Question

I am going to buy an albino BP soon. Don't know if I can wait until june when they start hatching out though. This will be my second snake ever, I've had my BP for about four months is it wise to buy a exspensive morph already or should I wait? Also how long can a BP breed for? I will be buying a female (what is better male or female?) I'm guessing females are because they are almost always more exspensive. Because I would like to breed in the future maybe 6-7 years from now. Thanks

Mike

BP's can breed for 20+ years...so no worries on that score.


As to the wisdom of buying a relatively expensive snake so soon after getting your first one ever...that's really up to you. If you feel like you have the husbandry issues dialed in fine, and feel completely confident in caring for the snake you have now...then buying an albino should be fine. Their care requirements are identical. ;)

As for male or female...that's also up to you and your preferences. Females tend to be more expensive 'cause they're the ones who lay all those lovely eggs. A lot of people will go with choosing the male as the visible morph, and buying a female het for that morph...as a less expensive way to get morph babies in the future. But you're the one who best knows your own budget...plans..and preferences.

I will buy an animal plastics cage so won't have a problem with humidity, and heat. But I don't have any thermostats for my BP and probably won't have one for my albino. I dunno I just want a beatiful morph for now and don't want it to die! Lol I don't see that happenining but then again I dont have the biggest knowledge of BP's.

If you are going ot spend the high dollars to get a albino, you might want to get the thermostat and equipment that makes it the best husbandry. After all, its not super expensive compared to the price of vet visits if she gets an RI from too chilly of a habitat, or the price of the snake should she die from overheating.
I waffled on the price of a incubator, then thought about the price of the babies I hope to be hatching and got the good stuff. It's just insurance.
As long as you got the husbandry right, I wouldn't see any reason to not get the ball python you want.
Wolfy

I agree with Wolfy. The price of a good t-stat and the other tools you need for proper husbandry are minimal compared to the price of the animal and its potential vet bills.


We all have to be patient and wait for the things we want most. It would be regrettable to rush out and spend a lot of money on an animals just because you want it right now...if you're not ready to give it proper care. So...be patient...save your money...learn how to care for the snake you have now....and it won't be too long before you can get that albino that you really want.

everyone learns at a different rate. the more you read, the more you ask questions... the faster you learn.

so... if you are a fast learner, have all the proper equipment... and want to dive in... then go for it!

i got my first ball python in nov 2005 and i have 2 hets and 2 pastels coming shortly... but i got a lot of other corns, king and boas in the meantime :)

I got my first snake in July 06 and my collection has grown since then. The only reason it has is because I am comfortable with my husbandry knowledge. What satrted with a single 100-200 g female BP is now something like 1.1 BCI and 2.13 BP.

Definatley have to get a thermostat, gunna get the helix 1000 off reptilebasics but can I just hook it up to a light or should I use belly heat from animal plastics. Or can I use both because I live in Mn and don't think that just a light or just belly heat can achieve 94 on hot side and 84 on cool side. I guess I dont understand Thermo's and reading the FAQ's on the reptilebasics website doesnt help me either.

Thanks Everyone!

Mike

Ya...I think the Tstat is probably one of the most important pieces of equipment you can have! Definately get one of those before you invest in an expensive snake...you can get a really good one for around $100, give or take.

I personally like the animal plastics cages too, although I have no actual experience with them, but they are in my budget for the next couple of months as well.

Yeah I just got a T5 and it rocks! Easy to put together to, just follow the directions.