New BP owner

Hi everyone! This'll be my first post here and I'm just looking for some general tips for owning a Ball Python. :)

I am going to purchase my beautiful boy come Saturday or Monday (weather permitting) from a local pet shop (please don't fuss over that. I know some people get upset about purchasing from a pet store but these were all very healthy, no signs of mites, good weight, and on a perfect feeding schedule)

But besides all that, any tips for a new owner? I'm also not sure what morph he is. If anyone has any idea what morph he is I'd love to know! I THINK he's an Alpha Pastel but I'm not sure.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/3oFsBRX.jpg
​https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/MvygmMG.jpg

I really hope this is the right place! If not I'll be more than happy to move it. :) Thanks again!

Hey I'm a semi-new BP owner as well :)

As far as any tips I have, I'd say to just make sure your enclosure is up and running with proper temps/humidity for a few days before you get your new bloop. Make sure everything's secured ( like your thermostat probe - mine wasn't and that caused a heat spike :( ) and good to go.

I'm not sure how much knowledge about keeping BPs you already have, but make sure you leave yours alone for a week once you get it. Keep them in as stress-free of an environment as possible. I didn't start handling mine until I got 3 consecutive meals in him.

When you start handling, I'd say no more than 20 minutes every other day (excluding feeding/post-feeding days). Keep the snake in a quiet isolated area so they can start learning to trust you and the idea of being out the cage. Respect the snake :)

But that's all I really have to say I think? I was certainly excited when I got my snake (heck I still am!) so congrats! It's a great experience as long as you stay informed. Hit up this forum for any advice - everyone's been great to me whenever I've needed help and I've learned a lot.

But yeah, good luck :D


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I agree with chickennoogets advice and will just say again to make sure you have all the info you will need ans read up on tbe stickies here if you havent yet before the animal comes home.

Also I would make sure you get the right sized food for him. Pet stores are pretty bad about feeding them prey that is too small so I wouldn't go off of what he is being fed now.

Lastly welcome! And enjoy your new boy! Be just looks pastel to me personally, do the people at the store not know?

If you have any questions feel free to ask! Myself and all the other wonderful members here would be happy to answer them. No such thing as a dumb question, it's always best to ask then take a chance [emoji14]

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Yeah I meant to ask but I was so excited about the fact I was finally getting one that I forgot to ask what type they think he was.

And yeah I'm planning on taking him to a exotic vet to get him fully checked out just to be sure he's healthy so I'll be sure to ask the vet what size he thinks I should feed him. I'm probably going to try Pinkies first if I can't get in before his first feed.

His name is Desmond by the way. (:redface: after Desmond Miles from the Assassin's Creed series :redface:)

Thank y'all for doing so kind so far!

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Originally Posted by Midnight-Dragon99

Thank y'all for doing so kind so far!

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*being. I meant to put being. I don't know how I put 'doing'

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Midnight-Dragon99

Yeah I meant to ask but I was so excited about the fact I was finally getting one that I forgot to ask what type they think he was.

And yeah I'm planning on taking him to a exotic vet to get him fully checked out just to be sure he's healthy so I'll be sure to ask the vet what size he thinks I should feed him. I'm probably going to try Pinkies first if I can't get in before his first feed.

His name is Desmond by the way. (:redface: after Desmond Miles from the Assassin's Creed series :redface:)

Thank y'all for doing so kind so far!

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XD I understand I was real excited when I got my guy as well, just remember to ask when you go to get him [emoji14] Also pinkies would be much to small, hatching ball pythons eat hoppers (The next size up from pinkies) right out of the egg and that's only for the first few meals.

I would recommend waiting to get him home and weighing him before getting the mice then using this chart to buy the mice it is what most people here use.



If you don't have a kitchen scale that weighs in grams I highly suggest you get one. You'll need it to record his growth. If youbdont want to do it that way then get a mouse that is a little bigger then biggest part of his body. I know it may look like it's to big for him to eat but he can do it I promise!

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...dc45266000.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...b0a8dfc8cb.jpg

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Sorry didn't mean to post the photo twice XD And forgot to mention, love the name!

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Midnight-Dragon99

Hi everyone! This'll be my first post here and I'm just looking for some general tips for owning a Ball Python. :)

I am going to purchase my beautiful boy come Saturday or Monday (weather permitting) from a local pet shop (please don't fuss over that. I know some people get upset about purchasing from a pet store but these were all very healthy, no signs of mites, good weight, and on a perfect feeding schedule)

But besides all that, any tips for a new owner? I'm also not sure what morph he is. If anyone has any idea what morph he is I'd love to know! I THINK he's an Alpha Pastel but I'm not sure.


​

I really hope this is the right place! If not I'll be more than happy to move it. :) Thanks again!

