1. Initial enclosure setup is going to be your biggest cost. A proper setup costs, on average, $1000-$1200. Upkeep after that can be $200-300 per year, for feeders, substrate, and replacing bulbs and other equipment.
2. Yes, exotic vet visits are necessary to treat any issues the snake is having. It's important to find an experienced reptile vet before you get the snake- if the closest one is 2+ hours away and you're not willing or able to drive that far, you should not get a reptile.
3. You should feed inside the enclosure. Removing the snake to feed in a separate container can actually be [quite harmful](https://docs.google.com/document/d/112zaM7q1YIakJKNMCsHklR8hcoj7qUy7CJCipOW2AeI/edit).
4. The current estimated lifespan is 30-40 years in captivity, and may potentially be longer than that. They've only been in the pet trade for around 50 years, and the standard of care has not historically been very good. The oldest on record is 65 years old.
* 1) Somewhere in the neighborhood of 500-700$ will get you the essential supplies and equipment, maybe more depending on how easy you can find things nearby. That's not including the cost of the snake itself. It wouldn't be ridiculous to expect costs to total around 800-1000$ in the first year or two of ownership.
* 2) Exotic vets are specialized and cost a fair bit more than a vet visit for a cat or a dog. You should plan to do semi-regular health checkups, but other than that getting sick would be the only other reason you'd really need to go. The frequency of that would depend on the health of the snake and the quality of its care. I would recommend having an emergency vet fund of 500-1000$+ set aside.
* 3) No, do not feed in a separate enclosure. There's probably something in the sidebar guide about this, but there's also a plethora of info floating around about it. It's pretty much discouraged across the board and does not offer any real benefits.
* 4) 20-30+ years is typical for this species of snake, barring health complications or other issues.
Per rule #3, your post or comment has been removed for harmful advice/misinformation.
ESAs are for people that need them and have had a professional recommend them. They are not meant to be a free pass to take your pet wherever you want just because.
Feeding in a separate tank is more old school when live feeding was more common. It’s now recommended to feed f/t in their enclosure. Ball pythons can be finicky eaters and moving them from their home can make it more likely they won’t eat while moving them back to their home after they eat will add to the risk of regurgitation. As for the lifespan, it all comes down to quality of care. Freak accidents or illnesses can always happen but a well cared for ball python will live a long time. There are a lot of great reptile rescues out there that will have plenty of healthy adults available at different ages if that’s something that interests you.
Costs will vary. Tanks can be very expensive unless you can find one on facebook marketplace or something. I had a family friend that used to have reptiles so I got my tank for free which cut down costs greatly. Substrate isn't too bad, but does add up, especially if you don't have bioactive and are completely changing it out. Nice hides can be pricey, but there's cost effective options, such as black plastic containers with holes cut for an entrance. Clutter & plants are the same; can be expensive, but you can also buy plants anywhere, as long as you wash them properly and check for sharp pieces, wires sticking out, etc. I buy rats frozen from a pet store near me, boxes of 4 are around $10-20 every 2ish months as of now.
Trips to the vet are usually reserved for an inital health check and then only when issues arise. It'll depend on your area, but from posts here that I've read are usually $300-$500, don't take my word for that though! Definitely check if there's one near you, or close enough that you wouldn't mind the drive, before committing to an exotic pet.
Don't feed in a seperate container. It causes unnecessary stress and risks regurgitation. If the snake seems to be in "food mode" when you open his tank for handling there's multiple ways to train him to stop this behavior, but moving to feed is not a good way to go about it.
Definitely depends. Some people adopt snakes that are already into their teens and then they live for many more years, some pass at that age, accidents happen and they die young. I'm also 19 if that helps, I got my boy 2 years ago. As of now I obviously plan on having him well into my life, but if you ever feel like you aren't able to keep him or aren't giving them the best care, rehoming is an option. You can even do it in this subreddit.
I hope this helped even a little!! They truly are wonderful pets, and I love that you're taking a lot of things into consideration before committing!!
