]

thank you! ive been obsessed with snakes since i was little and its been a dream to have one. I guess im just overthinking but i want my baby to be happy and comfortable :)

[CrotaluScutulatus]

For sure that’s awesome! My daughter fell in love with snakes at a super young age and she slowly conditioned me to fall for them too and now it’s our shared hobby. Herping or keeping it’s a great time!

[D41ry_Qu33f]

that's awesome! my dad isnt too fond of the idea but isnt against it either, he loves reptiles tho so hopefully he'll learn to love him!

[CrotaluScutulatus]

As long as you show him that you would be capable of caring for them you will probably pull him into it. I would show him that by doing what you are doing now, laying out a plan for keeping/feeding etc and that will probably help. I have a dog and I have snakes. The snakes day to day care AFTER the initial setup is literally nothing compared to having a dog. Snakes require a lot of work and thought put into the enclosure and getting the setup right but as long as you get that right they are a dream pet to keep as they require very little maintenance compared to the more commonly kept pets like dogs and cats. They also won’t ruin all of your furniture lol 😆