Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hey guys, whats up? I have posted here on the b-python forum like once before. Any way, im going to a reptile show this weekewnd. I want to pick out a fairly young ball but i realy dont want it to be wild caught. Is there any way that i can tell if its w/c or not. I usualy see like a bunch of regular pythons (babies) in one big tub, are these ok to get or are they like all jumbled up between w/c and c/b? What signs should i look for in a healthy python? Also, what is the going price for a c/b regular, baby ball python?

Thanx guyz, Chris

P.S. Is any one going to the bridgton show? Just curious.

clear skin.
clear eyes.
clear vents.
clean mouth area.
should ball up when you try and poke its head.
shouldnt be star gazing (IBD present)
shouldnt have its head elevated for along time (Respitory infection)

ask the vendor where he got it from, if its CB ask him for his info and stuff if your really paranoid.

check for mites and stuff. then, when you get it, take it to a vet with a fecal matter in a bag. request a vecal exam and regular check up. your set for life.

and move your fingers side to side, if the ball doesnt follow your finger, in my opinion, i pass it up for one that does. if it DOES strike at your hand, its basically a good sign (to me anyways) that it will eat regularly, but might just be scared of your hand. Its okay to get a timid snake, but not an overly timid snake (for obvious resons)

sorry to bud in the conversation ...

my snake goes out at night and rests his head on a rock (in fact he's doing it right now) for about 20-30 mins, but then he continues on climbing and playing ...

i don't hear any wheezing sounds. do you have an opinion on this ?

thanks

in the wild they might do that for ambushing pray. my snake curls around his driftwood and hides his head in the fake bushes, looking outside the aquarium. or maybe hes just basking.

.

.
-----
Jay A. Martin

There are certain behaviors that MAY indicate WC or CBB and I use these as secondary signs only as they are mostly unreliable. I highly recommend you find a breeder before going to the show. You can ask all the questions you want and make an educated purchase.

Shows are notorious for selling imports - even the shows that say no imports. Personally, if I approach a vendor with a tub full of Ball Pythons, I keep on walking. They should be in individual containers that are clean and clearly marked male or female. Look at the snake. Look for signs of scale rot on the underside of the snake. His or her skin should be smooth and free of injuries, scratches, parasites, etc. You should also be looking at the vendor. If the vendor looks "dirty" and is unprofessional, keep on walking. If you don't know what you are looking for, take an experienced friend.

Good Luck!
-----
Jay A. Martin

If the vendor has tons and tons of normal balls and only normals that might be a sign they have wild caught or farmed babies. If they are also selling morphs, like pastels who have normal siblings- that might be an indication that they raised the babies themselves. When you ask how old they are the vendor should be able to give you an exact hatch date.

I'd look for a middle price range. You don't want to buy a $10 one, and $150 is too much for a normal ball even if it is cool looking IMHO. I bought my first ball python CBB for $50 and she's now a huge, fat, healthy girl. Look for a fat one where you can't see it's backbone. Also don't be afraid to ask to see it eat. Good luck.