Pros vs Cons of Owning A Ball Python

Before reading this post, please note that with any pet there will be expenses. If you cannot afford these expenses, do NOT proceed to get the pet. You are putting yourself and the animal in a bad position.

Pros:

• Ball pythons require low maintenance. This makes them a better option over a dog or cat if you have a busy lifestyle.

• They are fairly inexpensive. If you are looking for a pet that doesn't cost a whole lot of money, a ball python may be an option. As I said, with any animal there will be expenses.

• They don't require a lot of attention like a cat or dog would, but please keep in mind that no animal likes sitting in a cage every day. They still require attention, otherwise they will become grumpy when you handle them.

• They eat about once a month.

• They defecate & urate about once a month. This means you won't have to constantly spot clean the cage. However, their cage should be completely cleaned out and sanitized at least once a month. I use paper towels for bedding, so I have to change it out more frequently. Especially when Slytherin decides to take a bath at night leaving the paper towels soaked in the morning. 😒

• They are pretty mellow for the most part, but every snake is different.

• They are not HUGE. Males get about 2-3 feet, and females get about 3-5 ft. depending on how often you feed them.

• Ball Pythons come in many different morphs/patterns. Click HERE to see some of the different morphs/patterns.

• There is no pet dander, which means less allergies 😌

• They can live up to 30 years in captivity with proper feeding and care.

Cons:

• They do eat rats, which can be sad and / or gross. I prefer to feed frozen rather than live so the rats don't suffer and Slytherin doesn't get bit. 😥

• Snakes can bite when feeling threatened, just like any other animal could. Many people have this idea that all snakes are going to try and hurt them! If it's wild, that's different, but when kept in captivity and handled regularly, they are pretty friendly. You also have to remember that snakes have bad eyesight and everything is blurry to them. They may mistake your hand for food. A good habit is 1. always use hand sanitizer before picking them up (hand sanitizer does not smell good) and 2. always wash your hands after feeding your snake.

• They shed their skin about once a month, which, for some people it could be gross.

• Snakes do not cuddle like a dog or cat, so if you're looking for something warm and cuddly, a snake is not the right pet for you.

• It may be hard to find a vet near you that specializes in snakes, so make sure you take that into consideration as well.

• You can't train them like you could a cat or dog.

• Family members or roommates may be scared of snakes, making it harder to get one.

I hope I was able to give you guys an educated idea about owning a pet snake. Do you still want one after reading this post? Let me know in the comments below! 👇