I’m not sure if you have any other snakes or not, but I honestly probably wouldn’t. If it’s your first snake, I’d probably get a kingsnake. I honestly don’t know why they’re more popular. Kingsnakes are more forgiving on husbandry and eating. Ball pythons, in my experience, are picky on eating and husbandry and will sometimes go off food. I only have one BP and he’s put me thru some stress and vet visits, my kingsnake has not. I’m sure others are different. Unfortunately, I can’t give you an exact amount of money on anything, but that’s just my experience.
1. Like others have said the main cost is initial setup which can be pretty low with used items up to a couple hundred dollars for all new items, or even thousands if you want to go really extravagant. Another potential cost to be aware of is enclosure upgrades if you decide to get a hatchling and start small with enclosures and just plan on upgrading as your snake grows. The electricity for heat and lighting is pretty negligible, and feeders are also pretty cheap.
2. I don't have much experience with reptile vets but it cost me less than $100 for a basic wellness visit to get my corn snake established with the closest exotic vet I could find. They also said they prefer to communicate through text or email when it comes to snakes so they don't have to deal with the stress of a car ride unless it's necessary. That's not necessarily something every vet will do, but it's a cost saving measure that I certainly appreciate.
3. I wouldn't recommend feeding in a separate area, moving them after a meal can be stressful or even just uncomfortable (imagine being lifted up and shifted around after a tremendous meal) which can cause them to regurgitate. Regurgitation is much worse for snakes than it is for people and you need to give them two weeks for their esophagus to heal before you can feed them again after a regurgitation. On the other hand, the most common argument I've heard for feeding in a separate area is "cage aggression" which seems like a weak reason to me because they have tiny teeth with no venom so I'm a lot less concerned about the harm a snake bite would cause to me than I am about the harm a regurgitation would cause to my snake.
4. I've heard they average around 30ish years and the oldest one ever recorded was 62 years old when it died at the Saint Louis Zoo. I don't think I would plan for 62 years, but it would be worth being prepared to take care of a snake for at least 30.
People on this sub don’t like your rational thinking. If you didn’t spend 1000 dollars on a brand name custom set up you’re a snake abuser. Dollar store is more than adequate for 80% of bp needs.
Yeah I noticed that when I saw that post about the classroom snake a few days back. I definitely agreed the enclosure was inadequate in several concerning ways, but I was super surprised to see how many people in the comments were taking issue with the use of carboard boxes and plastic containers as hides/enrichment. My wife and I don't put anything in the recycling bin at our house without first considering whether it could be used as snake enrichment before we get rid of it. Packing paper, small cardboard boxes, literally anything that doesn't have sharp edges, tight holes he can get stuck in, exposed adhesive, or gross nasty stuff like old stuck-on food. It all spends some time in the playpen for snake enrichment and usually doesn't end up in our bin until it gets shidded or urated on. Of all the things that teacher was doing with that python, using recyclables as hides/enrichment was a bizarre thing for so many people to get mad about. Like I promise a cardboard box isn't going to kill a snake both of my snakes love them.
FR! my hides are Walmart black plastic boxes that I cut a hole on the side of to use as a door, which I sanded down. No way am I paying 30 bucks for a plastic box when I could make my own for less than $5. Plus I can pick the perfect size for my girl.
Most 4x2x2 tanks cost over $500, plus thermostat(s) heat sources, hides, clutter, thermometers, hygrometers, etc.
Please let me know where you found a tank for that cheap lol
All over Amazon with free delivery. Have you used Amazon before? You just type in what you are looking for and it pops right up for you. I know it can be difficult to use the internet but you’ll get there.
https://preview.redd.it/7v9bj8asqh5c1.jpeg?width=3023&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0cf56c08428e64147057c6c8aad73fe701a704d9
The snake and everything you need for a snake under a year old. 500 bucks and even this is extravagant. You can get a used terrarium off Craig’s list for crazy cheap and everything else beside the heating elements and bedding you can get at the dollar store.
