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good second snake ?

i think you would be pleased w/ a bp after you do some research. just like corns there are a lot of morphs to chose from. i would however, recommend a breeder who is feeding f/t. switching can be difficult.
 
i say bp's are a pretty good 2nd snake or even a first if youve done your homework. i even seen kids raise them in horrible conditions and they still lived through it. not saying that that is a good thing. but they must be pretty hardy to make it.

but there are other species to look at if bp isnt your only choice. other big colubrids. or maybe even look up rosy boas, sand boas. and there are dwarf boas out there as island boas and such. everyone says ground boas like a dumerils is smaller but i have still seen them reach the 7-8ft mark. so dont always listen to everyone on that. and carpet pythons are a bit bigger, of course longer, but also a slender snake. but thats still leaning from what your thinking about.

all in all, i think youd be able to take on a bp no problem. and whats cool about them now adays is all the morphs they have. i wouldnt mind getting a couple het pieds and trying to produce some pieds. some morphs i have no care for. but something about a pied is just awesome looking.

so just keep up your research and scan more forums. the internet is full of information. youll figure it out in time. just dont forget to show us some cool pictures in the end.
 
hog island boas are my personal favorite for an "upgrade" snake, but balls are fine.

If you're looking for a well established adult, I'd recommend trying to find your local reptile rescue. I think the oldest ball on record was 48 years, hopefully yours will live to at least 25, if not 30. Make sure you pick a morph you like, since you will be looking at it a long time. Remember there is no rush, figure out what you want and save up for it (you probably won't find any morphs in rescue though, just normals).

Good luck!
 
im still doing alota research and im not gunna rush into anythin im gunna jus spend my time and think it over and make sure i learn as much as i can :)
 
oh sorry! I didn't mean for that to post to come out as a judgment on you. I was talking from experience more.

If I had more personal will power, I probably wouldn't have the normal and amel I have now, rather a pewter or hypo lav, or even a rescue (the rescue didn't have any corns when I wanted one, if I waited I could have helped in that respect. I mean, I ended up with a normal anyway).

I'm glad you're thinking about it as much as you are.
 
If you want a BP, go for a BP. Just be aware that you might end up with a problem snake.

BPs can be interesting. My first BP was a rescue who ate terribly for her previous owner, but hasn't missed a (rat) meal since I got her (and with little climate change, TBH). That same snake won't even touch a mouse, though! My second (and last) will eat just about anything. They're both good feeders, but, at the same time, they're both terrible shedders and their poops are immense and wet... Both of which bother me more than feeding habits!

Personally, I'm not much of a BP person. If you end up being a BP person, awesome! More power to you. =) Before you decide on a BP, though, I recommend taking a look at dwarf Boas (Hogg Isle, Nicaraguan, Corn Isle...), Rosy boas, larger King and Milk snakes, and some of the bigger Rat snake species (I'm pretty sure Black Rats get generally bigger than corns, as do the generally moody Asian Beauty and Texas rats). Rosy boas and most kings and milks stay pretty close in size to corn snakes.

Thank you for doing your research!! =)
 
speirsaaron said:
Criosphynx i know i know nuthin compared to you on the subject but size is a big factor for me and at the moment im quite set on a BP though and im prepared to spend the time and dedication the animal needs :)
Click to expand...
Thought about it, and this is another perfect answer. I am impressed by your thinking. My Ball Python was my 3rd snake (after two Corn snakes). I had done plenty of reading on them, and it sounded like the snake for me. I got him at Petco (pet store chain). I was so happy to have him, and my excitement was easy motivation to be dedicated. If I give warnings for a Ball Python, even if they are proper warnings, I still might be doing it from the jaded perspective of someone who has had slight issues with mine. He doesn't always eat when I feed him, though he has been rock solid for quite a few months, so I keep my fingers crossed.
If you find a well started baby, and you feel ready, go for it. Mine ate like a champ every time for the first few years, so by the time he started having his little hunger strikes, I had built a great deal of understanding. It is the same for you. You will learn more as he grows, and hunger strikes seem by all accounts harmless in moderation, and you will know when a vet check is needed should the hunger strike be caused by a sickness.
I love my Ball Python. I feel bad that I would shed a negative light on getting one, so long as the prospective owner understands certain risks. They are a great 2nd snake, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Not to discredit anyone, I know you all are just trying to be helpful. But I think that with enough research, a Ball Python is a great choice.

