Total newbie questions

[Brunoheart]

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

[Kaorte]

I applaud you for doing your research before hand! This is many peoples first mistake and ends up costing them a lot of money.

I personally like to start out with hatchlings. It is a great experience to watch them grow. Especially the first time around. The catch is, you will need different sizes of housing as they grow up.
Since I use tubs this makes it really easy. I use a 15qt for a baby (but you could do smaller) and a 32 qt for a juvenile or adult.

I really don't think you need to buy two thermostats right off the bat...unless you are going to expand your collection in the near future.

Ball pythons don't need any supplemental light. They mostly just need a period of darkness since they are nocturnal. Just some ambient light, or turning on the room lights sometime during the day is fine.

Sounds like you are on the right track though!

[norse79]

Sound like a good plan to me.

The only thing I would suggest to you is there is quite a few "small guys" that are reputable as well. Just ask on fauna classifieds.

John at JDConstriction is a good guy. I live 8 mins from him and he has great husbandry practices and solid customer service that extends beyond the sale of the animal.

http://jdconstriction.com/default.aspx

You can check out his Youtube videos also.
http://www.youtube.com/user/jdconstriction

http://jdconstriction.com/default.aspx

[Brunoheart]

Thanks Steve, I agree that a responsible breeder with a great reputation doesn't have to be one of the big guys. I'm not even ready to choose a breeder at this point.
Kaorte, Thank you as well. I had been considering using tubs if I get a hatchling, though eventually I'd like a cage. I understand the use of tubs if you have enough snakes to use a rack and also get why a glass tank isn't the best option for the snake. I figure a cage as mentioned above will be great for me so I can see my Ball easily and will also be great for the snake. The other reason I think would be great for me is because I have kids ranging in age from not really old enough to know better, to old enough to know better and too young to care, so my cage will be locked!

[CritterVet]

Unless there is a particular morph you are interested in, perhaps you could consider adopting a ball python. There are many that need homes.

[Brunoheart]

I would be very willing to adopt, but have not had much luck finding any rescues near me. Because of my lack of experience, I will only adopt/purchase from someone that is experienced and willing to help if I have questions. Would not want to get one out of the newspaper from someone that is really just trying to unload their problem onto to someone else and again lack of expreience could mean I'm stepping into a bad situation without even realizing it. If you have any suggestions on where to look for an adoptable, I'd certainly be interested in looking into the process.

[jjc]

If you post your location, I'm sure someone would be able to recommend some reputable rescues and/or breeders in your area.

[OhhWatALoser]

if you get the right size RHP you won't need UTH.

and buy a quality thermostat and you shouldn't have issues with it dying, sure theres always going to be some, but try a helix or spyder robotics (aka herpstat), shouldn't have any issues. I have 3x DBS-1000 (helix), a herpstat and a herpstat II. they are all working fine, never had an issue with them dying. personally I like the helixs better.

[BPelizabeth]

My hubby and I have had the conversation...to buy hatchling-sub adult-adult. We actually decided to buy hatchings as we have the chance to grow in knowledge with the little guy.....AND...we know everything about him. We can keep track from day 1 and know that he hasn't been through any traumatic experiences. Just us!

[hoax]

Hey welcome to the forum!

I have a 2X3 from http://www.reptilebasics.com/2x3-Cag...h-p-16286.html <HERE
It has the 80w RHP and fluorescent light. I loved it until I got racks, now it just sits unused.

If your going to have just one, the cage is the way to go. If you EVER plan on having more then one racks are the only way I would suggest.

If you purchase a good T-stat then you will only need one. I have used helix and herpstat, while I love my helix I will only buy herpstat from now on.

Mike