My take on Ball-pythons

knowledgeable as a reptile keeper from age of 6 to an adult now at 26 I have had a lot of great reptiles and experiences now in school again studying marine biology and minoring in Herpetology I come to realize what a magnificent snake the ball python is. Not only the countless color combo's and morphs but the people as well and there love of there snakes. Never have I felt so welcome in a hobby as I do in the ball-python community now as I get ready for my first ball python I think of all the threads and post's, people I meet at reptile shows and snakes I have seen on here as well as the peoples success with breeding and have nothing but a huge smile :D. I can't express how glad I am that I came across this forum with such knowledgeable and kind people I hope to breed ball pythons myself and can only hope to be as successful as most of you are. Any advice you can give would be much appreciated and accepted.

Lance

Well you are in good company... we all started with one at some point. :D

Welcome...

Bruce

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Originally Posted by lance

knowledgeable as a reptile keeper from age of 6 to an adult now at 26 I have had a lot of great reptiles and experiences now in school again studying marine biology and minoring in Herpetology I come to realize what a magnificent snake the ball python is. Not only the countless color combo's and morphs but the people as well and there love of there snakes. Never have I felt so welcome in a hobby as I do in the ball-python community now as I get ready for my first ball python I think of all the threads and post's, people I meet at reptile shows and snakes I have seen on here as well as the peoples success with breeding and have nothing but a huge smile :D. I can't express how glad I am that I came across this forum with such knowledgeable and kind people I hope to breed ball pythons myself and can only hope to be as successful as most of you are. Any advice you can give would be much appreciated and accepted.

Lance

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I.m new to using this forum Lance, its great when people are friendly & supportive, In the uk I find the green eyed monster is prevelant with some..in saying that some nice friendly peeps here too :)

Welcome, enjoy the addiction! :D

I would inform the Mrs. or the significant other that many snakes will be in your future :D

Welcome

thanks all for the kind replies

you'll never stop learning more about them.. and this site has every answer :snake:

Lance, I tell ya, once you purchase one, you will purchase more. When I purchased my first Ball python (normal), I didn't know about any combos or morphs, or even thought that they come in other morphs (besides Albino). Now, I have three, and still going to keep on purchasing more and more to breed. I didn't even think about breeding in the first year or less of having my Ball python. This year, I purchased another normal Ball and just yesterday I purchased a Spider Ball (favorite morph xD). Good luck with getting a Ball python, I'll assure you that you will become addicted to the hobby of keeping Ball pythons LOL.

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Originally Posted by CoolioTiffany

Lance, I tell ya, once you purchase one, you will purchase more. When I purchased my first Ball python (normal), I didn't know about any combos or morphs, or even thought that they come in other morphs (besides Albino). Now, I have three, and still going to keep on purchasing more and more to breed. I didn't even think about breeding in the first year or less of having my Ball python. This year, I purchased another normal Ball and just yesterday I purchased a Spider Ball (favorite morph xD). Good luck with getting a Ball python, I'll assure you that you will become addicted to the hobby of keeping Ball pythons LOL.

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Lance she's absolutely right!!! I started out years ago with an albino burm, a columbian red tail & 2 sand boas. I cant even begin to count or name all the other reptiles and pets in general ive had since i learned how to walk. I already want to get back into boas and ive got 15 balls as of posting this reply. Stick around. You will need to know all you can to support your habit :P

This forum is a wonderful resource, and you're smart/lucky/thoughtful to have found it before purchasing a BP. I bought my BP as an impulse purchase after years of wanting a snake and poring over various websites. I didn't intend to get a BP, so I discovered this particular forum within hours of buying Simon, and I ran out the next day to completely revamp his enclosure. I could have saved a ton of money with just an hour or two of reading the stickies/threads before bringing him home.

Having participated in so many forums for mammalian pets, I must say it's refreshing to visit this place. The cat/dog/horse forums can be a bit dramatic. :)

I have learned so much from this place. It really is so much more comprehensive than any care sheet you'll find online.

Here's hoping your first (and all the rest) are as "easy" as mine has been with the help of Ball-Pythons.net. Good luck, and be sure to post pics!

On november 8th there is a great reptile show in my area and I think its the time to purchase my first Ball-python any thoughts on what morph or size that would be good to start with?

lance

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Originally Posted by lance

On november 8th there is a great reptile show in my area and I think its the time to purchase my first Ball-python any thoughts on what morph or size that would be good to start with?

lance

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Morph - whatever YOU like. Not much fun to clean up poop after an animal you're not crazy about for the next 20-30 years! :)

Age/Size - baby to juvenile would be a good start. But decide on what size you're looking for ahead of time, and get your enclosure set up, and running with belly heat and thermostat a few days BEFORE you bring home your new addition, so you can be sure everything is perfect for them.

If you get a baby thats less than 3 months old be sure you have 2 tight hides and the enclosure is perfect for a hatchling in everyway. You dont want to end up with a stressed baby that wont eat. A well started baby thats a bit older can afford to lose some weight but little tiny ones cant.

Is there any advice on to what is the best heating sources if it is heat tape, pad, light, etc...? and, I am building a rack with heat tape and a helix to regulate the heat just confused on some stuff and not sure what to do.

lance