Never owned a BP, I got some questions

[nathang1234]

Hey guys! Im new here and I have some questions about ball pythons. I used to have a corn snake but he died like a month and a half after I got him, I think he was sick because I got him at petco. Anyways, on to the questions

1.where should I buy it from? There is a pet store near me that seems good and a snake breeder works there.

2. Is it safe to order them online? I have seen unboxing videos of BP's so it seems to be safe

3. Do they like being held often?

4. what sized cage do they need if they are small?

5. Could I use the hide, branch, and water bowl from my corn snakes old cage if I cleaned them?

6. what are some morphs for under $100(not including shipping if I get it online)?

Thanks for reading, I will ask more if I think of anything.

[hurricaNe]

You can buy them anywhere, just make sure you check the nostrils for swelling or mucus, check their chin and belly thoroughly for mites.
If buying online, check out where these breeders are located. Yes, Ball pythons "like" to be held, their very docile, friendly animals, just make sure it isn't TOO cold in the house. For a small BP a 20 Gallon tank is perfect, you can always just put him/her in a Rubbermaid. Yes those will work fine, again make sure there aren't any mites.

As for morphs, under 100 dollars will only get you a Normal Ball python, pastel males can be bought for $120-150. Morphs don't come cheap.

Where are you located?

[shadow120]

1. online or local breeder or a good pet shop
2. yes
3. yes but overhandling can stress them out
4. for babies a 10 gallon tank would work then something bigger as they grow.
5. yes but clean them well. boil or clean with bleach and rinse good.
6 about the only morph you will get for under $100 would be a male pastel

[nathang1234]

Im located near Dallas Texas. My room is pretty cold but that is because its still kind of cold now, I was gonna wait like a month so it has time to warm up. What do mites look like? Im not sure if I have seen them before.
Also, do they get stressed by music or tv if its played too loud?

[hurricaNe]

http://www.google.ca/imgres?q=ball+p...0&tx=126&ty=52

That's mites.

Their hearing isn't too great, they wouldn't be bothered by any noise.

[Mike41793]

If you up your price range up a little bit to $150 you could find a male: pastel, spider, cinnamon, het albino, mojave...
Keeping them in a tub is usually easiest. Loud music or tv wont bother them too much as long as you dont have it going all day.

[The Serpent Merchant]

You can get a pastel male for $75 sometimes even including shipping. But thats about it as far a <$100 morphs go.

[Annarose15]

Im located near Dallas Texas. My room is pretty cold but that is because its still kind of cold now, I was gonna wait like a month so it has time to warm up.

Remember, your room will get cold again when next fall rolls around, so you need to figure out how you will keep ambient temps high enough.

One other option for buying a BP is to find a local reptile show. That way, you can actually see and handle him before you buy, and you may be able to get a better deal on a morph than online (and definitely better than a pet store).

[nathang1234]

thanks guys! I could probably bump up my price range to like 150-200, but I would have to wait longer to get it. I will look for some reptile shows near me.

[meowmeowkazoo]

http://www.google.ca/imgres?q=ball+p...0&tx=126&ty=52

That's mites.

Their hearing isn't too great, they wouldn't be bothered by any noise.

I disagree; I believe the vibrations from loud music could be stressful to them. But I don't know if there is any scientific evidence one way or another.