All the Wrong Ball Python Info on the Internet

There are many different ways to care for a ball python, and you'll find all those different ways described on the internet somewhere. But there is also a ton of just plain bad info all over the place and it's hard to determine what's what. I've gone through a bunch of snake Facebook and Reddit groups and found the top 6 most common bits of ball python misinformation. Let me know if you agree with me or not.

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This channel is all about the care of ball pythons (and some other snakes), health, breeding, genetics, handling, and behavior. We'll cover everything I can think of that has to do with keeping ball pythons. Lots of layman term science, and some laughs. Subscribe and click the notification bell and get notified when a new weekly video is posted:
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[robertnorris]

One misconception that I still see is that they’re essentially pet rocks that don’t move around and explore. Contrary to that, I’ve seen people in the groups like you mentioned give their snakes plenty of decor and things to explore and the snakes go everywhere. Including people who give them plenty of vertical climbing opportunities and they go right for it.

[lindsayschmidt]

When I got my first ball python this spring, I was aware that feeding them in a separate tub was bad and could lead to regurgitation. However, I ended up with a VERY picky eater, and I quickly exhausted my options, and someone suggested giving her a change of scenery. Knowing the risks, I tried to feed her in a separate bin, and she took it right away. She takes it every single time in a separate bin but won’t eat in her enclosure. In her enclosure, she seems terrified of the mouse and tries to hide from it (yes I feed f/t, not live), but if she’s in a different space, she’ll take it no problem. I also know there is nothing wrong with her enclosure, as she has had only absolutely perfect sheds with me and only ever shows stress in her enclosure at mealtime. I’m not sure why she’s like that, but some ball pythons are weird with their feeding habits.

[amybentley]

I've seen rumors all over the internet that Kent is dating a Kardashian. I've also heard all of this wrong ball python info. When I first got my big girl, I had a red light on at night and I was feeding her in a separate enclosure because the guy at the pet store told me to. That was the same guy who also told me I didn't need any sort of temp control on my undertank heat pad...

[stacyf]

I am so happy I came across your channel. I'm doing my research before I get my first baby BP and while somewhat helpful, the Facebook groups can be all over the place and extremely confusing. Not only that, they tend to bash people for asking questions or not knowing things. I've watched quite a few of your uploads and love the information as well as the entertainment. Thanks!❤ 🐍 ❤

[seiounjii]

I love your channel because you always come with the common sense I feel is missing from a lot of snake keepers that perpetuate "general" and misinformation.

[keithharper]

A great video with some solid funny bits. I wholeheartedly agree that they can learn new behaviours that are not simply instinctual. For example, Ambassador Noodle and Raymond Irwin seem to have figured out that rats come from the freezer, so when they are on free roam and are feeling peckish, they slither over to the freezer and boop it with their snoots. I don't know if they can smell the rats inside, or have seen me take them out of there often enough to realise that is where they are, or have simply learned that if they boop the big white box, their humans give them food - effectively target training with the freezer as the target. Whatever it is, it certainly isn't behaviour found in nature!

[panq]

The part about learning your own individuals seasonal patterns is so true, my first two females are very instinctual with their feeding patterns, and like to either fast or eat very little November to February every year, it used to drive me up the wall when they were younger and still growing, I was thinking I was doing something wrong with them (especially given that they were only my 2nd and 3rd snakes)
Then I did some digging and discovered our Winter is when the dry season happens in West africa, and Ball Pythons naturally eat very little to sometimes nothing during that period, so to them it probably feels natural to slow down then.
So I'm much more relaxed when they start onto it every year now (they're about 4 and 5 respectively), and just my luck the next two females I've gotten are absolute monsters who have never missed a meal unless they were in shed lol

[tayloralexis]

Your videos have helped me much! I just got my first pastel pied ball python at a reptile expo this past weekend and I am trying to absorb all the information I can. He is my very first snake and i just want to do everything to the best of my ability for him to live a healthy and happy life.
Your videos are amazing to get info from and have helped me tremendously! Thank you and keep doing what your doing! And a big thanks to Kent for always helping 😉
Fingers crossed he eats his first meal with me this weekend 🤞🏼

[kerseykrewzoo]

I’m so glad you brought up the “heat mats are the devil” thing. I was made to feel like a heat mat wasn’t good enough for my ball python, even though I made sure the substrate wasn’t too thick or thin over top of it and I put his water bowl over part of it to help with humidity in his enclosure. I’ve since started using a che and it’s drying out the air in the enclosure to the point that I am struggling to keep it above 40% more often than not. It’s frustrating because when I was using the heat mat the only trouble I had was getting the temperature on the warm side over 83-85 degrees Fahrenheit but it seems like if I get the warm side to 88-89 degrees, he immediately goes to the cool side and won’t go back to the other side until the temp drops back down to 85 again.

It’s a struggle sometimes trying to figure out the best thing to do for each individual snake, but if you can observe them enough, you start seeing patterns and preferences that differ a little or a lot from others of the same species. I’m fortunate enough to be home all day so I have more time to observe things like that, but there’s ways to do it if you have a busier schedule, like pet cameras that sync to your phone for example.

