What should I know if I want to have a ball python?

I always liked the colors and their enclosure designs but I’ve heard bad stories about feeding response , temperament and some times genetic problems . If you know anything you think I should know please send me .(I have a constrictor ,a hognose and a savannah monitor ).

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I only have 1 BP that ive had since only December 2024, shes almost 3 years old and she is personally very friendly but sometimes has an aggressive response to getting fed: She’ll strike at my hand (purposely):sweat_smile:. Honestly though, from my experience she never latches on, just strikes and lets go. It feels like a pinch if your unlucky but usually feels like barely anything with some bleeding. She has also struck at me for directly pulling her out of her hide, so make sure to lift the hide up before reaching your hand at the snake. I dont know much about genetics tbh but i know spider morphs have some issues. Ball Pythons make amazing pets imo, so if you have the opportunity to get one i totally recommend it!

thanks I will keep that in mind

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I’ve kept Ball Pythons for years now and I have 15 of them currently… here’s my 2 cents about them.

Raise them from babies, you’re more likely to establish a comfortable routine with them and get to know their behaviors and preferences.

Females are less likely (still not impossible) to go on food strikes, males commonly go on food strikes as they reach sexual maturity and want to focus more on finding a female and breeding over wanting to eat. But that’s not set in stone either, both of my breeding age males still eat readily for me after I pair them and sometimes I have females that skip a few meals. Females will also commonly refuse food if they are post-ovulation.

I’ve never had any real issues for feeding refusal with my Ball Pythons, I’ve only ever had one female that went on a super long feeding strike but it ended up being that she just absolutely refused to take f/t suddenly and ate live for a few years up until recently thankfully. A lot of feeding refusal comes from inadequate enclosure parameters like temperature (86°F warm end - 75 cool end) and lack of places to hide.

Ball Pythons are ambush predators and feel significantly more comfortable taking food if they have a place to hunt from. You’ll even know if they are looking for prey when you see them hunkered down in a hiding spot and see just their head poking out.

As far as temperament goes again you’d have better luck having a comfortable and calm snake if you get them as a baby and establish regular handling sessions with them. I’ve only been bitten twice by a Ball Python in the many years I’ve kept them and both of them were teeny little babies and have since grown out of defensive behaviors through daily handling.

They are usually very calm animals and make such popular pets because of that, they’ve even been coined as “pet-rocks” by some because they really don’t show much activity and aggression at all compared to other species, again speaking from experience.

Genetic, congenital and physical issues arise from improper breeding and breeding morphs known for issues.

The most known morphs with issues fall under the Spider complex, (Black Head, Champagne, Chocolate, Cypress, HGW, Saar, Sable, Shadow, Spider, Spotnose, and Wookie) all have the wobble present from inner ear abnormalities caused by genetics linked to the Morphs, meaning there is no way to have the morph present without its issue. Some are less noticeable than others but its known that the condition can significantly worsen with stress.

There are also morph combos and super variants of morphs that cause deformity or are outright fatal, meaning the snake will not live and develop during incubation or it will fail to thrive outside of the egg. Super Cinnamons commonly have spinal kinks and facial deformities.

Its incredibly important that you do thorough and lengthy research yourself into Ball Pythons before you ever decide to keep one, so when you do decide to bring one home they will have the highest possible chance to thrive in your care.

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thanks a lot , I will keep that in mind, you must be a pro :grinning:

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This is a really good resource for most issues you’ll see in BPs.
I’ve seen a few different interactions with Albino and Blue Eye Lucy that aren’t in there, but overall the best compilation you’ll see.

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thanks for the info , what morph would you recommend ?

I fell in love with the Blue eye lucy complex … So I started with a lesser, a Mojave coral glow and a Special Mojave when I got into the fancy side.

I’ve had a good old classic/wild type/normal for 26 years though and he is still a gorgeous looking boy.

Almost any morph is great and most just depends on what you like.

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I’ll keep that in mind too thanks for telling me

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