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Ball Python Escape

Posted By:

pimpbebo

In Relation To:

kong

help my uncle is an idiot when it come to reptiles . me and him bought a ball python a while ago . we made a deal the snake is both of ours but it will bee in his 50 gallon tank. welll the deal work out exept that the snake has escape twice once for almost a month. the seccond time his girl friend found it in screamed my name . i took the cage up stairs as well as the snake . later he took the snake back.the real problem is how do i get him to care for reptiles the same way that every body on iherp does? he only wants it becouse he wants some he could have i his room like an ornament . he doent even hold it he calls me down stairs to do so . in fact the only reason i think he likes it is because i told him adult pythons are worth hundreds so he wants to breed and seel them when he barely knows where they come from.


Points:	150
Topics:	Caging
Tags:	Ball, Escape, Python, Regius
Species:	Pythons > Pythons > Python regius
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Member Comment

8/8/2009 6:45:02 PM

FyreFocks

Some of them arent worth anything, in fact most of them arent worth anything. Not with the BP explosion thats been going for years.

I think you need to explain to him that its not just a dollar sign that sheds its skin, its a living creature. If he cant care for it appropriately then he shouldnt be trying at all. Seriously tho, upstairs or downstairs, the cage should have clips on it. They cost a couple bucks and are worth the money.

Member Comment

8/9/2009 5:21:46 AM

Ucowboy

Doesn't sound to me like he needs to be breeding anything. If he handles the breeding cycle like what he's doing now he's got a snowballs chance in hell of ever getting a clutch to hatch out. Reptiles are not for everyone and they aren't a room decoration. They take handling and cleaning and a responsible owner. It's people like this that cause problems in our hobby. He needs to take the animal seriously. As far as ball pythons being worth hundreds ...haha... most won't get you 40 bucks anymore unless it's a newer morph. If he sees dollar signs when looking at a snake he's in the wrong hobby.

Member Comment

8/9/2009 6:42:33 PM

gfx

In general, you can't fix stupid. Care for the animal yourself, it sounds like you may be more capable. The good news is that once he figures out its not worth anything, he'll probably just give it to you.

Accepted Answer

8/9/2009 11:28:50 PM

amarilrose

gfx FTW!! I couldn't have said it better! In fact everbody here said some very good stuff!

Do what you can to take care of the animal yourself, and see that its needs are met. You aren't going to be able to make your uncle care about this animal, whether we are talking about overnight or over a decade. You could point out that with the economic down turn the prices of a lot of things have fallen, and the reptile market is no different... and the snake that belongs to the two of you really isn't worth what you thought it would be. See if he gives it to you then. If you need help finding out what to do to provide for the snake yourself, there are many resources available. This site is a great resource, but also not the only source of information out there. :)

Good luck!!

Member Comment

8/10/2009 9:30:09 AM

babsbuni

Easiest solution I can come up with is real simple. Even for your uncle. At Walmart they have bins with lid covers that lock. While they won't work for some snakes, I have all my ball pythons in them. This way, either one of you can have him and the snake won't escape, provided the lids are locked. These bins are next to nothing, maybe $10.00 on sale. Make sure you have air holes in the sides for breathing though. Good luck.

Member Comment

8/10/2009 9:31:50 AM

babsbuni

Also, if the snake you are talking about is that albino ball, it's worth more than a "few bucks."

Member Comment

8/10/2009 10:03:00 AM

JohnJohn

I think you should take charge of the daily care. Let your Uncle slowly learn, if he can. If he is not inspired, or loses interest, ask him if you can keep it in your room so that you can monitor it's care better. If he's not interested, he probably won't care.

Normal BPs are no $$$$$. I bought a normal baby at a show this year for just $20 and probably could have gotten her for half that. There are many homelass BP up for adoption. That's not a good reason to have a BP.

Member Comment

8/11/2009 12:32:18 AM

abi21491

Honestly, it sounds like you need to work it out to where the snake is strictly yours. If he doesn't care about the animal already, chances are you aren't going to be able to get him to any time soon. And he should DEFINITELY NOT be breeding snakes if he wants to for the money. It takes a lot of money, time and genuine care to keep snakes... Not just wanting it because its "cool" or whatever. Good luck.

Member Comment

8/11/2009 11:10:07 AM

Krestie Kate

I'm lucky if I break even breeding. I agree with everyone else. Tell him it's worth nothing now because it's a normal. From the way you talk about him it sounds like he'd give up the snake right there and then. Invest in some cage clips by Four Paws there the best (IMO) Cage clips on the market when it comes to keep snakes in there cage.

Member Comment

12/22/2010 7:29:29 PM

WingedWolfPsion

Normal males are only pets--no one's out there just breeding normals. Adult females are worth maybe $100 to $150. Most of the normal ball pythons you find in pet stores are males. They'll never be worth more than maybe $40, as adults. Remind him it won't be worth anything at all if it escapes and dies in the back of a cold closet. (They do not have the instincts to avoid dangerous cold).

Member Comment

2/8/2013 5:17:33 PM

Joe J

You could send it to me and tell you uncle it got loose again. problem solved!

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