thinking about getting a ball python????

[fish21]

i was thinking of getting a ball from lllreptile.com the price is 49.99. Is that a fair price? i love ball pythons i held one today it was cool. if you know of a web site that has great stock for the same money that would be awesome
thanks for the help

matt

[elevatethis]

I've never bought live animals from LLL, but I have ordered various supplies from them and they ship orders out the same day they are placed. Their prices are retail, but carry a lot of hard-to-find stuff.

[Shelby]

I have bought three snakes from LLL.. all extremely healthy! I'd buy from them again.

Do some research before you decide if you want a ball python for sure.. they aren't a short-term commitment, and their husbandry is more involved than you may think if you've talked to pet store employees.

Check out our caresheet for a start: http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=52

[fish21]

thanks for your thoughts. i have been doing a lot of reading. luckly for me i live 15 min from lllreptile store. that is where i buy all my critters. just wanted to see if any of you knew of a better place. I was torn between the red tailed boa and ball python. the guy at the stor said "dont get a ball because everybody has a ball". all that says to me is that there must be a reason that ball pythons are so popular. could it be that they make better pets? i would rather be unorignal and have a great ball python. than be origonal and have less of a pet.


thanks
fish

[jknudson]

All types of snakes have their pros and cons...personally I'd recommend a cornsnake, milksnake, or kingsnake for the first time snake keeper. Like Shelby explained Ball husbandry is a bit more involved, and at times can be down right frustrating.

I'd stick away from the redtail right now unless you are prepared for a snake that hits a girthy 6 foot minimum. Its definitely alot of snake to handle, feed, and house. But on the plus side, if frequently worked with, and kept on a consistent schedule they can be puppydog tame and will hardly ever refuse a meal.

Ratsnakes (corns,milks, kings) are great snakes, "tame" very easily, feed well, and are very low maintenance living in much smaller enclosures, and they come in a huge variety of morphs.

Ball Pythons are great snakes as well, but you definitely need to do a bit of research before you jump into a purchase. Like any snake however they all have their individual personalities and limitations, so you'll find some that are quite tame, and some will always lunge and strike.

With all that said, do yourself a bit of research, and if possible attend a reptile show in your area so you can see several different types of snakes. Research, research, research, buy the best equipment for the specific snake, and then find a reputable source (LLLreptile ) to purchase your snake. Find one that suits your lifestyle and that you wouldn't mind keeping for anywhere from 10+ years.

Good luck with your decision!

[frankykeno]

As has been said, do a ton of research on any snake you might want to buy. Most of them live 20+ years so this is a major committment of time, energy, cash, etc. I'd say just look at what your lifestyle is now and what you expect it to be in the next few years, how much time you have, space, etc. and then find the snake that best fits you....not what some pet store guy thinks or what is "cool" or whatever. You'll be cleaning snake poop for many years to come so you may as well love the snake you picked (Adam's words of wisdom!). Once you decide on the snake, get it's housing all bought and set up, find a steady supply of high quality prey....then find the right store, or better yet, a good breeder and then you are good to go.

Oh and btw, JBall, love the quote! LOL

[fish21]

i got my python today he was the prettyst one in the cage he had the lightest color. i got him home got him in his new set up. after an hour i droped a adult live mouse in and he struck almost instantly. and devowered it. so much for ball pythons being pickey. haha( i understand that they can be pickey.) the issue with it living a long time is not that big of a deal i allready have turtles that will live about a nother 80 years haha.

thanks for all the help yall

fish

[rabernet]

What happened to:

dont worry i am still doing reasearch. i still need to get a under tank heater. and hideing half log. i do this with all my reptiles. i do reaserch first then get the set up. then the reptile. this would be my frist snake.

As of this morning, all you had was the tank. No way did you have enough time to get the enclosure set up, and temps regulated (that takes a few days) before you got it.

[rabernet]

i got my python today he was the prettyst one in the cage he had the lightest color. i got him home got him in his new set up. after an hour i droped a adult live mouse in and he struck almost instantly. and devowered it. so much for ball pythons being pickey. haha( i understand that they can be pickey.) the issue with it living a long time is not that big of a deal i allready have turtles that will live about a nother 80 years haha.

thanks for all the help yall

fish

Well, what's done is done. If you'd done the research that you said you were doing, you would have known that you should not have even attempted to feed your snake until at least after a week of acclimating.

Now, please - give this poor snake a chance to acclimate for at least a week before handling any more.

How many hides do you have for him in that 60 gallon tank? What are you using for heat and how are you measuring it? What are your temps and humidity now?

[fish21]

i went to lll reptile and they sold me a under the tank heater, and seeing as how it is a 30 min drive i picked it up today. i already had the basking light and stone cave and substrate around( i am a reptile breeder) and seeing how i have been reading about them for about a 2 weeks now ( there are only so many care sheets on the web, i know i printed about 20 off from different sites and read all of them seeing as how i have lots of free time at work.) as far as setting up the temps i allready own a thermostat wich i am use ing right now and it is working great.

but thanks for your concern

fish