I'm extremely interested in purchasing a Ball Python. I've spent hours researching and reading about them, caring for them, feeding them, housing them, etc. The problem with it all is that the information seems to be different or varying slightly from source to source.

I'm going to a reptile show in a couple of weeks and am hoping to make a purchase there. If I don't purchase there, I'm planning on contacting a reptile breeding facility that sells to all the local pet stores to see if I can cut out the middle man and get a Ball Python before they send it to a pet store.

I'm wanting a hatchling (as young of one as possible) and I understand that stress is a huge factor with this type of snake. I figure, why put it through the burden of going from breeding facility > transportation to pet store > pet store > transportation to my home > it's home here?

I went to the pet store and was researching prices on all the items I'm looking to buy for it. I'm planning on getting a 20 gallon locking terrarium, heat pad, bark substrate, large water dish, 2 hides, thermometer, hygrometer, and decorations.

My buddy has a Ball Python and after reading information online and his input, it all seems skewed. Someone on another forum said that he is keeping his Ball Python in basically a Rubbermaid container for it's first year. This isn't very appealing to me, but he says it's to help keep his living space small and it will help keep the snake stress-free. I am wanting to have the habitat all set up and bring the hatchling home and place it in what is going to be it's home for years. I feel like in the long run the stress will be worse from being in a plastic tub for a year then being placed in a more outside looking environment. Should I keep it in a tub or in what will be it's permanent home upon bringing to my house?

Another thing that seems varied is when feeding the Ball Python, my friend says to take it out of it's home and feed it in something else. He says that if you feed it while it's in it's home, it will start assuming that hands being in the tank means feeding and it might bite more. He says that all of this is true unless you handle the snake often, keeping it guessing. If I don't plan on handling it, he says to feed it in something other than it's home. But, from what I read, the feeding is the biggest stress-related issue. Won't it be stressed out and not eat if it's constantly being shuffled from home > feeding tank > home > feeding tank, etc?

What is your guys' input on all of this and do any of you have any other helpful tips or anything seeing as how this is my first experience with purchasing and keeping a snake?

Thanks so much!