Good luck, and you sound dedicated enough to learn about, and care for a Ball Python.
 
I don't know why people keep saying BP's are a problem snake... they really aren't- they are possibly more common than cornsnakes in captivity in Europe, and they do very well even in the hands of "inexperienced" keepers.

The fact that they stop eating doesn't make them "problematic"- they are shy, easy going snakes that do not need to eat as much as other snakes are- and it is within their bio-clocks to go on self initiated hunger strikes. That's probably a defense mechanism developed through the years of living in Africa- I imagine that a comparably small snake, with such a shy disposition, had to make sure it doesn't become too fat, and that he only needed to hunt once in a great while- so that he won't have to be exposed alot.

All I am saying is, that BP's do what comes naturally to them, I don't consider that a problem- the problem is with a stressed out keeper with the misconception that Ball Pythons should always eat like a BCI/Corn/whatever :)
 
Ok, First off, I am going to say you are 16 so budget is probably going to need to be under a 100 bucks. I also do not recommend any boas or pythons. Sorry I own 11 balls and they can be problem matic and drive you nuts when they go off feed.
And most boas are going to get big and you may not want to handle that down the road when you are trying to go to college. Most Family members take terrible care of most pet snakes. I have rescued 1 to many from kids gone away to college and parents are stuck with a large boa that hasn't eaten in months.

If you want a nice second snake, I recommend the following.
Mexican Black Kingsnake.
Honduran Milk snake
Pueblan Milk
these guys stay manageable sizes tend to be reliable eaters. Can be flighty as yearlings but give them time to mellow out.

Another snake I really like is the Kenyan Sand Boa. They stay small pretty easy to keep and pretty docile.
 
Sorry, Oren. In retrospect, "problem snake" was a bad way to put it. "Stressful snake," perhaps? Most people DO expect them to eat better, and I can only imagine it's terribly stressful when they go on several-month-long hunger strikes (I've had a bad enough time dealing with my KSB, and s/he's only been off for a month!). As well as this, it's sounding like a tendency toward bad shedding isn't uncommon with them, either.

Yes, they survive with substandard keepers--they're rather hardy snakes, for all their "downsides." However, with their rather stressful characteristics, it's no wonder people tend to steer inexperienced (educated or otherwise) keepers away.
 
As the size issue goes - the best thing is to go to a local expo, and speak to the breeders. They'll probably be able to organise that you handle an adult specimen so you can see what you're in for. If not at the show - you coud probably make an appointment to visit.
(I say this because the breeders here is South Africa are all really nice people and willing to help in this respect - I assume reptile people are great universally?)

That being said - tricksterpup is 100% correct with his advise, and thats what I would do in your shoes. In my shoes I went for a female BCI, but thats because I know I have space and can look after it myself.

Also I know you said you want something bigger. But the fun sometimes comes in from owning something different to what you have. Check out Kenyan Sand Boas or Rosy Boas. Just saying
 
I keep Ball pythons, and I wouldn't recommend them as a second snake (not unless you have your heart set on one, then I would say go ahead) The feeding issues are one point, and the hiding all day is another point to consider.
I also keep Boas, they could be considered as well, especially some of the dwarf varieties. You get all of the boa experience without the hassle of the size.
I would suggest you look at Carpet pythons as a real alternative to your second species. These snakes are bullet proof. They are as easy as Corns to look after, hardly ever hide away, temps and humidity is straight forward and they are a great visual snake. If you want something small look at Irian Jayas around 5ft max....
Jungles around the 6-7ft range though they can get 8ft (which is rare)
Plus there are some very nice hybrids/ingrates available, Jungle/Jags.... Jungle/IJ.
 
snakewispera snr said:
I would suggest you look at Carpet pythons as a real alternative to your second species. These snakes are bullet proof. They are as easy as Corns to look after, hardly ever hide away, temps and humidity is straight forward and they are a great visual snake. If you want something small look at Irian Jayas around 5ft max....
Jungles around the 6-7ft range though they can get 8ft (which is rare)
Plus there are some very nice hybrids/ingrates available, Jungle/Jags.... Jungle/IJ.
Click to expand...
Very true! Ball Pythons are generally a friendlier snake, so that is one to consider as well. But overall, I think Jungle Carpet Pythons, as a rule, are much more forgiving, have great feeding responses, and are always out to view. There are also drastically different Carpet Pythons too, from large Coastals, to relatively small Irian Jaya's (Snakewispera can elaborate better than I though).
 
for the ones who say im 16 and doubt i have much money you are wrong lol im earning 80 euro a week atm but when i hit 17 il start getting up to 120 euro a week and all the money i lose is 35 euro a week for my mum. everyone is saying the feeding bit and how i see it and from what iv read as long as I don't get stressed about it it should be fine. and bad sheds i have found step by step ways to help sheds and stuff ..
 