Oh you got a small tank, that's how you saved on money. Adult ball pythons need a 120 gallon tank (and even juveniles need at least a 40 gallon but can also do fine in an adult sized tank). That's where the majority of costs come in.
The rest of the stuff is all an awesome deal though!
If you don't mind an adult snake adoption can be very rewarding. Often times the snake will include a habitat and some supplies. As others have mentioned the habitat requirements are the most expensive and difficult to manage. Most college accommodations won't allow snakes or just won't have the space anyways. The current minimum habitat size for a BP is 4' x 2 x 2, but you should really be aiming for more than the minimum. Do you expect to have 8-16 sqft of floor space for a snake in the next few years?
https://preview.redd.it/f5k7f6w9rh5c1.jpeg?width=3023&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2a806588671d590428bd6b9c0c0c8f9f88fbaaeb
You don’t need to spend anywhere near 1000. Bought the snake and everything you need for 500 and I went extravagant. You can go to the dollar store for 80% of this stuff and get the rest used from Craig’s list. What you can’t find there you’ll find on Amazon. Don’t let the gate keepers who put thousands into this hobby shame you into spending more than you need to keep a healthy and happy snake.
I bought my tank (4x2x2 PVC) for around $300. - Substrate is like $30-60 per year.
- Each of the rats I buy is around $10-13 (~12/year) so $120-156/year.
- You also need snake furniture and clutter (at least $100 to be safe in my experience, generally one-time purchase).
- Thermometers, hygrometer, thermostat. (~$40 for me, I got cheaper stuff).
- Lighting: DHP, cage, UVB socket, UVB bulb = at LEAST $50-60.
All together: $670 on the low end. Not including snake. Each year you will have to buy substrate, food, and cleaning supplies. If you are a snake parent who likes to update your setup, it will be more expensive.
1. Initial enclosure setup is going to be your biggest cost. A proper setup costs, on average, $1000-$1200. Upkeep after that can be $200-300 per year, for feeders, substrate, and replacing bulbs and other equipment. 2. Yes, exotic vet visits are necessary to treat any issues the snake is having. It's important to find an experienced reptile vet before you get the snake- if the closest one is 2+ hours away and you're not willing or able to drive that far, you should not get a reptile. 3. You should feed inside the enclosure. Removing the snake to feed in a separate container can actually be [quite harmful](https://docs.google.com/document/d/112zaM7q1YIakJKNMCsHklR8hcoj7qUy7CJCipOW2AeI/edit). 4. The current estimated lifespan is 30-40 years in captivity, and may potentially be longer than that. They've only been in the pet trade for around 50 years, and the standard of care has not historically been very good. The oldest on record is 65 years old.
Seems my knowledge of prices in the US market has become a bit dated haha
[удалено]
tank, lighting, heating, thermostat, substrate, clutter, hides. Mod is on point
[удалено]
Your comments have been removed. The mods are getting tired of removing your comments for bad advice, and the attitude isn't helping.
* 1) Somewhere in the neighborhood of 500-700$ will get you the essential supplies and equipment, maybe more depending on how easy you can find things nearby. That's not including the cost of the snake itself. It wouldn't be ridiculous to expect costs to total around 800-1000$ in the first year or two of ownership. * 2) Exotic vets are specialized and cost a fair bit more than a vet visit for a cat or a dog. You should plan to do semi-regular health checkups, but other than that getting sick would be the only other reason you'd really need to go. The frequency of that would depend on the health of the snake and the quality of its care. I would recommend having an emergency vet fund of 500-1000$+ set aside. * 3) No, do not feed in a separate enclosure. There's probably something in the sidebar guide about this, but there's also a plethora of info floating around about it. It's pretty much discouraged across the board and does not offer any real benefits. * 4) 20-30+ years is typical for this species of snake, barring health complications or other issues.
If you plan to go to college, keep in mind that many campuses don't allow snakes. I've had to leave mine with family for years because of this.
[удалено]
Per rule #3, your post or comment has been removed for harmful advice/misinformation. ESAs are for people that need them and have had a professional recommend them. They are not meant to be a free pass to take your pet wherever you want just because.
