Optimal set-up for Ball Python?

[koltsixx]

I have yet to hear a bad review. Plus, he's got some really great prices on snakes. 100% Het Albino male at 75-100g for $35.

Just remember a Het Albino means the python has a normal pattern, but if it is bred to a Albino or another Albino Het the offspring have a chance at being Albino's. Albino's are a recessive gene. Still $35 is a good price for a Het Albino. If your going for a Morph I'd go with Albino which can cost from $300 and up Kingsnake.com is a great place to try and pick one up from. The other morphs usually outgrow their pattern unless it's a Super or Triple morph which cost big bucks. Albino's won't though, other notable's are Super Pastels which can be had for a decent price. Bumblebee's are stunning as babies but as they grow they're very similar in looks to a Spider Ball. A Killer Bee on the other hand retains much of it's color, but cost alot more.

 

[ibz_rg]

After thinking it over, I may or may not decide to breed later down the road. But for now, I just want a pet. Been looking at pastels a lot, which seem to be in the $75-125 range.

 

[koltsixx]

They're cool like I said though I'd go for a Super Pastel regular Pastel look very similar to regular balls as they grow. Check NERD and you'll see what to expect as they grow. It's better to spend a little more on the Super trust me it comes from experience I would have went with the Super if I had to do it all again. Plus Super Pastel's are at an all time low I've seen them for as little as 300 and change at their lowest, but expect to spend more like 400.

 

[ibz_rg]

I will certainly look more into Supers. Garrick has 3 males at $550 each, but if you've seen them in the $300-400 range on kingsnake, I'll look there first.

 

[Toby_H]

I suggest you check www.faunaclassifieds.com as well as watchign for a reptile show to come to a town near you.

I've seen 3 or 4 Super Pastels posted for sale on faunaclassifieds in the last week all in the $375~400 range. Faunaclassifieds also has a "good guy/bad guy" folder that helps give us confidence in the seller we are considering.

I just picked up a female Super Pastel for $400 at a reptile show that came to my town (Repticon).

Pastels are well known for fadding as they mature, as well as a few other morphs. But a lot hold their uniqueness. Keep in mind the yellow of a "bumble bee" is caused by the snake being a pastel, which fades. Thus any combination morph that is yellowed by the pastel morph will be prone to dulling (though super pastel holds much much better).

 

[ibz_rg]

There's a reptile show that comes around every month up in Columbus. I'm certainly going to be looking there.

 

[Toby_H]

I didn't even look at your location...

I bought my female Super Pastel ($400) from Peter of PT Reptiles which is based out of Ohio... possibly Columbus (614 area code)...

Google PT Reptiles to find him... If you meet him or buy from him please do tell him I recommended him (Toby & Sarah that bought the female Super Pastel in Charlotte NC Repticon) If you can remember all that

Note, I have and will again recommend Peter / PT Reptiles to friends and would certainly buy from him again myself. Great guy, very knowledgable, very easy to talk to, very informative, his passion for his animals is obvious.

 

[ibz_rg]

Thanks a ton! I'll be sure to look him up. Yeah, 614 is Columbus/Grove City area code. I'm up there pretty frequently as I have a good friend who lives up there.

 

[ibz_rg]

Bumping this up as I'm going to be purchasing a regular within the next couple weeks. Rather, my girlfriend will be, as it is my Christmas present. I think the general consensus between she and I is that it's just going to be getting a regular ball, a 20g-long tank, and the necessary accessories. I'm really interested in getting into the snake game, but I don't want to drop $800 on my first specimen. Plus I've taken a liking to normals, so I'll be okay with it.

 

[Wiggles92]

Bumping this up as I'm going to be purchasing a regular within the next couple weeks. Rather, my girlfriend will be, as it is my Christmas present. I think the general consensus between she and I is that it's just going to be getting a regular ball, a 20g-long tank, and the necessary accessories. I'm really interested in getting into the snake game, but I don't want to drop $800 on my first specimen. Plus I've taken a liking to normals, so I'll be okay with it.

I'd keep it in a tub or some other container with a low ceiling in order to better simulate their natural habitat; they spend 95% of their time in termite mounds & rodent burrows and only move when they're finding a new home and the food that lives in their new home. I'm friends with a breeder who kept a few in aquariums and a few in tubs when he first started out, and he mentioned how much happier the ones in the tubs were because they felt more secure due to the low height of the cage.