Getting a BP

[Brent152]

Well talk to a breeder that has a good selection. Theirs a lot off single gene morphs that you can find for under 300.

I will definitely do that! =) Thank you! Looking forward to the show also.

[Griffith]

One thing I have noticed, atleast at the shows around here, is there are always a few I guess you'd call them "flippers?" People that haven't really bred
anything on their tables, and are just reselling. IMO they are no better than the chain pet stores...

The good thing is, you can usually tell the real breeders from the "flippers"

[Missvan]

Do you have any intention of increasing your Ball Python collection and possibly getting into breeding in the future? If so, I would try and get a female first. At that price range, you could find a Lesser, Mojave, Pastel, Vanilla, and MAYBE even a Super Pastel if you negotiate well enough. I was told if you intend to breed, purchase the female first as it takes longer for them to mature to a healthy breeding weight.

If you do not plan on ever breeding and really just want to get the coolest morph you can for your money, then get a male. You could possibly find a Bumblebee (I've seen them as low as $275), Pastel Lesser, Pastave (Pastel + Mojave), etc. It really just depends on what you like and what you plan on doing in the future with them. This is just from what I've seen shopping online for Ball Pythons.

Good luck and make sure and look online at prices so you don't pay more than you should! Know what you are buying and what the normal value for that particular morph is. Hope you find your perfect snake!

[DeathByDabs]

Also when at the show, have a smart phone or tablet with you. Then you can goto kingsnake.com and the bp classifieds. Any snake that you like, search it up then compare prices and pics to make sure its a the real snake and a good deal.

Also look around at everything before you buy, so you can compare local prices. I searched the whole show looking for a good snake. Saw a few lessers for 200+, then the very last table had only one male. He was $100 and gorgeous. I snatched him up because I had already seen all the other snakes and knew he was less then 50% the cost of the others.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

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[Brent152]

I was doing research, and I am becoming shy of the idea of buying a BP for two reasons.

• According to research, sometimes they are very hard to feed - which scares me.
• I have a 60 gallon tank, and I am not sure it will like that.

I would like to know if the feeding, or over sized tank should be a concern.

Also, I was wondering what kind of morph I should get. I don't know much about morphs, but I just want a pet (Not for breeding)
I have 300 dollars to spend.

• Let me know your favorite morphs (In my price range $25-300) and any stories you would like to share.

Thank you! I am looking forward to your feedback.

[NormanSnake]

Ball pythons are not hard to feed. They are only hard to feed if you are doing something wrong. So, as long as you get your husbandry spot on, there's no reason to be worried. As long as the conditions are right, a ball python won't starve itself. Also, why not look into a different enclosure? You can get sterilite tubs at walmart really cheap, and they're actually ideal for attaining the right conditions. I have a normal that I paid $30 for at a reptile expo. There are a lot of morphs you can get for $300, but why not get a normal for $30, and use the rest to get the proper enclosure and supplies for it?

[Dracoluna]

As Norman said, I wouldn't worry too much about the feeding. I had the same reservations though I had corns but bit the bullet and haven't had an issue.

I do have a question for you though... You said you have a 60 gallon aquarium. Judging by that statement, are you looking for a showcase animal? If so, bp's are NOT the way to go. I have 3 big 40 gallons set up for display in my family room and they contain a corn, dragon, and tortoise but never will I put a bp in one. They will hide and the openess would stress them out.

However, if you're looking for a bp to enjoy the species, I would look into a tub setup. You don't need a rack or to own 15 of them to make it work. A UTH, thermostat, and appropriate sized tub with 2 hides and a water bowl will suffice. I definitely wouldn't be putting a bp into a 60 gallon anything. Even my big girls and boys stay in the smallest possible tubs as that's what they like. Remember that a hiding bp is a happy bp.

[Brent152]

Ball pythons are not hard to feed. They are only hard to feed if you are doing something wrong. So, as long as you get your husbandry spot on, there's no reason to be worried. As long as the conditions are right, a ball python won't starve itself. Also, why not look into a different enclosure? You can get sterilite tubs at walmart really cheap, and they're actually ideal for attaining the right conditions. I have a normal that I paid $30 for at a reptile expo. There are a lot of morphs you can get for $300, but why not get a normal for $30, and use the rest to get the proper enclosure and supplies for it?

I appreciate your quick feedback!
I already bought 100-120 dollars worth of supplies, I have 300 dollars leftover. I just want a unique looking BP, something that strikes out to people. Do you recommend live-feed or frozen? I am planning on using frozen food, with the occasional live-feed.
What's your favorite morph for around 100-300 dollars?

[Dracoluna]

I appreciate your quick feedback!
I already bought 100-120 dollars worth of supplies, I have 300 dollars leftover. I just want a unique looking BP, something that strikes out to people. Do you recommend live-feed or frozen? I am planning on using frozen food, with the occasional live-feed.
What's your favorite morph for around 100-300 dollars?

Honestly, the one you like the look of. My personal favorite is the albino but it might be hard to find one for $300. You can find lessers, mojaves, spiders, pastels, and several others in that price range though. My recommendation would be go to a show and see what strikes you. Also surf on FaunaClassifieds to get an idea of price on morphs you like. Remember that they are generally a bit cheaper at a show and you can also haggle a little.

[Brent152]

As Norman said, I wouldn't worry too much about the feeding. I had the same reservations though I had corns but bit the bullet and haven't had an issue.

I do have a question for you though... You said you have a 60 gallon aquarium. Judging by that statement, are you looking for a showcase animal? If so, bp's are NOT the way to go. I have 3 big 40 gallons set up for display in my family room and they contain a corn, dragon, and tortoise but never will I put a bp in one. They will hide and the openess would stress them out.

However, if you're looking for a bp to enjoy the species, I would look into a tub setup. You don't need a rack or to own 15 of them to make it work. A UTH, thermostat, and appropriate sized tub with 2 hides and a water bowl will suffice. I definitely wouldn't be putting a bp into a 60 gallon anything. Even my big girls and boys stay in the smallest possible tubs as that's what they like. Remember that a hiding bp is a happy bp.

I'm for sure going to get a tub setup, I knew the aquarium was a stretch. Do you recommend any specific morphs? I want something striking as I said to Norman.