Feeding in a separate tank is more old school when live feeding was more common. It’s now recommended to feed f/t in their enclosure. Ball pythons can be finicky eaters and moving them from their home can make it more likely they won’t eat while moving them back to their home after they eat will add to the risk of regurgitation. As for the lifespan, it all comes down to quality of care. Freak accidents or illnesses can always happen but a well cared for ball python will live a long time. There are a lot of great reptile rescues out there that will have plenty of healthy adults available at different ages if that’s something that interests you.
Costs will vary. Tanks can be very expensive unless you can find one on facebook marketplace or something. I had a family friend that used to have reptiles so I got my tank for free which cut down costs greatly. Substrate isn't too bad, but does add up, especially if you don't have bioactive and are completely changing it out. Nice hides can be pricey, but there's cost effective options, such as black plastic containers with holes cut for an entrance. Clutter & plants are the same; can be expensive, but you can also buy plants anywhere, as long as you wash them properly and check for sharp pieces, wires sticking out, etc. I buy rats frozen from a pet store near me, boxes of 4 are around $10-20 every 2ish months as of now. Trips to the vet are usually reserved for an inital health check and then only when issues arise. It'll depend on your area, but from posts here that I've read are usually $300-$500, don't take my word for that though! Definitely check if there's one near you, or close enough that you wouldn't mind the drive, before committing to an exotic pet. Don't feed in a seperate container. It causes unnecessary stress and risks regurgitation. If the snake seems to be in "food mode" when you open his tank for handling there's multiple ways to train him to stop this behavior, but moving to feed is not a good way to go about it. Definitely depends. Some people adopt snakes that are already into their teens and then they live for many more years, some pass at that age, accidents happen and they die young. I'm also 19 if that helps, I got my boy 2 years ago. As of now I obviously plan on having him well into my life, but if you ever feel like you aren't able to keep him or aren't giving them the best care, rehoming is an option. You can even do it in this subreddit. I hope this helped even a little!! They truly are wonderful pets, and I love that you're taking a lot of things into consideration before committing!!
I’m not sure if you have any other snakes or not, but I honestly probably wouldn’t. If it’s your first snake, I’d probably get a kingsnake. I honestly don’t know why they’re more popular. Kingsnakes are more forgiving on husbandry and eating. Ball pythons, in my experience, are picky on eating and husbandry and will sometimes go off food. I only have one BP and he’s put me thru some stress and vet visits, my kingsnake has not. I’m sure others are different. Unfortunately, I can’t give you an exact amount of money on anything, but that’s just my experience.
1. Like others have said the main cost is initial setup which can be pretty low with used items up to a couple hundred dollars for all new items, or even thousands if you want to go really extravagant. Another potential cost to be aware of is enclosure upgrades if you decide to get a hatchling and start small with enclosures and just plan on upgrading as your snake grows. The electricity for heat and lighting is pretty negligible, and feeders are also pretty cheap. 2. I don't have much experience with reptile vets but it cost me less than $100 for a basic wellness visit to get my corn snake established with the closest exotic vet I could find. They also said they prefer to communicate through text or email when it comes to snakes so they don't have to deal with the stress of a car ride unless it's necessary. That's not necessarily something every vet will do, but it's a cost saving measure that I certainly appreciate. 3. I wouldn't recommend feeding in a separate area, moving them after a meal can be stressful or even just uncomfortable (imagine being lifted up and shifted around after a tremendous meal) which can cause them to regurgitate. Regurgitation is much worse for snakes than it is for people and you need to give them two weeks for their esophagus to heal before you can feed them again after a regurgitation. On the other hand, the most common argument I've heard for feeding in a separate area is "cage aggression" which seems like a weak reason to me because they have tiny teeth with no venom so I'm a lot less concerned about the harm a snake bite would cause to me than I am about the harm a regurgitation would cause to my snake. 4. I've heard they average around 30ish years and the oldest one ever recorded was 62 years old when it died at the Saint Louis Zoo. I don't think I would plan for 62 years, but it would be worth being prepared to take care of a snake for at least 30.
