Things all beginners should know!

[WrongPython]

Be patient and aware of the fact that you're making a multi-decade commitment.

If you do things right and your snake doesn't have any underlying issues (ie. cancer), your snake could be with you for several decades, potentially for the rest of your adult/working life. Many colubrids can live for 20 years. Pythons and boas can live even longer, potentially for 30-40 years (and I've heard a few cases of 50-year-old rosy boas). Ask yourself: are you really ready to take on an exotic animal that could live longer than many marriages?So, take a few months to do some research, find out what species fits in with your interest and your lifestyle, and decide if a reptile really is the pet for you. Is your desire for a reptile just another impulse or passing fancy? How does having a reptile fit in with your future life plans/goals? Can you provide for a reptile right now and in the foreseeable future?

If you decide you really want one and you find your best-fit species, take time setting up the enclosure, dialing it in, and letting things run to nail down the husbandry basics before bringing your reptile home. You should also take as long as you need to find a good breeder with healthy reptiles of the species/morph you really, really want -- if you're making a multi-decade commitment, don't settle for second-best! When you find the one, give your new reptile time to settle in and get used to their new home before messing around with them.

Yes, all the waiting can be frustrating, but patience and rationality really pay off in the long term. Far too many people burn out because they rushed into things and didn't know what they were really getting into. Take your time, do your research, and be honest with yourself -- in the long run, you'll be glad you did.