HMMM what should i do

[clarencesrevenge18]

so like most people ive found prb with my local petco
theres always something wrong...well anyway i walk in the other day to by lizard food and they were putting 2 new babies (only about a foot )in the tank and they look really nice...... the thing that has me stuck is that they are on sale for 30 bucks.... you think i should get one or just spend the extra money and use my local breeder like norm

[xdeus]

More often than not people have problems with $30 Petco Balls. They typically get CH snakes in from Africa which may or may not have been treated for parasites, dehydration, etc.

A reputable breeder will usually stand behind their snakes and make sure they are healthy and thriving before selling them to a customer. Usually they will make themselves available for any questions or concerns that you may have regarding your snake, and will guarantee their health. Will Petco do that for you?

For me, saving a few dollars just isn't worth the piece of mind that a good breeder can give you...

[adizziedoll]

I would not impulse buy a snake just because it's $30. I go in there for "business" shopping to look for anything unusual, but thats about it.

[rabernet]

Since I'm very particular about the looks of my ball pythons, if I were in Petco, and they had a female with a pattern I couldn't pass up, and the snakes looked relatively healthy, I'd probably buy one, because I'm confident enough now in my husbandry skills to know that I would be setting it up properly to thrive.


Quarantine is mandatory for me, set up in a PAM pretreated enclosure and a fecal test at the vet would be a must.

Would I buy any old ball python from Petco just because they have ball pythons for $30 and I'm anxious to get one? No.

[clarencesrevenge18]

yeah im jw norm there 80 ive never bought anything from there except cat stuff and stuff for my gfs gecko

[clarencesrevenge18]

btw i already have one im just looking to expand

[rabernet]

btw i already have one im just looking to expand

In that case, you're better served to purchase from a breeder or distributor who's known for selling well started CH babies.

I would not purchase a ball python simply because the price is $30 rather than $80.