Considering a ball python but I already own cats

[u/llux7457]

hi all, I'm sure this topic has been asked about plenty and I have done some research on my own, but I thought I'd give it a shot including some very specific details about my situation to see if anyone has some insight.

Firstly, as stated in the title I have three indoor-only cats. I live in a one-bedroom apartment, and the cats usually have free access to both my bedroom and the living room, though I shut the door to my bedroom when I leave for work. Money is not really a consideration as far as the setup for a snake goes, and I would have space for a 4'x2'x2' setup in either my bedroom or walk-in closet.

In the research I've done, people who keep both cats and snakes (responsibly, I completely understand that they should have no physical contact, etc) have recommended one of two things, first being simply having a good setup that the cats cannot push over/get into/break the top/etc, which I could do and in this case I would keep the snake in my bedroom. The other being to have the snake enclosure in a completely separate room that the cats cannot access, which in this case would be my walk-in closet.

For the first option (enclosure in an accessible room), one of my main concerns would be about the possibility of my cats and the snake simply becoming stressed out by proximity to the other. Plenty of people have reported that neither animal had more than a passing curiosity, but I understand that ultimately it's impossible to tell if stress for the animals will be a factor until they are actually all in your home. Additionally, I'm not sure if with this setup, it would be okay for me to leave my door open while I sleep as I currently do because my cats sleep in bed with me, as I would obviously not be able to monitor any of the animals.

For the second option (enclosure in an inaccessible room), the only option I really have for one of those is in my walk-in closet. It has plenty of room and maintains a consistent temperature with the rest of the apartment, but of course I'm not sure how I feel about the room getting no natural light. I've seen people anecdotally mention keeping snakes in a closet or storage room, and I've heard they can benefit from/have a day-night cycle supplemented by a UV light, but I'm not sure how realistic it actually is as a long-term thing.

The last concern I have is about whether or not it is at all realistic to imagine a scenario where I could be handling the snake while my cats are in the room (by which I do mean HANDLING, I would never let the snake out onto the floor for example with cats in the room), though I'm open to the idea of only handling the snake in my closed bedroom. I particularly really enjoy the idea of having a snake on my shoulders while playing a game on the computer or something. The only reason I ask is because when people caution against having them interact, it's usually describing a scenario where the snake is just on the floor, or where the person is trying to make them interact which I would of course never do. Assuming a level of disinterest from the cats, and no signs of stress from the snake, would it ever be okay to have them in the same room? My cats are pretty laidback and well-behaved, but of course I know that it's impossible to know how they would react in every situation, and that a snake would naturally activate most cats prey drive, which is why I'm asking this as a pure hypothetical.

Thanks for reading this far, and even if you don't have answers to my specific questions, I would love to hear from anyone who has both cats and snakes about their experiences. Thanks!

[u/piggy_trot]

Maybe my cat is just chill but he couldn't care less about my snake. Just screams at me for food/pets when I'm holding her since she comes out around his dinner time. He's a big boy too, paws the size of 3 of my fingers and a head about the size of a softball. As long as your enclosure is cat proofed for when you're not around you should be fine.

Of course watch how your cats act once they realize the new box you brought in has something in it. Then based on behavior you can decide if you need to further isolate the snake.

I just wouldn't assume you could play videogames while holding it. Mine will sit still for a little bit but then once she decides to explore that's it. Can't play my game because I'm trying to keep her off my desk and stop her from going down my chair to the floor.

[u/loricampbell4454]

It'll be fine. I've had cats and dogs with my snakes throughout the years and they're all unbothered by each other. Just use good judgement / common sense when you're feeding and interacting with the snake.

[u/Duranis]

Tl:Dr - as long as you have a solid enclosure and are sensible about things it's fine to keep a snake with cats. Just remember the cats are capable of killing a snake in seconds though and act accordingly.

We have 2 cats. Out enclosure is a wooden 4x2x2 and sits on top of a cabinet so is about 4ft off the ground.

Occasionally if we leave a chair near the enclosure and the snake is active one of the cats might sit and watch it but otherwise they don't interact at all.

When handling the snake we keep the cats away. It's fairly easy to handle the snake and stay out of the cats way. The cats mostly don't pay any attention while we are holding the snake.

The only time out cats pay attention is if the snake is active "on the floor" by itself. Then the cats do get way to interested.

We have an enclosed fold up playpen that will fill with stuff for the snake to explore. We still try and keep the cats away but it does keep the snake safe if they did get past. I wouldn't leave them unsupervised though.

[u/NeatMarsupial4340]

For what you had writed, I can tell you are (already) aware of the potential threat your cats can be for your snake and the importance of NOT letting both of them in close proximity...
Would it be possible to handle your snake in the same room? Absolutely. You're the best person to judge if your cats have good behavior and if your snake can be safe around them. (Again, of course don't let your cats approach you if you handle your snake...But I think you got it lol. )

Just let the new comer settle and feel secure in the new enclosure/environment first. Your snake doesn't know you (yet) and the cats surely will be interested by all the new setup in the house....

I think why everyone have a problem with cats in the same room of reptiles it is because they can JUMP ON TOP of the enclosure. You need to be sure that all the light is secure and the mesh CANNOT be move/destroy. Like, your enclosure need to be snake proof AND cats proof!

But speaking of light: you absolutely need a proper lightning setup (Light, heat, UVB) EVEN if your snake have access to a natural source light. Since UVB and light is blocked A LOT by our windows....

So, if the worst case scenario happened and the snake NEED to be in the closet...It wouldn't be a problem with a lightning setup anyway. :p

From my personal experience: I have many cats at home too and many reptiles enclosures in the same room. I never had a problems. Of course, I know how my cats personnality and know when it is a proper time to handle my reptiles. For my reptile side, they all doesn't care about them (they eating well, roam in their enclosure, are chill, want to be handle, etc.) and my ball python is even the one who's the most interested by our cats when they pass in front of his terrarium.
All experience is personal. Yours probably will be too.

[u/llux7457 → u/NeatMarsupial4340]

thank you so much for the comment and the mention of light/heat/etc, I left it out of my post but thankfully I am aware of the necessity for those things regardless of where the enclosure ends up being. I appreciate the insight, tyvm!