Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm going to the Northern Virginia Show on Saturday and I was wondering what kind of container I will need to transport the ball back to my place (2-3 hours away). Do dealers give a container with the snake? This will be my first snake, can't wait!

I've got the cage all set up with temps just right. Humidity is low, so i will need some moss and a spray bottle. So I just need to get the snake from the show to my place. Any information or tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance,

jon

I'm going to NVRE too and im going to pick up a baby ball. I live in woodbridge so its pretty close. I think im just gonna ride omnilink there and back. I am bringing a small rubbermaid with some moist paper towel in the bottom, since it is pretty hot here it'll be fine for a short trip. How much do you think the balls will go for?

Cool. I have heard that ball hatchlings are pretty cheap these days. I just want to make sure that a rubbermaid container would be alright for a couple of hours in the car down to Charlottesville. Thanks for the response. Any other insight would also be great.

jon

First, it's probably a "duh" issue, but please when you are outside the show with the snake, even inside a container, be discreet. Who knows what people would do confronted with a baby snake out in public. It might not be pretty.
Second, I was just at my first show- Daytona, and it seemed to me there were a lot a lot a lot of captive hatched babies with crazy prices on them. I'd say look for a baby that's nice and fat and healthy first and think about price next. $50 bucks is the range I would expect a captive born and bred normal to go for. Don't fall for really low or really high prices. Low price- you'll get a low quality animal- high price and you're paying for some stripe or pattern that isn't really worth extra cash. Try to research which breeders are the reliable ones there, ask questions-- are they farmed babies, have they had any parasite treatments, how much has the individual you like eaten-- don't be afraid to ask to see it eat first, and a responsible breeder should be able to tell you how much it has eaten, when it was born, etc.
I don't know how much you know about balls, from your first message it seems like you have done some research which is great. It just kind of made me sad to see all the little normal balls at Daytona in their little deli cups knowing that they were shipped from Africa instead of being raised by a breeder. Say what you will, but I support CBBs all the way for people who want a single or a couple balls as pets. It just feels a lot better to know where your baby comes from and then there is that extra assurance that it will be in good health. Anyway, sorry for the tirade. A rubbermaid with some holes drilled should be fine in a car ride for a couple hours. I'd maybe toss paper towels in there for some padding and hiding space. Keep the temp inside the car comfortable and keep the container out of the sun and it will be fun. Good luck!

Just make sure you check the little one out real well to make sure it is good and healthy. As long as it is a healthy ball python it should be fine for a couple hours in even a deli cup with something to keep it moist like a wet paper towel. I just took about 20 3 week old columbian boas a couple hours to a show to sell them and they all did fine. If you have it, bring some type of thermometer just to make sure temps don't get out of hand. try to keep it between 75 and 85. Most importantly DO NOT let it get too hot. Reptiles are more tolerant in an environment that is too cold than in an environment that is too hot. Good luck with the new little one!

I"M going to the NVRE saturday too for my first ball python, I cant wait. I just purchased a rubbermaid container with a good snap on lid and drilled holes along the top for plenty of air exchange. I figured I'd use wood shavings (not pine) for it to hide in. I too have a long ride as i live in culpeper. about an hour 1/2. i was told about 50-60 for a good CBB was not unreasonable.

I used a pillow case and it worked well try 2 not let ur BP see what is going on it may stress them.