Newbie questions! Please help

[Cheesenugget]

Hey all! So for the last year and a half I’ve been day dreaming of owning a bp, and finally that dream is becoming a reality.
I just had a few questions before I dive head first into this:

1.) adult or baby? As a newbie to snakes, should I go for a baby or get an adult? Which would you recommend for an inexperienced owner

2.) WHERE did y’all Acquire yours? I’ve been looking at several websites (underground reptiles,xyz reptiles, backwater reptiles etc,) but would like opinions

3.) enclosure? What are you using currently(everything you’re using lol even if you feel like you’re over sharing, I’d appreciate all the info) Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I’d like something I could look into.

I swear I’ve done research, lol I just want answers from actual people and not google.
TIA, beautiful people



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1. My first snake was a bp. I regret that decision and strongly recommend future newbie snake owners to get a bp as a 2nd or 3rd snake instead, after you have experience with an easy feeder, like colubrids. Bp, imo, are not beginner snakes because of their husbandry requirements and going off feed, which can be weeks or months, and that is extremely worrying and stressful for newbies who don't even know how to thaw f/t prey correctly yet. Kings and corns allow you to make those mistakes and learn, and they are hardy enough to survive and continue to eat well.

But if you MUST have a bp, then I suggest a juvie/adult who is already an established f/t feeder. Hatchlings are small, cute and fun to watch grow, but some breeders would sell hatchling that has not eaten yet (never buy from these people unless you have the experience with working on the picky eaters). They are a little snappy at first and scared easily, because they know they are small and food to predators, meaning if they are stressed by the husbandry or surroundings, they may not eat.

2. I got my bp as a hatchling at an expo. Like I previously mentioned, I do regret that decision and wished I had taken an easier beginner snake first or at least an older established feeder. The breeder I bought it from was a local breeder. XYZ reptiles is local in my area, so is Snakes at Sunset and Underground Reptiles. I would recommend Dynasty Reptiles and Family Reptiles. I had seen their stock at expos and the snakes appear to be in good health, and the breeders were very knowledgeable. I had bought my king from Underground and I shop for weekly feeders there. I only bought the king is because they were the only ones who has an adult, it was a surrender, it was extremely docile and have the best kingsnake temperament. I just love that girl so I could not say no, lol. She was in a large cage with 1 hide, no decor and nothing for stimulation.
Their cages are clean but the negative reviews were not completely false either. It is more of a 50/50 chance if you buy from them online. XYZ reptiles is a little pricey.

3. I use glass tank and tubs. I previously had my bp in a glass tank which went disastrous as he would not eat for 3 weeks, even after the temps, humidity, etc was on point. I switched him to a 6 qt tub and he ate that week. He is still in a tub, now a 16 qt, and grown so big and a voracious eater. Hard to believe he was once on a feeding strike and losing weight. He is shedding in 1 piece in his tub. I live in South FL and unless your tank is outside or no AC is on, you will lose some humidity. The minimum is 50% but sometimes goes to 40%. During shedding, it is annoying to push that humidity up and keeping it up at 70%. In a tub, you don't have to worry about that.

Like I mentioned, as a newbie, you may want to see your snake in a glass tank. You may have to work really, really hard to keep the humidity up and your snake happy in a glass tank. If it is a corn or king, they don't need the humidity as much and likes to explore and be active, so they will do well in glass tanks. That may not be the case, at least temporarily, for your bp if it won't eat no matter what you do.

Edit: There are other pythons that makes good pets and easier to feed than a bp. I have a Children's Python which is like the 'cousin' of the Stimpson and Spotted Pythons. The CP and Spotted are easy to feed, similar husbandry where humidity is not such a big deal, and they are calm once they know you won't ear them. The babies are a little snappy but once they know you won't hurt them, they calm down pretty fast. They stay small and I currently house my CP hatchling in a glass tank, with zero feeding issues.