do you have any tips for getting a snake? like what are the pros of it and what are the cons? i really want one, but i'd like to know what i'm getting into first. thanks! (also, your snake is absolutely wonderful. thank you for sharing them with us. <3)
Besides the obvious pro that they're very pretty, exotic, and unique pets--which in turn make you feel cool and niche because you can take aesthetic pics of them (I'm totally dragging myself on this). Here are some pros/cons to having a ball python (I can't speak for all snakes since I only have a BP and they're all very different in pros/cons): Pros:- You only need to feed them once a week. They can go longer periods of time without eating and its generally okay (although I wouldn't practice the latter regularly and there's a lot more to this piece to research on). Mainly it's nice if you go on vacation because you don't have to worry about having a friend/family member check on them every day.-They only pee/poop every 1-2 weeks. So you don't have to clean up after them all the time.-They don't smell (unless they pee/poop than wow good luck that stuff stinks). But generally they're pretty odorless, my dad has a sensitive nose (also strongly dislikes the smells of animals) but with Apollo there hasn't been a single complaint from him.-They don't need any affectionate attention like cats/dogs, so you don't have to feel the need to handle them everyday. -If you're looking for a super chill/laid back pet, they're perfect! Most bp's are content to sit in your lap and sleep.-They are your lifelong friend! I think there's been a BP recorded that's ~40 years old???Cons:-Their husbandry needs are very specific and is a lot to maintain/learn about in the beginning. Getting humidity levels and hot spots/ambient temps is CRUCIAL to your bp's health and it's a lot of research and experimenting to get it right your first time around.-BP's are pretty picky eaters, so while it's okay for them to not eat for a month, it's also not uncommon for one to go off feed for over 4 months and that can be very stressful for someone who can't figure out why they won't eat. (Hint: usually it's a husbandry problem, health problem, breeding season, or sometimes they just decide not to eat for months on end).-The BP community, while very informative also has a lot of misinformation that gets thrown around (Example: BHB Reptiles or Snakebytes TV on YouTube). So it takes a lot of research to sift through the myths/outdated knowledge to understand what's the proper practice and care for BP's.-They're not cheap!!!!!!! Just because they're less maintenance than a cat/dog, be prepared to shell out at least $500 in husbandry materials, food, vet bills up front (EXCLUDING the price of your BP). I've prob spent ~$1k on Apollo just this year and he hasn't even gone to the vet yet. It's solely on food and getting all the equipment for his forever tank. -They're not affectionate like cats/dogs. There's a lot of posts out there that anthropomorphize (humanize) them, saying that their snake is sad, happy, enjoys being cuddled, etc and it's not that they might not completely feel that at all, but their emotional/cognitive capacity isn't like a cat/dog. So while Apollo does recognize me because of my scent/how often I handle him, I highly doubt he loves me or enjoys cuddling with me. It's more like he is used to me and tolerates my affection because I'm warm. -If you even turn around from them for a few minutes, they will escape and squish themselves into the most obscure corners ever and get themselves into trouble. (I'm pretty sure this one is universal across all snakes and I have definitely had my heart attack moment with Apollo on this one already). -They live a long time!!! Yes, I know I mentioned this as a pro, but it's also a con if you won't be able to commit to owning one for at least 20 years. By time I get married and have kids, Apollo will still be around! Not that it's a bad thing for me cause I'm 110% committed to this, but it's food for thought. You never know what will happen in the next 25 years of your life and if having a pet BP will interrupt it in the long run.TLDR; there are more cons than pros to having a BP, solely because you have to do a LOT of research before getting one since their needs are very specific and there's a lot of misinformation about them online. I'd say if you're planning on getting a snake purely because they're really pretty than I'd recommend against getting one. But if you're really passionate about them, ready to give a 25+ year commitment to having one, have the financial stability (and responsibility) to own one, and are ready to do your research, than you're on your way to having a very fulfilling relationship with your future long pup! As always, thank you for all the love and support on this blog ❤️For all the other snake bloggers out there, please feel free to add onto this list! I'm sure I've left out many other points as well.
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