Beginner tips for a guy loking to buy a ball python?

[staikotatos]

Alright, after careful consideration and a lot of SnakeBytesTV, I've decided I want to buy my own ball python! What I don't want, though, is for my python to die 2 days after I buy it because I didn't know I'm not supposed to step on it. That's right, I'm completely clueless when it comes to keeping snakes, and that's where you guys come in. How much does a BP generally cost? Where should it be kept? At what temperature should it be kept, and at what humidity? What do I feed him/her and how often? How long do BPs live? Any common health issues I should know about? Any pro tips on handling a snake without getting your thumb bitten off? If I end up pissing off my python and getting bitten, should I worry about my arm getting broken, or are they harmless even if they bite? I want to be at least a little knowledgeable before actually going out and buying a snake, so I hope you guys will *herp* me out.

[JLC]

Start here: BALL PYTHON CARESHEET

That should give you a good foundation on how to take care of one. Once you get that foundation down, you can ask more specific questions for us to help with.

You can spend anywhere from $25 - $20,000+ on a ball python...depends on what you want and where you buy it!

If you look at a local herp show, you can usually find common ball pythons for around $25. Pet stores usually charge about $75 for one, but that can vary a lot from store to store, and you run a high risk of getting an unhealthy animal from a typical pet store. You can buy direct from a reputable breeder...and usually get a good deal, but you also then have to pay shipping charges, unless the breeder is local to you.

Their bites are harmless. If you happen to be mistaken for food and they bite and wrap, it CAN be painful, but it's still no big deal. They won't break bones or anything...and such bites are very rare with ball pythons. A defensive bite is a lightning fast strike that ends up being little more than pin pricks on the skin.

[KMG]

Start here for care. http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

There are a few books out too. Ball Pythons is available on Kindle, its cheap, easy to read, and pretty informative.

[Luciferskeeper]

Read, read, and read until your tired of reading and then read some more. Just reading different discussions on this site will teach you a lot. I read for months before diving in to getting my first ball and im glad I did. There are a lot of experienced keepers/members here that will help you with every question you have no matter how stupid you think it is. Once again read, read, and read.

[staikotatos]

That's really helpful, thanks! Just a few more questions. I read that it's not a good thing to buy a snake that was not born in captivity. Do I run the risk of buying one at my local pet shop, or are pet shops safe enough? Keep in mind that I live in Greece, so there's not a whole lot of pet shops to choose from, let alone an actual herp shop. If, indeed, buying a snake from a pet shop is not preferable for whatever reason, what other options do I have? If I keep the temperature stable at about 85-86 degrees, will that be alright, or do snakes need different ambient and basking temperatures at different times? How often can I handle the python? Is once or twice a day good enough? Where can I buy feeder mice, and how much do they cost?

[brobertson]

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...t-Thermometers

This thread has some great info, just about everything you need to know as far as heating is concerned. Also, I strongly recommend buying direct from a reputable breeder. They are usually very helpful, and are out to make you and your snake happy, not make a quick buck. A few great places that I reccomend are Brian at BHB, Garrick at Royal Constrictor Designs, Dan Wolfe, Ozzyboids, Jon at Cold Blooded Addiction, Justin Kobylka, and Mark Petros. There are a ton of great breeders that could hook you up with a fantastic snake, as well as help you and it thrive. Also, these people may not list normals on their site, but they may have some unlisted, and would be happy to give you one for a nice price. Best if luck, and they are REALLY addicting!

Edit: whoops, missed the fact that you are in Greece. Might be a little harder to come by a BP there.

[Trackstrong83]

First thing after learning care, go the tub route. Just my opinion. I tried the aquarium thing for a while and it was terrible, then I switched to the tub. And I love them.

[staikotatos]

Wait, tub route? You mean keeping the snake in a tub? What kind of tub? I don't know if that's a common way to keep snakes, but it sounds pretty weird to me

[SaintTawny]

Wait, tub route? You mean keeping the snake in a tub? What kind of tub? I don't know if that's a common way to keep snakes, but it sounds pretty weird to me

Probably 9 out of 10 people on this forum keep their snakes in plastic tubs of one kind or another. Sterilite, Rubbermaid, Hefty, these are brands of tubs that we have here in the states. The sort of clear storage tubs you can buy to keep shoes and sweaters in, with a sturdy clamping lid and a few small vent holes drilled or melted in, about 2 cm wide at most.

The size of your snake will ultimately determine the size of the tub you'll need, but for example: http://www.sterilite.com/SelectProdu...=180&section=1

Whatever brand you find, it's very important that the lid be sturdy, as a flimsy lid is easily pushed up by an escape-minded python. You can secure the lid further by putting a couple binder clips towards the middle to hold the sides of the lid against the lip of the tub.

[Trackstrong83]

Yes I use sterilite tubs. And yeah it sounds weird

When I first heard of keeping my snakes in tubs I thought, "what? That's nonsense" but they are fantastic. Haha very light, easy to clean, make snakes feel secure, and hold in humidity like a champ.