Quote Originally Posted by ZouLou View Post
Hi all. I am new here. I currently do not have a any reptiles but plan to get a ball python in the next month or so. I went to my first reptile show this weekend in Pomona, CA, but I refrained from purchasing anything as I first want to get my cage set up and start checking the temperature and humidity readings I get. I believe I am going to start with a simple tub setup while I determine the ideal cage setup for me. I am a mechanical engineer who specializes in thermal management testing so I am confident in my abilities to create a system that can keep the keep the numbers I am looking for in check and hey I always like a little construction project.

So here is where your opinions and advice come in handy for me. This will be my first ball python and my first snake in general. I have found many books on the subjects and was planning on picking up a copy of "The Complete Ball Python" by Kevin McCurley. Are there any other books I should look out for?

I am looking to keep a single snake as a pet so I am not looking to get a bunch and start breeding. I am looking for a snake that is a maximum of $200. Honestly I was thinking about just getting a normal to save the money but morphs are tempting (hey who doesn't love eye candy), so I was looking for any suggestions for morphs I might look at. I really love the lighter colored morphs like bumble bees and stripes are really pretty as well, but they are usually out of my price range. Any suggestions or incite is appreciated.

Also I live in downtown LA. If anyone is local, do they have an suggestions on a place to obtain live feeders in case I need to start by feeding live. f/t I should have no problem with as I plan to buy those online. Thanks in advance for the help.

PS - Is anyone here planning to go to the Anaheim NARBC in September?
That's good that you're being a responsible pet owner and doing your research before purchasing anything. Though you can always save your money and not buy that book, because we have wonderful care sheets on the forum. Then you can always ask any questions you have as you'll get first hand knowledge from many people who have been keeping for quite some time. They also have a nice DIY section towards the bottom of the forum which can help you build a rack system or a tub system, whatever your needs are.

As far as getting your eye candy and wanting to stay under $200, you're going to want to stay with a single gene snake, meaning nothing fancy. Most of your double gene snakes like the bumblebee will be past your $200 price range. Though if you attend a show you may be able to pick up a male hatchling for something near there, money always speaks at shows but please don't take me as meaning to low ball somebody. Say something is priced at $225 or something, offer him $200 and in most cases they're willing to go lower at a show and you save on shipping. Spiders are nice light morphs as well as pastels and both can be acquired for under $200, just for a heads up a male will be cheaper then a female.

To find a morph you like, check out: http://www.worldofballpythons.com/morphs/