Hi, about to acquire my first BP! So excited!

[JessKeen]

Hi, everyone! I have been stalking this site for weeks in preparation for getting my first ball python! Salt Lake City Repticon is this weekend and I have been chatting on Facebook with a few of the venders who will be selling young BP's. I am planning on a young normal, nothing fancy, I have had snakes before but would consider myself pretty much a complete novice. I have a little girl, 4 1/2, who is pretty excited too, and my husband seems pretty happy if a tad hesitant .

Any advice for what to look for when I pick my lil' guy (or girl) out? I have read a lot about how to tell if they are healthy but if there is any info you all think I may not have easily found I'd be happy to hear it! I'm sure I'll have questions after I bring the little one home, and I'm sure you guys have the answers.

I am in the process of doing this (http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...arium-Solution) to a ten gallon aquarium, and I have a 35 for later on. I'm so glad to have found this site, seems like an amazing resource.

[Slim]

Welcome to BP.net! Great to see you doing research before picking up your Ball Python. My bit of advice for a first time buyer at a reptile expo is to go in with a plan, and a budget. Walk the show floor looking at every table before you handle any animal. Narrow down your choices to a manageable number, then go back and talk to the exhibitor. Ask lots of questions. Breeders generally love to talk about the animals they have for sale. Resellers and flippers generally don't want to have you ask too many questions. Just something to keep in mind. Good Luck!

[Az2711]

I bought my ball a year ago this month at the same type of show in Dallas/Ft.Worth and he's perfectly healthy . I agree that you should take your time and ask a lot of questions. We talked to the guy we got ours from for an hour before purchasing him and he was more than happy to answer all of our questions. One thing that I urge you to consider is how you are going to feed your new snake? Mine was used to eating live and sometimes it's hard for them to switch from live to frozen so you might want to make sure you know where you can get both types of food before you buy your snake. We feed him outside of his enclosure to discourage confusion during feedings and in a year he is already 3 and 1/2 feet. It's good that you are already prepared with a larger tank! Have fun and enjoy your new snake!

[Vypyrz]

Hello, and to BP.net. When you go to the show to pick out your new BP, make sure you don't rush. There are basically to ways to approach it. Look at every table two or three times. You will notice something different each time. Take notes and/or photos of the snakes that interest you and review them before making your final decision. Or, you can do what I do, keep walking through the show until the snake chooses you. It may not be the one that you planned on, but you will know when you make the connection. Good Luck.

[Kat1204]

Hi fellow new keeper!!!

Good luck with choosing your new BP!!

Looking forward to seeing pics of him/her

[PitOnTheProwl]

Congrats and welcome

[JessKeen]

Hi guys, thanks for all the great advice! Tomorrow is the day! I was originally going to go to the expo alone or with my daughter, but I convinced my husband it would be worth taking a couple hours off work to come with me and I got a babysitter, so now it's like a snake acquisition date! I love the advice about the budget, I can see myself spending way too much money so I got out cash for the amount I am willing to spend, and when it's gone, it's GONE! I have the enclosure all ready and warm, and I'll post pics of it at the same time as the snake. SO EXCITED!

[JessKeen]

Oh, I forgot to mention I have already been talking to (on facebook) and researching one of the venders, 480 pythons. They have been super informative and nice, and while I'm still determined to check out each vender at the show before I decide, they will definitely be my first stop.

[Neal]

Congrats and welcome to the forums. You'll enjoy it here.