cant wait...

[djets1989]

so ive been on this site now for a good 3 weeks jus reading up on ball pythons, how to take care of them and all there needs and such, and i think im just about ready to buy my first ball python. and my most important question is, where should i buy them, what is either the best site online to buy them from or any insider tips on buying them from a pet store (highly unlicky seeing as how they treat there snakes like dirt). and im not looking to get a new morph or anything special, just a normal bp for starters...so how much should i pay at the most for one?

thanks in advance for ths support!

[crisstyle21]

First of all youve chosen a perfect snake,reptile,python or anything else you can call it. I wouldnt pay no more than $80 for a Bp. And 80 is for a nice patterned Bp that is limited from all the alien eyes. If possible the best way and less headache free way is to find a good petshop around your area. Going on the internet and buying from a internet breeder doesnt allow you to get hands on. You have to see if the Bp is nice and healty, active, and not so scared showing signs of protecting its body or balling. This shows a snake that hasnt been handled and is stressed and will be sometimes difficult and a pain to care for.
Ball pythons are very popular and now everyone carries them. Make sure when entering the carrier make sure everything looks clean. See if the snake has a nice clean source of light and water. Ask the employer if you can hold the snake, look for normal flickering of tongue, look under mouth for anything unusual, Look for scars, If hes a good handler and knowlegable on snakes ask him to open the bps mouth to look for any Sores, or discoloration besides pink. And most importanly make sure this is something you want to get into. they can get 3.5- 4ft.Ball pythons but dont require alot of room and only require probaly a 30 gallon breeder tank as they get into adult hood.Sorry for the long blah blah blah.. I love giving my personal advice out. If you need any advice post more on the site.. Post some pics I will love to see that new Bp.

[Reptile_Man]

Sorry for the long blah blah blah.. I love giving my personal advice out.[/QUOTE]

Dont be sorry,the more info the better.iv found alot of the long posts here very helpful.

[Spaniard]

I've bought from both petstores and breeders online, I would definitely recommend you seek out a breeder. My petstore snake is my most problematic feeder. The other two are fatties. There are many great breeders here at this site that could probably help you out; you can trust you'll get a quality animal.

Bought this guy from Evan Jamison on this site.

[sg1trogdor]

hardest thing about these snakes is not buying everyone you see. lol. ones never enough but keep in mind if you are not capable of handleing more than one then dont and if you want to breed your snake buy a male either a few month before you plan on breeding or get a loaner male. i have both a male and female about a year old and its kinda a pain and i have a long time til my girl can breed so im stuck with a male for no reason but i fell in love and cant get rid of him. lol.

[NextWorldExotics]

I got an idea... since i hatch out a bunch of normals every year and usually donate them to schools, how about you describe your setup here for me and pay shipping and ill send you a baby ball (or young one) for free!

That should take care of finding someone to buy from... now all you have to do is not end up with a 100+ like the rest of us!

Just shoot me a PM
Talk to you soon
Jon

[crisstyle21]

Wow thats a good deal man I would hop on that

[bonez]

Buying from a petstore can be a bit iffy. I personaly have had bad experiences seeing snakes and other herps are petstores, they are not well taken care of most of the time. Breeders on the other hand LOVE their animals(cant wait to say our as a breeder) anyway, you know a breeder, especially a known one like 8ball, and ralph, and CBA, which im purchasing a couple snakes from ATM, will take good care of their animals and ensure good health to your new pet. Like others have said in these forums, its quality before price. BUT, do not get gyped or overpriced, normals dont usually go for over 100, males are generally cheaper, younger reps are cheaper. If you do purchase from a pet store i would suggest holding it for a while, checking it out, see if it looks healthy, and make sure it has NO MITES, stores that sell herps with mites are not worth your buiseness (dont know who said that but i would put your name there for credit, sorry) plus, if you by a sickly pet or with mites, you risk passing that on to other pets as well, so its worth spending the extra $20 if even so you know your gettin a nice, kind, well taken care of, healthy herp that you know will eat. sorry for the info, but i figure for a new owner most of it would be a must know you know? i know like http://lllreptile.com/ has some normal yearling BP for cheap but im not to familiar with them, anyone els?

peanut butter jelly time, peanut butter jelly time, peanutbutter jelly with a baseball bat, peanutbutter belly with a baseball bat, peanutbutter JELLY!

good luck with your new herp, youll love it

sry guys ive been taken tests all day lol

[frankykeno]

That's very nice of you Jon! Personally I'd take a breeder hatched baby anyday over a pet store purchase. The pet stores often have little to no information about the snake, as far as hatchdate, gender and if it's actually healthy. They also tend to give you the "it's an AMAZING feeder" line when let's be honest, sometimes they haven't even gotten it to take a meal with them. Not always the case and I have some lovely pet store BP's but it's always safer and less stressful for you and the snake if you go with a good breeder.