Advice on getting a ball python

[sgrdolphin]

So I am getting really close to being able to get my ball python. I know that I want a captive bred but other than that I have no idea. Does it matter if it is a male or female if I don’t plan on breeding it? The other thing that I was wondering about is feeding. I found a store in my area that had captive bred hatchlings but they were only eating live pinkies. I really don’t want to feed live but the owner of the store said that it was hard to get a ball to eat frozen/thawed.

Also, I live in Washington; does anybody know a good captive breeder in my area? I also have noticed that there are a lot of online breeders; is buying a snake from the internet a bad idea or can you get a good healthy snake that way? I really like some of the different morphs that are available on the internet but it is more important that I get a snake that is healthy and easy to care for as this will be my first python (I have only had garter snakes).

So please tell me anything that would help…. I really want to get this right.

Thanks all,

[X-Factor]

Originally Posted by sgrdolphin

So I am getting really close to being able to get my ball python. I know that I want a captive bred but other than that I have no idea. Does it matter if it is a male or female if I don’t plan on breeding it? The other thing that I was wondering about is feeding. I found a store in my area that had captive bred hatchlings but they were only eating live pinkies. I really don’t want to feed live but the owner of the store said that it was hard to get a ball to eat frozen/thawed.

Also, I live in Washington; does anybody know a good captive breeder in my area? I also have noticed that there are a lot of online breeders; is buying a snake from the internet a bad idea or can you get a good healthy snake that way? I really like some of the different morphs that are available on the internet but it is more important that I get a snake that is healthy and easy to care for as this will be my first python (I have only had garter snakes).

So please tell me anything that would help…. I really want to get this right.

Thanks all,

Great post. I love the fact that you are after a HEALTHY snake rather than a pretty one. Male or female doesn't matter if you aren't breeding. Females typically get a little bigger, but it's a BP so it isn't getting that big anyway. The guy at your store is WRONG...it's generally really easy to switch from live to F/T. I would NOT buy from him, can't stress that enough. As to where should you buy from? If you are only after a healthy normal hatchling there are many good breeders. Try looking up reptile shows/expos in your area. I would definitely NOT buy from a large pet store conglomerate.

	Ball Python

[Johnny Utah]

I can try to answer some of your questions:

a) There really isn't any reason to have a ball python shipped when you can usually get them locally (unless you are getting a morph).

b) Do some research on morphs before you go down that road. Decide if morphs are something that you agree with. Some people see absolutely nothing wrong with supporting the morph industry, others completely disagree with it.

c) A female will get a larger than a male. This usually isn't a problem with BPs because they are so small anyways. With a Burmese python, it can make a huge difference.

d) Switching from live to frozen/thawed has never been difficult for me, especially if the snake is young. There are plenty of tips and tricks for successful conversion.

[ReptileMan27]

Females tend to get a little bigger then females but otherwise then that, their is no difference in sexes. Their are a TON of BP breeders out their, I would reccomend a reptile show if you have any near you. If not their are many good choices online. The problem with buying locally is in most cases its from a pet store and unless you can trust the pet store, your better off paying the shipping to get what you really want.

	Ball Python

[geckochick]

It just so happens to be a reptile show comming to Oregon. There is a thread about it, check it out.