help in choosing ball python?

Okay first of all I'm new to forums, and to this site. So please be patient. I do not own a bp yet but I'm going to get one here in about two weeks. I went to petsmart (there are no breeders where I live) and they had two bps there. One of them the lady told me he had been striking the tank recently but then she later found out nobody had fed it for over a week and he was really hungry. The other one just kind of sits there pretty shy. I've read a whole book on them. Out of these two snakes which one should I go with? I don't want a snake that'll strike at me even though I guess he was hungry and that wasn't his fault, but I also read not to get a shy one either. Any help or advice on anything would be appreciated (:

I would go and see the demeanor of the snake that striked at you to see if its any better, it may be that it is just an aggressive eater, also, maybe check around on here, there may be someone selling one near you OR look on craigslist, i found my breeder that way and she is AWESOME. The shyness shouldnt be an issue, you can likely correct that with conditioning and making sure the enclosure you have it in makes it feel safe and secure. Just my 2 cents. Btw... Welcome! :D

Thank you very much. I'm definitely going to go back and see how they both act. I just didn't know which one would be my better option. I looked on craigslist and didn't find anything. People don't do snakes too much around here lol. Thanks for replying (:

Is it just a Normal that your looking at there at the store? If so, you can probably save money by buying one from a breeder here on this forum. Just ask around.

Petsmart is notorious for treating their snakes and pretty much all animals, that is not a dog or cat, bad. Definitely look for a local breeder or a breeder here on the forum, not only will you get a better behaved snake, but one that is well taken care of too.

Also look on kingsnake.com they have breeders all over the USA. I've seen some in WV. You can also contact them for info or on here. Also I would look at maybe an online sale. Yes shipping is a bit pricy but it's the safest for the animal you purchase. I won't touch petsmart reptiles. They don't keep them in the rright conditions, feed them or clean very often. I've seen how the rats are and I wouldn't even feed them or have them as pets because of the aggression they show. I was looking for a pet rat after my 2 girls passed and I was almost bitten by the one I was looking at. Their enclosures were dirty the food was everywhere, and water bottle empty. I've had to get the employees over to actually take care of those poor things.

That is very exciting that you're getting a ball python!!

I too suggest against Petsmart, mostly because of what you have told us. I don't know how common it is for a ball python, let alone any snake, to strike at glass because they haven't been fed in one week. Snakes can go quite awhile without eating, regardless of age, so that 'strikes' me as odd (*badumtsss*). But in all seriousness, that sounds more like an environmental issue to me. As in, the temperature is most likely not proper for that ball python, in which case its health could be at risk.
Definitely check out some breeders close to you! There could also be a reptile show coming up that you may be unaware of. Until I got into snakes I had NO idea they existed!

Have you checked out the care guides on the main page? It is always a great idea to have a tank set up and really ready before introducing a new snake :)
There are a number of items you should have before you actually purchase the snake, which include but are not limited to: tank, fitted/locked lid, UTH, thermostat (VERY important!) and possible heat bulb - depending on type of tank, but assuming you'll be going glass - or heat tape if using a tub (there are other methods of heating, but they need a way to be controlled), digital thermometer(s), hygrometer, water bowl, min. two hides - the more the merrier in a glass tank, feeding tongs are a good idea if you'll be feeding f/t, etc.

Did I sound like a terms of agreement there? ;)

Best of luck!

As it was stated above I would check the Kingsnake adds. I've seen plenty of breeders in or around your area, or you might hit the internet and see if there is a reptile show near you sometime soon. You'll get more bang for your buck. That normal at the pet store probably cost the same amount you can get a het pied or a pastel for at a reptile show or from a breeder directly. Not to mention an animal from a pet store is probably not in the best condition and you don't want to deal with a respiratory infection or mites right off the bat.

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Originally Posted by ROACH

Is it just a Normal that your looking at there at the store? If so, you can probably save money by buying one from a breeder here on this forum. Just ask around.

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Yeah I'm just looking for a normal. Where do you go to see breeders on this website?

