New here

[ladybug]

Hi! I have been doing TONS of reading on here, but this is my first post. I do not own a ball python, yet. I want to do all the proper research and have everything setup before the purchase. One of the things that suprises me the most is that, if I understand correctly, they like smaller tanks? This is complety oppisite of what I am used to. I currently own a uromastyx and with them, the bigger the better! I am new to owning reptiles, but am quickly becoming a lover. The uro is my first. I have had her for a little over a year now. She was a gift from a family member for my son, and I made the mistake of waiting till something was wrong to get the internet and start doing the proper research. But I have learned from my mistakes and She is thriving. I want to make sure that I have everything perfect before I purchase a ball. I knew for some time that I wanted a snake of some sort, and have been doing tons of research. I fell in love with ball pythons. I think they are beautilful!
Another thing that i am having a hard time with is; I am from Iowa and I am having a hard time finding a breader. I DO NOT want to get one from a pet store, from my experince they know NOTHING, and I don't want to support them! I also am not sure I am comfortable with the thought of shipping. Any suggestions? Approx how much do they cost?
And am I correct in understanding that they should only be feed every couple of days??
I am open to any advice that you have to offer, and greatly appericate the help!! I want to do this right.
Thanks, Cass

[Nate]

Hi! I have been doing TONS of reading on here, but this is my first post. I do not own a ball python, yet.

Welcome

I want to do all the proper research and have everything setup before the purchase.

Very smart idea. You've come to the right place

One of the things that suprises me the most is that, if I understand correctly, they like smaller tanks?

Yep. Mine are actually in tubs, and a lot of breeders do it that way too. They like small and secure.

This is complety oppisite of what I am used to. I currently own a uromastyx and with them, the bigger the better! I am new to owning reptiles, but am quickly becoming a lover. The uro is my first. I have had her for a little over a year now. She was a gift from a family member for my son, and I made the mistake of waiting till something was wrong to get the internet and start doing the proper research. But I have learned from my mistakes and She is thriving. I want to make sure that I have everything perfect before I purchase a ball. I knew for some time that I wanted a snake of some sort, and have been doing tons of research. I fell in love with ball pythons. I think they are beautilful!
Another thing that i am having a hard time with is; I am from Iowa and I am having a hard time finding a breader. I DO NOT want to get one from a pet store, from my experince they know NOTHING, and I don't want to support them! I also am not sure I am comfortable with the thought of shipping. Any suggestions? Approx how much do they cost?
And am I correct in understanding that they should only be feed every couple of days??
I am open to any advice that you have to offer, and greatly appericate the help!! I want to do this right.
Thanks, Cass

Browse the classifieds section here, there are plenty of hobbyist breeders that will sell you a very healthy baby ball. Shipping would cost about $50, but it would totally be worth it to pick one up from a fellow hobbyist

Make sure you check out the Caresheet on Ball Pythons, too.

[frankykeno]

Welcome to BPNet, Cass. It's great to see someone doing their research before getting the snake. It's also best if you get the enclosure all set up and running correctly (temps, humidity, etc.) before you put your snake in there.

Don't be afraid of shipping. Reputable breeders (and there are lots that participate here) know how to ship safely and hundreds if not thousands of snakes are moved this way every year without issue. I'd far rather see you get a nice first ball python from a breeder that will ship it to you and be there for you after the sale, then from a local pet store that likely knows next to nothing about this species.

All breeders are not the same though so feel free to ask questions of the breeder and to use our business inquiry section to get other members impressons/past purchases with the breeders you are looking at.

Ball pythons genereally feed once every 5 to 7 days, sometimes every 10 days when fully mature. They like smaller spaces as their natural home in Africa is in rodent burrows or in abandoned termite mounds. They feel safest when there is not a lot of open space around them and when they have a hide to smoosh into (or in the case of snake racks, the rack often acts as one big hide).

[llovelace]

[Boanerges]

Welcome

[tonkatoyman]

Ladybug
Welcome to the site. There is loads of info here. If you don't see what you want to know just ask someone. We are all friendly here, and love to talk about reptiles. Also like nate said there are lots of breeders here who could fix you right up.

[waltah!]

Welcome to Bpnet!

[Kesslers Kreatures]

Welcome! Enjoy your visit here, Once you get one Ball Python, it wont be your last!

[LadyOhh]

Welcome!!!

[Vypyrz]

Welcome to BP.net...


Rob