I’m one of those crazy people who talk to my animals like they understand every word I say, so I’ve always thought reptiles were smarter than people give them credit for. Sure, there are some more driven by instinct than intelligence, but if all they we’re doing was following their instincts, we wouldn’t be able to train them the way we have.

Thank you for bringing up these subjects and thank you to those who helped by suggesting things or asking questions about these topics. Now let’s go plaster this video all over the internet so maybe we can kill some of these ridiculous “rules” people are trying to claim as stone-cold facts. ☺️💕

[silersimpson]

This video has been out for about a year now but I just wanted to say I’m a new reptile parent, just getting into the hobby. You have taught me more than any one else on YouTube about ball pythons. You answer all the questions I have and go into more detail about stuff than other people do. Thanks for the information!

[ryanmcguinness]

So after wanting a snake since being 15 (just turned 30) but having little knowledge in set up and how to care for these animals, i alway put it off until 2 weeks ago i took my nearly 4 years old son to a fun fair and 1 couple had a reticulated python out, id say it waas a super dwarf i just got told it was a reticulated python, the snake was not bothered about all the adults and the kids stroking him and grabbing him he was 6 years old, so since that day ive been doing alot of research and watching loads of videos which confused me more, i finally went to a few reptile shops bought a set up friday got sent a list of ball python morphes i picked a cinnamon fire ghost 3 gene morph shes lovely she arrived yesterday, when am more confident ans and experience i do also want a super dwarf retic but thats going to be a few years down the line, all your videos are helping me out more than anybody else's, great work

[robertblair]

I’ve been on your channel none stop for several weeks now. I love Kent! Your channel is the most informative and entertaining channel about snake care I have found. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[donnabond]

Thank you for doing the Lord 's work. You have made my second time attempt to make a python thrive (and be genuinely happy!) successful. I can't bring back the boy who was killed by a garbage heat system but I'm grateful that you have helped me understand my rescued tiny princess. I'd love to tell you about her (and the condition I found her in after I swore never to risk that heart break again) and how lucky I feel once the vet gave her a clean bill of respiratory health! I'll look to your Patreon for more.

[lisagordon]

Great video Bob. So many misconceptions and bad advice with Ball pythons. I also appreciate you addressing a few issues. I’ve never experienced snake mites (thank goodness) but I never handle the snakes at my local reptile store where I buy feeders and supplies other than their huge Argentine Tegu and Nile Monitor who are ambassadors for the store. I was actually looking at acquiring a Tegu from them last year and was educated as to why I should not have one (a lot of non-specific pet stores will not do that).

As far as heat mats/tape are concerned, my BP’s love them but a thermostat is required. I set mine to 91 degrees. My rascals will move all substrate out of the way just to snooze on them.

[nimblecrowcrafts]

Ooo sounds like Kent might have some tea to spill. ☕ Great video! As someone who is still in the researching step of snake keeping, it's very helpful to have this info in one video. Especially from a keeper I trust!

[OSUCammy]

We just LOVE your videos! Could watch you 24 hours a day! 😉 We have learned soooo much from you. Thanks for everything!

[TopFurret]

Awesome video. The belly heat bad advice I see some places is so weird. The reasoning I keep hearing is that it's not natural. But .... We want to give them a better life than what they find in nature right? Also heat is heat does it really matter where it comes from as long as your snake is comfortable and digesting normally?

[QonnyWolf]

Thanks so much for this video 💜
I‘ve been a pet owner for a long time (dogs, cats, fish, geckos) but just got my first ball python two weeks ago. I did a lot of research and stepped over all these things you just mentioned. My intuition told me that most of them are bullshit. But actually this thing about the feeding in a seperate container made me confused. What you said was just what my feelings told me and now i‘m sure about keeping on to feed him in his enclosure!
Also i loved how you trained your girl! I studied biology and had some lessons in animal cognition but sadly there was nothing about reptiles! So i actually find this pretty amazing! I didn‘t expect them to learn things like that! Especially because you can‘t give them any treats! You know… as a dog owner i know lots about reinforcement etc. It also works with my geckos… they love fruits so for being good guys they get fruity treats. Now with the snake i was wondering how to train him. 😂

Maybe you‘ll read my comment till the end. I have a question and i just can‘t find an answer. Actually i tried to find some scientific papers about this topic bit i couldn‘t find anything useful. I‘m wondering if reptiles really need all that artificial light for their day/night rythm. I mean… my dogs also know when it‘s day or night even though they‘re in a flat 😂
I just think that all these led lights must be more disturbing for our reptiles. Especially when it comes to nocturnal species! I recently removed all the lights from my crested geckos enclosures. When the lights were on during the day they just hid at the darkest corner of the enclosure. Now without the lights they use more different spaces for sleeping during the day. Still they keep their rythm and wake up at about 8 pm!
As you seem very clever and interested in topics like this i‘d really love to hear your opinion on this topic 😍

[adamloris]

I think the anti heat mat brigade mainly come from a position of the quantity of people who use them incorrectly and then snake burning itself.

[evad]

this was a great video, your channel is by far my favourite!! i’m going to get my first snake (a ball python) soo and you’ve been so helpful with advice so thank you so much :D i was wondering if you sold any green room python t-shirts and if so where i could buy them? i’m unfortunately not allowed to join any discord groups so i’m not sure if that means i can’t access them! very cute snakes :)