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Welcome, you've come to a great place to learn.

You say you're getting him from a pet store, but the animal is healthy. Not trying to be rude, but how do you know the animals are healthy? If this is your first snake how can you be sure? I'm not saying it can't or won't be a healthy animal, I'm just trying to warn you that many of those stores do not provide proper husbandry or proper diets to the animals they are trying to sell. They also don't employ qualified reptile keepers and many of the employees are pretty cluless and just there to sell, sell, sell. Most of them don't even keep reptiles. They will sell improper equipment, not tell customers that a thermostat is a MUST, sell the wrong prey items, etc...
In the long run, it could end up costing you a lot more money and discourage a first time keeper. There's a reason there are so many BPs on craigslist and other classifieds, and big box stores are a big part of that.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Welcome, you've come to a great place to learn.

You say you're getting him from a pet store, but the animal is healthy. Not trying to be rude, but how do you know the animals are healthy? If this is your first snake how can you be sure? I'm not saying it can't or won't be a healthy animal, I'm just trying to warn you that many of those stores do not provide proper husbandry or proper diets to the animals they are trying to sell. They also don't employ qualified reptile keepers and many of the employees are pretty cluless and just there to sell, sell, sell. Most of them don't even keep reptiles. They will sell improper equipment, not tell customers that a thermostat is a MUST, sell the wrong prey items, etc...
In the long run, it could end up costing you a lot more money and discourage a first time keeper. There's a reason there are so many BPs on craigslist and other classifieds, and big box stores are a big part of that.

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The person who help me has actually kept many in the past! Including Boas, monitor lizards, etc. He was also sure to tell me that a lot of the stuff in the kits aren't needed but was sure to tell me that a thermostat was needed.

I also owned a corn snake in the past, I bought him from a breeder and he was never healthy :( that's turned me off from a lot of local breeders.

All this being said, I am going to take the snake to a vet as soon as I can get an appointment to check him out to just be a hundred percent sure he's alright.

As for how I know he's healthy I meant seems, I checked for mites and he didn't seem to be underweight. But I'm not an expert. So I will be taking him to the local reptile vet for a check up. Thank you for the concern! I have seen how awful some pet stores can be. Also thank you for being nice. I've seen so many people tear into others over this issue.

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Originally Posted by BluuWolf

XD I understand I was real excited when I got my guy as well, just remember to ask when you go to get him [emoji14] Also pinkies would be much to small, hatching ball pythons eat hoppers (The next size up from pinkies) right out of the egg and that's only for the first few meals.

I would recommend waiting to get him home and weighing him before getting the mice then using this chart to buy the mice it is what most people here use.



If you don't have a kitchen scale that weighs in grams I highly suggest you get one. You'll need it to record his growth. If youbdont want to do it that way then get a mouse that is a little bigger then biggest part of his body. I know it may look like it's to big for him to eat but he can do it I promise!

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...dc45266000.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...b0a8dfc8cb.jpg

Sent from my LG-D690 using Tapatalk

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Thank you so much for that chart! I will be sure to see if our kitchen scale weighs in grams. :D

How often do you suggest I weigh him to record his growth? Thank you all again for being so helpful.

I would shy away from a pet store. The pet smart near my house were tanks at 73. No good. Ambient should be a little higher. Also not sure they had a uth. We have a breeders show here in Toronto today and tomorrow. I'm going tomorrow to get my ball Pandora. A lot of people on here will suggest a show. You can pre screen the breeders you want to meet plus get any hard to find items. Feeders hides etc.

Awesome :D I'm a new BP owner myself!

Couldnt tell you you what morph he is, but he's beatiful nonetheless! I'm getting a 1.0 Fire Genetic Stripe soon :3 His names Dewey (love Desmond btw, great name)

If I could give any advice I'm just going to agree with what people have already said. Make sure everything is right within your enclosure and that its stable/consistent for a few days before you pick him up. The last thing you want is for the snake to come home and be stressed/potentially get hurt from incorrect conditions. May I ask what you plan to keep him in?

Also, if I may add, I don't see a problem with pet shops as long as they're legitimate and somewhat reputable. You can't just squeeze every pet shop in existence under the same stereotype, because I myself have seen both really BAD ones (usually chains, but some smaller shops too), and some really GOOD ones. And not all pet stores are your typical PetSmart/PetCo, and in away situation I'd shy away from those two. My suggestion if you really begin to have some concerns look up the place, EVERYWHERE. At least that's what I do, but I'm still learning too.

