Ugh... Moms

[CoolioTiffany]

Totally understand how you feel.

What I did to convince my mom to get me my first Ball python was researching about them to give her facts. She originally thought they were mean because my oldest sister had a large male that wasn't very friendly. After once-a-week trips to Petsmart to show her the Ball I wanted and how friendly she was, she finally bought it after the 3rd week LOL. Every time we walked in there I would handle the Ball to show her how gentle she was.

That's my best advice.. But also would like to say that you should purchase your first snake from someone other than a pet store. Online/local breeders work well, or even visiting the next local reptile expo will work too.

[Kittycatpenut]

The lady who cares for the reptiles there has her own. I can't remember what kinds of reptiles she has but I think she has at least five of them including a ball python. As for breeders, I live in the middle of nowhere so there probably aren't any, but I'll look. I don't really want to order a snake online because of the heat wave; it's been over 100 for two weeks.

[CoolioTiffany]

The lady who cares for the reptiles there has her own. I can't remember what kinds of reptiles she has but I think she has at least five of them including a ball python. As for breeders, I live in the middle of nowhere so there probably aren't any, but I'll look. I don't really want to order a snake online because of the heat wave; it's been over 100 for two weeks.

Snakes only get shipped under reasonable temperatures -- I forget the temp ranges that which snakes are shipped. But during the warmer months of the year snakes will be packed in with cool packs so they don't overheat.

[Kittycatpenut]

I think the upper limit is 90 F, and the weather channel says it might not cool down until September.

[Kittycatpenut]

I found a breeder nearby that will have some hatchlings in a few months.

[Skittles1101]

The lady who cares for the reptiles there has her own. I can't remember what kinds of reptiles she has but I think she has at least five of them including a ball python. As for breeders, I live in the middle of nowhere so there probably aren't any, but I'll look. I don't really want to order a snake online because of the heat wave; it's been over 100 for two weeks.

I find it hard to believe there aren't any breeders in TEXAS lol. I know it's a monstrous state, but I also had no idea how many breeders were in my area until I looked, and this place is one of the best places to look. I found a friend and breeder (and our day jobs are the same coincidentally) only about 30 minutes from me. I met him through here. Hobby breeders are everywhere, just look. The last place I'd advise someone to get a reptile is Petco or Petsmart. Even if the employees do their best to take care of them, there's certain things they are not allowed to change due to corporate policy, and supporting one store is like supporting all the others, even the ones where the employees could care less and the ball pythons look/are sick. I've seen some stores that do a decent job with that they have, but buying from one is buying from them all unfortunately.

[Kittycatpenut]

You would think it would be easy to find a breeder, but I live in a very small town which doesn't even have a grocery store, and with gas prices so high we can't really go more than a hour away. I've looked, and all I found were people trying to get rid of pets they couldn't care for. I did find one breeder Blue Apple Herps which will have hatchlings in a few months, I'll probably be going there.