Welcome to my Snake Stuff Blog!

What is a Spider Ball Python? This seemingly normal python looks like a great option of python at first, but there is a lot of controversy surrounding this snake. First of all, they were a “man-made” morph (color) ball python, to look pretty. Unfortunately, since they were made by humans and not by nature, something is sort of off in the spider ball pythons brain, causing it to “wobble”. A wobble found in spider ball pythons is uncontrollable head bobs, causing the snake to sometimes wobble upside down. This can be extremely dangerous to them, as they can hurt their muscles, bump into walls, etc. They are somewhat healthy snakes except for this little defect, and there are a lot of people in the snake and reptile community wanting to ban the breeding and selling of this snake. The reason I recommend not buying spider ball pythons is to not support any of their breeders. They have only bred them with the purpose of them looking beautiful, which is the first thing people consider when buying a snake. most breeders or sellers don’t list or describe the wobble, causing people to buy them for the looks and try taking them to the vet without knowing the spider ball pythons defect and problem.

I thought I would make this post to spread some light as to what they are and why you should avoid buying. Here is a video that can help you better understand what a wobble is. (Warning note- can be slightly disturbing to some viewers)

Reptile expos are the most trusted place to buy snakes, and any reptile or amphibian for that matter. They are so much fun and extremely informational, plus you are surrounded by tons of fellow snake and reptile lovers! They can be very intimidating at first, but I assure you they are amazing places to go if you are interested in snakes or just want to have a good time and look around. In this post, i’m going to be giving you some helpful tips to make the most out of your local Reptile Expo.

• Ask a lot of questions
• Always ask to hold and handle the animals you are interested in buying
• Talk thoroughly to the vendors about the specific things you are looking for, tips, or recommendations
• Make sure you are ready and prepared to buy your reptile, don’t buy just because it looked pretty
• Buy other useful things (water dishes, fake plants, live feed like crickets and cockroaches, habitats)

Setting up a snake enclosure can be done many, many different ways. Some people put their snakes in plastic tubs, some in homemade box enclosures, and others in store bought! There is no wrong way to do this as long as your snake has lots of room. Do NOT keep your snake in a small container or small box. Always get a size bigger than what you think would fit them so they have lots of room.

This video by Righteous Reptiles shows a very simple and cheap snake enclosure to get you started! Of course you can set up your enclosure however you would like, just make sure it has the key components (water bowl, at least 2 things to hide in, 2 things to climb on, heating pad underneath enclosure, etc).

Here are some example photos of snake enclosures, and added comments, so you can get an idea of what you want or if you are searching for inspiration.

Buying a snake is easier than you think. All you have to do is go to a trusted snake website and buy from there, or go to your local Reptile show. I recommend going to a Reptile show to buy your snake, as that way you can see it, hold it, and ask dozens of questions before you make your decision. Make sure to do some research on snake and reptile websites before buying from them, as some are labeled as untrusted in the snake/reptile community. It is recommended that you do not buy snakes from pet stores! Most pet stores do not take proper care of their snakes, reptiles, birds, fish, etc. Most people who buy from pet stores get unhappy, unhealthy snakes that are either aggressive or depressed. Of course, this is not all pet stores. Again, make sure to do your research if you choose to get a snake through a pet store.

A great and trusted website for buying snakes and other reptiles/amphibians would be Backwater Reptiles.

This time we are going to go over some expectations vs reality on pet snake owning. Getting a snake is a very big and exciting commitment, but in this post, I’m going to be warning you about some of the more disappointing things versus what you were expecting. I’m also going to be talking about things that people are glad are just expectations. Let’s begin!

Snake Activity

One of the many reasons people are excited to get snakes is to hold and pet them like you would a cat or a dog. Absolutely you can handle and pat your snake, but some might be disappointed with how unenergetic they can be. It really depends on the type of snake you own or get, and their personality, but most snakes are very slow and basically just sit in your hand. In fact, it’s normal snake behavior for them to stay in one spot in their enclosure for weeks straight without moving much, so you won’t see them out and about as much as you’d expect!

Not eating

Almost all snakes tend to go “off feed” for periods of time. For beginner snakes, this is most common in the ball python. Sometimes snakes won’t eat for weeks and even months. Do not panic, as this is normal for snakes. If you suspect your snake is off feed, still keep offering mice to them as the days, weeks, or months progress until they eventually accept and go back to normal. Don’t worry, your snake is fine without eating, and they are not sick.

Biting

Lastly, we are going to cover the subject of being bitten by your snake. Most people are afraid of getting one for this reason. It’s actually a lot more common for a common dog or cat to bite you than your average snake. The only time a snake will ever bite is not out of aggression but a normal defensive thing, so as long as you are not showing hostility to your snake, they will feel comfortable around you and not bite. Plus, a snake bite from a non-poisonous pet feels like a pinch. As an example, if you have a large, heavy dog with sharp canine teeth that could lock onto your arm or neck and never let go, and you aren’t afraid of it, there’s nothing to be afraid of a little noodle with thin teeth that can leave a pinch to your hand.

Now that we’ve gone over the recommended beginner pet snakes, let’s go over some snakes that you should avoid purchasing. I’ve put these five snakes on the list is not just because they are aggressive or dangerous, it is because of how hard they are to take care of, how much special needs they require, the size of them, and the cost.

1.  Reticulated Python (They get massive in size)
2. Green Tree Python (Extremely aggressive) 
3. Blood Python (Very defensive and territorial, heavy)
4. Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Needs about 70%+ humidity at the minimum, very hard to keep)
5. Green Anaconda (Can get up to 200-250 pounds, aggressive, and one of the biggest and heaviest snake species in the world. Dangerous to keep)

Make sure to avoid these snakes at all costs, even when offered one for a cheap price! Leave them in the wild where they belong, or to professional Zoolygists and snake handlers with lots of experience. 

It’s time to choose what breed of snake you want to keep as a companion! As a first-time snake owner, you are going to want the simplest and best snakes to take care of. These snakes are also very gentle, easy to handle, and quite easy to take care of. Here are the best snakes for new snake owners to keep as pets!

• Ball Python 
• Corn Snake
• Milk Snake
• California Kingsnake
• Rosy Boa
• Gopher Snake

I recommend not getting a snake not listed here if you are a first-time snake owner! You can branch out to explore new breeds once you become more experienced.

These snakes are wonderful as beginner snakes and are very simple to take care of. Ball Pythons, Corn Snakes, and Milk Snakes will always be the top three for me and the snake community. Make sure to do plenty of research about which snake would be perfect for you and what you want. Don’t push yourself to get one you can’t handle just because it looks cool, make sure its the best snake to take into your life.

This great video by Petco might also help you choose as well!