General Discussion

@ArchieHicox why don't you think balls are good beginner snakes? My first and only snake is a ball python, and I've never really had any problems with him. And most sources I've found say that balls are good for beginners.

@LaughingZuru ball pythons are fine being left on their own, even for a few days, and if you set the vivarium up right then there's no way it could escape and hurt/be hurt by your other pets. I have two dogs and honestly, they've never showed an interest in my python even when I've had him out of his viv. Cats I'm not so sure about, but if you're very worried you can just handle the snake in a room with the door shut so the cat can't get in.

That out of the way, how much do you know about ball pythons and their care? I suggest putting in at least a few hours of research, and looking into alternative species to make sure a ball is right for you, and making sure you can afford everything! Snakes are not cheap pets to set up. Once you've got everything, they're pretty low-maintenance and cheap. But buying the vivarium, the heating equipment, decorations, water bowls, all that? Expensive. And it's going to have to be fully replaced at least once as the snake grows. Just make sure you're ready for the financial investment.

You've also got to be prepared to feed your snake... which isn't pretty! You'll have to have a supply of frozen mice/rats in your freezer, and they smell *bad*. It's kinda gross until you get used to it. :P And you have to handle your snake regularly! It can be a little daunting at first, especially if you have no experience. But ball pythons are very docile even when young, and are pretty much the least nippy snakes out there, and they get accustomed to handling quickly too.

I'm by no means an expert on snake ownership, I'm just someone who has a pet python. But I hope this was helpful to you, and if you want to know anything else, you're welcome to ask me (though I seriously recommend looking at some proper care sheets too, if you haven't already!).

@ArchieHicox yes, balls can be picky eaters. That's not a massive problem though - when they fast, leave them to it unless they start drastically losing weight, and if they don't take rats, give them multimammates instead. It's not a big deal. Just costs slightly more. Never had any problems with humidity - I mean, all you've got to do is put the water bowl over the heat mat. And my snake's never been sick once. :/

And it wasn't just one source that said they were good beginners snakes... it was a lot of different ones. Obviously, corns were at the top of the list, but ball pythons were on the list. And I'd agree with them. I had no experience at all beforehand and my snake is doing fine, has been the two-and-a-half years I've had him. I wouldn't recommend them for everyone, but I don't like seeing them "disqualified" just because they're slightly more awkward to care for than corns. You've just got to be willing to put a little more effort in - but that's not about experience.

@ArchieHicox that seems a lot more like neglect than a lack of experience. An inexperienced person who was willing to put the time and effort into researching and properly caring for their snake would never end up in that situation.

I honestly think its more about effort than experience. But then, that's pretty much the same with any pet.

I guess we should probably just agree to disagree? Or we're gonna end up completely derailing this thread. :P