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Originally Posted by Phantomtip

Also look on kingsnake.com they have breeders all over the USA. I've seen some in WV. You can also contact them for info or on here. Also I would look at maybe an online sale. Yes shipping is a bit pricy but it's the safest for the animal you purchase. I won't touch petsmart reptiles. They don't keep them in the rright conditions, feed them or clean very often. I've seen how the rats are and I wouldn't even feed them or have them as pets because of the aggression they show. I was looking for a pet rat after my 2 girls passed and I was almost bitten by the one I was looking at. Their enclosures were dirty the food was everywhere, and water bottle empty. I've had to get the employees over to actually take care of those poor things.

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I just went to kingsnake.com and searched for breeders in West Virginia and it said sorry no results :/ I'd much rather buy from a breeder. I don't like buying them from stores either... I'd hate to order one offline and then not know the demeanour of the snake.

Another suggestion...look around on Craigslist. Lots of people looking to get rid of snakes that are often adults, well taken care of, and very used to being handled. Getting an adult that is feeding well could eliminate some of the issues of a hatchling.

FYI.....There is a private seller offering what sounds like a normal for $25 in your area. Also, an adult with equipment for $300............do a Craiglist search and you will find them.

I would definitely look around before you go to petco or petsmart. They are overpriced and you often get a sick or mite infested animal. Not to mention, they keep all of their BPs in the same tank which causes stress to the animals right off the bat. As was suggested, check craigslist but be careful there as well. There are alot of scams and people just flipping snakes for a quick buck. If you take your time, you can find a really nice deal. You could even get a male pastel for less than the price that both petco and petsmart sell their normals for. Good luck! Wanted to also mention that hatchlings are alot of times prone to striking. They usually will grow out of that as they put on size.

Sometimes finding a reptile breeder in your area can be tough. Believe me I know. If you can coax yourself to be patient ( yeah right! ) try to find a reptile show/expo near you that you can attend. You will meet many breeders this way, and get the chance to see many snakes in a short time. The trouble is, reptile shows can be as hard to locate as breeders can be. You might consider starting with a locally owned small pet shop in your area, if you can find one. Even if they don't carry reptiles, they can be great sources of information on shows and breeders.

The internet is also your friend, but a very picky friend who tends to show you what they like and not necessarily what you were looking for, so you have to patiently weed through the junk to find the treasure.

Also, even if you don't see any breeder's advertising on Craigsist, you can post an ad of your own saying that you are looking for a local breeder to possibly purchase from in the future. I almost never advertise on craigslist, but I browse it enough if someone near me was looking for something I had, I'd answer them.

The biggest thing is to be patient. And yes, that is easier said than done, but if you can be patient until you find a breeder or show in your area, it will be well worth it in the end. Most breeders not only have a bigger selection and different morphs, the animals are almost always healthier and feed better, and a bonus is you'll have someone to turn to when you have a question.

If you look for a while and still can't find anything close to you, do consider purchasing a snake online. It's a scary business at first, yes. But once you take that first big step, usually you are very glad you did. Spend a little time talking with the breeder online, asking questions and such, and you can usually pick out someone who'll be good to you. I have both purchased snakes online and sold snakes online, and so far my experiences have all been good.

Gale

I would also suggest a breeder...I didn't know of any around me until a WHILE after i started looking.. We found one on Kijiji (its like craigslist but not as sketchy...but still iffy. Dunno if americans have it.) and thats where we got our first BP. Just gotta keep on looking, and ask around perhaps. Make an Ad on Craigslist looking for breeders or info on breeders.

As for Petsmart, our local one is good, its not perfect but its good. Each snake normally has a place to its own, and if there is more than one its maybe 3 max in a BIG terrarium and not for long. The employee's are all reptile people so they are pretty taken care of, and same with most of the animals. Obviously they can't get everything right away as they are normally always on the move doing something. but overall they are pretty good. Depends on your stores i suppose..

Also, even if you gotta drive 1-2 hours it'll be worth it for a breeder, The drive there will be slow but the drive back will be faster!


Shifty

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Originally Posted by helloelliee

I just went to kingsnake.com and searched for breeders in West Virginia and it said sorry no results :/ I'd much rather buy from a breeder. I don't like buying them from stores either... I'd hate to order one offline and then not know the demeanour of the snake.

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If you are on Facebook there are breeders/sellers in the Charleston area who advertise on the groups 'WV Exotics' and 'WV Reptiles'. You can also post a WTB ad, and find people selling feeders and other supplies as well.