thinking about getting a ball python, what do i need?

[A.D.]

so im really considering getting a ball python. I know I need:
Thermostat
Heat pad/tape
Hide
Sterelite bin
Bedding
Mice
Temp gun/thermometer/humidity gauge

What else do I need? What are the specifics on what I already lited above that you would recommend(Bedding type, mice, the ones with "/") ?

Also are you against getting them from petstores, I know they cost more? How long can a mouse stay frozen with out going bad? Im trying to convince my dad and he says he doent want to go to the pestore every week, it'd be to expensive and stuff. My birthday is in late September, so I have time to research and then give him a very accurate and informed report on why they are good, easy to keep pets. It may be a little hard, but im Daddy'' little girl, get straight As, and am already being recuited for schools, so its not a responsiblity thing.

Thanks in advance,
A.D.

ps. Im new here

[AK907]

so im really considering getting a ball python. I know I need:
Thermostat
Heat pad/tape
Hide
Sterelite bin
Bedding
Mice
Temp gun/thermometer/humidity gauge

What else do I need? What are the specifics on what I already lited above that you would recommend(Bedding type, mice, the ones with "/") ?

Also are you against getting them from petstores, I know they cost more? How long can a mouse stay frozen with out going bad? Im trying to convince my dad and he says he doent want to go to the pestore every week, it'd be to expensive and stuff. My birthday is in late September, so I have time to research and then give him a very accurate and informed report on why they are good, easy to keep pets. It may be a little hard, but im Daddy'' little girl, get straight As, and am already being recuited for schools, so its not a responsiblity thing.

Thanks in advance,
A.D.

ps. Im new here

Not all pet stores are bad, so I'm not 100% against pet stores, but you will likely severely overpay for a snake that probably isn't the healthiest or best quality. Also, I don't like the idea supporting shady/ill informed/greedy pet stores with my money just so they can order more animals and neglect them. That is most likely the general consensus of why most folks here don't approve of pet stores. Again, not all pet stores are bad. There are good ones, so chose carefully.

Also, I highly recommend you feed your ball rats instead of mice. There are a million threads on this forum regarding this subject.

[A.D.]

thanks. The ball I saw at Petsmart was about $79. I dont know much about the species and stuff but it looked like normal or more common one. Brown, dimond like pattern almost. Dont quite remember. What about the other items listed above? Such as bedding and the sterelite bin and heating?

[iCandiBallPythons]

read over this http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

[RoseyReps]

Generally the ones from petstores are not going to be taking f/t, So you'll have to switch them over yourself. Not saying no petstores, but most I have seen do live or stunned.

Thermostats - For cheap but functional http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...arm+thermostat
The best ones are around $100 and worth saving up for, but the cheap one will work until you can save the money for the higher end. (Herpstat, http://www.reptilebasics.com/thermostats, etc)

Heat pad or tape, flexwatt you'll have to wire yourself but it's cheaper. UTH seems to be fine for one tub / tank though. Ultratherm heat pads seem to be the most recommended of the UT pads http://www.reptilebasics.com/ultratherm-heat-pads

2 identical hides. one entrance (not the half log style) dark, secure (touches the snakes on all sides) many suggest the reptile basics hides (same site I listed for the heat pads and higher end tStat) also there are some DIY cheaper options like cut & sanded plastic bowls, planter bases etc.

Sterlite bin - size will depend on what size snake you end up with.

Bedding - Aspen, Cypress mulch, newspaper, paper towels are all good. Keeping price down would be newpaper or paper towels.

Mice - size will depend on your snake, 10-15% of your snakes body weight

Temp gun - http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...-for-the-money

thermometer / hygrometer - most will suggest the accurite indoor/outdoor + humidity. They can be found in most walmarts for under $12 http://www.acurite.com/weather/therm...red-probe.html

Added:
digital scale that measures in grams (food scale etc)

Welcome

Edit: As stated above, petstores WAY overcharge for captive hatched babies. That, plus the high risk of mites / RI / etc doesn't bode to well for the petstore purchase. You can normally get pretty little hatchling normals from breeders for $30 or so. Depending on where you live, you might have some breeders within driving distance (so you wouldn't have to worry about shipping). Reptile expo's are also nice so you can see them in person and speak with the breeders about all your questions.

[chet1028]

Since a BP can live up to 30 years, you should make sure to have a plan in place for who will care for it while you are away at college. There are so many posts on here about people who get snakes and then have to give them up because of school or moving into an apartment that wont allow them.

As far as caring for them and what you'll need, do some research. There is a ton of great info on this site and elsewhere on the internet. I must have read 20 different care sheets to make sure I had all my bases covered and I still only know a tiny bit about what is required. Welcome to the board and good luck.

[Mike41793]

thanks. The ball I saw at Petsmart was about $79. I dont know much about the species and stuff but it looked like normal or more common one. Brown, dimond like pattern almost. Dont quite remember. What about the other items listed above? Such as bedding and the sterelite bin and heating?

Id get a normal bp from an expo. Theyre only like $10-15 at an expo.

[Sama]

The bin depends on the size snake you get, hatchlings to about 500gramish typically go in a 15 quart bin, 500g-2000gish go in a 32 quart and large females go in a 41 quart tub.
Bedding, paper towels and newspaper are often used, aspen bedding is popular and so is cypress bedding. Cypress is considered good if you have trouble getting your humidity high enough.
Also the normal baby you see at the petstore for $80, you can get the same from most breeders for $20-$30, and often healthier/better fed.

[RestlessRobie]

All the above info is great so far But everyone failed to mention the most important thing to consider before buying a Ball Python.

Do you have room for the next few snakes you will be buying when the addiction get a hold of you as well.

I am glad to see someone doing the research before they get the new friend sounds like you have a good plan so far. I have purchased from pet stores, local breeders, and Expo's I prefer Local Breeders or Expos the snake I purchased from a pet store was a wild caught and had parasites ETC that had to be treated once we figured out what the problem was. Also the feeding records were incorrect and the little guy was dificult to get eating at best. But now he is a garbage disopsal and one of my better eaters so it worked out. I would definatley recomend a Local Breeder or Expo you can talk to the person who hatched the snake and figure out how it was housed as well as what exactly it was eating and when. This will make the transition to your care a lot easier and give you a head start on a long happy relationship with your new friend

[h00blah]

Here's a couple things to look at:

If you want to use a tub:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...e-Basics-*DUW*

If you want to use a tank:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...p-w-pics-*DUW*

How to cover the screen top to retain humidity:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...tment-Tutorial