I breed Ball Pythons and kept ferrets in the same room for years with no issue. And I know plenty of other breeders and snake keepers who own ferrets as well. Honestly, I'm more worried about the ferrets killing the snakes than the other way around. Ball Pythons are indeed a smaller species of python. They only get about 5 feet at the very max, but most won't even reach that length. My adults are about the width of a 8-16oz water bottle. My absolute largest is about the width of a soda can and she is at the higher end of the size spectrum. A Ball Python will never eat or attack a ferret. *FACT* 1) They will never be large enough to eat a ferret. African Soft Furred Rats, which is their natural prey in the wild are as large as a 'small' domesticated rat . Or around 100-150grams. I feed my adult ball pythons a small rat weekly. A medium rat would be the max appropriate size for the really big girls. (Funny enough, my ferrets eat whole prey larger than that) 2) They imprint on food. They are very picky eaters. They wouldn't recognize ferrets as prey. They often have issues with eating normal rats and mice because they are so picky. 3) If alarmed or frightened, they will not constrict a ferret or anything for the matter. They ball up in defense or flee rather than fight. Hence the name "Ball" python. They are a very shy and docile species. Rats have been seen to kill ball pythons because they are balled up sitting ducks when frightened. If anything, your ferret will be the one to kill the ball python. Not the other way around. 4) Yes, they are escape artists. However, they don't really roam around. They find a tight corner or cubby hole to hide in. They don't like open spaces, so they seek small shelters. They wouldn't seek out your ferrets or prey. Snakes are ambush creatures. They would rather just hide in one spot and wait around for their food than hunt. And no, they won't ambush your ferrets. Personally, I wouldn't worry about this kid because he has a ball python. They are of no dangerous concern. I would concentrate on worrying about seeing if he's a responsible owner or not. Maybe even tell him to ferret proof his snake enclosure, because the ferrets would be the ones to worry about. Not the snake(s). Cheers, Nikki K (Pacific Coast Serpentry) [Posted in FML 8116]