DO NOT Get A Pet Ball Python! | 3 Reasons Why Ball Pythons Are Not Good For Beginners 

I think ball pythons are a good first snake for a committed beginner.

As a ball python, I am offended!

You're totally right, we should all get green anacondas...

This video made me want to get a Ball Python more. 10/10 great clickbait

Ball pythons are victims of their own hardiness. “They can live in a 20 gallon on news paper with a heat mat their whole lives.” Yes, they CAN but they should NOT.

My first snake being a pet ball python: 👀

I picked a ball python (banana!) for my first reptile and he has been nothing but a dream. 0 issues and 0 regrets getting him.

I have a ball Python and he’s literally the easiest pet I’ve ever had to care for. I think they are great beginner snakes.

Me, who just got a Ball Python as my first snake 2 days ago: 👁👄👁

Me: a dainty, five foot fourteen year old. 👁👄👁 You did not have to come for me like this

Ball pythons are awesome. Big enough to be impressive, but small enough to manage plus almost unlimited patterns/colours.

"a dainty 14-year-old boy..." cut to thousands of 14-year-olds running to the pet store to prove they're not "dainty" lol!

Biggest pet peeve with my boy steve...his food has to be heated just perfectly or he won't touch it.

adam: you won’t have a problem unwrapping a corn snake my corn snake: *challenge accepted*

A receptionist and friend at work told me about someone she knows who had a ball python on a farm. This snake got out of his enclosure and would actively seek out his owner, and wrap himself around her when he found her. She also shared her lollypops with him. Both astonish me.

I unexpectedly took over the care of a baby bp, afraid of snakes and knowing nothing. I've gotten lots of info and all of it directly conflicts so I try to watch her behavior and go from there. She's incredibly docile. She LOVES to eat, favoring frozen/thawed over live. Her name is Valentine so feeding day is called Valentine's day. And yes, I am in love now.

I like what you said about them needing space to stretch out. That really bugged me when I read up on their habitat size recommendations. Pretty much every critter I’ve ever met likes being able to stretch out occasionally. I agree they need a space to accommodate that

Me looking over at my picky, scaredy-cat bp: Yeah that checks out

I was chilling with my corn snake watching this

My first snake was a ball python and I fell in love. The hardest thing was getting her enclosure perfect and from there I knew what I needed to do once I decided to get more. I now have 3 and it’s just second nature now. I did weeks of research before committing to it and I’m glad I did cause it helped a whole lot. I’ve also learned that you absolutely can not trust pet stores when they tell you things. Please buy from a reputable breeder.

The thumbnail was very misleading and broke my heart for a minute. I recently got my hands on a Mocha, fire, and pastel and out of any animal I’ve ever been blessed with he is an angel.

Me to my ball python in room: don't listen to him, you are incredible ❤

Thank you for this video! My first snakes were BPs and I was very determined, but a lot of people aren't as committed as I was and most people didn't spend over a year researching. You took all the words right out of my mouth.

I’ve never had a snake but really want a ball python because of how Handleable it is and for because it isn’t super fast

unwrapping my kingsnake from my chair is so much easier then my ball python but my ball pythons CANNOT hold onto my arm for there life

Mine eats perfectly fine tbh, haven’t had any problems *knocks on wood*

5'2" tall, nobody ever commented about me growing over summer either. lol

I'm still strongly considering getting a ball python as my first snake, but it's not as if anything that you said was wrong. All the videos I've watched about Ball Pythons have included these concerns (temperature and humidity, finicky feeding habits, and adult size) but to me, those aren't large enough concerns to steer me away from getting one. I know that I want a larger snake that tends to have less 'dart-like' behavior, and I also know I'm not very interested in a lizard (at least, at first) or a gecko. That really just leaves a few good choices for beginners, and ball pythons are by far the best choice among them IMO. Any animal is going to come with a learning curve and will need to be adjusted to, but for me, the pros of having a snake I can handle and that is pretty and active around the same times I am (Evening and morning person, here) is very important to me. TLDR- I don't think a snake not being "the easiest possible snake" makes them a bad beginner pet, but everything in this video is factual so I can agree with that. Not the title though.

I’m grateful that I live in the south, where the humidity is high. I never thought I would say that.

