I need some information on Carpet Pythons vs Ball Pythons...?

Question

I once had a ball python. He was very tame, never struck anyone, he loved being handled and was curious about everything. Great snake =D Anyhow, had to give him up because I moved...Now years later I'm settled down and would like to get another snake, one to keep forever. I'm looking at Carpet Pythons...and for whatever reason, I'm a little scared. Maybe because I'm use to Ball Pythons so I have it built up that they're friendly and tame where as Carpet Pythons may be different? Who knows. I'm just curious if anyone has any experience on snakes, specifically these two...? Ive read plenty about them and think I have a good understand but I'd like to know if one is better in a sense, than the other...if one is more tame than the other? Would there be anything to take into consideration that may change my mind on venturing out to a Carpet Python as opposed to a Ball Python? Obviously all snakes, same kind or not, will be different, act different...but like I said, I guess I have it built up that Ball pythons are wonderful and friendly and love to be handled, where as, I have no hands on experience with Carpet pythons...Any information would be great. Thanks!

Answer 1

There's honestly not much of a difference between these two snakes. There is one BIG difference though, that you need to keep into consideration, the size of the snake. As you know, ball pythons, really never get that big, the biggest ball python only very, very rare, will get to be six feet long in a female, but usually stay in the four to five foot range, smaller in males. On the otherhand, you have the carpet, and their average size is pretty big, able to reach up to six and seven feet long, but the biggest one was a 13 foot female. But your average length will be no shorter than six and a half feet in length. So if you want a smaller snake, go with the ball python, if ya like big, then a carpet might be for you.



Both snakes are semi-agressive when they are hatchlings to young adults, with the carpet being just a tad more agressive. If you handle them with respect and not torture, then both will become very highly regarded pets, and you'll have a best friend wrapped around your neck all the time. Of course feeding will be different as well, as the carpet might need rats instead of mice, but ask you local pet store, and they will be able to help you out more, if ya happen to get a carpet...remember, captive bred and greatly taken care of snakes in a nice big cage/tank, will grow till they die, hence a 13 footer in a snake.



Hope this advice helps you, don't fear the animals, just respect them and you will do fine, just one is bigger than the other. Don't get a burmese though unless you want to be the next meal of the snake lol, j/k. Good luck.

Answer 2

Well, if you can't handle the large size of burmese pythons, but like snakes that are somewhat large, a red tail boa is probably your best choice. They make great pets and NORMALLY don't get much more then 8, maybe 9 ft. You can also look into getting a dwarf burmese which is a much smaller breed of the burmese python. Overall, ball pythons are the most manageable and less expensive snake. I personally like boa constrictors but ball pythons are by far the better pet if you're looking for a small, cheap, and docile snake:)

Answer 3

go for it, i changed from ball pythons to milk snakes and found them rather the same as in care. but its all about how much you can handle and feel comfort in.

Answer 4

i would say Texas hit it pretty much right on the nose. in either case you should aim for a captive breed animal this to can help with taming.







if in time you choose a reptile as a pet please do your research and please never release any captive reptile in to the wild.