About to get first BP

Actually I am about to get my first snake ever. I am reading and trying to learn as much as I can right now but I think that I want to get young BP. I was hoping to get some advice as I am BRAND new to snakes. I am 35 and married. I have 2 kids (12/8) and a small cat. I plan on using an exo-terra 24'x18'x'18x terrarium set up with a fogger in my bedroom where only my wife and I are regular traffic, the cat never enters. We have a home theater setup in there but it never is blasting sound. I mention these things because elsewhere I have read that living space for the humans affects the snakes sense of security and eating habits. I have spoken with my family and they are all enthusiastic about the idea.

What I am hoping for in my new pet is a casual, attractive, companion who does not require constant affection but isn't averse to some occasional handling. I find small pets such as rodents too much bother and mess, birds are noisy. My daughters' cat is destructive to furniture and I want her to find a new home, but the kids love her. She is a sweet animal but I don't like defending my furniture. Dogs require too much from me soooo.... after some minor research I am considering an ophidian friend. Since I am new to the hobby I looked into various common small snakes and the BP is the prettiest, even the normal ones.

I am concerned about purchasing my new pet. Is it preferable to get the animal while it is still young, like a baby? Also, I am concerned about purchasing one from a local pet store. I am ok with the normal BP, so is it ok to get it from a pet store or should I only get them from an online source. If I do decide on an online source (as the one I am looking at has records of the individual animals births) what is a good one in California, I would rather not stress the poor critter with long shipment.

Welcome to the forum! This is definitely a great place for information and people here are always willing to help.

Personally, I've bought all my snakes from a local reptile store but prepare to pay more than you would online. I like to physically see and inspect my snakes before the purchase but that's just a personal thing. If you buy from a reputable sources online, you should be fine. I would also stay away from chain stores like Petco for your perchase. In MY experience these animals are usually are in worse shape.

It's perfectly normal to get a young snake. I even prefer it because you get the joy of raising your new pet.

Where in California do you live? I can suggest a great reptile shop if you're near San Fernando Valley. It's called Exotic Life Fish & Reptiles and they just recieved LA Reptile store of the year. I wish you luck in finding your new pet!

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I am in central California. Stanislaus county. I just returned from the local chain store and while I like that they have frozen food their animals are mystery critters. They know how to care for them in the store and thats about where it ends. So far lllreptile seems to be the best bet.

You may not need the fogger. Do you know what the humidity is in your house?

welcome to the forum.

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Originally Posted by hozr

I am in central California. Stanislaus county. I just returned from the local chain store and while I like that they have frozen food their animals are mystery critters. They know how to care for them in the store and thats about where it ends. So far lllreptile seems to be the best bet.

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X2 for LLL! I am in their stores once a week and have gotten all my reptiles from them! On a side note IMO a 24x18x18 is too small for an adult BP so I would go bigger and clutter then tank up when it is small.

You're so lucky to have an LLL near you. I would love to check out one of their locations. It doesn't appear that we have any kind of reptile store in the DFW area.

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I think a BP is a great idea for a first snake (it was my first snake and now I have a few of them)

Make sure to read up on husbandry requirements and make sure you have the heat source (whichever you decide to use) connected to a thermostat! This is very important. Read through what you need to do in these respects and try to get your enclosure set up and perfect husbandry before you buy your addition.

Check around locally to see what prey items you can source for your pet, if it will be difficult to get live then try to get a snake which is established eating on F/T. Be prepared that you may have to try live at some point (this may never happen but you have to be willing to do this should you have to)

You sound like you're very happy to go with a normal (everyone needs a normal in their collection I think :) ) and I'm sure there will be a lot more around at quite reasonable prices. I do like to buy where I can see the snake but when inexperienced this doesn't help a great lot. Go with someone who is reputable, as said above I wouldn't go with a large pet chain as they tend to be clueless, go with somewhere that will offer advice and assistance should you ever feel in need of it.

I like to go with young animals that have records of shedding, feeding etc so I have a bit of history on the animal and I like to get details on the animal before I buy it too so I know I am making a good decision. Speaking to the seller/breeder should make you feel more secure about your purchase.

My first was around 4 months old, I wasn't comfortable with the smaller ones or yearlings. My second was a yearly and my other 6 are hatchlings. I prefer the younger snake so I can grow and learn as it does. Personal preference. Remember these guys can live for 20+years so be sure that you definitely want this.

I can only advise to research, and then research some more. Utilise the forums and ask anything you can think to ask. There are plenty of people here to help you!

Finally, when you get your little one, pictures are a requirement! :)

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Originally Posted by faulkan

You're so lucky to have an LLL near you. I would love to check out one of their locations. It doesn't appear that we have any kind of reptile store in the DFW area.

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I frequent two of their locations, sometimes I just go in to get my Tegu holding fix until i can build the proper enclosure and afford to buy one of my own. The staff is great, I have nothing but good things to say about them!

I think you are right about the size. The 36"x18"x18" seems to be better. I just like the side opening better than the top. But artificial foliage clutter is ok? I am thinking that I want to make the habitat as visually appealing as I can since the python will hide and such. My current thought is 2 identical hides placed on opposites sides surrounded with fake foliage towards the rear and a nice twisted up branch (artificial) of some kind between. I thought the foliage at the back and a 6" or so strip of clear area would give some incentive to move around a bit more.

While I am thinking about it...other than aspen what substrates are acceptable? I am considering a 2" layer of cocofibre to simulate natural ground for the snake. Is burrowing a problem with BP? I thought that this would make cleaning a touch easier as it wont hide feces and whatnot like wood shavings will.

Hey! Welcome!

I traffic between the Bay and Stanislaus(Turlock).
I have bought my snakes from various sources; online, local breeders, and reptile shows.
They were all great successful transactions.

I can recommend a few Bay Area/Valley breeders that are good. They ship if you are unable to pick up the animal yourself.
- Brian Gundy from "For Goodness Snakes" is near San Jose.
- Robert Seib of "Eastern Indigos" in Walnut Creek
- Sam and Naomi of "GBU Enterprises" in Lodi (They had a reptile store they just sold that is now being called"Misfit Petz", but they still breed privately)


Freedom Breeder is in Turlock. I know they breed and produce snakes, but they don't have a specific website for their animals to look at. They're better known for building their reptile racks. But I'm sure if you call them up, they'll let you come by and check out some of the animals.



As for buying a baby, I personally like raising up my own snakes from hatchling to adults. Watching them change and grow is very interesting.
But be aware that some babies are more prone to being nippy than an older animal. It comes with their small size because they are vulnerable and easily insecure at that age. Most do outgrow the nippy-ness with size and age. And they are rather sensitive to enclosure size. Most babies prefer very small enclosures because it feels secure to them. Too large of an enclosure can stress out of a snake and make them go off feed.
But if you clutter up the enclosure and keep it from being 'too open', it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

It also helps to ask the breeder if their animals are good eaters. Ball Pythons with a strong food drive are a major plus and make things so much easier. Dealing with a picky eater can be a pain. And unfortunately, ball pythons aren't known to be very good eaters as a whole species.