If you like the idea of having a reptile, and more specifically a snake, as a pet, then one breed you might want to look into is a ball python. These smaller snakes are popular among first-time and experienced snake owners alike, and they are pretty easy to find, both in traditional pet stores and from more specialized snake breeders. However, as with any pet, there are some pros and cons to consider before you head out and buy yourself a ball python.
Pros of Owning a Ball Python
1. Ball pythons will happily eat frozen and thawed rodents.
Some snakes are quite picky and will only eat live or freshly killed prey, which makes feeding those snakes a little difficult, especially for anyone who is squeamish. This does not tend to be an issue with ball pythons. Most will readily eat small mice that have been frozen and thawed to room temperature. Plus, you only need to feed ball pythons once every one to two weeks, which keeps feeding costs quite reasonable.
2. Ball pythons are very independent.
While ball pythons can learn to tolerate and even enjoy attention from humans, they're pretty independent and not really reliant on your attention. So as long as they have the food, water, and enclosure that they need, they won't mind if you get busy and don't have time to really play with them or pay attention to them for a few days. This makes them a much lower-maintenance choice than a dog, cat, or even rabbit.
3. Ball pythons have a long lifespan.
These snakes often live well into their 30s, and one ball python at the Philadelphia Zoo even made it to 47 years old! When you put the time and energy into caring for a pet, losing that pet can be really hard, so the longer the pet lives, the longer it will be before you have to suffer that heartbreak. A ball python is much longer-lived than a dog or cat, and it's one of the longer-living snake breeds.
Cons of Owning a Ball Python
1. Ball pythons do not cuddle with you.
In time, most ball pythons do become quite friendly. They'll relax when you hold them and seem to enjoy it. But they do not cuddle like a dog, cat, or rabbit might. If you're looking for a cuddly and cozy pet, a ball python is not it.
2. Ball pythons are not easy to find a pet sitter to take care of.
If you are someone who travels a lot, then you want to make sure you have a pet sitter lined up before you even buy a ball python. You can't just take them to a kennel as you would a dog or cat, and you may have a hard time finding a friend to come care for them since some people find the idea of having to feed them whole mice a bit offensive. Of course, if you never travel or have a good snake-sitter already, this con does not apply.
3. Ball pythons are not big and impressive.
These skinny snakes only grow to about 5 feet long, at most, and many remain smaller than that. If you're looking for a big, impressive snake that will make everyone say "wow," this is really not it. You may be better off with a boa.
If you are seeking a small, low-maintenance snake and don't mind having a pet that doesn't really cuddle, then a ball python may be the perfect pet for you. Talk to a few snake vendors in your area, and see what they have to offer.
For more information about ball pythons for sale in your area, talk to a local pet store.
Share26 January 2021
Hello everyone. My name is Vern Mitchell. Welcome to my website about pet care. When I was a young kid, I helped the neighborhood families take care of their pets during the vacation season. As my neighbors went on their trips, I would go by their houses to feed and play with their pets. Throughout this journey, I learned about the care techniques required for almost every step of pet. On this website, I would like to help others understand how to care for pets of all kinds. Thank you for coming by my website about pet care. Come back soon!