Hello all, I'm new here and looking at getting my first ball python! There seems to be a lot of snakes on kijiji in my area all with the same back stories "I'm too busy" or "I can't have one at my new apartment" etc. I'd like to take one of these guys in but there are concerns, like getting one with hidden health problems, "attitude problems" from lack of handling or being fed in their main terrarium/vivarium etc. You know what I'm talking about- and then a private sale is a lot less accountable for these issues. If the snake is free, as I have found one "just looking for a good home" it almost seems like a more honest deal.

Also then I don't get the fun of having one from very small, knowing exactly how old it is etc.
Any personal stories to share with this type of experience? For my first should I go for a breeder just to be safe (since I don't have the experience to notice health problems as well as most)?