Source of New Ball

[zina10]

I've always considered "Hatchling" up to 350 gr. or so.

However, it is important that a hatchling doesn't get sold (or dragged to shows) until they have shed (few days after hatching) and then have had a few good meals in them. Its what we call an "established" hatchling.
Some people say not to buy one under 100 gr. But I feel the most important part is to get one that has eaten a few meals. Whether it is around 80-90 gr. or over 100 gr. Some just start out smaller then others.

Long story short, this is why its important to buy form a REPUTABLE breeder. They wouldn't sell a hatchling that hasn't eaten a few good meals.

[Charles8088]

I'm going to revisit this thread... been thinking about it and have some questions...

Being a first-time buyer, and new to the hobby, I have indeed been doing a lot of reading and researching all different aspects to owning a bp.

So... some tips on what I'm looking for if I go to a show and am looking for a new bp. What's normal?

I know I can ask the age and weight, I guess, but what else? Is a breeder supposed to have paperwork on the ball? When it hatched? Its feedings since hatch? If it feeds good or assisted feed? strike feed? Anything else?

[cletus]

I don't know about supposed to, but I think most reputable ones probably will. The breeder I bought from gave me documentation. Feeding records, birth certificate with info on the mother and father. All that stuff.

[Eric Alan]

I'm going to revisit this thread... been thinking about it and have some questions...

Being a first-time buyer, and new to the hobby, I have indeed been doing a lot of reading and researching all different aspects to owning a bp.

So... some tips on what I'm looking for if I go to a show and am looking for a new bp. What's normal?

I know I can ask the age and weight, I guess, but what else? Is a breeder supposed to have paperwork on the ball? When it hatched? Its feedings since hatch? If it feeds good or assisted feed? strike feed? Anything else?

Feel free to ask the sellers anything and everything you'd like to know! There's nothing worse than getting home with an animal you fell in love with but know little to nothing about and suddenly not being able to reach the seller (or not remembering who they were!). By asking questions, you'll learn very quickly who you want to work with are and who you don't. The same applies when looking online.

Here's a great discussion on Reptile Show Etiquette and what to potentially expect: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...show+etiquette.

As far as records and paperwork, there is no standard. To be 100% transparent, anything a seller does give you is only as good as their word anyway. For some, their word will be gold - for some, it's not worth the paper it's printed on. If I had to guess, most vendors aren't likely to have much in terms of paperwork on them. Once again, this is why good conversation between the buyer and seller is so important.

Most importantly, have fun! There tend to be two types of people at shows: those that come home with something almost every time and those that almost never do. Personally, I fall into the second category because - let's be honest - I'm reeeaaaalllly picky.

[cletus]

I agree with Eric. Have fun with it. Look at at many as you can and pick the one that you can't live without.

[Eric Alan]

Is it better to pick one up at the show, where you can see, feel, and get to know your new ball before picking him out? Or, are people getting better specimens from mail-order breeders? I would think the former.

The part in bold made me LOL.
I love to meet people online and I love to meet people in person and have sold animals in both ways. What kind of breeder does that make me?