Thinking of getting my first ball python at a show, a few questions

[6StringSamurai]

Hi guys, I've been doing some research and I decided to get a ball at the upcoming Pittsburgh Reptile Show on December 19th.

This isn't something I'm taking lightly. I've been reading articles on forums like this one, looking at people set ups and making decisions about what I will need here. I've got my tank set up with a thermostat and I'm currently doing experiments to make sure that the temps are good and consistant. I want everything to be ready so that the animal will fit right in with minimal stress.

There are still a few questions that I haven't been able to find answers to on the net.

1.) Has anyone here ever been to the Pittsburgh show? What's it like? Will there be breeders there who know what they are doing with balls? Is it really a good idea to buy at a show?

2.) How much would I pay for one? I'm not really looking for a fancy morph, a normal young ball is what I'm going for. Are there morphs that aren't much more expensive than the normal ones?

3.) It will be cold, what should I bring to make sure that the animal is comfortable for the car trip home?

4.) I know that males are smaller, are there reasons to chose a male over a female or vice versa? Are there differences in temperament or lifespan?

Thanks!

[Freakie_frog]

Hi guys, I've been doing some research and I decided to get a ball at the upcoming Pittsburgh Reptile Show on December 19th.

This isn't something I'm taking lightly. I've been reading articles on forums like this one, looking at people set ups and making decisions about what I will need here. I've got my tank set up with a thermostat and I'm currently doing experiments to make sure that the temps are good and consistant. I want everything to be ready so that the animal will fit right in with minimal stress.

There are still a few questions that I haven't been able to find answers to on the net.

Good job on doing the research frist and wanting you new pet to be happy roght off the bat

1.) Has anyone here ever been to the Pittsburgh show? What's it like? Will there be breeders there who know what they are doing with balls? Is it really a good idea to buy at a show?

I have not been to that show. I enjoy going to show just because you get to meet the breeders in person and talk with them for a while. I would bet that everyone at the show will know tons about balls and be able to answer any of your questions.

2.) How much would I pay for one? I'm not really looking for a fancy morph, a normal young ball is what I'm going for. Are there morphs that aren't much more expensive than the normal ones?

Normals can run from 30 -60 dollars right now pastels are going for 175 to 500 depending on many factors.

3.) It will be cold, what should I bring to make sure that the animal is comfortable for the car trip home?

Ask the whoever you buy it from to pack it like they would if they were going to ship it. Your snake will be happy and warm

4.) I know that males are smaller, are there reasons to chose a male over a female or vice versa? Are there differences in temperament or lifespan?

Thanks!

Temperament is going to differ form animal to animal. Females lay eggs that why many people like females over males babys. If your not planning on breeding then get the one that you like and for get its sex you'll be happier that way.

hope this helps.

[frankykeno]

Here's a vendor list for that show to help you or if any members here have experience with any vendor listed and wish to offer advice/experience with that vendor.

http://www.freewebs.com/pghreptileshow/vendorlist.htm

It's great you are taking your time and doing the research/set up of the enclosure first!

A normal male BP (non-morph) is an excellent pet snake. If you are intending to breed at some later point you may want to think about a female normal 06 hatchling and raise her for 3 years or so to breeding weight. There is no real temperment difference I've ever heard of between males and females. Females tend to get a bit larger but some males can be quite hefty too...genetics plays a big role in that.

Basically, whatever you decide you want a healthy captive born snake. A good breeder will take the time to tell you about the snake, not just toss it in a bag and grab your cash. You should be given it's hatchdate, feeding preference (mice or rats, frozen/thawed, pre-killed or live) and an assurance it's been properly sexed. The snake should look healthy with clear eyes, no retained shed, a clean belly and vent area, girthy with no pronounced spine or triangular look to it. For me even baby BP's feel surpringly heavy for length (different say to a baby colubrid). No indications of mite or ticks on it or any of snakes that vendor has brought. No raised scales/scale damage, the snake should feel soft to touch but very muscular even if it's a baby. Check the vendor's display. Does it look clean, well setup and professional. Does the vendor seem knowledgeable about the snakes he/she is offering for sale. Did the vendor actually breed this snake. Ask lots of questions and if you get any niggly feeling, move along to another breeder. Check out a few vendors before making your final buy. If you are handling a number of snakes, ask for hand sanitizer between each vendor's snakes (most will have it right on their table) or bring some yourself.

