Hi all, I am totally new to the world of reptiles and do not yet own any. I have been reading/researching and have decided that when I am ready, I'd like to get a Ball Python. I am already planning to get my Ball from a responsible breeder with a great reputation. My question is, in your opinion, should I start with a hatchling, sub-adult or an adult? I'm thinking a sub-adult might be best because it will already have gone through several sheds and should be eating well (though I know hatchlings should already be eating before purchase and have gone through at least one shed, too). I am not planning on rushing into this. I will hopefully be getting my cage for Xmas and a Ball for my birthday in March.
I am looking into cages from Boaphile, AP and Reptile Basics. I plan to purchase two thermostats, so if one dies I already have a spare. I'll be setting up my new cage with a dry run for a week or two to get temps and humidity set, then shut everything down until a week or two before getting my Ball. Because my old house is difficult to keep well heated, I'll be using UTH combined with a radiant heat panel. Will figure out what to do with humidity after I get the cage set up and am working on the dry run. I live on a peninsula in the Mid-Atlantic region, so we have lots of humidity, but I know I'll have to watch the affects of our heater and a/c.
I will be feeding F/T or P/K with tongs or hemistats and am sure I may have more questions about this when I actually have a snake to feed.
The bedroom I plan to house him in (I'd like to get a male) stays rather dark all the time because of it's location and the trees behind the house. There is a definate, but not drastic change in lighting from day to night. Should I leave the lights on in the room (or on the cage) during the day since there is very little natural light? I will have flourescent lighting installed on my cage for ease of cleaning, etc, though I know the Ball does not need a cage light.
Any info advice you would like to share with a newbie that really wants to get this right would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Michelle Patz