Reptile & Amphibian Forums

First what do you think of my new snake (see pictures below)? Next I'm wondering....

If you saw this ball would you classify it as a WC or CB and is it obvious? Look closely at the photos. Now my problem. I bought her from a person on the good guys list (on the other site). I asked the seller to guarantee that the snake was clean, parasite free inside and out and properly sexed and eating as I ask everyone when I buy a snake from them. The seller told me that she did not know the snakes origin but it was clean enough that it could be cb, but she wasn't sure. She also said she hadn't treated it internally and didn't think it needed to be treated internally, but she could guarantee that it was clean outside and was properly sexed. About the feeding she said she'd had the snake for about a month, and had only tried feeding it rats and it had not eaten yet. Considering the time of year I didn't feel that it was a big issue, and I'm able to deal with a picky eater if need be. Yesterday I got the snake and pulled it out of the well packaged container and saw all the scaring and there are some pretty sizable chunks here and there (you can probaly see on or two in the photos) and the snake has ticks (I pulled two off within minute of getting her out of the package) then realized I should shoot a photo or two. Oh and she's got some minor scale rot, happening. Anyway, the snake has been in a ball for the last 24 hours straight. Clearly a WC. I emailed the seller and pointed this out to which I get " I never noticed any scaring" and "the ticks don't suprise me". Hello I asked you to guarantee that she was parasite free!?!? Anyway, I shot this picture over to the seller and asked her if she still didnt see the scars and still considered this a "very clean animal" worthy of her guarantee, I obviously have not heard back from the seller. The snake has nice coloring, much nicer than I can capture, but I'm wondering if I should force the issue and send her back, or if I should just try and make things work out? In which case Chris I will need gerbil hair plugs for my rats afterall. Buy the way if anyone spots some ticks I missed, let me know. Thanks!

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Tosha

8.13.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and currently un-named)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope)
7.9.5 Fish (1,2,3,4...)
0.0.1 Frog rescued from pool skimmer
0.0.2 Lizards rescued from pool skimmer

Just a glance at the pic and I would say that it is WC, or at least short-term LTC. There is no excuse for ticks if the seller told you otherwise... the scars are obvious to anyone who has an eye for bps...
Sorry. I had a similar situation recently and the seller did admit that they were wrong and refunded me the full amount i paid. i hope the same will happen for you. Good luck on the journey to getting her feeding again. :-|

Justin
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Justin Kobylka

Warning: Snakes have been shown to cause death in labratory rats!

Just from the photo I'd vote Wild Caught. The ticks would also be a good clue.

If I feel an animal was falsely advertised and/or I am not completely satisfied with the purchase...it goes back. =/

Good luck,
Chris
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“Next time don't buy $10K worth of snakes out of the back of a van!” -- Toshamc

I would personally ask for my money back, especially if you paid top dollar for it! I would also sex the animal because it might be a male. If the person avoids you, take it to the BOI! What's the name of the person who sold you this animal?

You have to remember that ticks lay eggs so you should use products (provent-a-mite, black knight, reptile relief, etc) that will deal with ticks/mites in their various stages. Just because you got some of the visible ones doesn't mean they're all gone. You don't want those things crawling around your snake room looking for more yummy animals to attach themselves to!

I hope justice is served in your situation. Good luck!

Ron

She cannot provide you with that information on the forum. The site rules
clearly state:

"Using pethobbyist.com to post warnings or notices about other persons or
businesses, whether a pethobbyist.com classified vendor or not, is a violation
and may be grounds for immediate termination of your account."

So, *if* it is her desire to actually hand out that type of information to
anyone - it has to be done OFF the forum as private coorespondance.

Thank you.

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PHAlex
Forum Moderator
kingsnake.com

No worries - I have no intention of starting a witch hunt. I just wanted opinions on what to do about the snake.
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Tosha

8.13.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and currently un-named)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope)
7.9.5 Fish (1,2,3,4...)
0.0.1 Frog rescued from pool skimmer
0.0.2 Lizards rescued from pool skimmer

A witch! Kill the witch! Witch! Witch! Witch!

Very Small Rocks,
Chris
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“Next time don't buy $10K worth of snakes out of the back of a van!” -- Toshamc

LOL, ding dong the witch is dead!!

to be unhappy with the snake? I mean she did state that the snakes origins were unknown. But she did elude to the fact that it was clean enough that it might be a CB. And clearly it's neither clean nor does it appear to be anything but WC. Her justification for the ticks is that this snake was housed near her WC. But I did ask for a guarantee that it would be parasite free. And well to be honest, I had originally passed on the deal since I was unsure so I deleted our earliest emails from my folders, then a couple days later I changed my mind. So posting on the BOI is pretty much out because eveyone is going to shout "proof" and I've now got none except her last email saying she never saw scars when clearly there are several. The snake is pretty and I didn't pay that much for her, but I really don't want the hastle of taking her to the vet and getting her totally checked over and I don't have time for the whole WC acclimation thing right now. Don't know maybe I can sell her off cheap.
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Tosha

8.13.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and currently un-named)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope)
7.9.5 Fish (1,2,3,4...)
0.0.1 Frog rescued from pool skimmer
0.0.2 Lizards rescued from pool skimmer

You know...most email programs will store deleted emails in a separate folder. Open it up and you'll probably see emails from two years ago.

Regardless...send the animal back.

Chris
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“Next time don't buy $10K worth of snakes out of the back of a van!” -- Toshamc

In the picture the scars are obvious. Didn't you receive any pics prior to buying her? Ron
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The Crawl Space

The picture of her in the ad she was curled up in tight ball and it was taken from an angle that the scars weren't obvious. A majority of the scaring is up around her head which was nicely tucked in the ad.
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Tosha

8.13.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and currently un-named)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope)
7.9.5 Fish (1,2,3,4...)
0.0.1 Frog rescued from pool skimmer
0.0.2 Lizards rescued from pool skimmer

before i even read what you had to say i could see the scars and the chunks. if you want her id ask for a partial refund. if you dont ask for a full refund. if she refuses and you paid by CC go to your bank and do a charge back. make sure you save and print out every email back and forth. good luck!

I'd keep her if she eats for you, otherwise send her back.
Make sure you treat her inside and out since this obviously wasn't done to begin with.

You can see she is WC, but she looks nice(beside the scarring). I would try and keep her if I was you, but if you don't want the hassle(and who can blame you) then send it back if possible.

Have you had any reply from the person you bought it from yet?

Also, whats the URL for BOI, thanks.