Well then you have everything you need to know and don't need anymore suggestions. You seriously should've just worded this "I'm getting a BP. Any advice?" because it seems that's what you were after.

I have 3 BPs. One is a beautiful shedder! However, she also refuses any food that is not live and running around. Not even pre-killed is good enough. My prize BP has never refused f/t! However, she has the worst sheds and ALWAYS has to be helped out. ALWAYS. My other is too young to have given me problems yet,but,I'm sure they're coming. Oh! Did I mention that I do not see any of these snakes unless I physically get them out or I sneak up on them around 2AM? The only reason I'd consider another BP is for breeding purposes. Yes, they're docile as all get out,but I end up having to work with them more than even my 6ft RTB.
 
snakewispera snr said:
I keep Ball pythons, and I wouldn't recommend them as a second snake (not unless you have your heart set on one, then I would say go ahead) The feeding issues are one point, and the hiding all day is another point to consider.
I also keep Boas, they could be considered as well, especially some of the dwarf varieties. You get all of the boa experience without the hassle of the size.
I would suggest you look at Carpet pythons as a real alternative to your second species. These snakes are bullet proof. They are as easy as Corns to look after, hardly ever hide away, temps and humidity is straight forward and they are a great visual snake. If you want something small look at Irian Jayas around 5ft max....
Jungles around the 6-7ft range though they can get 8ft (which is rare)
Plus there are some very nice hybrids/ingrates available, Jungle/Jags.... Jungle/IJ.
Click to expand...

I can't really say I agree with recommending Carpets over Ball Pythons...
For one, they are more specific when it comes to husbandry- I disagree that it is as straight forward as a BP.
You need to know what your'e doing.
No snake is really "only geniuses can keep me". But I think there's a huge exaggeration with the BP's tendency to stop go on hunger strikes on this thread- the snake remains completely healthy, it's simply a matter of perspective on the owner's part- it's not like the BP is in risk because of it, and it does not make the husbandry more complicated.

Carpets can have quite the attitude, they are arboreal so they require the right setup, they have more specific humidity requirements, and on the whole, they are generally bigger(not all, but a lot of them are).

I disagree with suggesting an arboreal snake over a pure, terrestrial and very simple snake, such as the BP.

Matter of opinion though
 
Kokopelli said:
I can't really say I agree with recommending Carpets over Ball Pythons...
For one, they are more specific when it comes to husbandry- I disagree that it is as straight forward as a BP.
You need to know what your'e doing.
No snake is really "only geniuses can keep me". But I think there's a huge exaggeration with the BP's tendency to stop go on hunger strikes on this thread- the snake remains completely healthy, it's simply a matter of perspective on the owner's part- it's not like the BP is in risk because of it, and it does not make the husbandry more complicated.

Carpets can have quite the attitude, they are arboreal so they require the right setup, they have more specific humidity requirements, and on the whole, they are generally bigger(not all, but a lot of them are).

I disagree with suggesting an arboreal snake over a pure, terrestrial and very simple snake, such as the BP.

Matter of opinion though
Click to expand...
No you are wrong.
The set up for an adult is a 4x2x2 with a perch for them to sit on, simple. They do not require specific humidity, they are quite content at normal room humidity (unlike a Bp)
Yes, some have attitude as youngsters, but so do some corns, Kings, Bp etc. so nothing new there.
And they are more simple to keep than Bp.
As for hunger strikes in Bp. They DO go off food for long periods, no harm to the snake, but it does stress owners when it happens. And new owners even more. I know I have them.
My personal recommendation to everyone who needs to ask the question, which one? Get the Carpet, they really are bullet proof.
They come with no baggage, and are as easy as corns to keep health and thriving.
 
no minlynn because at the start of this thread is till wasn't sure if i wanted one aanndd i still have more research to do before i get one .....
 
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