Welcome to the forum Jennifer (and family). May I add my congratulations that you are doing the research and setting up your enclosure before you purchase your first Ball Python. All these steps are going to make the whole experience that much better for you, your family and for the snake.

My best advice would be to purchase a nice captive born, well started male from a good breeder (over getting one from a pet store). They make lovely pets. Some snakes from pet stores turn out okay (some of mine came from pet stores) but having since bought from a breeder I can say that experience was far superior and the snake was so much easier to get settled in. If you need recommendations for breeders you can check our Inquiries section or the banner ads on the site or just ask around. You can also check out breeders on this website (it's a pay site to post but you can read there for free, just have to join).

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...splay.php?f=13

Welcome to BPNet and please feel free to fire away with the questions LOL.