Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all i am new to this forum. I am usually just in the different frog forums, but recently i have become interested in a pet that i can handle more (frogs are not really for handling especially the species i own). So i have decided on getting a ball python, I have done alot of research on these and am about to purchase all the things i need to set up the tank and make sure everythign is fine before i purchase one. I am gonna get a 30 breeder tank(36" x 18"and 13" high i tihnk. Is this ok? it isnt very high but alot of room for one snake. Also i was wondering what the best online breeder to order from is? I am looking for a small python pretty close to a baby as i can get. (I love to watch them grow) i would love any suggestions and all the input you could give me for online breeders you have used.
Thanks in advanced,
Paul

P.S. I would love to see all your set ups for your pythons thanks bubye

Oh i forgot to mention i just want a regulat BP. Nothing too expensive
Thank you again
Paul

....a baby BP is an excellent choice. All herpers should own one, but of course I'm SLIGHTLY biased!
Personally I think the cage is a bit large for a baby BP.
Many baby snakes feel a bit insecure in too large a cage. A ten gallon or perhaps 15 gallon is more appropriate, but even smaller can do fine. I start my babies in plastic shoe boxes approx 6" x 12" in a rack system but I have many BP's. They then go to a box 11" x 15". A thin (3" wide) strip of flexwatt heat tape runs underneath the back of each box (plugged into a rheostat to control temp=86-90F). A hide box (ESSENTIAL) is placed over the heat source, and a spill-proof water bowl completes the picture. You can add cage funiture such as a climbing branch, etc. As the snake grows you can increase the size of the cage. My largest adults are in cages with only about 3 square feet of floor space.
When the snakes goes blue into its shed increase the humidity to assure a good shed.
Do not feed too big a food item. Better to feed relatively smaller food items more frequently.
Before long you'll be hooked on BP's I bet! SJM

do you have any suggestions on breeders

I agree, you will not be able to have just one, BPs are the greatest!!!! As for breeders, there are so many! I would go with something close if possible, that you can see before buying, or find a good online breeder that will tell you (at least) the following:

weight, hatch date, and is willing to show you pictures of the snake and some clutchmates, and maybe the parents of the snake. Some will even send you pics of the snake hatching out of the egg.

Anyway, good luck! And MAKE SURE you get Captive Bred (some say CB and mean Captive Born) Don't be fooled, wish there was no worries there, but some people are out there for the $ not the love of the animals.
My site (Complete 4 now?)