The best thing is to find a snake that is healthy, eating well and for beginners in keeping snake, it is also best to make sure it is captive bred and hatched. Most pet stores buy captive 'hatched' (eggs collected from the wild, hatched, then shipped to the US and other countries from Africa in bulk. Wholesalers buy them in lots then sell them to pet stores, private collectors or others, or some private collectors and pet store suppliers buy them directly from sellers in Africa.

Typically these snakes are ok..but many are dehydrated, haven't eaten at all for weeks or months then sit in pet stores often in inappropriate conditions..remain dehydrated, feed poorly or not at all still. By the time a person buys it as a pet, they are too far gone to survive. Or require special care to bring them back up. However some do well on live adult mice or rat pups, then can be switched over to pre killed then froze fine.

For the new ball python owner, especially one who doesn't want to worry about vet visits to take care of parasites etc. A captive breed snake is better.

It is also best to make sure you get a healthy snake than rush to buy the first one that is available for the right place and in an driving distance. If its not healthy, it may not survive, may require medical attention etc, making it not worth it in the end. Learn to recognize a healthy snake. Ask questions. Find out if it is eating regularly, if possible ask to be present when it is next fed. Keep in mind some too good to be true deals are most often, true. Unfortunately many people lie.

A note though..I would be very surprised a ball python on any pet store would feed most times. Pet Store cages tend to be well lit and if you go during typical business hours, its outside the pythons natural feeding times...most feed best at dusk or dawn, or full dark. So if it doesn't eat at the pet store, it doesn't necessary mean it won't eat once its established in your home in its new cage, all properly set up and a prey item offered in the evening.

However a pet store who keeps a bunch of baby ball pythons together in a small cage isn't likely to have had any success feeding them.
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PHLdyPayne

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