Excited And Now In The Market!!!

[thehoofbite]

Its early, Im bored so I just thought I would share. Wasn't quite sure if my living situation at Summers end was going to allow me to finally take the plunge but I got the go-ahead (more of a "ill look the other way for you") and have started to look around and check out some prices.

Pretty stoked at this point. Just gotta wait now until I move before I can make it happen. Still a ways off but excited that Im going to be able to get a snake.

anyway..........

[xdeus]

Sweet! Can't wait to see pics after you pick one out.

[rabernet]

Congratulations - be sure to take the time before getting him to make sure you understand their husbandry requirements and get their enclosure set up and temps regulated for at least 48 hours before getting him.

[thehoofbite]

Congratulations - be sure to take the time before getting him to make sure you understand their husbandry requirements and get their enclosure set up and temps regulated for at least 48 hours before getting him.

Thanks

Im probably gonna get too anxious and have everything set up way before that. I wouldn't be shocked if I have everything ready before summer even hits. Probably shouldn't though......might make getting one too tempting. I have a roommate right now that would probably go into cardiac arrest if she saw a snake.

[frankykeno]

Before you go out and get conned into spending a fortune at your local chain pet store do some reading here in the threads on caging, husbandry, etc. There are a lot of ways to set up a lovely and appropriate home for your snake that is both cost effective (look Robin I didn't say "cheap" LOL) but more importantly will provide your snake with a home that has stable temps and humidity. We see a lot of people here that get talked into buying all sorts of things they don't need or won't really work when a trip to the dollar store, Walmart, etc. would have done better.

Also consider, while you have this time, where you want to get your snake from. While pet stores are convenient they are often not a great place to get a snake from. A lot of "bush babies" are coming into the pet stores now (baby ball pythons just unpacked from Africa). They look cute and all but aren't well started and are very difficult for newcomers to get them going properly. Good reptile shows, reputable breeders....that's the way to go really. A nice normal male BP from a breeder isn't going to cost you much if anything more than PetCo even including shipping (our PetCo is currently selling unsexed normals for $79.99). The 07's are starting to hatch so personally I'd wait and get a lovely normal male from a good breeder later in the year (if you are looking purely for a pet snake).

[thehoofbite]

Before you go out and get conned into spending a fortune at your local chain pet store do some reading here in the threads on caging, husbandry, etc. There are a lot of ways to set up a lovely and appropriate home for your snake that is both cost effective (look Robin I didn't say "cheap" LOL) but more importantly will provide your snake with a home that has stable temps and humidity. We see a lot of people here that get talked into buying all sorts of things they don't need or won't really work when a trip to the dollar store, Walmart, etc. would have done better.

Also consider, while you have this time, where you want to get your snake from. While pet stores are convenient they are often not a great place to get a snake from. A lot of "bush babies" are coming into the pet stores now (baby ball pythons just unpacked from Africa). They look cute and all but aren't well started and are very difficult for newcomers to get them going properly. Good reptile shows, reputable breeders....that's the way to go really. A nice normal male BP from a breeder isn't going to cost you much if anything more than PetCo even including shipping (our PetCo is currently selling unsexed normals for $79.99). The 07's are starting to hatch so personally I'd wait and get a lovely normal male from a good breeder later in the year (if you are looking purely for a pet snake).

Thanks for the advice. I think I am pretty settled on my set-up. Im gonna go with a plastic tub, flexwatt underneath and a Ranco thermostat. Either newspaper or kraft paper if I can find it as a substrate. As far as where I get the snake.....I have already decided that I am not going to any pet stores. Not many around and I think I might want a Het of some sort.....just in case I fall crazy for everything and want to continue.

If you know of any respectable breeders, i am all ears. I've done a little searching and I think I have found a breeder near me but their site online is a little plain-jane. Not a lot of info really.

[frankykeno]

There are a number of excellent breeders here so I'd just sit back and watch the posts about hatchings that are occurring and get a feel for the breeder (helpful, knowledgable, etc). One of our breeders here, Adam, always says "shop the breeder" and he's right on about that. Especially if you are thinking about a het you MUST trust the breeder and know they are absolutely honest. Since the snake appears totally normal you need to know that the het paperwork that comes with it is a real representation of the snake you received. Never fall for the "best deal" or "deal of the century" stuff, so many do and regret it when the supposed breeder is nowhere to be found down the road when there is trouble with the snake or it never produces a visible morph.

If you are considering breeding one day you might also want to consider a nice normal female and spend the time learning to care for her as she matures. Pastel males are also a good one to start with as well as the hets for various recessive genetics.

Here's a nice site to start learning about genetics....

http://www.ballpython.ca/genetics.html

As far as breeders here that I personally recommend....Adam Wysocki, Tim Bailey, Kara from NERD, Jamie Glass, Wild Bill, just to name a few. I'd buy with confidence from any of them. There are a number of other members that breed quality snakes as well, this is just a few off the top of my head this morning.

[thehoofbite]

There are a number of excellent breeders here so I'd just sit back and watch the posts about hatchings that are occurring and get a feel for the breeder (helpful, knowledgable, etc). One of our breeders here, Adam, always says "shop the breeder" and he's right on about that. Especially if you are thinking about a het you MUST trust the breeder and know they are absolutely honest. Since the snake appears totally normal you need to know that the het paperwork that comes with it is a real representation of the snake you received. Never fall for the "best deal" or "deal of the century" stuff, so many do and regret it when the supposed breeder is nowhere to be found down the road when there is trouble with the snake or it never produces a visible morph.

If you are considering breeding one day you might also want to consider a nice normal female and spend the time learning to care for her as she matures. Pastel males are also a good one to start with as well as the hets for various recessive genetics.

Here's a nice site to start learning about genetics....

http://www.ballpython.ca/genetics.html

Thanks man.....very helpful stuff. I've been looking around at some breeders and Im pretty sure I have stopped by Adams site a few times (if his is the sponsored site linked on the board anyway) also stopped by a few of the sites that I've seen linked on some of the boards and the ones that appear to be more established. Ill definently go the "better safe then sorry" route.

Im really impressed with the albinos......just think they are really cool and are reasonably priced compared to some of the more exotic morphs. (I've completely fallen head over heels for the Caramels but I think its probably best if I don't put so much into my first snake. Probably not good for me and god forbid I go wrong somewhere and something bad happens.) So, ideally I would like to get a Het-Albino Female but might just settle for a male for the time being. College budgets aren't too allowing for additional expenses and I know that the Females are valued a lot more then the males so we will have to see how it goes.

But you do suggest a femal just to get used to their growing habits?