To be honest as a corn snake person. I just have corn snakes, because I just love how they are. They can be feisty if not handled but not too crazy. They bite and it is easy to teach them not to. But if you react to their biting they learn quickly. Also, many corns get dumped because they are bought as a beginner snake and then people get tired of them. So can we get over the idea of beginner snakes. and have people do their research and know what they are getting into before they get into them.

“nuber three” lol love ya channel tho

so i recently got a frog, and it croaks very loudly at night, waking me up and even my dad, down the hall, do you have any tips to stop or muffle it, he is a Pacific Tree Frog, and lives in a tub with coconut core, a large bowl for soaking, and sticks and rock for climbing and hiding anything helps thank you

That snake just dangling as you speak is really getting me 😭

11:44 me during online school struggling to do basic math

So I have a baby ball python already and I’m a beginner. It’s in a 10 gallon tank with 2 hides on each side, with a heat mat, heat lamp, and a couple of plants and some wood for it to climb on to, and a water dish. Do u guys think I should upgrade to a 30 gallon tank or a 20 gallon when it outgrows the enclosure?

I keep seeing this whole ball python being a beginner vs being an intermediate snake *I'm so confused lmao*

Clicked on this so quickly. I love your videos!

I got a ball python this week, and I fell so in love with this species. I now I am no expert but I am committed to give her the best home I can provide! I informed me for over a year now on how to keep a snake and I think I am going to do a good job to provide her with all she needs. :)

How much space should a heat panel take up in a pvc enclosure? I thought it was 1/4 or 1/3 of an enclosure, but I don’t know, and I can’t find a straight answer online.

I bought my first ball python about a month or two ago. Shes just a baby and shes absolutely sweet. She eats frozen/thawed and we've never had issues. I also find the tank care to be quite easy.

Great Vid! I was thinking of getting a Ball Python and this is super helpful. I've had a Corn Snake and a Bearded Dragon, but I was young and they were mostly cared for by my dad.

Definitely really agree! I absolutely adore my BP, she was my first snake but not my first reptile, and we always had plenty of snakes growing up. I've been seriously lucky in that she's never missed a feed yet and she's 9 months old now 🤣

Enjoy the information and content of your channel, my ball pythons and I appreciate you!! You just picked up another subscriber! 😁👍👍👍

Where do you recommend getting the 75 gallon enclosure from?

Humid hides are the best for snakes and some lizard species. I'm kind of frustrated that more people don't use or talk about them. Even my Children's python has one that he will use regularly, and they're generally not thought about when needing one. Reptiles naturally like to seek out micro climates, even ones from arid areas.

#1 is why I ended up geting a hypo hog as my first snake instead of a ball python. Did not want to deal with 6 month hunger strikes lol

What is the light hanging from your snakes enclosures?? I want to build my ball an enclosure like that from an old tv stand and I'm trying to figure out the best ways to heat the enclosure (besides a heat matt for the hot spot)

Hello I got my banana python a few weeks ago he is 5 months he he very scared because the breeder I got him from never held his pythons also will he ever get used to us

That banana morph really has me thinking about BPs again.

Could you do a video on Rankins Dragons? I’ve been torn between getting a beardie or a leopard gecko and coming up higher on the beardie, but the size needs are a concern. I know rankins are basically like mini beardies! Could you do a video talking about them?

I've been wanting my first snake, so i wouldn't know what to have, but I was already thinking for a Ball Python, even tho I am short and still young but I know alot about snakes, so can I still able to get a ball python for a beginner? Or choose something else?

So when I buy one do I try to feed it as soon as I get it or a while after? Bc I know my local pet stores aren’t the most reputable when it comes to care

I plan on having like a 5-6. Ft long 1-3 high enclosure the bp i plan on getting is a full grown male I think he's like 4-5 ft Is that big enough?

Proper husbandry and research should be top priority when getting any reptile. Know what you are getting into size wise, care wise, time wise, cost wise etc.... I have no regrets on my reptile collection but they can be like a second job. Also most of the time I do my own vetting with minor issues because most vets aren't very experienced with reptiles where I live not to mention the cost of vet visits when you do finally find someone experienced enough. Planning is a good idea such as keeping extra food on hand, UVB bulbs, heat mats etc... on hand too. You never know what can happen. Also some emergency heat packs are great too in case of power outages in colder weather. I could continue this list a lot further but I'm proving a point that most people don't think about these things. It's easy to get roped in by a reptile's beauty or roped into thinking they are easy to care for only to find out you thought wrong. Also some major pet retailers don't even give you correct husbandry information for reptiles. So I'd suggest talking with a breeder and buying from there. Then you know where the reptile came from, what it's feeding regimen is, it's care requirements etc...

