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I'm going to a reptile show this weekend and looking to hopefully purchase some northern pines. What would be some questions to ask the breeders (e.g., bloodline, behavior, eating habits, etc.) that would be important in purchasing quality snakes? Maybe like a top 5 list of questions???

Thanks!

Hey!!!

So you are looking for some northerns, eh?? Well..here is a list ( big ) of questions that I usually ask when I check any snake out. Maybe a lot, but oh well............

1. Any info on its' heritage or bloodline? Where does it originate from?

2. If the breeder didn't hatch these snakes, then who did they purchase them from? If so, how long have they had them in their possession? WHY do they have them in their possession?

3. What EXACTLY are they feeding the snake(s)? What is the exact feeding schedule, if any?

4. What does their cage look like? What kind of substrate are they currently on?

5. Have these snakes regurged for them at any time?

6. What is the temperature they are kept at?

7. To their knowledge, do they know the last time the snake shed?

8. Any pics of the parents available at the show? How old are the parents?

9. If the seller did hatch the snakes and still has the parents, for the heck of it, ask how long they have bred these particular northerns.

10. Have these snakes bitten the seller??

Also.....the best question is to ask yourself. Do you like them????

Northerns can vary with degrees of color, pattern defintion, etc. If they are the ones you really want, grab them up! If they are not exactly to your liking, then keep looking.

Hope this helps!
Billy

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Genesis 1:1

>>Hey!!!
>>
>>So you are looking for some northerns, eh?? Well..here is a list ( big ) of questions that I usually ask when I check any snake out. Maybe a lot, but oh well............
>>
>>1. Any info on its' heritage or bloodline? Where does it originate from?
>>
>>2. If the breeder didn't hatch these snakes, then who did they purchase them from? If so, how long have they had them in their possession? WHY do they have them in their possession?
>>
>>3. What EXACTLY are they feeding the snake(s)? What is the exact feeding schedule, if any?
>>
>>4. What does their cage look like? What kind of substrate are they currently on?
>>
>>5. Have these snakes regurged for them at any time?
>>
>>6. What is the temperature they are kept at?
>>
>>7. To their knowledge, do they know the last time the snake shed?
>>
>>8. Any pics of the parents available at the show? How old are the parents?
>>
>>9. If the seller did hatch the snakes and still has the parents, for the heck of it, ask how long they have bred these particular northerns.
>>
>>10. Have these snakes bitten the seller??
>>
>>Also.....the best question is to ask yourself. Do you like them????
>>
>>Northerns can vary with degrees of color, pattern defintion, etc. If they are the ones you really want, grab them up! If they are not exactly to your liking, then keep looking.
>>
>>Hope this helps!
>>Billy
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>>Genesis 1:1

Hey Billy,

The first 8 questions I fully understand why you would ask. They are certainly relevant to the purchase. I don't really understand the significance of question 9 and 10 if you are buying what appears to be healthy baby snakes. I could understand question 9 if you were intending to buy the parents, but why would you need to know that to purchase a baby? Question 10 seems somewhat irrelevant too (to me) for purchasing a neonate snake. Most neonates will bite (they are nervous and defensive), and a bite from a neonate Pine Snake is about as close to not getting bitten as you an get and still get bitten....it's just not a big thing. They will calm down as they get used to being handled. I don't think that because a neonate snake tries to bite you that it means they will be snippy as adults. Not trying to argue your points...just curious as to your reasoning....

G

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We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. Ralph Waldo Emerson

The first 8 questions I fully understand why you would ask. They are certainly relevant to the purchase. I don't really understand the significance of question 9 and 10 if you are buying what appears to be healthy baby snakes. I could understand question 9 if you were intending to buy the parents, but why would you need to know that to purchase a baby? Question 10 seems somewhat irrelevant too (to me) for purchasing a neonate snake. Most neonates will bite (they are nervous and defensive), and a bite from a neonate Pine Snake is about as close to not getting bitten as you an get and still get bitten....it's just not a big thing. They will calm down as they get used to being handled. I don't think that because a neonate snake tries to bite you that it means they will be snippy as adults. Not trying to argue your points...just curious as to your reasoning

Hey oldherper,

Question 9 is just a thought from the standpoint to see how long the seller had been breeding the snakes to begin with. Some people may use that as a way to make a buying decision, some may not. Buying from someone that has a history with that particular species may induce someone to trust them more with that purchase as well. Of course, in reality, that doesn't mean that the snakes should or should not be purchased.

Question 10 is from the standpoint of whether or not some people care for a baby snake that bites them every time they reach into their cage or not. Most people probably don't care, but for some, they may. I have been lucky to have pits that never bite, but as we know, there are some that never calm down.

Take care!

Billy
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Genesis 1:1

Gotcha...I was just curious as to the reasoning. I guess biting would be an important consideration for some people. For me it just doesn't matter much...I get tagged on a regular basis by my big Cribos and Indigos. Not that I enjoy it particularly, mind you...but I guess I've been bitten so many times now that it's just part of the game. A bite from a baby Pine Snake just seems insignificant. Actually though, attitude is part of the charm for me with Pituophis...all that hissing and striking is part of their personality. I have one Black Pine Snake that will take a mouse out of my fingers..she strikes like lightening and constricts for all she's worth on a frozen/thawed mouse, and hisses at me the whole time she's eating it. When you open her cage, you would think there's a Puff Adder in there or something for all the noise she makes, and she'll strike at your hand with a closed mouth, then when you pick her up she's like a puppy dog...tame as any snake I've ever had.

Cheers,
G
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We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Yeah......I need to pick up a black pine this year. Your's sounds really cool! I have heard from many that their black pines are very tame. The only pit I have that shows any attitude is my albino southern pine. Open up his cage and instantly a buzz with his tail and a big hiss. This is as he is curled up in his hide box. LOL!

Take care!!!!!!

billy

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Genesis 1:1

Beautiful snake!

Ken

Thank you sir!

Billy
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Genesis 1:1

thanks for the questions! I will definitely print them out and bring them this weekend.

BUT - is there an answer to any one of those questions that would immediately turn you off from the purchase? For example, question #5

Yes, I personally would pass on them if they've regurged with any frequency. And if they hadn't eaten at all (and were offered) that would make me think twice. But under both of these situations a reliable breeder wouldn't even bring them to the sales table.

Yeah.....as far as question 5, like kenr0212 said, if the snake(s) have puked with frequency, the best thing may be to pass. Most likely, the snakes that may be doing so won't even be put on the table for sale.

Pits as babies do really great with feeding as I have yet to hear about picky pit feeders. Any decent breeder will bring his healthiest and best snakes to sell at a show.

Take care and keep us posted if you are able to find anything!

Billy
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Genesis 1:1