Advice on getting my first BP?

[Fearyn]

Gosh shipping is expensive x.x But I think I'm gonna go with Garrick.

[MidSouthMorphs]

Gosh shipping is expensive x.x But I think I'm gonna go with Garrick.

If you call him he will be happy to help you and answer all of your questions.

[Fearyn]

Is it difficult to switch a live feeder over to f/t ?

[MidSouthMorphs]

Garrick feeds all his F/T. If they refuse he will use live. But just tell him you want one that will take F/T with no problem and he will ensure that you get one.

[frostysBP]

Best way to go is to buy one on f/t especially if you dont have easy access to live. Garrick is very good

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[NetalianSoda]

Where at in Oregon do you live? I got my Lesser at Tropical Hut in Portland and a few others on the forum have got snakes from them as well. They had a great variety of morphs and they where all nice and healthy. Prices weren't too bad either.

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[Penultimate]

Is it difficult to switch a live feeder over to f/t ?

Not usually. Most of my girls switched in the blink of an eye. However, if your snake starts losing weight, it's time to try live.

[Penultimate]

Where at in Oregon do you live? I got my Lesser at Tropical Hut in Portland and a few others on the forum have got snakes from them as well. They had a great variety of morphs and they where all nice and healthy. Prices weren't too bad either.

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I've never bought from Tropical Hut, but I've seen them around and their animals are excellent. All of the ones for sale at the expos I've been to have been in good health, mite free and amazingly beautiful. The prices are pretty good.

[NetalianSoda]

Isn't there an expo coming up in Portland soon? Would that be a good place to go and find a first snake? I've never been to one myself.

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[JoshSloane]

While im sure Garrick is great, as well as other breeders mentioned here, nothing is guaranteed buying from a breeder. In addition to having an issue with a breeder in the past, I recently bought a snake from one of the TOP retic breeders in the nation. Rave reviews, everyone loves this guy. I spent more on the animal, compared to other breeders, because I was so impressed with the glowing comments others made about him on this very forum. While the animal arrived healthy, it had nowhere near the personality/temperament and feeding habits of which the breeder had specifically told me it had.

I followed EVERY piece of husbandry advice from the breeder to the letter. It has been months now and I have a snake that is unmanageable, difficult to maintain, and is proving hard to re-sell. Once the sale was made, and I voiced my issue to him, he stopped responding and has now fully disappeared. Point is, there is something to be said for having the animal in your hand, and able to interact with before you purchase. Im sure that there are many breeders that can ship you a healthy, active, and docile bp, but there is nothing wrong with purchasing a first snake at a pet store, provided YOU believe it is right for you.

I promise you that the ~60$ you spend on this animal at petsmart will not make or break their business. Yes these stores have a history of keeping reptiles in bad conditions, but if you find a goodie, do what you think is best.