Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all,
I have never been to a reptile show before and heard that some people have gotten mites/parasites in there collections from snakes they have bought at these shows. How common is this if at all? I am planning to go to the NARBC in Vally Forge PA in November and if I see something nice that I like I'll most likely con my wife into letting me buy it..lol I would of course check the snake out before I bought it to make sure it was healthy but I have never seen a snake mite before. All I know is to look behind the eyes,near the vents,under the chin or look for what looks like moving pepper. Has anyone ever been to the NARBC show? If so how nice is it? What are the prices usually like? Also does anyone plan on going to that show from the boards?

I just actually ordered a 2003 yellow rat snake from Terry Parks.Going to get him next week. Good guy who gave me a great price!Very nice looking snake and I would definately get another snake from Terry again!I have a spot in my heart for yellow rat snakes,especially since my yearling yellow named Mufasa escaped on me about a month ago No traces of him at all.. Anyway this will be my 4th snake in a year. I already have a female anery motley corn,an unsexed cali king(think he is male but don't know how to probe or anything),my escaped male yellow rat and soon the 2003 male yellow rat from Terry. I think snakes are like tattoo's,once you get one you are bound to get another! Which brings me back to the show..How safe is it buying snakes from shows? Thanks !

I have not gotten mites, but I know they are there. Some of the vendors either don't let you handle unless you are probably going to buy that particular snake or make you wash your hands off with some sort of cleansing product first. But then you have the others that let everyone touch and feel, which could always pass them on. Regardless, I would quarantine the snake like any new addition to a collection.
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Andy Maddox
AIM: thekingofproduct
MSN: Poloboy32486@hotmail.com
Yahoo:surfandskimtx04
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

"A yellow ribbon instead of a swastika. Nothin' proper about ya propaganda. Fools follow rules when the set commands ya. Said it was blue when ya blood was red. That's how ya got a bullet blasted through ya head"- Rage Against the Machine

I love reptile shows. I think too it depends on the vendor. I'm just a pet owner and bought my tangerine milk at a show in Tucson, AZ. The vendor I bought mine from was nice and his animals looked good. He let me hold him.Turns out he was the head leader of the show so I know I got a health animal. Then there were other vendors who would hardly look at me and didn't have anything priced. I did't bother looking at their stuff.
The shows here are not very big at all but I've heard the NARBA shows are big. All the top breeders go there. I don't know for sure...I've never been to one of those shows.
After buying a python at a local store I found out about the mites. They are black little tiny bugs and unless you catch them early they can spread through out your collection. Quarantine anything you buy.
The last show Phoenix had was small so not much to chose from. One guy had a little spotted python I liked but after looking it over I saw mites on it so I didn't buy it.This same guy pulled out a HUGH boa as I was looking at the little spotted python as if to impress me. I think people like that are 'back yard breeders'.
There is a show in Aug in Tucson that I'm hoping to buy something again.

No matter WHERE you get your animals, you need to be careful and alert to such problems. That said, I think that snakes at reptile shows are generally better cared for than petstore snakes, etc, and less likely to have mites. Of course, the sheer number of snakes at a show probably makes it likely that there are mites present somewhere at the event. I have bought half of my dozen snakes at the All Ohio Show, and all are robust and healthy. The only mites I have encountered were on a ball python that I held at a local "reptile" pet store when I was first looking. Keeping a sharp eye on new purchases is always a great idea, and you can't just dump a newbie in with your collection, as many people do, without running some risk. All in all, the shows are #1 in my book. Duffy

When you go to the show:

1. Make sure that you give the snake you are considering buying an inspection for mites, ticks, and make sure that it looks in good health.

2. If the snake is cheap, make sure to ask why or just avoid buying it. Normally there is a hidden reason for selling the particular animal so cheap.

3. After you buy the animal (here's a given one) DON'T LEAVE IT IN THE CAR!!! I've heard of many people doing this and it is very unfortunate... plastic boxes can heat up and kill a small snake in about 2 minutes (or less) if left on the seat of a car. Buy a snake only when you are going to haul it around with you, not leave it somewhere.

I'm not picking on you... just I hate to hear about people doing that.

Before the show/expo:

1. Research the breeders at the show. Ask around for people's experiences with buying snakes from them, and try to buy from them.

After the show:

1. As stated before in another post, quarintine your snake for a minimum of 2 months. In that time if there are any viruses (such as the python virus) they will show up, and by keeping them away from your other snakes it will not spread the problem.

Good luck and have fun!
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Sean McIntyre

Currently have:
0.1 Antherystic Elaphe Guttata Guttata - Corn Snake
1.0 Elaphe Vulpina Gloydi - Eastern Fox Snake
0.1 Leucistic Elaphe Obsoleta Linheimeri - Texas Ratsnake
1.1 Morelia Spilota Cheyni - Jungle Carpet Python

Saving for:
Agkistrodon Contortix Mokasen - Northern Copperhead
Epicrates Cenchria Cenchria - Brazilian Rainbow Boa

Only have bought three snakes at a show. Didn't have problems with mites. First boa was bought at a show, he's ten yrs. old now. My first ball was also purchaced at a show from Dave Barker, 9yrs. old now and ate like a pig from day one. Did pick up a rosey boa that died several weeks later. With thousands of reptiles at a show, mites are a concern for me but none of mine had any. There are usually great prices on certain animals.

Thanks for the replies! I will definately ask to inspect the snake and if the dealer says I can't I will not buy any from that dealer. If they handle it themselves and show me the under belly,vent and all then that is ok with me cause at least they are showing that the reptile has no illness/parasites. Maybe I'll pick up a can of provent-a-mite just in case...lol