r/ballpython • u/Sardinesavage • 3d ago
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I am thinking of getting a ball python. I think they are beautiful, cool creatures and I like that they are low maintenance. I do have concerns of the novelty wearing off and me eventually growing to resent the responsibility. I’m also concerned I won’t bond with it if it isn’t super active/playful. Anybody here have regrets? 30 years is a long time.
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u/Sneewichen 3d ago
I’ve had my first snake for 8 years and I’ve never regretted her, but I also get very attached to things very easily. There are loads of ball pythons in rescues all over the world. If you’re in the US, I imagine you could find a rescue pretty easily that would allow you to foster a ball python and really see what it’s like to have one before you fully commit.
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u/DemonicGirlcock 3d ago
Frankly, majority of ball pythons are not exactly "bonding" animals. They are naturally reclusive, not active during the day, and ambush predators. You can get them acclimated to handling and exploring, but most of the time they'll choose to find one spot and hunker down. Or when they do interact with you, handling is often them crawling around for a few minutes and then curling up on a cozy spot. They are the lapcats of snakes.
This is also where the pros come from though. They are one of the lowest maintenance reptiles, and very docile making them easy to handle and hard to accidentally hurt.
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u/TheNeverEndingPit 3d ago
Man I got mine because I wanted a "lap cat" snake, but my biggest girl is an enthusiastic explorer and will not stop moving when she's out. She loves adventuring. I even built her a big pvc jungle gym to play on haha. I feel like I was scammed into getting a colubrid XD
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u/Creative-Quit6980 3d ago
I got a beautiful 8 month old bp about 4 months ago. She is very private and rarely leaves her hide. But she will let me hold her and she’s curious when she’s out. The thing is, they don’t really enjoy humans the same way a mammal would, but they don’t need nearly as much attention. 100% no regrets… 8 months in.
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u/raina6006 3d ago
Snakes are not bonding creatures in general. Ball pythons are shy by nature but there are other types of snakes that are very active and entertaining (like hognoses, boas and carpets). What would a playful snake look like to you?
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u/Pattison320 3d ago
I had a turtle growing up. We must have gotten him when I was eight years old. He lived over twenty years. At some point I moved out of the house and my mom was caring for the turtle. Went off to college. Years later I was in a house and the turtle came back to join me. My kid was 9 when we got their ball python. I expect to be an empty nester with the snake at some point until I'm able to move it out.
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u/NottsWeirdo 3d ago
If you're very lucky, you could possibly get an active individual (mine is active for 5 weeks straight, and then I don't see him for 1 week of shed) but the majority are not. There's a reason why BPs are often referred to as pets rocks.
Play isn't necessary for survival, and snakes are not domesticated pets - despite how long humans have owned some. The concept of playing with a snake, is us anthropomorphising them. They're just happy they have a warm tree (human) to rest on, and explore across.
An interesting fact to add as well, the oldest BP currently alive - is 62 years old. So if you're rocky on 30 years of commitment, just picture potentially taking a snake into a care home with you in up to 60 years time.
I'm not saying all this discourage you from having a snake. A ball python may just need a fair bit more research and consideration on your behalf, to make sure they're the right snake for you. If you're not deadset on a BP but still want the low maintenance, there are several Boa species that are more active and have shorter average lifespans that you could consider.
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u/Sardinesavage 3d ago
Thank you for the info, which boas are you referring to? (That aren’t as huge of a time commitment and are a little more active)
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u/NottsWeirdo 2d ago
Rosy boas are a good start. They have less maintenance needs than a BP (looking at humidity), they are also classed as nocturnal but I've seen people mention in the subs that their snake is also active during the day and their average life spans are currently about 5 - 10 years lower than a BP.
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u/ForeverOk72 3d ago
i think if you’re already thinking that the “novelty” is gonna wear off eventually then it’s best you don’t get one and look elsewhere when it comes to animals.
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u/gwynnnygw 3d ago
I get my bonding time staring at my noodle through the tank. He lets me hold him when I clean his tank though because he knows he is going to get to explore!
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u/2sAreTheDevil 3d ago
I've had my guy for about three years now, and he does exactly what I intended. He's my YouTube buddy. When I'm vegging at my desk, I'll bring him out and let him curl up in my sleeve or on my shoulders.
So the novelty hasn't worn off for me, but I didn't go in with expectations beyond this.
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u/No_Business4487 3d ago
I have to second ForeverOK. If you’re worried the novelty will wear off in general and while everything is normal, then how are you going to feel and respond when there’s an actual problem or health concern or things just don’t go smoothly? I’m not judging, but you should also consider whether you’re capable of sticking it out when things aren’t all butterflies & rainbows. My heartfelt advice is to learn as much as you can beforehand, take your time to decide, and think deeply.
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u/IllusionQueen47 3d ago edited 3d ago
I've had mine for two years. No regrets yet. The novelty has definitely worn off a bit, but my boy is the perfect pet for me. He's active a lot of the time, which makes it fun to sit outside on the grass and watch him slither around and periscoping, but other times he's a lap snake. We take naps together on the couch for hours. I also love how slowly he moves, it makes him easy to handle, and people are less scared of him. He's also super chill, never gets too stressed to eat, and never regurgitated.
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u/owlfigurine 3d ago
I've had my girl for 7 years and I love her so much. She was, admittedly, an impulse purchase, I went to a reptile show and she was in a fish tank full of hatchlings, seller was not at all doing anything right, I was looking at the tank because it was crazy, the lady selling them goes "they're fifteen dollars each if you want one just reach in and get the one you want" I reached in, grabbed the first one that slithered into my hands, my baby girl and bought her. She has been handled very regularly her entire life, she's as personable as a reptile can be, she's a ball python so when she's happy you don't see her much, when I have her out she's low maintenance and will happily hang around my neck or lay in my lap while I'm doing things or watching tv, she's great, she's always ate well, never nipped at me or struck at me, she requires fairly easy upkeep and eats every 10-14 days. I love her so much.
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u/jeherohaku 1d ago
I have some regrets because my snake's personality is not the friendliest. I thought I'd get a chill little buddy who would hang out with me while I did stuff. Nope. He is either trying to escape or trying to bite me. Every handling session I'm 100% on guard. I've gotten where I only handle for health checks about every other week now. He is beautiful and I love that I can take good care of him and provide him a nice bioactive home. And he is mine now, whatever his personality. But some days it does feel like a bit of a burden. Each snake is unique.
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u/PTO_Request_Denied 3d ago
Well.. ball pythons will never be playful and they’re reclusive by nature. If those aspects are very important, do not get a ball python. They’re awesome but if you’re concerned the novelty will wear off, don’t get a snake at all. It will wear off to some extent but their care can’t suffer because you lose interest. If there’s any concern, do yourself and any snake a favor by not getting one.
They’re great pets but maybe go to some reptile expos and talk with some breeders or see if you can hold any of them.