BP's are wonderful but if you have a fear of being bitten work it out first, when they get ready to "Ball" sometimes it looks like they're going to bite your hand and just when you're ready to jump, they remind you just how cute and sweet they really are. But seriously make sure you can handle a snake before you get one, Ball Pythons are notoriously picky eaters, sometimes only accepting one color mouse, and/or only live, and even going months without eating. If you do decide to get one buy directly from a breeder as wild caught sometimes refuse food until they starve to death, or eat at first and then stop...until they starve to death. If you do want a snake BPs are a great way to go, very gentle and VERY forgiving. They do get bigger then say House snakes or Green snakes, but if you handle them as a baby and as they grow up, you'll be very comfortable with them.