Ty for the content, not only it's educational but it's funny and entertaining at the same time!

Glad you did this video, I have a baby BP, classic type. I know I have to upgrade him, my little stinker is 18 inches now. I was looking for advice on what size tank to upgrade too. Now I know! This isn’t my first BP, my last was a dream, easiest BP ever, no feeding strikes, switched from live mice to FT rats in 1 night. He came to me in a tank now that I think of it was probably too small. Hate that I had to give up Dratini after my car accident. So when I recovered enough to get snakes again, I knew I wanted another BP. S’mores is nothing like Dratini. The humidity is my biggest struggle with keeping him here in Phoenix Arizona too. He’ll be upgrading to a PVC tank soon and my cornsnake will get then BP’s old tank as his upgrade. S’mores does like heights too, I always him him up in the highest point in his tank being an ambush predator. So far no hunger strikes but he’s also only 5 months old. 30% humidity in Arizona, what is it raining? LOL.

I would love to see a video that talks about the best Ball Python alternative snakes for beginner keepers. Right now I’m struggling to decide between a BP, Spotted Python, Rosy Boa, and Dumeril’s Boa.

100% agree. Their care is a bit more complicated then people may realize at first. Great video!

i live in jamaica its very hot an my room is humidity is at 40% is that ok im new to it an i want to get a small white snake any snake suggestions - not picky eating - eazy to be around - im not bad with large snakes but i like cute small snakes - small tank im poor so

I just got my diamond python to start eating properly. Thanks for the vids

I got a ball python for my first snake, and it has been awesome! He is such a great eater and eats the frozen thawed with no problem...and he is super sweet, never tried to bite anyone. My 10 year old son handles him with no problem, he loves him so much. Never had an issue. I have a huge enclosure that we got for free from a local breeder and hes so happy in there. We have quite a few pets and my ball python is our easiest pet to take care of. We monitor the temp and humidity with a little monitor thing that is in the enclosure so we just keep watch and adjust as needed, it's pretty easy. He is in his own small room so it's easy to control the heat. I keep a spray bottle on top of the enclosure so that whenever we walk in the room we can just spray it quickly. Never had any shedding issues because we just monitor him. Honestly I am so happy I got him from the pet store because he was so tiny and not well taken care of. I am glad he got a good home. I definitely recommend them for beginners!

I totally agree, ball pythons are great pets but sometimes it is better to just get a cornsnake

my ball python is 2 and a half feet and is 4 years old, I don't see him growing any more. I believe the breeder said he was a runt. Is a 40 gallon okay for him?

I just got my first snake pet and it’s a ball python he’s 2.5 years old and he’s shedding and the owner mentioned he never bites but he been trying to attack lmao now I’m afraid to touch him and how can I make it humid in there

I’m so glad you keep your ball pythons in an enclosure that’s appropriate for their size! I’m keeping my juvenile in a 40 gallon, but I’m going to upgrade her ASAP. I love seeing keepers out there that take good care of their noodles

Bobby is watching this. 🤣

If you still reply to a video this old I’d like to know if a 50 gallon tank is big enough for a 3 month old ball python because I have it from a past reptile and why buy a new one if I already have that for now until it grows more if not would it have to be 120 gallon because I’ve been told if it’s too big and the snake is still small it can make the snake stressed and feel vulnerable

I have a lepord gecko who is doing fine so do I count as a reptile beginner

I have a ball python and got a lot of my info from him. I’m feeding mine live (I know it’s bad) but that the way he’s been eating. I’m trying to switch him over but so far he hasn’t gotten hurt. I always supervise him just in case but he’s pretty good with eating. He is my first snake and I did a lot of research before getting him. So if you have the knowledge and you know you can handle it I think that a ball pythons are good first pet snakes. When I came across this vid of his I was laughing but great vid!

They are great beginner snakes for keepers that know what they are doing before buying and can afford to keep them properly. I’ve had mine for a few months now with zero missed feeds, great sheds every time and great temperament. It’s completely down to keeper commitment.

