Ball Python Breeders in SD?

[Spike32]

Hi everyone, so I'm new to snake keeping and herps in general but am about to get my first snake here soon. I've read these boards and others on care and setup of tubs for a ball python and am now looking for a breeder to buy from in San Diego. I'm not opposed to buying online from a trusted breeder but have to wonder if shipping would cancel any savings I might make buying local.

Because I'm a poor college student I went with a tub setup instead of a glass tank. I have a 29X16X7 plastic tub with handle locks and Binders for the sides, a UTH covering 1/3rd of the tub with a temperature probe attached to the bottom of the tub with the UTH laying on the ground not directly touching the tub, currently reading at 92 degrees Fahrenheit, and an ambient temperature in the tub of 77 and humidity of 60%. To control the UTH I have a reohstat (basically a dimmer) because I'm not quite able to shell out another $35 for a thermometer right now. Substrate for now is old newspaper, I have a water dish ready to go but hides haven't been made yet simply because I don't know what size of snake I'm going to end up with and those I know should be custom fit to make the snake feel secure. I believe I have all the essentials ready to go, if not please inform me. Eventual upgrades to the tub will be an actual thermometer, aspen bedding, and possibly a second UTH if it actually gets cold this winter (unlikely in SD).

With the setup out of the way, I went looking at the recommended pet store in SD, PetKingdom which I love for fish, but was disappointed by their snake keeping. I saw several tanks with 2 balls together, and one had only a single hide with the second snake constantly circling the tank. While I didn't see any evidence of mites thankfully, it also wasn't clear how they got their snakes, and after the hide debacle I lost enough respect for the store that I decided to find breeders. I know bred snakes take f/t'd without problems and there will be no chance of parasites, something I didn't want to trust petkingdom to.

So I'm hoping someone can point me to a breeder in the SD area that has some juvenile snakes for sale. First, I'm not at ALL interested in a morph (due to cost), I'm just looking for a normal ball python I can grow to love (I know snakes don't have actual affection but i'm hoping for a bit of acceptance eventually from it). I have about $50 budgeted for the snake, but any savings will go towards the thermometer first haha. I want to stress, I do have enough savings for a vet visit if necessary and of course monthly upkeep, its just I am on enough of a budget I need to be careful with unnecessary expenses. Thanks for any help!

[3ofSwords]

Try the Craig's list in your area and googling snake breeders in SD

[MarkieJ]

There's a couple of breeders in our area that I'm a regular customer with. Maki Goskowicz (MakiMaki here on bp.net) and David Reid (Emberball here on bp.net). Check out Maki's website: http://www.pacificcoastreptiles.com/.

Here's Dave's email: Hoggwldreptile@aol.com

Buy with confidence from either of them.

[Spike32]

Thanks MarkieJ, fired off some emails just now. We'll see what happens next