Questions on Ball Pythons?

Question

Alright so I'm extremely interested in getting a captive bred ball python and was wondering a few things.

1. Most important, where can I buy one? I've heard that I can go to generic places such as Petsmart and Petco but that they don't take great care of the snakes in the first place. True?
2. How hard is it to find a place online that will sell me the food I will need?
3. Can I just buy and use any fish tank? Or is there something specific?
4.Around how much will it cost me to buy the snake, the aquarium, the accessories and anything else that I might end up needing?

Any suggestions or advice you're willing to share?

Answer 1

They are among the most common snakes in the pet trade. You can get them online, at reptile expos, from most petstores, and from private breeders... all without any trouble. Price will range from 30 bucks up to as much as 200.00+ for some of the rarer color morphs. Aquariums are fine- your concern will be the lid. If it isn't secure, the snake will escape. They make tanks with sliding locking lids that are escape proof... I prefer them, but I've also just bought lids for tanks and used clips to lock them and piled heavy books on top.
I would not bother with a 10 gallon... First of all, you can't get a decent heat gradient in there... the snake *NEEDS* to be able to heat and cool itself... not to mention it's just a waste of money... petstores will tell you to get them because you'll have to come back in less than a year and spend more money for a bigger tank, new under tank heater, thermometer, etc since these things usually stick on and are not re-usable. Its good business for them, bad for your wallet.
what you need to start for a baby is
20 gallon tank with a secure lid.
under tank heater
two thermometers
something for snake to hide in
water bowl deep enough for the snake to soak in

everything else is gravy... so maybe around 200.00

You want an active alert snake with smooth scales... it should be solid- you don't want a thin snake... look it over very closely to make sure it doesn't have mites or any injuries.
These snakes are notoriously picky eaters so make sure you ask if it's been eating well... when did it eat last and what. was it live? Frozen?

Answer 2

Ball pythons and sand boas are the most docile breeds of snakes out there, good choice. I had a sand boa. I think the buying from the pet store thing depends on the actual store. If the store looks like you want clean up the store itself, then I would avoid it. I would make sure that the snake is captive born and bred first. If the store can't back that up, then avoid it.

I used frozen mice to feed mine. Once you give them live, it's hard for them to go back. Frozen is nice because you can just buy a bunch and let them air thaw (don't microwave). This way you don't have to take care of the mice as well as the snake. You can buy frozen mice at most pet store, but I know you can not at Petsmart.

I also used a fish tank with a heat lamp. Make sure you get a good cover, it does not get out.

Cost wise... A snake from a dealer $40-100. From a pet store $85-200. The terrarium, it depends on the size and it you get a matching stand. About $30-150 without the stand. You can usually find some at garage sales for a good price. Also, give yourself $15-60 for the heat lamp, hide box, fake grass, saw dust, or sand. Buy a timer for the heat lamp at a discount place, not the pet store. They will charge like $20 while a supermarket is like $1.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Ball Pythons are generally available at Pet Shops this time of the year for about $80. In about 2 months, new hatchlings will be available for $30-$50. Wherever you buy the snake, make sure you watch it eat first. A good sized hatchling will eat a hopper sized mouse. We recommend starting with live food until the snake is established eating. Then gradually switch to frozen. Balls are nocturnal and need a night light bulb and an under tank heater. All Glass Aquarium and Perfecto make snake kits. The All Glass reptile cage is escape proof. Recommend- start with a 15 gallon size. Don't feed the snake in same area it lives. Balls get up to 7'. We don't recommend owning them and having children under 5 at the same time. Reptiles also can carry salmonella. Suitable substrates are aspen and fir bark. Balls like a lot of humidity and a warm tank. Keep a bowl big enough for the snake to submerge completely so the shed comes off in one piece, also if the snake needs to cool off. Half the tank should be hot and the side with water dish should be cool. Examine under the scales for ticks. Wild caught snakes are harder to raise. Most are from wild caught mothers. Feed appropriate size food once a week to start with. Find a good independent pet shop and they will answer the rest of your questions.

Answer 4

Ball pythons are extremely hardy creatures so you can get a healthy one even at Petco. Just check to make sure it isn't wheezing and all of it's scales are intact. The snake itself will run you between 50 and 80 bucks depending on where you go. You can keep a baby one in a 10 gallon aquarium but you will need a bigger one when it grows. The rule of thumb is the cage needs to be as long as the snake is stretched out and no smaller. You will need heating pads and at least 2 hidey holes. One of those half logs is pretty good and another one is taking a medium sized terracota pot and cutting a hole in the bottom of it and placing it upside down. Your best bet on food is just to buy frozen stuff at Petco in bulk and putting it into the freezer.

Answer 5

wow you got some questions...

1. you can buy snakes from pet stores, its a little safer than shipping animals. some stores take care of them some don't.

2. it's not hard to find a place online. here are some good websites:

www.ballpython.com

www.rcreptiles.com

and the BEST one:

www.newenglandreptile.com

Nerd is one of the best breeders!

3. yes you can.. a ten gallon one just use a good top for it so the snake doesn't get out.

4. all of the stuff will be about $150 to $200. it's actually cheap exept the snake they are usually about $40 to $70 for wild types or normals... other morphs or hets are abot $100 to $30,000!

Good luck!

Answer 6

I can't add anything else to what these folks have said. You've got all you need to know right there. There is one thing, kind of as a "watch dog" bit of advice;
PetCos in GA and SC allegedly are selling ball pythons with IBD. According to the reports, GA has pulled their snakes, but SC is continuing to sell them.
Personally, I wouldn't buy from them on a good day, and I certainly won't now.
You can find info on bp.net

Answer 7

www.kingsnake.com if you want to buy from online they have a great selection of sources. also i work at a petco and i take care of the balls pythons and other reptiles so i know that ours are in eating and healthy condition. you can use a regualr fish tank but i would suggest getting a zilla or a critter keeper 20l to start or even go with the 40 gallon breeder so you wont have to buy it later on youll prolly spend close to 300-400 dollars

Answer 8

i've got in basic terms had my ball python for 3 months and so some distance he's a good puppy. an exceedingly docile easygoing animal( apart from while he eats of coarse)... i'm uncertain on the cost of an albino or pastel and it extremely relies upon on the age of the snake and breeder. if i've got been you i might attempt to locate a reptile breeding tutor on your section to get the snake from. the charges are constantly greater low-value and that they comprehend very lots on the subject of the snakes.

Answer 9

Don't keep wild animals as pets, without proper training, they can get out of control easily and you will have to dispose of them
By that time, they are unable to fend for themselves in the wild and zoo mostly will euthanise them.