If you have been looking to get a snake as a pet, one of the best options is the blue eyed leucistic ball python. Most people get scared when they realize it’s a python, but it’s actually one of the most popular snakes to be kept as pets.

Ball Pythons Are Low Maintenance

In comparison to dogs and other animals, snakes are incredibly low maintenance. Ball pythons, however, are even low maintenance by reptilian standards. These snakes require little to no attention from their owners.

They don’t need a lot of feed, so you’ll save money there too. They are small in size, which makes them an ideal pet for people who live in smaller apartments. In general, a blue eyed leucistic ball python is an easy pet to keep, even for the busiest of owners.

This snake only requires food once a week. You can train the snake to eat frozen or thawed mice, making it a hassle-free process for yourself. Eating once a week reduces food costs for the owner and means the snake will defecate less, so the owner does not have to worry much about cleaning either.

All of the above points only reiterate that ball pythons are ideal pets for beginners. You don’t even have to worry about getting a pet sitter while you are away for extended periods of time.

Ball Pythons Like to Be Handled

If you want to handle the snake frequently and like wrapping it around you, there’s hardly a better choice than the ball python. Usually, snakes tend to stress out if they are held frequently. Some snakes might require an acclimatization period before they adjust to the human hand. However, a ball python surprisingly accepts being handled and adjusts very quickly to it.

Very Docile Creatures

Ball pythons are nonaggressive snakes, making them an excellent choice if you have kids in your home. If they are agitated, rather than attacking the human, they curl themselves into a ball. You don’t have to worry about them harming your kids!

In rare cases where the snake bites, you don’t have to worry about venom (they don’t have any!). However, irrespective of their nature, it is not recommended to leave your kids unattended around snakes.

Life Span

If kept under good conditions, the average life span of a ball python is up to 20 years. Naturally, over such an extended period of time, you will probably develop a close bond with the snake.

However, others might find such a long life span to be a burden. You might have to move countries, change houses, have kids, or you may not be able to keep the pet due to a medical condition.

If you are confident that you can stick it out with the python for such a long period of time, then by all means, go for it!

They Do Not Require a Lot of Space

It wouldn’t be surprising to know that ball pythons do not require a lot of space because of their small size. They reach a maximum length of six feet when fully grown. This is a size that is much more manageable for snake owners, especially when compared with other pythons, which are significantly larger.

A baby blue python can happily live in a 10-gallon terrarium. On the other hand, an adult blue python would need a 40-gallon terrarium to move around freely. Pythons can also easily survive in a variety of climates and adjust well in different environments.

Preparing Your House

As mentioned earlier, the size of the terrarium depends on the size of the snake. To keep your pet snake happy, create a comfortable space for it. You can use rocks and logs in it so the snake has a varied environment to move in. Make sure to put the terrarium in an area where it receives lots of natural sunlight.

The temperature of the terrarium should be around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. It is recommended to heat only one-third of the enclosure so the snake can cool down if it wants. A thermostat in the enclosure can provide you an accurate reading of the temperature whenever needed. The snake enclosure needs to be disinfected and cleaned thoroughly once a week. Make sure to wash your hands before and after handling the snake to prevent contamination.

Affordable to Feed

Along with less space, ball pythons also require relatively less food. There is a direct correlation between the size of an animal and the quantity of food they need. Bigger snakes, such as the anaconda, would require way more food than a small blue python.

The average cost of feeding a snake can rise to $50 a month. Owing to the tiny size, blue python owners can significantly reduce their food costs, sometimes spending as little as $2 on their food a week. You don’t even need to get fresh food for it; they don’t mind eating thawed out rodents.

Care and Maintenance

If your snake has a clean habitat, access to clean, fresh water at all times, and a good diet, you won’t have to worry about taking it to a vet often. You should also take into account the vitamins and nutrients in your snake’s diet. With proper care, their health won’t suffer.

However, it is essential to know if your snake is stressed or not doing well. Identifying the signs early can save you a great deal of money in veterinary fees. If a domesticated python is living in unhealthy conditions, it’s likely to stress out.

If your snake is showing a loss of appetite, moving in a jerky fashion, or exhibiting lethargic behavior, there’s a high chance that it’s stressed. You can reduce stress by making their living conditions as close to their natural habitat as possible. It would be best to also give them adequate lighting and heating in their terrarium to mitigate such issues.

Some pythons may suffer from digestive problems due to excessive stress. In this case, it is better to leave the snake for a week before giving them another meal. Do not handle your snake immediately after they have eaten so as to allow it to digest its food.

Other health issues in snakes can include a swollen jaw, discolored patches, burns, blisters, or even swollen eyes. It’s imperative that you inspect the snake’s body at least once a week for any such symptoms.

Ball pythons make for ideal pets for beginners; you can get one at a reasonable cost, and you don’t have to spend a lot of money on their upkeep. If you are looking for a snake that is an easy and safe option, go for the ball python.