Getting my first BP...where to get captive bred?

[crthomps]

Hello all,

First I just wanted to mention how great a resource these forums have been in all of the research I have done about snakes and Ball Pythons since I decided to get one. Thank you all for your valuable insights!

I have done some reading and discovered the difference between "captive bred" and "farm raised" BP's and how I definitely want to get a captive bred BP baby, and how most of the big chain pet stores and larger online herp sites are stocked with BP's that are "farm raised". However, most of the real breeders that I have found online are specializing in exotic forms of BP's that are vastly more expensive than what I am looking for. I am a little confused as I just want a captive bred normal BP baby at a decent price...can anyone help point me in the right direction?

Thanks!

[Skitals]

I would recommend finding a reptile show near you. Here is a list of upcoming events: http://www.kingsnake.com/events.html

Most pet stores sell farm raised/captive hatched. Captive hatched is different then captive bred. Captive hatched means they imported a gravid mommy from Africa for her eggs. Some pet stores advertise their ball pythons as captive bred, but I've yet to find a trustworthy pet store.

A reptile show should have a nice big selection from a number of dealers/breeders. Ask questions and make an informed purchase!

[frankykeno]

I think Tim and Monica have some lovely normals left. Check out their available page under "Normals".

www.baileyreptiles.com

Excellent breeders, good people, very nice snakes.

[twisted-wing]

Hokay as for actually finding a nice c.b. bp... I did have the same trouble looking for snakes online. I just wanted a nice, normal bp, not a $15,000 het clown albino polka dotted one. After several tries, I did find some reasonably priced normal bps online. Just gotta keep digging. Also, I posted a wanted add on this site under the Business section. It took a few days, but someone responded to my want add, sadly I had already bought one by that time. My advice is to be patient, better to get a nice, healthy cb bp, then buying the first one that comes along that is reasonably priced.

Happy hunting, let us know what ya get!

[Wh00h0069]

I suggest trying to find a local breeder and buying from them. I sell, as do many other breeders, normals online for very low prices, but shipping is pretty substantial. You normally pay quite a bit more to ship a normal than the price of the snake. Check kingsnake.com and this sites classifieds to try to find a breeder in your area.

Good luck.

[crthomps]

Cool, thanks. Yeah I would love to be able to get one from a reptile expo but I live in New Orleans and the next reptile expo is on May 30th...kinda don't want to wait that long to get it. I will check kingsnake classifieds, thanks very much!

[kc261]

Since you live in New Orleans, Tim & Monica Bailey are pretty close to you, I think. That is the link that was given to you above. I'd definitely check them out.

Also, don't think that just because breeders don't list every normal on their webpage that they don't have any. Most breeders produce at least some normals. So if you find a breeders you like, you could email them and ask even if you see none listed.

Hatching season is just barely getting started...lots of breeders don't even have eggs yet this year. So if you are willing to wait a little while, you'll have a lot more options.

[muddoc]

I am the person that people have mentioned in the thread (Thanks Jo and Casey). Please feel free to give me a call, and we can talk snakes. I am about 50 miles North of New Orleans.

[snakelady]

Also, consider that this is actually at the end of the season for balls. In a few months there will be a whole lot more normals available. If you haven't found one by then you will have a bunch to choose from at shows and with breeders.