Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Im in a place where I can have a snake(s) and I am going to go with a ball python to start.(not the first time for me to have a snake...but it will be my first ball python)
But theres so many choices on where to purchase.
i want to go with pet store because at least they are readily available.
But then again Im kinna picky on the coloring, so I have found some from breeders i like. but i dont want to order online and have the poor thing shipped. so ive tried to find a breeder within a decent driving distance. i found ONE so far. and ive emailed for more info on their snakes and practices and its been several days and i still havent received an answer.
i would go to a show and purchase but there wont be another one in my area (that im aware of) until oct.
and then theres another avenue. i came across a post somewhere that said they found a free king snake on a popular ad site. So i went there to check it out and i found several postings within an ok driving distance. most of the snakes were still young, but not babies anymore. i was hoping to start with a baby, and watch it grow. the only advantage to getting one of the older is that its (hopefully) an established eater.
well anyway, you see what im getting at..
any ideas, solutions, suggestions...etc...THANKS BUNCHES for reading my babbling and perhaps responding

~Patty

Post your general area and someone on here could recommend a breeder within driving distance of you.
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search through kingsnake- for your area. On kingsnakes home page there is a drop down menu in the upper left side-- for rescues.

I just adopted out 2 small babies--hatchlings
(the people bought them from a petstore- they were imports- they wouldn't eat and were pretty nasty looking. took them to the vet- both had worms, got them treated, 3 weeks later- force fed one- the other ate-- they HAVE to eat 3 times before they leave here- and they did)

The adoption we did yesterday was a male, a little under 2 years old. (the guy that brought him to us was a college student who was either going to get kicked out of his dorm- or get rid of the snake-- he bought him from a local breeder originally). He was definatly an established feeder-- and he wasn't full grown yet- the guy hadn't been cramming him with food- so the family that adopted him is able to watch him grow a bit more, and they're comfortable knowing he's a good eater.

We get them constantly.... and our adoption fee's are about the same as what you'd spend with a breeder- and less than petco's prices... (and you get a worm-free snake-haha)

Good luck in your hunt.

~Beth
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The rescue site: www.freewebs.com/okreptilerescue

Do be to afraid to by online eather, I got my first to normal balls from a lady on craigslist, but since them I have picked up 2 more exotic balls online, they were shipped over night fedex and after a few days of adapting to their new home have become great pets and are hearty eaters. Biggest thing to remember is do your research and ask the sellers a lot of questions, no matter where you buy. If the sell doesn't seem to respond or there answer do not match your research preceed with caution.

There are some great pets out there,
matt

The best thing is to find a snake that is healthy, eating well and for beginners in keeping snake, it is also best to make sure it is captive bred and hatched. Most pet stores buy captive 'hatched' (eggs collected from the wild, hatched, then shipped to the US and other countries from Africa in bulk. Wholesalers buy them in lots then sell them to pet stores, private collectors or others, or some private collectors and pet store suppliers buy them directly from sellers in Africa.

Typically these snakes are ok..but many are dehydrated, haven't eaten at all for weeks or months then sit in pet stores often in inappropriate conditions..remain dehydrated, feed poorly or not at all still. By the time a person buys it as a pet, they are too far gone to survive. Or require special care to bring them back up. However some do well on live adult mice or rat pups, then can be switched over to pre killed then froze fine.

For the new ball python owner, especially one who doesn't want to worry about vet visits to take care of parasites etc. A captive breed snake is better.

It is also best to make sure you get a healthy snake than rush to buy the first one that is available for the right place and in an driving distance. If its not healthy, it may not survive, may require medical attention etc, making it not worth it in the end. Learn to recognize a healthy snake. Ask questions. Find out if it is eating regularly, if possible ask to be present when it is next fed. Keep in mind some too good to be true deals are most often, true. Unfortunately many people lie.

A note though..I would be very surprised a ball python on any pet store would feed most times. Pet Store cages tend to be well lit and if you go during typical business hours, its outside the pythons natural feeding times...most feed best at dusk or dawn, or full dark. So if it doesn't eat at the pet store, it doesn't necessary mean it won't eat once its established in your home in its new cage, all properly set up and a prey item offered in the evening.

However a pet store who keeps a bunch of baby ball pythons together in a small cage isn't likely to have had any success feeding them.
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PHLdyPayne

Too bad you dont live in south Texas Honey, Ive got buet babies!

Thanks for all responses everyone.
I did find a pet store/breeder in my area (im outside of atlanta ga). i got to hold a couple of his babies today, which seemed really healthy and alert. i fell in love with one, but payday is tomorrow, so i didnt have enough. i didnt expect that he had babies ready to go. he claims that they will eat either, and when they dont eat they try both. beautiful, seemingly healthy, and resonable priced. it fit right in, just too bad i didnt have the money ready...hahahah...i wasnt really expecting to bring one home today, i just went to check out prices on somethings, and of course to enjoy his animals.

Nope, i dont live in tx anymore. too bad.

And it was on craigslist that i found those ads within my area. I am not opposed to getting a subadult, or adult but my bf would like to have a baby and watch it, as hes never had a snake in the house. even though its my choice, my "kid" so to say, i do involve him in it since he lives here too...

well anyways, thanks yall for all your input...

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~Snake Charmer~

DO you realize that pet store snakes have to be shipped... to get to the pet stores??? Just food for thought. at least you KNOW WHERE your snake is coming from if you buy from a breeder... I bought one from Texas, but I live in Iowa... It was NP having her shipped here...... she was a bit stressed, but she came out of it....

it's all personal preference....

Just keep in mind that pet store animals are usually not as well cared for as private breeders.. and all them pet store junkies don't know a lick of what they're talking about anyway.......

yep im very well aware of the fact that the ones in the pet stores arent always healthy, or kept very well. i went into one of the big chains the other day and they had a group of beautiful baby balls...and as best as i could tell, every single one of them had mites and looked kind of scrawny. there was no wayyyy i was going to get one of those kids. they had beautiful colorings, but i didnt want to start out with an unhealthy animal. i might be looking for a pretty one, but more importantly, i want it healthy!
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~Snake Charmer~