DO NOT Get A Pet Ball Python Until You Watch This!

Ball Pythons are the best pet reptiles right? Well, just because Royal Pythons are the most popular pet snake doesn't mean they are the best pet snake for everyone. Let's break down three reasons why Ball Pythons might make a bad pet for you and some better options that might make a better pet for you!
#snakevideo #ballpython #petsnake

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Adam Wickens
221 Glendale Ave
PO Box 25037 Pen Centre
St. Catharines ON
L2T 4C4
Canada

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[WickensWickedReptiles]

would you ever keep a ball python? Why or why not?

[speeddemon]

I got my 2 male ball pythons when I was 17 years old. Next month, I'll be 50 - and both snakes are still alive and doing great! They've been with me for most of my life now. From living at home with my parents in high school as a teenager to now being married almost 10 years with 2 kids and my own home (and a lot of time in between). I hope they stick around for decades to come. :)

[lemmykilmister]

Went to a reptile expo a couple of years ago, and impulsively bought a ball python. Best impulse buy ever. His name is woody and has brought so much joy into my life.

[tickledpunk]

I love my ball pythons. They’ve been the best therapy for my anxiety and depression. I can’t imagine my life without them. The feel of them slithering across my arms or neck, the gentle pressure and weight of their bodies just grounds me when I feel a panic attack coming on. I also have a Corn Snake and a Mandarin Rat Snake. I would love to see you do content on Mandarins!

[velkynkarma]

Funnily enough, the "get what you like" rule is exactly what I did--for a ball python! Most of my research indicated they're more intermediate snakes due to their humidity levels and the way they go off food. But I love their adorable little faces and their colors and their temperaments sounded perfectly matched to me, so I got one anyway instead of going for a cornsnake first. I don't regret it. (Also anyone who says BP's are boring clearly just hasn't given them a proper enclosure. Mine LOVED climbing and exploring and smelling every new thing I put in his enclosure. If you give them the space, they'll use it).

[suhrby]

I'm not saying the stepping stone thing is wrong or anything, because I do agree, I just want to make a comment.

It's not just about if you think you can care for the reptile, but also the money. Snakes are extremely expensive, buying the snake, the enclosures, beddings, food, lights, tank accessories, and more. Not to be a discouragement, though, a 40 gal can be around 200 dollars, but then you can get a used one for 50. You just have to work your way around it.

I was unfortunately not allowed to have the snake I wanted for my first (red-tailed boa) and got a ball python instead. What I didn't know was that this ball python would be one of the most special pets I have ever had, and she was just an amazing little snake. She was so friendly with people, had perfect sheds, never had eating problems (except when I first got her), and just the sweetest, most calm soul ever. Today, I now have 4 ball pythons, and I love them all.

[zachvapes]

I’ve always wanted a ball python when I was younger and never was able to have one. And 6 months ago I was gifted one from my uncle who is a snake breeder and I just fell in love with the snake. Fast forward to today and I now have 3 ball pythons and plan to add more to my collection. Caring for them is super easy. And a big thanks to you for make videos on not only ball python but other reptiles, having the right information really makes everything easy.

[ingeniouspixie]

This is great education! It's "little" things like this that you don't always think of before getting an animal, even if you watch/read loads of care guides. I wish I'd had something like this for other animals I've adopted.
Side note: Fadi's (Daffy's Reptiles) newest podcast has a part where the guest talks about how BP's are found in their native habitat. They actually use a lot more vertical space than we give them credit for!

[dericplummer]

One of the big pluses of having a ball python is if you have really young children like 1-4 years old, or you have friends with children that age, it is really the perfect snake to pull out and show them. It's big enough where the child won't hurt it, small enough not to be scary, and slow enough to not just dart to the floor. My first snake was a ball python and while i am not personally interested in getting anymore of them it's still the first snake i pull out when educating some people.

[CaroleEvans]

One of our BP's is on hunger strike. He's 17 months old and weighs 1.022kg - he's just over four feet in length (he's been in a 4x 2 x2 since we got him 15 months ago) . He's like a toddler....every time we open the viv, he comes out on our periscopes and reaches for my husband or daughter and son. When it's time for him to go back in his viv, he tenses up like a walking stick! He will go to sleep around my shoulders. I did not want a snake in the house at all but, I'm totally smitten by them both

[KendallRae]

Biggest pet peeve is when I see other reptile owners discourage someone from a reptile they really want & are educated on... and say something like "get a gecko instead" or something. Makes me feel so bad for all of the reptiles who are being bought just for that person to "level up" in reptile keeping. My first reptile was a tegu & EVERYONE said not to do that. Well... who would've guessed that getting the pet you're passionate about would work out. She's doing amazing and is a great pet. I'm so glad that I ignored the doubters. Now I have a ball python (another dream reptile of mine). Get the pet YOU WANT! Do your research and have passion for the animals you have ❤️

[Staysee]

My mother in law is currently fostering 4 ball pythons, 2 normal and 2 pied. Beautiful snakes and she's given them great enclosures with hiding spaces and attached logs to the roof of thier enclosures for climbing etc

[ronneschmonne]

Awesome video! The eating issue scares me a bit but I love Ball pythons so much. Your tip to get the pet you actually want instead of what people tell you to get (as a beginner) is so important. I wanted to buy a corn snake and I love corn snakes too, they’re sweet. But in my head it always felt like I wanted to buy a corn snake just to get experience with snakes and THEN the ultimate goal is to get a ball python. Changed that order now and will get a ball python hopefully soon (after more months of research though)

[tkthrowback]

I was considered terminal as a child due to an aggressive infection of Kawasakis and all I wanted in the world was a tortoise. My mom took me to the reptile store and it was amazing. They didn’t get me one because they were going to be sad when I died and they would have to take care of my tortoise. I ended up miraculously recovering (praise god) but nothing really changed after lol. Man I hate when parents refuse to encourage their kids interests. In my case it was “well we gave you sister ‘X’ and she got bored of it therefore so will you”
I wasn’t allowed to play an instrument in school because she quit band. Now as an adult I’m playing piano and guitar and my daughter wants a reptile which is how I found your channel

[TesseraCraft]

I love that you say, if this is your pet, why would you want to keep them in a minimum enclosure. I think it is important to understand minimums when it comes to keeping an animal, but I also strongly encourage people to do better than that.

[angelhaloheart]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us! I've been trying to look up animals I can keep in my room. I saw an article about pythons not needing very much space, but I felt off about it, decided to search more, and stumbled across this. I'm glad my gut was right and that I found your video. I'm sad I won't be able to fit one into my room... I'll just have to stick with tarantulas it seems. lol

[MiBackpacking]

Great video Adam! Thank you for bringing up the importance of enclosure size and offering climbing opportunities for these guys. My bp’s spend a good amount of time daily climbing in their enclosure, and my girl will spend a little time in the morning basking under her heat lamp before going to sleep for the day.

[SlayerKai]

I came across this video while doing research about ball pythons and king snakes as I intend to buy one in 2-3yrs, and this video has helped me a lot with better understanding their nature and care for them. Thank you :)

[Katie.girll]

The easy care is what attracts me to them from some other types of snakes. I already have a Kenyan sand boa but I have been looking for a more medium sized snake and a ball python checks all of my boxes. I have just been saving recently to get a bigger enclosure before I buy one!

[bethanycoultrup]

My fiancé and I got a scaleless corn snake 3 years ago and we named him wrinkle. He’s a really social snake, I love his personality. But I’ve always wanted a ball python, planning to get one autumn this year. Thanks for the great videos so I can plan and prepare for my new pet!