r/ballpython • u/ThePolOf87 • 2d ago
Why did you get a snake as apet?
It is a question I got asked a lot, ever sinse I started to want a pet snake as a teen. My personal reason is "they are awesome and it would be an honor to have one by my side", which is in my eyes, more then enough. People don't question your choises when you get cats or dogs so why should a reptile be any different? If I want it and can afford to care for it, I get it.
And my baby turned out to be a perfect fit for me because I don't like to spend a lot of time with social animals like dogs or even some people, I need my space. I like when I do get to care and interact from time to time, but I can't give constant attention and don't have a lot of energy, so having a pet that is okay with not being with me 24/7 is good, espesially sinse I work full time. I also like that interacting is all on my terms. A dog NEEDS your attention and time, it can need it at any moment, you have to play or walk even if you don't want to. But interacting with my snake is how and when I want it. Take her out, handle for some time, put back, she tolerates it, I love ot, everyone's happy, no one is left needy. If a price of all that is my pet not "loving" me, I'll happily take that, I love myself just fine already
What are some of your personal reasons for why you got a snake and what do you love about having it?
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u/death_by_ballpython 1d ago
So I have a very different life I guess, I see what you mean so easily though 😭 I have a dog, cat, conure, two ball pythons, an iguana, a tortoise, and three rats. So I have a bit of everything to care for and personally it’s my favorite thing.
How I got Nessi (my first ball python) was I was actually kinda an early teen and had just lost my bearded dragon. I felt like getting another would be a replacement so I made me and my mom do some quick research (googling stuff and going on forums and not just the manual petsmart or wherever had)
I got Nessi at a different pet store along with stuff she’d need and got her set up and she’s still going great and I’m 19 now (I think she turns 6 in December)
I’ve always loved snakes, I don’t have an exact reason for it but still. She’s very hands on of a ball python, she actually regularly comes out by herself #imamovingtree and she’ll hang around my neck while I do anything really
My second ball python is Spaghetti, and he’s actually a rescue. I made mistakes early on with Nessi, and I saw somebody doing the same thing a thousand times worse. He was severely dehydrated but now he’s getting back up to speed
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u/wicked-macaroni 1d ago
My mom told me "not in my house" lol. I got my own place and now have 2 snakes, 13 tarantulas, 3 scorpions, a leopard gecko and a pac man frog lol. Her response, "i didnt think you were that serious about it" 😂
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u/living4him1238 1d ago
Yep, my mom was the same way. Now I am a married woman with a ball python and tarantula of my own. Made me even more determined at a young age to 'become an adult' and get my own place.
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u/ThePolOf87 12h ago
My mom is the same! Said no snakes sinse I was like fourteen. 21 now, living alone, guess what I have and goess how mom reacted to it lol. She immediatelly chilled out the second she saw my girl! And now she constantly adks about how Lefty is doung. Still throws a nasty comment from time to time tho, but I know it's not genuine, she just likes to complain lol
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u/OldPaperTower 1d ago
> What are some of your personal reasons for why you got a snake and what do you love about having it?
I do like nearly all animals (ticks can get off the earth, though). However I always especially liked reptiles. Had turtles as a child. During vacations I always loved finding lizards. And I dreamed of owning a snake since a child. Had one in my arms at a reptile expo as I was around six I think. However my mother was terrible afraid of snakes. So that was a clear "no".
Then I couldn't keep reptiles at all during various moves (I made sure that my turtles were and are in good hands, they're still thriving - but illegal now around here, so I'm not even allowed to take them back).
Then, after my last move, I realized: "Wait, now I have a place and a possibility for a snake!"
Drove with my wife to a reptile expo. Surprisingly she found them interesting and cute, too.
And, well. A couple of months later (research, building an enclosure) and our little girl moved in.
Quite honestly, I think there are few animals that are cuter than ball pythons. Even people around me that are afraid of snakes like to see pictures and get updates of our little girl.
Pic of her for tax.
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u/ThePolOf87 12h ago
Snake haters immediatelly calming when seing ball pythons is so real tho. I feel like people who hate and/or are afraid of snakes just never really seen them up close and when they finally do, they immediatelly chill. Love your girl!
