A couple months ago I brought home my first BP. Here's some of the things that helped me:

1> Hang around BP.net and read old threads about enclosures, thermostats, feeding and things like that. If you can't find info on something you have a question about--post a thread! Everyone here is VERY helpful!

2> Find a reputable breeder nearby and ask to tour the facility--look at the animals they have and decide what you might want to get (baby, yearling, adult?).

3> Once you know what general size you want, choose an enclosure (I use a tub, which I HIGHLY reccomend) and set it up, including heat elements, thermostat, digital thermometer, water bowl, hides and substrate. Get the enclosure up and running for a week before you pick up your baby, just to make sure the temps/humidity stabalize.

4> Return to the reputable breeder's facility and pick out THE ONE Make sure to ask what it's feeding on (Frozen/Thawed, Live, Mice/Rats?). The breeder I bought my boy from kindly switched him to F/T from live for me before I brought him home.

PS~ If you are in Boston, NERD is only about an hour north of you in Plaistow, NH...and I would definitely suggest calling ahead and getting a tour with Kara. She's super helpful, a total sweetheart, and very knowledgable. Their animals are top-quality and I'd certainly suggest buying from them.