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post by Tamara   |  | 
Snake
< on 6/23/2011 8:06 PM >

I was thinking about getting a snake in a year or two. Piebald ball python. I have looked at their care and maintenance, feeding, ect. If theres any advice that I wouldn't get asking the standard questions, please comment.


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post by solstice   |  | 
Re: Snake
<Reply # 1 on 6/24/2011 2:13 AM >

I'm actually in the process of breeding pieds currently. They are absolutely gorgeous animals, and I love my two het-pieds even though they're not fancy-looking. Admittedly, my female is a little shy, but my male honestly has the best temperament of any reptile I've ever encountered. I'd recommend a Ball to anyone who's serious about owning a reptile; they are very easy to handle and pretty robust.

One word of caution that I'd give is that while BPs are usually very good eaters, they have a tendency to go off feed about once a year. Mine have done it twice in the three years that I've had them, and it's not a huge deal but it's still kind of maddening. And there's really nothing you can do but wait it out.

Also, I know opinions vary on feeding live vs pre-killed, but I would strongly advise to get your snake on pre-killed as soon as possible, or keep him on them since that's what almost all breeders feed anyway. I started mine on live because at the time it was easier for me to get live rats, but I've recently started switching them to pre-killed and it's kind of a bitch to switch them. Aside from the obvious argument that live rats can and will bite your snakes (actually the reason I'm switching mine is because they've gotten rat-shy after being bitten a few times), it's a hassle to care for a live rat for a week or more if your snake refuses it or strikes out and gets shy.

I don't know where you're planning on getting your snake, but you should absolutely go to a reptile show if you can--not only will you get to check out a ton of cool animals, but dealers offer their best prices at shows, you'll get to take your snake home that day and minimize shipping-related stress, and you can meet the breeder and talk to them. Be sure to ask what the snake has been feeding on--I didn't ask about my female but I suspect she may have been eating PK silky mice because she was not interested in the live rats I was offering her to start with.

I could seriously go on for days about this subject, so I'm gonna stop here, but if you have any specific questions, please ask, and I apologize if I've over-answered any obvious questions, heh.


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post by Garutachi   |  | 
Re: Snake
<Reply # 2 on 6/24/2011 2:46 AM >

I have a ball python. He's about 3 years old and his name is Unagi. He's about the most boring pet I've ever had...except at feeding time. I agree with solstice about the pre-killed feeding...live mice are smelly and gross and could hurt your new friend.
But seriously, they're easy to care for and cute. Feeding them is fascinating, I can't help but watch every time. The only downfall is that their poop smells REALLY bad but they don't poop a whole lot so I can deal with it. Oh also, it's really funny watching your friends and family react when they open up your fridge to find a large juicy rat thawing next to the eggs and milk.


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post by Tamara   |  | 
Re: Snake
<Reply # 3 on 6/24/2011 8:05 PM >

thanks you two. I'm going to really take my time learning about a snake before i get one. And i was gonna find a show to go too just because i really want to see my pied before I purchase her. ANd mailing snakes is not kosher at all with me. But even if i order through a store I still risk getting a pied i dont really like.

I am going to watch a few feedings, i used to own pet rats and rabbits so i want to make sure im okay with feeding the snake. for obvious reasons. I shouldnt have a problem though cause i come from a long line of hunters.


I'll keep you informed and let you know. I think I will wait until I don't live in student housing anymore. I don't control the temperature in this place and i dont want someone getting all bitchy about a snake.


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post by solstice   |  | 
Re: Snake
<Reply # 4 on 6/24/2011 8:49 PM >

I'm going to really take my time learning about a snake before i get one.
Good idea! Seems like nobody does this before getting a pet. I wanted a BP for years before I finally got one, and I can tell you it was much more satisfying when I finally did get my baby. And since you want a pied, you'll need a few years to save up the cash for one, lol, since I assumed you've looked at prices...

ANd mailing snakes is not kosher at all with me. But even if i order through a store I still risk getting a pied i dont really like.
IMO, mailing them is not always a bad thing, but I would never want to have a snake shipped in winter or over a very long distance--my guy came via overnight from PA to NC, so it was only a few hours' worth of ride time. I definitely not get any reptile from a pet store, as most pet stores don't handle their reptiles enough (and you get a shy/mean snake) or don't know how to properly care for reptiles (and you get a sick snake). I'd be surprised if you could even find a pet store that carried pieds, and even if you could I'm sure their markups would make them absolutely unaffordable.

I am going to watch a few feedings, i used to own pet rats and rabbits so i want to make sure im okay with feeding the snake.
Good idea. I've also had rats as pets and I don't like to feed colored fancy rats because I think they're too cute, lol. But just remember that the snake's gotta eat too!


I think I will wait until I don't live in student housing anymore. I don't control the temperature in this place and i dont want someone getting all bitchy about a snake.
Also a great idea! Keeping any animal in a college setting is never easy.



Definitely keep us updated! Maybe by the time you're looking at babies I'll have pics of fresh little pieds to share!


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post by Twisted Orchid   |  | 
Re: Snake
<Reply # 5 on 9/19/2011 3:04 PM >

Used to have a 12 foot burmese python, feeding time was pretty wicked. We could always tell he was hungry when he started staring down the cats as they walked along the edge of his cage. lol (following their heat thinking they were supersized rats I guess) Good luck with your snake!


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