Newbie

[Deu2e]

Hello bp I'm a new found lover of snakes, I have always been scared of them I guess because I never been around them. Recently I was taking my daughter to the local petco to look at animals. While at petco she asked me if she can hold a beautiful ball python. My first response was are u serious lol, she said yes so I had the employee take one out and she held it. She asked me dad try it it's a nice snake I was reluctant because I had a thing about snakes. Long story short I had to be a man and not punk out so I held it. I couldn't put it back down ounce it was in my hands. So now I'm a fan of them. I live in Los Angeles and I have seen forums saying that a breeder is better than a pet smart or petco is this true? I kind of liked the one I help at the pet store so my question is what's the best route? Ounce a again I live in Los Angeles and if it's not a problem if a breeder is better can any one point me in the right direction to find a good breeder. Thanks in advance

[T_Sauer]

Welcome to the forum and welcome to the addiction! LOL

A breeder is for sure the better way to go. Petco is not very knowledgeable of reptiles and the majority of them many cases have been reported of poor conditions they keep their reptiles in and parasites ... Take the time to read all the Stickys in the Ball Python Husbandry forum and get familiar with the needs of a ball python before you get one, so this way you can have everything set up and ready and be prepared for your new ball. You can find a list of threads pertaining to just about any question you have by using the search bar top right of the site. Welcome again

[Lynchman18]

Well a few suggestions I can add to help you in your quest to becoming a happy ball python owner is that no matter where you get your new bp make sure you ask the questions you need to know to get an idea of how healthy your potential BP is. Examples: how often does he/she eat, is the BP partial to only frozen and/or live mice/rats. Check the snake for mites.. Mites are easy to treat as long as you detect them early on. In my experience with Petco/Petsmart is most the animals I've bought at those places the BPs have mites. Mite spray is all you need just read the instructions on the bottle. I personally try to find private parties to buy snakes from or reptile shows but don't forget to ask questions and check the snake thoroughly.

[Lynchman18]

Well a few suggestions I can add to help you in your quest to becoming a happy ball python owner is that no matter where you get your new bp make sure you ask the questions you need to know to get an idea of how healthy your potential BP is. Examples: how often does he/she eat, is the BP partial to only frozen and/or live mice/rats. Check the snake for mites.. Mites are easy to treat as long as you detect them early on. In my experience with Petco/Petsmart is most the animals I've bought at those places the BPs have mites. Mite spray is all you need just read the instructions on the bottle. I personally try to find private parties to buy snakes from or reptile shows but don't forget to ask questions and check the snake thoroughly.

[Deu2e]

I appreciate all of you replies I have been on this page since I registered lol just looking through all the threads gathering information before I buy. I plan to get my tank first and get everything I need. I want a glass tank so I can see my snake when she or he decides to come out. I'm giving my self until July to buy one. This will give me enough time to do more research on a ball. I have a nice income so the tank will not be a problem. I gave my self until July also because that's when the big reptile expo will be in San diego so that will give me a variety of balls I can choose from. Ounce a agin thank you all for your input it is very appreciated. And what are mites? The ball at petco was really calm and nice I guess they handle them a lot but thorough the research I see it's better to go with a respectable breeder, it may cost more but it's worth it.

[200xth]

I plan to get my tank first and get everything I need. I want a glass tank so I can see my snake when she or he decides to come out. I'm giving my self until July to buy one. This will give me enough time to do more research on a ball. I have a nice income so the tank will not be a problem.

Glass aquariums and tanks can be difficult to maintain humidity and temps in.

Take a look at the PVC enclosures. They're easier to maintain the proper environment in.

You can check out something like the T-8 or T-10 at Animal Plastics to get an idea of what I'm talking about.

http://www.apcages.com/home/
http://www.apcages.com/home/terrestrial/T8/T8.htm