Would a male or female ball python be a better match for my son?

I think it wouldnt matter but the smaller gender probably... Dont let him kill himself with it. I love ball pythons I want one. : Tell him Im jealous.

pythons are very dangerous and should never have been introduced as pets.
dont get either.

Neither.

i say a male cuz i had a ringneck snake it was lazy and just wanted to chill

ok im sorry these answers make me laugh ball pythons couldnt kill a chihuahua let alone a human. they only get up to 45 feet rarely any longer. it really doesnt matter that much unless you want one of each to breed but females generally get larger but not much of a difference. good luck

it doesnt matter they make great pets... and just so you know they can kill you... if they got around your neck and started squeezing you and you didnt know the only way to get them off then youd be gone... an 8 foot burmese python can kill almost anything on the planet... they size up aligators in florida... equal population now they arent dangerous : i have one hes 2 now and i let him go around me neck feels like hes massaging me

It really doesnt matter either way. The females will get larger than males but not by very much. Most ball pythons will stay under 4 feet long. Both genders take to handling very well. I would suggest just check out a forum and ask questions. The right forum can be a great place to learn how to care for a snake properly. Check this forum out. http://www.redtailboas.com/forum/. As a parent I would join and ask questions that you seek answers to. I know it is a boa forum but there are many ball python owners/breeders that are members. We are a very family friendly forum. I have an 11 year old daughter and I have no problem what so ever showing her some threads and pictures there. No cussing is allowed. I hope to see you and your son on the forum. It is a great learning tool. I hope this helps.

they both have pretty much the saame personality but females get slightly larger than the males.