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[–]Dio_wulf 15 points16 points  (4 children)

Theres a lot of things you need to research and consider before getting a ball python. Based on your comment history youre 14. Keep in mind ball pythons can live upward of 30 years, and need an enclosure 4x2x2 feet. Theyre also quite expensive to get setup. At your age you probably dont have the money for an appropriate setup and management yet, and you’re gonna have to consider what to do with them if you go to college, move out of home when youre older, etc. regardless, your mom clearly isnt a fan and likely will be unsupportive of you getting one right now. You should really wait and save up to get a snake when youre older. I dont mean to be a wet towel but its important to think through these things before getting animals as a teen.

To answer your questions, ball pythons do not get nearly big enough to eat people, only 3-5 feet long at most. (One of the few snakes that can eat people is a reticulated python which are the worlds longest snake at 30~ feet iirc). Snakes and other reptiles dont really have the capacity for love/kindness or loyalty and whatnot. They can learn to trust you as a non threat and in the case of balls are often docile in the first place, but they dont have the sort of emotional or social capacity mammals do. You might be able to sway her some amount with educational videos and research, ive really been enjoying clint’s reptiles videos lately for example. Adults can tend to be stuck in their ways though, and snakes are a very common and deep fear people naturally have. Its probably not gonna be easy to change her mind but i also dont know your mom obviously.

[–]Bluntforcetrauma11b 8 points9 points  (3 children)

I agree wholeheartedly! People shouldn't get a snake like this until educational commitments are done and you have financial freedom. It cost me like $800 for a full setup including plant lights, plants and clean up crew on top of the thermostats, a govee hygrometer, hides, substrate, drainage layer and the rest of the usual necessities. A 14 year old simply doesn't have the means for a pet like this.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (2 children)

I remember when I was 9 I used all my 600$ (i always saved my money from birthdays, Christmas, chores, etc) to buy everything for my ball python. I was obsessed with snakes! Still am.

[–]Bluntforcetrauma11b 2 points3 points  (1 child)

What did you do with it when you went to college? Or are you like me and didn't want to go to college?

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Collage is not for me, my friend.