Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm going to my local reptile shop, and i'm not leaving until I have purchased a new ball python.

--Patrick

dont bother. get some known c/b ball pythons.......

chris

If this is your first ball python, you will probably have a very bad experience if you purchase your snake from a pet shop. Not all pet shops are bad, however, you have a good chance of getting a Ball with mites and probably some kind of illness.

If you can wait a couple of months, there will be lots of CBB babies available. If you must have it soon, maybe you can find an '07 CBB in the classifieds on this site. The next best option would be a CH import which are available now.

Personally, based on my own observations, I will never purchase an animal from a pet shop. I won't even step into a pet shop to pick up a bag of crickets.......I won't take the chance on picking up some mites if I brush up against a cage or that may grab onto my shoes. I've seen baby cornsnakes just loaded with mites......I hated seeing that. I wanted to smack those people for that. That was enough for me.

Brian

plus regular pet shops, not reptile based, sell them for a much higher price.
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Education is Everything.......

Why not spend a little extra and get something nice, like a male pastel?
They're not much more than pet shop normals, and you can help out a smaller breeder who actually takes care of his/her animals.
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"What is man without the beasts?
If all the beasts were gone,
men would die from great loneliness of spirit.
For what happens to the beasts,
soon happens to men.
All things are connected."

-Chief Seattle (Duwamish Tribe)

Just my opinion but not all pet stores are bad. Yes you can find cheaper on the classifieds here but shiping isn't cheap and returning something is quite problematic. Stay away from the big chain stores because what has been said by others almost always applies to the chain stores. If you have a good pet store in mind then ask questions, make sure they have a clue what they are doing, ask about thier health guarantee and of course observe the conditions things are kept in. I know good pet stores are not common but they do exist. I like to see the survival of good small businesses and they seem to be becoming rare as well. What ever you do...best wishes on your new ball.

mites are a big problem with pet store snakes. I would suggest finding a local breeder and support the hobby by bying a captive bred baby. You can also go to you nearest herp show and find them their also. You will also likely save a bit of money in the process.