Reptile & Amphibian Forums

About how much would a baby ball python cost me?

Well that depends, do you want captive bred, or farmed? If you go captive bred, which is the best way to go, you will probably spend $50-$100. Remember captive bred specimens are normally healthier, and take to captivity much better than farmed. If this is your first ball python, I would definatly do captive bred only.
Jason
-----

Well at my local petstore there is a captive bred adult ball python for 130$ would it be better to go with an adult or with a baby?

I would shy away from any pet store purchases. I have found that most pet stores will advertise wha ttey need to sell the animals..It wouldn't surprise me if what they have is farmed Ball pythons. Find local breeders or go to a show and pick one up. You are more apt to get what you are looking for and most breeders actually care for their animals. Todd

I do not think that is true for all pet stores.

It may not be true for all petstores but it is the norm for most...they do it to make money so they buy cheap and sell for more. Its how the business world works. It probably would be best to buy from a breeder or show or even the internet and you could probably find one much cheaper than at a pet store.

Luke

I would agree that it is not every pet store. I worked at a small family owned store for about 3 years, and I made sure every animal sold was healthy and feeding. Here is my advice to you, before purchasing the Ball Python, make them feed it in front of you, and see for yourself that it will eat. Also do a good check over of the snake, open the mouth, check the vent, make sure they eyes are nice and clear, look for parasites (externally), if these all check out, and it eats, I would say you are pretty safe. And as always, ask alot of questions, make sure the store employees know what they are talking about, this will help with the creditability of the animal. Hope that helps,
Jason
-----