Good of luck with your new boy! I'm sure you'll do great, there's always really good advice on here :3.

not sure about the morph: colors definitely look Pastel but i'm not familiar with the Alpha gene.

in the pictures i see the snake has stuck shed. when he's home ensure he has slightly higher humidity (65%) to help him get it off.

you will not know the true health of the animal for ~3 months, as snakes are VERY good at hiding illness and disease. those of us who keep multiple snakes call this 3 month period a "quarantine" where the snake is kept away from the collection so there is no risk of cross contamination. i wouldn't go to a vet right away; wait out those 3 months and, if you think it's necessary, feel free to take him.

everyone covered some really helpful tips already, so i just wanted to try and talk about what hasn't been yet and try and spread some knowledge.

you're in good hands here. welcome. [emoji3]

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Originally Posted by Newbie39

I would shy away from a pet store. The pet smart near my house were tanks at 73. No good. Ambient should be a little higher. Also not sure they had a uth. We have a breeders show here in Toronto today and tomorrow. I'm going tomorrow to get my ball Pandora. A lot of people on here will suggest a show. You can pre screen the breeders you want to meet plus get any hard to find items. Feeders hides etc.

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Unfortunately not many reptile shows come around here. :( That's why I've chosen to purchase him. I would order from the internet but I'm a little wary of that, plus we have some very uncaring UPS drivers who chuck packages from our walk way onto the porch regularly.

I live in a medium town and so the pet stores aren't that massive and are typically very clean and very well kept. A rarity, I know.

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Originally Posted by GiddyGoat

Awesome :D I'm a new BP owner myself!

Couldnt tell you you what morph he is, but he's beatiful nonetheless! I'm getting a 1.0 Fire Genetic Stripe soon :3 His names Dewey (love Desmond btw, great name)

If I could give any advice I'm just going to agree with what people have already said. Make sure everything is right within your enclosure and that its stable/consistent for a few days before you pick him up. The last thing you want is for the snake to come home and be stressed/potentially get hurt from incorrect conditions. May I ask what you plan to keep him in?

Also, if I may add, I don't see a problem with pet shops as long as they're legitimate and somewhat reputable. You can't just squeeze every pet shop in existence under the same stereotype, because I myself have seen both really BAD ones (usually chains, but some smaller shops too), and some really GOOD ones. And not all pet stores are your typical PetSmart/PetCo, and in away situation I'd shy away from those two. My suggestion if you really begin to have some concerns look up the place, EVERYWHERE. At least that's what I do, but I'm still learning too.

Good of luck with your new boy! I'm sure you'll do great, there's always really good advice on here :3.

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Thank you!

Im going to be keeping him in probably a 20-30 gallon tank with a locking lid to prevent him from becoming a mini Houdini and freeing himself. :D

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Originally Posted by Midnight-Dragon99

The person who help me has actually kept many in the past! Including Boas, monitor lizards, etc. He was also sure to tell me that a lot of the stuff in the kits aren't needed but was sure to tell me that a thermostat was needed.

I also owned a corn snake in the past, I bought him from a breeder and he was never healthy :( that's turned me off from a lot of local breeders.

All this being said, I am going to take the snake to a vet as soon as I can get an appointment to check him out to just be a hundred percent sure he's alright.

As for how I know he's healthy I meant seems, I checked for mites and he didn't seem to be underweight. But I'm not an expert. So I will be taking him to the local reptile vet for a check up. Thank you for the concern! I have seen how awful some pet stores can be. Also thank you for being nice. I've seen so many people tear into others over this issue.

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Ok cool, sounds like you may have the exception to the rule as far as those stores and employees are concerned.
tttaylorrr made some good points in her reply, including the vet part, quarantine and stuck shed. You're in good hands with tttaylorr

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

not sure about the morph: colors definitely look Pastel but i'm not familiar with the Alpha gene.

in the pictures i see the snake has stuck shed. when he's home ensure he has slightly higher humidity (65%) to help him get it off.

you will not know the true health of the animal for ~3 months, as snakes are VERY good at hiding illness and disease. those of us who keep multiple snakes call this 3 month period a "quarantine" where the snake is kept away from the collection so there is no risk of cross contamination. i wouldn't go to a vet right away; wait out those 3 months and, if you think it's necessary, feel free to take him.

everyone covered some really helpful tips already, so i just wanted to try and talk about what hasn't been yet and try and spread some knowledge.

you're in good hands here. welcome. [emoji3]

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I am planning on bumping the humidity up when he gets home to help him a little. Luckily it was only a couple of spots that it was stuck.

And thank you for that tip! I will probably wait a little and watch him, make sure he eats and all. The only reason I may take him before three months is to be positive he is at a good weight and that he doesn't have mites. Also to double check the sex.

Again I have to thank you all for being so nice. I'm very shy so I was super nervous that I'd get rude replies but y'all have been so nice to me and I feel so welcomed it's amazing.