Possible newbie...

[bigj539]

Hello, i just found this site and it is awesome! I have been reading about Ball Pythons a lot lately, and i really want to go for it and get one. I have some questions about where to get one though. I have heard don't go to pet stores all over the place. Is this true? It seems that is the most easy way to do it. If i go and ask them if it was captive bred or not, would they lie to me? i guess my other options are online, or at a convention. (i can't find any breeders in my local area (central ohio)). all the BP's online seem really really expensive. Thanks for any input.

[python.princess]

welcome! a lot of breeders have normals for cheap. even if they're not listed, I'd email and ask!

[starmom]

All the breeders have great shipping techniques to get you your snake to your home in perfect shape!! I live in Oregon and have purchased most of my snakes from the east coast!! Never one problem!! Just look through the breeders, find one you feel you might like to work with and contact them. They'll help you through the process and make it joyful!
As for cost, ball pythons can be anywhere from 40 dollars up to 7500+ dollars It just all depends on what you like. You can go to the NERD website and look through their pictures of morphs and get an idea of what's out there. Lots of awesome breeders and if you want I can pm you with one's who I have dealt with and others I would deal with in a heart beat!!!
Welcome to the forum!!

[Holbeird]

There are monthly reptile shows in Columbus and Cleveland I believe so if one of those is near you you could go there to pick one up. Most breeders have normals, especially normal males for rather cheap. Also most breeders have eggs in the incubator or females currently going through breeding, so if you wait just a bit more there will be a whole bunch of new babies and you shouldn't have any problem picking up a male normal rather cheap. Cheaper than the pet store and you won't have to spend all that money at the vet getting it healthy like you would most likely need to do with the pet store snake!

[bigj539]

thanks everyone for your input. Another question, do they stink? i will be keeping it in my room in my apartment, and i want to know if they smell up a room? thanks.

[starmom]

thanks everyone for your input. Another question, do they stink? i will be keeping it in my room in my apartment, and i want to know if they smell up a room? thanks.

I have 13 royals in my sons little room (he's in there too!) I have 4 racks and 3 cages in there! I have to say that the only time I would say that the smell is noticeable is when I pre-scent the room before feeding and for about 6 hours after feeding. I have the caveat that I use Kraft paper (from U-Line) as the substrate and clean the tubs and cages immediately and thoroughly when a snake has poo'd, pee'd or urated. The trash bag gets taken out right away as well. I think this as a lot to do with smell and overall cleanliness.
So, your question: Do they smell? Not in my house!

[bigj539]

awesome, thanks everyone.