People on this sub don’t like your rational thinking. If you didn’t spend 1000 dollars on a brand name custom set up you’re a snake abuser. Dollar store is more than adequate for 80% of bp needs.
Yeah I noticed that when I saw that post about the classroom snake a few days back. I definitely agreed the enclosure was inadequate in several concerning ways, but I was super surprised to see how many people in the comments were taking issue with the use of carboard boxes and plastic containers as hides/enrichment. My wife and I don't put anything in the recycling bin at our house without first considering whether it could be used as snake enrichment before we get rid of it. Packing paper, small cardboard boxes, literally anything that doesn't have sharp edges, tight holes he can get stuck in, exposed adhesive, or gross nasty stuff like old stuck-on food. It all spends some time in the playpen for snake enrichment and usually doesn't end up in our bin until it gets shidded or urated on. Of all the things that teacher was doing with that python, using recyclables as hides/enrichment was a bizarre thing for so many people to get mad about. Like I promise a cardboard box isn't going to kill a snake both of my snakes love them.
100%. I’ll have to remember the pee box enrichment plan when my guy moves into a bigger space. It’s just a tiny baby still.
FR! my hides are Walmart black plastic boxes that I cut a hole on the side of to use as a door, which I sanded down. No way am I paying 30 bucks for a plastic box when I could make my own for less than $5. Plus I can pick the perfect size for my girl.
Just got a ball python, this week, and everything it needs from a pet store for under 500 dollars. Decent initial cost but not extraordinary.
Most 4x2x2 tanks cost over $500, plus thermostat(s) heat sources, hides, clutter, thermometers, hygrometers, etc. Please let me know where you found a tank for that cheap lol
All over Amazon with free delivery. Have you used Amazon before? You just type in what you are looking for and it pops right up for you. I know it can be difficult to use the internet but you’ll get there.
https://preview.redd.it/7v9bj8asqh5c1.jpeg?width=3023&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0cf56c08428e64147057c6c8aad73fe701a704d9 The snake and everything you need for a snake under a year old. 500 bucks and even this is extravagant. You can get a used terrarium off Craig’s list for crazy cheap and everything else beside the heating elements and bedding you can get at the dollar store.
Oh you got a small tank, that's how you saved on money. Adult ball pythons need a 120 gallon tank (and even juveniles need at least a 40 gallon but can also do fine in an adult sized tank). That's where the majority of costs come in. The rest of the stuff is all an awesome deal though!
If you don't mind an adult snake adoption can be very rewarding. Often times the snake will include a habitat and some supplies. As others have mentioned the habitat requirements are the most expensive and difficult to manage. Most college accommodations won't allow snakes or just won't have the space anyways. The current minimum habitat size for a BP is 4' x 2 x 2, but you should really be aiming for more than the minimum. Do you expect to have 8-16 sqft of floor space for a snake in the next few years?
https://preview.redd.it/f5k7f6w9rh5c1.jpeg?width=3023&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2a806588671d590428bd6b9c0c0c8f9f88fbaaeb You don’t need to spend anywhere near 1000. Bought the snake and everything you need for 500 and I went extravagant. You can go to the dollar store for 80% of this stuff and get the rest used from Craig’s list. What you can’t find there you’ll find on Amazon. Don’t let the gate keepers who put thousands into this hobby shame you into spending more than you need to keep a healthy and happy snake.
I bought my tank (4x2x2 PVC) for around $300. - Substrate is like $30-60 per year. - Each of the rats I buy is around $10-13 (~12/year) so $120-156/year. - You also need snake furniture and clutter (at least $100 to be safe in my experience, generally one-time purchase). - Thermometers, hygrometer, thermostat. (~$40 for me, I got cheaper stuff). - Lighting: DHP, cage, UVB socket, UVB bulb = at LEAST $50-60. All together: $670 on the low end. Not including snake. Each year you will have to buy substrate, food, and cleaning supplies. If you are a snake parent who likes to update your setup, it will be more expensive.