Hello Everyone! So today I finally got my first ball python, and I couldn't be more excited! I have really become fascinated with snakes in the last year and my first was a corn snake, which I got in November 2011. He has turned out to be great, but what I really wanted from the beginning was a Ball Python. So now I have both! I have been doing research on them for the last year, and I have eagerly been wanting one as I learned more and more about them. After seeing them for months, I gave into temptation today (after researching of course... stated above). I got my Ball Python at the Cincinnati Reptile Show. There were so many to choose from, but this is the one I fell in love with. He was shy to begin (and still is), but is extremely sweet.

It is a male Pastel. After doing tons of research and seeing several pictures, I really ended up liking pastels. Don't get me wrong, I think the normals are beautiful and each seem to be different in their own way. However, when I saw this little fellow, I really felt like he was the one. The only thing I didn't get to ask the breeder was the hatching date. I know that many people don't worry about that, but to me it's special I guess since it is my first one. I do have the breeder's email though so I'll probably end up sending an email asking.

I know that many people prefer the tubs versus the tank (which from what I have read seem to be great), however I'm a college student living at home and when I mentioned the tub, my mother wasn't thrilled. She insisted he be kept in a tank (she seems to be warming up to him though ). I know it will be more of a challenge to keep the heat and humidity up, but I'm sure it can be done. Will just have to keep at it. I've put a boarder around three of the sides to help in giving him some privacy. We'll see how this works.

He was very curious when put in his tank. He explored for a while and finally found a small dark spot to curl up. He drank from the water bowl three times too! It's very hard not to hold him, but I know that I shouldn't for a week.

The only thing I'm slightly worried about is the feeding. It seems as if all the breeders at the show fed live to their snakes. I would prefer F/T. I have never fed live and I know it can be dangerous as the prey gets bigger. He is use to live food, but the breeder said that he is a good aggressive eater. Hopefully this will help some. I've also been reading up on many tricks to help convert them. Hopefully I will have some luck!

Here are some pictures . Sorry for the glare and reflection in some of them. I'm also still trying to think of a name. Any ideas? Also, any tidbits you have about ball pythons that you have found to be helpful will be greatly appreciated. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks in advance!!!