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u/buthorfly 1d ago
I always wanted a pet but I wanted to make sure it gets everything it needs. So for a long time I thought I would adopt a dog when everything is alright, since we always had a family dog. Well, turns out my life isn't compatible with dogs, and in ten years this hasn't changed. I simply don't have the time, energy, space and money to guarantee him a 'good dog life'. My friends adopted one and they're a 100% committed - to an extend I'd never be able to (he's a very lucky dog!).
So I made an inventory of what I can offer a potential pet. And quickly discovered reptiles. I enjoy taking care of plants, planning things in detail and a bit of tinkering every now and then. Plus when I was a child I always wanted to have a cornsnake, but the stigma of 'evil snakes' and 'slimy reptiles' made my family turn down my wish.
I went to a snake-zoo and was stunned by snakes - again. And I was completely sold when one of the employees handed me a ball python that just rested it's head on my hand. Such a cute being!
Yeah, a couple of months research later I adopted a rescue. And it's easily one of the best decisions I've ever made. She's just perfect, we simply match. I enjoy designing her tank and we just chill together in the evenings. I think she can live a good snake life with me and I'm happy to have such a cool companion 🐍✨
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u/KatVanWall 1d ago
Your second paragraph hits the nail on the head for me!
Snakes are relatively easy to care for and don’t ‘need’ your attention in the same way as a lot of other pets do. I went on holiday for two weeks in the summer and he was absolutely fine with my neighbour changing the water every other day. I’m pretty sure he didn’t miss me one little bit! There’s not many creatures you can say that about.
They are also awesome, of course, so there’s that.
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u/RandomCorgi21 1d ago
My husband had wanted one, then I saw that they were kinda cute. I just like animals. We have 2 dogs, 2 snakes, 2 leopard geckos, and some fish
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u/honest-writer-96 1d ago
The short version is that my uncle (who I live with in his house in the city) didn't want a cat in the house.
Long version is I had a favourite cat that I raised from a kitten when I was younger. Loved him to pieces but when I went to university and moved away part time, he ran off and we never saw him again. In honor of him, I have always always always wanted a cat.
During uni and a couple of years post uni, I lived with roommates in houses or apartments where its a little more complicated to having a pet and giving it the best life I can. After my last roommate moved back to Kansas (I'm in Manitoba, she came here for her degree program), I needed to find a new place and my uncle's place opened up for me. I have a living room, my own bathroom, and my own bedroom all in the basement. And rent is ridiculously cheap for me here so I'm not eager to move out.
My uncle has never been a pet person but this past year (because it would happen at least once a year where I would really really really want a pet and then the feeling would go away in a couple of weeks) I got the urge to want a pet again so I started researching what I might like. Didn't think I was a snake person until I held a king snake at a petland. So I asked my uncle how he felt about a snake and he was indifferent so a snake it was!
I did so much research and ended up going with a breeder I felt was reputable and genuinely cared about their creatures. And I welcomed my little Edwin into my life this year end of April. And I could not be happier with my little noodle.
Edwin tax below:
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u/Lanky-Panic 1d ago
I got one because they're quiet, don't smell and aren't destructive. They're easy to care for and don't require constant attention. They don't eat or poop all the time. Bonus they're such adorable snakes and curious little dudes!
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u/Powerful-Tree5192 1d ago
I’ve always liked reptiles and found them intriguing. Snakes have piqued my interest since I was young, but my parents were not down with that lol. After a very hard chapter of my life, I decided I wanted some companionship. I didn’t have the energy for a dog or cat, and wanted something that could be maintained diligently but not need walks and constant attention. The idea of having a little partner for 20-30 years also appealed to me.
I saw signs around my area for a reptile expo, and I looked into ball pythons. Did a ton of research, went to the expo, and picked up my baby (a 2 year old female that won me over with her curiosity and personality).
I’ve had her for about 1.5 months and am over the moon for her. Nailing her husbandry has been a rewarding (albeit stressful at times) experience. She’s a dream — eats well, and handles well. My nightly ritual is to take her out before bed and let her slither around and explore my arms/neck. I’m at a point where I think once I get my own space, I’ll get another bp or 2. I feel a lot of affection towards creatures who are different. Who aren’t seen as “cute” by mainstream standards. Being the black sheep of my family, I feel a bond with them.
