In person or Online, where to purchase first ball python?

I'v been looking into getting my first ball python for a while now and I have everything set up. Now...where do I get the little girl? We have 3 reptile stores in my area and serveral petco that carrie them, and quite a few of them avalible online and if anyone knows of a breeder near SF in CA please tell me, I searched and nothing came up.(I may just have losey search skills though..)
This is my question: Where would be the best place to purchase a normal female quality ball python baby that is friendly?(or tolerant, it's interchangable) In your opnion, In person where I can find them? Or online from a breeder?

I'm looking for a pet right now and have no intrest(yet...) in breeding them. I do want a quality specimen though. I'm also willing to pay the price of one. I'v looked on kingsnake, and reptile breeder websites(although I'm not sure if their reputable). Any help will be greatly appriceated. I'v very nervous of purchasing a little devil by mistake and having to live with it for the next 30 years!


*To avoid any confusion I'm well aware of the behavior of snakes. I simply don't want the one ball in 1000 that thinks my hand needs holes in it like wood needs nails. (even with proper care and handeling)

Thank you for your time and attention!
Sugar

east bay vivarium in Berkeley, CA. ive only been there once but their animals were in good condition and they seemed knowledgeable.

I bought mine when I had him for a rediculous price. 89.99 for a male that was about 2 1/2'. He went on a 3 month fast before I sold him back for 15 bucks!! I would buy over the internet or at a show. You are more likely to find some that are well started and many people that breed balls aren't in it to make a bunch of money and get rich so they care more about the animals.
Hope this helps

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Originally Posted by mr~python

east bay vivarium in Berkeley, CA. ive only been there once but their animals were in good condition and they seemed knowledgeable.

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East Bay Vivarium are good people. Here is there website: www.eastbayvivarium.com They would be a good source for a pick-up.

For online purchases, search around. There are tons of breeders on just this site. You can check out our classifieds section also.

you've delt with EBV? ive never bought anything from them although i was going to get an ackie from them a few months ago.

the guy i talked to at the counter was actually kinda rude, but their animals are in awesome condition and like i said, they seem pretty knowledgeable. i think he was acting rude towards me because i was a kid and i was a little over-excited about getting the ackie. it kinda made me look like an impulse buyer so i can kinda understand.

it wouldnt stop me from buying from them, i just dont want to deal with that specific clerk. he was just one of those pet store workers that was in it cuz he needed some cash i guess, you know the type. i spoke to the manager/owner or whatever at the show in san jose though. he was VERY polite and he definitely knew his stuff.

I know we're talking BPs here... but EBV has some SERIOUSLY beautiful boas. They are actually called EBV Red Groups. Gorgeous red pastel boas... *sigh*

Anyway, I would check www.faunaclassifieds.com and www.kingsnake.com. Both of these websites have quite a few breeders posting nice snakes up for sale... and, on fauna, you can check out the Board of Inquiry and see who to trust and whom not to trust.

Although on the opposite side of the US from you I suggest www.reptilebasics.com here in North Carolina Rich is great to deal with.

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Originally Posted by ladywhipple02

I know we're talking BPs here... but EBV has some SERIOUSLY beautiful boas. They are actually called EBV Red Groups. Gorgeous red pastel boas... *sigh*

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That what the EBV pastels are then? I saw someone selling some ebv pastel boas on KS and I wasn't sure what line it was

Yes, EBV stands for East Bay Vivarium if you're looking at Pastel Red Boas. This is an EBV Red Group Boa owned by a friend of mine... his name is Mr. Red (THIS PIC IS NOT MINE, BUT BORROWED)

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...e02/t6fins.jpg

She just bred Mr. Red to a regular pastel female... and the babies are stunning. They're going to be gorgeous when they grow up.

Sorry for the :hijackd:

wow, i didnt know they were that big. i just thought they were a local shop with some nice animals.