It's better to come home from a show with nothing than bring home a sick baby. We did that once only...fell in love with a hatchling....got a bit of show fever and brought home a snake without being this careful. Shortly thereafter she died in our hands and you certainly do not need that experience. Always quarantine any new arrivals from any other herps you own.

You may want to pick up a travel container, put in a small old towel and inside the towel where the snake cannot get into direct contact with it, put one of those instant shake and heat heat packs you can get from WalMart or any sporting goods store. Here's what we use for transporting snakes and even to pop them into while cleaning their homes. You can find these in any size from dollar stores, WalMart, Meijers, etc. for $2 - $10 depending on size. Just make sure to add in vent holes for air movement.

[6StringSamurai]

Thanks for the advice! Good info.

I really can't wait for Dec 17th

freaky_frog, do you think the breeder will charge me extra for packing it up as if it was being shipped?

Building a little travel container sounds like a good idea too.

I'm not really planning on breeding any time soon, I just want a snake as a pet and my wife finally broke down and let me get one

[frankykeno]

They probably won't charge you extra but really it never hurts to come with your own container all ready with an active heat pack so the little snake can be tucked right in safe and sound for the trip home. Just make sure the snake can't get in direct contact with that heat pack of course.

If you are looking for a lovely pet snake then a nice normal male BP will likely be your most cost effective way to go and provide you with 20 years or so of wonderful interactions. I bet your wife falls in love with him. Very hard to resist a BP's face, especially the cute babies!

Here's a link to a thread I did recently of our four 06 hatchlings (3 females, 1 male)....these are all wonderful healthy, well started and strong eaters. The three females are normals, the male is a morph (YellowBelly). This should give you an idea of what a healthy little one looks like (and also a start to having your wife fall in love with the little scaley cutie pies!).

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=38886

If you haven't had a chance, have a read through some of the threads on settling in a new snake properly. Those first couple of weeks are so important to get any new snake, especially a young one, settled in and eating well for you. Makes life a lot easier on you as a new keeper if the snake eats/poops/sheds well from the start.

Oh I forgot to mention. Do not buy a snake that is so young it's not even taken it's first meals or shed. Hopefully no one would offer that to you, being a newcomer but it has happened before unfortunately.

[Rapture]

I have one thing to add... If you are looking for a baby snake, ask how many times it has eaten. The more times the better. Stay away from babies who have only had a couple of meals... you definately want a snake that knows how to eat. You can also ask the seller if they have feeding records for that individual animal.

[RichardA]

For the trip home, just get a simple little styrofoam cooler. Put a towel in the bottom to keep the snake from bumping around. they will probably sell you one in a deli-cup so you can just set it down in there. Unless your heater in your car is out you will be fine. I use the same little thing that Jo uses for transporting.....they work great. You will probably pay a little more at a show then a store, but man the quality of the snake will be tons better. Like Rapture said.....make sure its feeding! Remember if there are 5 tables with ball pythons on them and one has them for $20 and all the rest are $50, there is a reason they are $20.....LOL Not saying any one at a show selling cheap is bad, just be watchful of things like that.

Get pics!......LOL

[frankykeno]

Excellent point there Richard. A good deal is not always such a good deal and someone that is severely undercutting the norm for the show's prices maybe motivated by things not in the customer's best interest. Not always the case but "buyer beware" is always a smart policy.

[rabernet]

Here's a tip too. When I went to my first show, I printed the vendor list (Joanna provided the link in her first post here), then I went to the Fauna BOI here: http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...splay.php?f=13
I used the search function (at the top of the page) and looked for threads on each of the vendors. I highlighted the ones that had positive reviews and took the list with me. The highlighted vendors were the only ones I would consider buying from. I think I had 5 names highlighted after I went through the whole list.

[6StringSamurai]

Here's a tip too. When I went to my first show, I printed the vendor list (Joanna provided the link in her first post here), then I went to the Fauna BOI here: http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...splay.php?f=13
I used the search function (at the top of the page) and looked for threads on each of the vendors. I highlighted the ones that had positive reviews and took the list with me. The highlighted vendors were the only ones I would consider buying from. I think I had 5 names highlighted after I went through the whole list.

This is a really good idea, thank you for this tip. I will definitely do that.