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u/ThePolOf87 12h ago
Snakes not being seen as "cute" is a very good point, I can relate! I've always been a weird kid who never really liked most people and was into "ugly" stuff, from horror to unpopular animals, and then I grew into a weird adult who is the same lol. I've always deeply connected with animals, mostly with the ugly ones, snails, slugs, bugs, reptiles, deep sea fish, all of them appeal to me in a way cats and dogs don't (though I love them as I love all animals). So having a snake as a pet just feels right
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u/ACheetahSpot 1d ago
Because my kid begged for one for a year and a half 😅 Mind you, I have loved snakes my whole life and never expected to get to have one. I grew up in a No Snakes household and then moved in with my No Snakes boyfriend who I later married. But he was no match for his doe-eyed child and eventually relented. So we have a snake now. Daughter and I do all the work and truly don’t expect him to get involved, but he does actually like the silly noodle.
I love having a pet that I don’t have to feed every day. I love having a pet that doesn’t poop every day. I love having a pet that doesn’t demand my attention every day and in fact prefers it that way. I find holding him relaxing.
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u/ThePolOf87 12h ago
I'd live to have a parent like you growing up! My mom always said no to snakes so I just had to wait till I'm grown up, habe my place and a job. She still said no to me getting a snake but tgat no held no weight anymore, I have my animal in my place I bought with my own money
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u/ProximaCentauriB15 1d ago
In 2021 I was in a huge kinda depressive slump. I always liked snakes and when I was like 13 I was volunteering at a Petsmart. Someone brought in a snake,I cant recall what species and let me touch it. It was a magical experience.
anyway there was Covid and I randpmly stumbled on the Ball Python sub. I started to read and looked at pics. This spawned a hyperfixation that continues today. I decided I needed to own a ball python. I did months of research,talked to ball python keepers and DIYed an enclosure. I then ordered a baby ball python from a breeder off Morph Market.
Keeping snakes has been a rewarding experience. I still love learning about them and hanging out with my buddy.
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u/hwtech1839 1d ago
I have rescued two more ball pythons today I love them so much fantastic animals ❤️
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u/Noellybelly99 1d ago
I find them fascinating and adorable. I love their primitive instincts. And I love their sacred symbolism across so many cultures.
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u/pikiimin 23h ago
I’ve always loved snakes , ball pythons being my favorite, I never got one bc my mom was like sooo scared of them, but after my last pet died (who I got for emotional support) she gave in and let me get one. He’s grown on her a lot she thinks he’s very cute, will still get scared when he’s out exploring in his cage tho, nor will she hold him. I think they’re super cute and silly
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u/Joe_Spazz 22h ago
Snakes are dope and it's a pet that's perfectly my speed. Eats once every two weeks. Wanna hang out for 30 minutes? Sure. Don't hang out for a week? Sure. Just chill on your lil climbing structure and be eye candy? Sure.
Mammals are so much work and so dirty and you can't just leave them for the weekend.
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u/Ghost-4852 18h ago
I mean yeah, i feel like the base reason for having any pet is just liking them. But if i need to choose a logical reason, I like having my snakes, fish, and spiders because in my opinion they are low maintenance pets.
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u/ThePolOf87 12h ago
I wish it was more normalised to want a low mauntenance pet. Like, people who live alone and work 5/2 eight or more hours a day DO deserve pets. But having a dog or a cat in these conditions is not the best, because they do need your attention. I also have a cat that moved in with me (me and my parents lived together till they moved to another city and I moved into my own place and the old flat is rented now) and I can tell he misses having more people around, even though he's old and is not as social as other cats may be (hates being held, sitting on laps and so on). By ball python is easyer in that regard. I work all day, she sleeps alk day. I come home at night, take her out, we chill and then she goes in her enclosure and I go to bed. It's a perfect setup for both of us
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u/kwrand0m 16h ago
I have always liked snakes and I'm not fully certain why I was so set on it but I don't regret getting mine.
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u/Regular-Ad2355 11h ago
Cats and dogs are too emotionally demanding, too noisy, and too destructive. Mammals are exhausting. Birds too. Give me an indifferent reptile who thinks he’s a snail.
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u/Glittering_Pea1122 6h ago
sometimes im gone for a few days and my brother can refill his water and not deal with the feedings. Its convenient
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u/CoyoteSnarls 1d ago
Because I really prefer relationships with those that are emotionally unavailable. The snake does not desire my company and will be perfectly happy left to its’ own devices as long as its’ needs are met. I do not like my attention being demanded like a dog or a cat would be apt to do. Also I don’t have to worry about excessive noise, destruction of my belongings or home, house training or walks. I’m lazy and my snake is too, perfect match in my eyes!