I want to get my first bp...advice

Hello everyone. So, I have been wanting to get a ball python for a while now, and now that I am looking at them, I was hoping maybe you all could help me with decisions. First off, I love seeing how the Lord has specialized snakes and I enjoy keeping them. Right now I have an 07 male Albino Tangerine Honduran Milksnake, an 07 male Thayeri Kingsnake, and an 09 female western hognose. I love my snakes, but I am wanting something with a little more weight to it, and something really laid back and docile. I want a male so that it stays smaller. I want to plan this out and I have really been wanting a 2010 baby. However, the selection is more slim and it worries me to ship in this weather. So, should I keep looking for a 2010 that is feeding well, etc. or should I wait for this year's babies? I am looking for a mojave, lesser, spotnose, neat normal, or a pastel. As long as it from a breeder and is a healthy snake. I would love a piebald, but don't have the money to shell out. I have no interest in breeding and I only want one bp. I just don't have the room or money for more. Rats are expensive to feed when buying frozen from pet shops. But I am sure that I could order online cheaper. Anyways, my question is, since this is my first bp and I want it to be my only for now, should I save up and get something like a pied or should I get something less expensive to start off with? Of course, I know they are like potatoe chips, lol. I am in Texas, are there any breeders that you recommend? Thanks and God bless,

Laura

I'd say on the what you should get question.

Just look up BP breeders online and start browsing all the morphs then from there pick out your top 5 then slowly narrow it down based on what you can afford :) Its all in what YOU like just because someone says hey get that doesnt mean its going to be exactly "pretty" I mean I know people who like stripes I for one think they are one of the ugliest morphs but its all in opinion.

I'd definitely find someone who has babies but I like to raise all my animals from square one so I dont have to worry about any surprises per se.

I know when i went and got my first and only BP I found a breeder in my area that had a few of the kind i could afford at the time and i held each one looked each of them over then picked the one that seemed less scared :) And I dont regret my decision at all

Goodluck :)

Hey Laura!

Its good to see another Texan! :D I'm in the same boat you are, I want to get my first BPs with the intent of maybe breeding them down the road so I'm still in the "evil plotting" stage too!

If you already have a setup ready for a BP then I would focus on online breeders to see if there's a special kind of morph pattern that pulls your heart strings. Shipping shouldn't be an issue now that warmer weather is here unless the breeder is having problems in their area.

Now if you want to save money for a really pretty morph (okay okay they are ALL pretty who am I kidding) the next NARBC show in Arlington, Texas is in roughly a year from now. So if you wanted (and you live close by)- wait up and then you can pick, pay and take home direct from the breeders same day. Just depends on what you want to do! :)

http://www.narbc.com/pages/arlington.htm

I hopefully will be in the right place (space & money wise) to get my snakes next year at the show. Right now I'm soaking up knowledge on here like a sponge!:gj:

You should consider purchasing exactly the bp that you want. If you really want a pied then consider saving until you can afford one. The other morphs that you are talking about are real cool, but if you are only getting one then buy exactly the one that you want. That's just my opinion. If you find a '10 that you like go for it. If not you can wait until the '11 start to hatch... I for one would rather have a bp morph that I really want than to settle for something that isn't really what I desire...Best of luck in your search.

Really depends what floats your boat. I personally like the morphs, but I find the regular morph to be very beautiful. Rarity doesnt make things more beautiful in my eyes. I prefer a ball with a good personality and is eating well over all else though:)

Yes, I think I am just going to take my time and see what catches my eye. It was like that with my hognose, I just knew I had to have HER. Lol but I am excited and looking through all the available pages on the breeders websites, kingsnake.com, craigslist etc. It is fun for me to look :) I just know that I want a base morph. Something that has naturally occurred in Africa. By the way, my furture bp already has a name I think. Lol, either Max or Noah.

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Originally Posted by Johan

Really depends what floats your boat. I personally like the morphs, but I find the regular morph to be very beautiful. Rarity doesnt make things more beautiful in my eyes. I prefer a ball with a good personality and is eating well over all else though:)

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I agree, personality and feeding are huge. If I fall in love with a normal, then that is what I will get. I hate trying to feed bps that won't eat. I have had experience with so many that will not feed well.