Finally ready to get back into reptile keeping, BCI or BP?

[OatBoii]

Okay. After doing a lot of research today, I have come to a few conclusions/come up with some new questions.

As I was looking around at the potential vendors for this expo, I found a few that were names that seemed to have good repute- Particularly SW Reptiles with Jim Stelpflug, and Glenn Eisel of Eisel Reptiles. As far as I can tell, these are two relatively well known breeders, with a solid reputation and years in the industry.

However, I then really started to think about what you said, Bogertophis, about buying from a breeder that is reputable, and whether or not buying from a con is my best bet if I am trying to be absolutely certain that nothing will be wrong. The thought of mites spreading from a single snake to the whole show is... Not a fun one. Plus, while I am excited for the con, I do feel that there is less pressure involved with buying online. I will admit to being... nervous, in crowds, and in social situations. I know a good breeder would more than likely be willing to discuss any questions or concerns I have, but I worry I might forget something in the moment. Irregardless I would like to go to the con- but perhaps not for buying, but just to talk, and look at materials.

As I was looking around more, I think it was only natural that I would eventually run into NERD on morph market. It seems like they have a hand in... well... just about everything xD I would love to know everyone's thoughts on NERD, but I know at least as far as plants go, that they're pretty good. I hope the same applies to their snakes.

I also started to look into more of the Australian pythons, as mentioned by a few people here, and I found the carpet python while researching. Specifically, this coincided with me looking at NERD, where they currently have Darwin's Carpet Pythons, from a few different years, posted. As far as I can tell, this snake would fit some of the things I am invested in very nicely- stays around 5', lower humidity requirements, less thick and therefore less intimidating to my partner- but from what I saw, it says that some carpets can grow EXTREMELY quickly. I took a look around my local stores, and the longest tote I could find in my area was still only 36x18, which is pushing my (non floor) space to its max. If they really grow extremely fast, I am not sure even a 36x18 would work. I'm... not actually too sure where to even find something longer than that? So in that vein, since I am now considering a tote (although would a less humidity inclined species like a carpet or a children's python care as much?), if there is a specific place people get them from, I'd love to know.

As far as the plan for moving goes, I will be graduating in a year and a month. Ideally, I would like to move back closer to home- it is not too far, no farther than I would have to go to attend the reptile con- but I would explicitly be searching for reptile friendly apartments, given that a snake is not the only reptile I want long term, and once I graduate, the plan is to find a long term place for us. Somewhere we can really start to lay roots down, and set up. The job field I am graduating into has transitioned to being nearly all WFH since the pandemic started, so opportunities wise, I can be located just about anywhere. Of course, the world is fraught with change, so who really knows what will happen? But, there is a plan, and it is on the sooner scale of 12-18 months. By this time next year, I should be approved for graduation and we should be looking for places to move to.

I would like to note though, that while I am very excited to welcome a new snake into my home now that I have the funds and some space available, it is far from the only snake I would like. I am hoping that by starting with a smaller snake, be it a BP, an Australian python, or a corn snake, that my partner will be more comfortable with the idea of a real big chunky snake like a BCI by the time we have moved and settled. I am aware of the costs of a PVC enclosure, and RHPs, as I have had one before, which was part of the reason I initially wanted a terrarium. No matter what I get, unless it is something small like a hognose or a KSB, the plan is to upgrade it to a larger PVC with the move, and then repurpose the old cage towards a new snake or reptile I can raise up. I am partial to certain species, of course, and I would love to make a larger species work, but at the end of the day, I'm happy with just about any snake. As long as I can be certain of its health, I'll be happy just to have it.