Want to get my first BP

[rgang]

I have been looking at Ball Pythons at a local pet store and want to get one but I what to make sure I do the right thing when I do buy one. The store I am looking at says that I can get away with a 10 gallon set up for awhile, also they tell me that balls are low care snakes and they only need vet visits if they are in poor health. Is this true or are they just telling me what they think I want to hear? Also this might sound like a strange question but do they put off any kind of smell? Any info on starting out would be helpful.
Thanks

[iCandiBallPythons]

Start here

http://ball-pythons.net/modules/Sect...warticle&id=59

[hunter94]

First things first, never get a BP from a Petstore such as Petsmart or Petco. Second yes they can put off a stench if you don't clean there cage. And if your not going to clean there cage you should not get one.

If you have any more questions just ask me. =)

[stevepoppers]

Don't listen to petstores. They don't know what they're talking about for the most part, and they mostly don't know how to take care of their animals. Read the caresheet and stickies and some of the current threads. There's already one asking the very same question on the top page. I posted this there:

To keep it simple, cheap, and easy to take care of, I'd just use (for a hatchling) a shoebox sized tub, a used buttercup with an entrance cut as a hide, and paper or paper towels for substrate. Then a little Flexwatt for heating because it's SO much cheaper than a UTH. This inexpensive digital thermostat. And the Accurite unit w/probe. Also some small water bowl that is hopefully difficult to tip. I'm using an ashtray right now.

[rgang]

Is it ok to buy for a small family pet store? A few of the people there say they have snakes and seem to be knowledgeable and willing to help.

[equinebeing]

Is it ok to buy for a small family pet store? A few of the people there say they have snakes and seem to be knowledgeable and willing to help.

Hey, just wondering where are you from? The reason I ask is because there might be a reptile show/expo near you soon that you could purchase a snake from. I'm not going to talk against a small business because they might actually taking really good care of their animals, it's hard to judge without actually having seen it.

The decision ultimately is yours as to whether you think they are breeders you can trust. Do the animals look healthy? Is there more than one ball python in the tank and do they have access to fresh water? Are there bits of shed stuck to their body and do their eyes look clear/do you see them flickering their tongue? If you ask the owners when the last time it fed was can they give you a direct and clear answer? I can't imagine something more heart breaking than buying a sick animal.

Sometimes waiting it out for a show or until finding a breeder you can really trust really pays off. HOWEVER, if this small pet shop is legit then yay on the new snake.

I highly suggest to read that care sheet that iCandiBallPythons posted it's really a wonderful place to start. Also, you should get your tank or tub set up several days before you actually bring your buddy home, you'd be surprised how complicated getting the right temperatures could be when you least expect it.

[rgang]

Thanks for the replies. I have been researching this for a few months so I can be prepared when I do decided to bring one home. I just trying to decide what set up to start off with a 10 gallon setup or just spend the money now and get a 40 gallon. Either way I will get it all set up before I even think of bring a snake home. Also I found a expo in Hamburg Pa early next month about a hour or so away so I might wait it out but I am not sure. they have a show every 2 months. The store I visit seems very clean, the snakes look healthy, they list the dates the snakes ate, and they other day I went in and they had a new hatchling they got that was not for sale yet because it had not eaten yet and it needed time to settle in. The one guy said he has a Ball and said if I had any question after I took one home to just ask him. The only thing that I question is the person working didn't know when the snake was born or the sex.

[Flatheadhunter33]

The store I visit seems very clean, the snakes look healthy, they list the dates the snakes ate, and they other day I went in and they had a new hatchling they got that was not for sale yet because it had not eaten yet and it needed time to settle in. The one guy said he has a Ball and said if I had any question after I took one home to just ask him. The only thing that I question is the person working didn't know when the snake was born or the sex.

Ask the staff when they are going to feed again and try to be there to witness it. Also ask what the return policy is on the snake in case it has a sickness that you cant see...alot of stores dont necessarily know the birth date of the stock they get in...especially in the case of wild caught snakes and unless the really specialize in reptiles, they dont know how to sex the snakes either. Thats something you would have to really look into on your own if you really want to know the gender.

[BMorrison]

I would recommend going through a breeder that has a good reputation and quality animals but a lot of the small pet stores I've seen in my area actually do a real good job with their animals. I would urge you to stay away from places like petsmart/petco (Got Furio from Petco nearly 2 years ago and dealt w/ the mite problem) There's a place relatively close to me that I wouldn't hesitate to buy an animal from and a lot of time these small places have the time to pay attention to detail. If it's documented when/what the snake last ate and there is a steady record and the snake appears healthy and properly cared for I would say go for it.

[rgang]

I was in yesterday and they put a pinky in with him to see if he would eat but he or she has only been there a few days so it more then likely wont eat.