"The Ball Python Manual"

[End Times]

Hey all,

Well, as I'm still trying to horde all the knowledge I possibly can before acquiring my first BP, I've ordered in a book from www.chapters.ca called "The Ball Python Manual". It's published by Advanced Vivarium Systems (or something like that).

I've seen many snake sites recommending it as the top BP book. Just wondering who amongst you has read it, and if it's as great a source as I hope it will be?

Thanks!

Rob

[BornboreD]

I own it. It's excellent. Pretty much the best resource on Ball Python care, other than experience. The Barkers also have an "All About Ball Pythons" DVD. It may be worth checking out.

Colin

[mykee]

Rob, I also own it and it was a great beginners introduction to ball pythons as well as a good reference book to check back on from time to time. Know though, that there really has been no book written in the last 5 years on ball pythons, and in that time, advances have been made by leaps and bounds into the husbandry and care of ball pythons. It's a great book, and with continued education and learning, it will help you out immensely.

[End Times]

Excellent, thanks guys, just wanted to make sure I didn't buy a "fairy tale" full of useless info.

[Spirit]

I agree with Mykee. If I had to suggest one book to buy for ball pythons (but I'm gonna suggest two), it would be that one. It's sort of a "buy it second hand" book (imo), but it's definitely one you should have on your shelf, no matter what you pay for it.

Another one that's an EXCELLENT book to keep is "What's wrong with my snake".

[mykee]

Spirit, albino burm on the cover, blue? Good book too, but not necessarily a beginners book, and not all that necessary, good reading nonetheless.

[Spirit]

I wouldn't call it "good reading", but it is a "medical reference manual". If your snake has respiratory problems, seizures, mouth or scale rot, weight loss, injuries, diarrhea, mites, parasites, regurges or innapetence, egg binding or other breeding related problems, (the list goes on), that's a good book to turn to. It has tons of pictures (though black and white), and covers medicines and other treatments as well.

It's not a "beginners read", but it's not a "how to care for" book either. It's a "what does this mean and how do I treat it" book.

At any rate, both books are good to own (for different reasons), but that's just mho. :)

[greenman1867]

I think if you just ordered the Manual, you may be getting the new and improved version which has just been released. But even the older version is a wealth of info.

[sapphire_moon]

I think ALL the big ball python breeders should get together and write a new bp book! I'd buy it in a heartbeat!

[daver676]

Is this the book you speak of?:

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/507/22860405042.JPG

If so, it's OK. It tends to deal more with wild caught bps, but it does have great info on feeding methods for stubborn snakes, and a good section on reproduction.

[End Times]

Yup, that's the book.

[sapphire_moon]

Ya, I have that one, it is so read and used that the pics were/are falling out. lol

But like I said, I think all the big breeders should come up with one big ball python book!

[RandyRemington]

I heard that the Barkers are working on a new book. I got the idea that it will be a high end "coffie table" like book though.

Great to hear of an update to the old begainer/budget pet store standard "Ball Python Manual". The industry has changed a lot with fewer imported adults (at least % wise) now and many more morphs as well as no doubt some husbandry improvments. Does anyone have the new version yet? My vet was a co-author of the original version so perhaps I can check with him.