Actually I am about to get my first snake ever. I am reading and trying to learn as much as I can right now but I think that I want to get young BP. I was hoping to get some advice as I am BRAND new to snakes. I am 35 and married. I have 2 kids (12/8) and a small cat. I plan on using an exo-terra 24'x18'x'18x terrarium set up with a fogger in my bedroom where only my wife and I are regular traffic, the cat never enters. We have a home theater setup in there but it never is blasting sound. I mention these things because elsewhere I have read that living space for the humans affects the snakes sense of security and eating habits. I have spoken with my family and they are all enthusiastic about the idea.

What I am hoping for in my new pet is a casual, attractive, companion who does not require constant affection but isn't averse to some occasional handling. I find small pets such as rodents too much bother and mess, birds are noisy. My daughters' cat is destructive to furniture and I want her to find a new home, but the kids love her. She is a sweet animal but I don't like defending my furniture. Dogs require too much from me soooo.... after some minor research I am considering an ophidian friend. Since I am new to the hobby I looked into various common small snakes and the BP is the prettiest, even the normal ones.

I am concerned about purchasing my new pet. Is it preferable to get the animal while it is still young, like a baby? Also, I am concerned about purchasing one from a local pet store. I am ok with the normal BP, so is it ok to get it from a pet store or should I only get them from an online source. If I do decide on an online source (as the one I am looking at has records of the individual animals births) what is a good one in California, I would rather not stress the poor critter with long shipment.