I’m tall for my age and I’m not a beginner to exotic pets I’ve had mice hamsters and I have a rabbit, giunea pigs and a russian tortoise (for almost 7 years) and slugs hermit crabs millipedes and caterpillars so I’m kinda a beginner to reptiles and I have the space and money to care for one do you think it would be a bad idea for me to get one

I hope you see this even though it’s a 3yr old video but I noticed you said if they don’t eat the live then it’s a waste of a life, I don’t own a ball python yet but could you freeze the dying live mouse/rat so it can be attempted a second time?

I got my first pet snake, a locality common boa 2 weeks ago. She’s awesome as a first snake so far!

I think ball pythons are good for committed people, not just 1 day of research, but a few months, also I love your channel, I was the one that told you to say hi on the stream. Comment hi, also you too Wicken!

I don’t plan on having a ball python but I’m curious, could a ball python be kept outside in the summer in a closed enclosure if you live in a very humid place and it gets to the 90s mid day.

What I do for humidity pour water in the substrate and just mix it around i usally only have to do that once a week.

Quick question, would you recommend a western hognose snake as a beginner, or a corn snake over a western hognose.

Oh! Adam coming for them balls!

Is a 55 gallon long good for a full grown male ball python the dimensions are 48″ x 13″ x 21″

but my humidity where i live is like 15% higher than what ball pythons need, how do i decrease that?

I love this lmao I got mine as my first reptile, and to say I was unprepared was an understatement. She was a “rescue” from a family friend who just straight up neglected/abused her. I got her with mites, took me 6 months to get her to eat (post treatment) even though my care was what I would consider at this point close to perfect

My uncle after getting my ball python said them things get huge he thought they are as big as berms I just laughed!

Is it possible the feeding strike is due to lack of exercise ? Mine does at least 60 m in hallway laps a day appears to look forward to it. Eats like my adult corn snake hit 1028 g yesterday no indication of slowing down. Cheers.

where you get the tank from for a full aduts royal python

Just got my baby in Aug. i love him SOO. he was kinda hard to get to eat. but Just Blow Dry thaat Mouse and It would be perfect.

My first snake was a ball python, and now I also have a Florida Kingsnake, but honestly I think my ball python is easier to care for! He’s a lot more sociable and friendly! Not that my Kingsnake isn’t friendly, he’s just very skittish and doesn’t like being handled much lol

what’s better for an intermediate reptile owner. Ball python, Corn snake, King snake or an Antaresia. My snake recently died because he wouldn’t eat :c so I would like some suggestions of snakes that like to eat because of this. thanks!

So for their cage a proper size is one they can stretch their body fully in and the height could be about a foot?

You said Arizona and my head said " I have to deal with the same humidity issues out her"

Thank you for the video I was debating on a hog or ball python and this video made me decide a hog is right for me!

Super dope content and very informative 🔥💯💪🏽

ok thanks, I was planning on getting one, but now I’ll start researching corn snakes, unless there’s any better beginner snakes anybody knows?

Oh damn hitting us with that sexy open collar

Thank you for saying it's a loss of life for the rodents. I agree and ppl usually don't care. Good info all around!

My ball python is a juvenile and never skips a meal. But I dont know if I should feed him once a week or less. He's currently on medium to large rats and once a week. Should I go to every 10 days or so?

I have been researching ball pythons for years because I want to get one once I live on my own. Though, I'm aware that I still have a lot to learn. Does anyone have any rare/uncommon advice for owning a ball python?

Back in 2018 when reptiles did become legal to sell in Norway, I diden know if i wanted a ball or a corn, so i did buy both 😂 And now i got 5 snakes 👀 wtf happend.

My Ball Python (Calypso) was my first snake and I can agree 100% with this video. I was able to accommodate her needs easy enough because I've been keeping reptiles most of my life. But for the new reptile owner just getting into the hobby they can be very discouraging if you struggle with humidity, temperatures, and feeding. Great video!

Getting my first BP soon!!!! How are your feelings about Morph Market for breeders. So anyways, I have done a ton of research, how do you feel about UVB bulbs? Thanks!

I'm planning on getting a ball python soon, I got my tank from a friend who owns a ball python and hasn't had any problems, and I have done extensive research for like a year and a half and I am continuing to do more research, currently all I want to know is what are some things you can give your ball python as like a 'treat'?