Pet Shop or Breeder

[Chickten]

Hello all. I am new to Ball Pythons and I have been researching them for about a month now. I am looking to purchase a new Ball (normal) in a week or so . I was wandering if I should purchase from a store or right from a breeder. I have heard some breeders say their snakes are captive raised when they are really imported. So thats is my question Store purchase or from a breeder. Any info would help and if you suggest a breeder please let me know the sites to use. Thank you all in advance for the info.

[Argentra]

Buy from a breeder if you want a healthy snake that you know the history of. Pet stores get their animals mostly from importers, so they're usually CH if not outright wild-caught. They usually aren't eating well, or at all, or are very finicky and can have health issues.

Breeders or reptile shows are your best bet for a good snake.

[ama1997]

Some pet shops if you have one by you might have nice healthy babies. Then they may not. Same with a breeder if your going to buy a snake from X pet shop check them out first. Same goes with a breeder check them out. You might not find anything on the breeder. That doesn't mean hes a bad guy. Same with the shops, Its when you here something bad about this person or this shop. Those are the ones to stay away from. Yeah your better off getting from a good breeder. But there are good pet shops out there that sell reptiles. They take care of their animals and know what they are talking about. But there are bad ones out there too. So if I were you do some checking around.

Ok X breeder or pet shop might have X snake for cheaper. Just because its cheaper doesn't mean its a better snake. Its better to pay a bit more to know your going to get a healthy animal. So don't jump and buy the first good deal that is thrown at you.

[Chickten]

Ok X breeder or pet shop might have X snake for cheaper. Just because its cheaper doesn't mean its a better snake. Its better to pay a bit more to know your going to get a healthy animal. So don't jump and buy the first good deal that is thrown at you.

Yea I live in West Virginia in a small town we have one pet shop here I havent been in to see their Ball yet but they have it for 99.00. There is another petshop about 45 miles away I called them and they have "baby balls" for 25.00. I have a week vacation comming up soon so I hope to go and compare. Thanks for the info

[nevohraalnavnoj]

My recommendation is always to go with a reputable breeder. There are so many reasons you'll be better off, the first and most important is because you are almost guaranteed a healthier snake.

There's no telling where some pet shops get their BP's...imports, captive hatched. But with a breeder you know exactly where that ball python came from. I'm not saying pet shops are bad by any means, but supporting domestic breeders is a great way to go!!!

Just my two cents.

JonV

[FIEND_FO_LYFE]

PERSONALLY,
i buy from shops, or rescue them.
i find nothing wrong with breeders or shops IF you research who or where you are buying it from...

[Argentra]

Breeders are best for quality animals, but as was stated earlier you have to do your research on them as well. The breeders who advertise here are mostly some great people with very high quality animals, so you could start with them.

Pet stores are a shot in the dark 9-out-of-10 times unless you know the owner or the source where they get their snakes.

[TooManyToys]

I would recommend a private breeder. Like it was mentioned above, there are pleny here who would be able to provide you a high quality animal for a reasonable price.

[nevohraalnavnoj]

What about the argument that domestic breeders are not funding the capture of ball pythons in the wild (as importers are...and many shops get their cheap babies as imports).

JonV

[ama1997]

Yea I live in West Virginia in a small town we have one pet shop here I havent been in to see their Ball yet but they have it for 99.00. There is another petshop about 45 miles away I called them and they have "baby balls" for 25.00. I have a week vacation comming up soon so I hope to go and compare. Thanks for the info

For 25 most likely they are imports maybe not but for that price. Even the one for 99 could be. No way to really know. Do alittle reading on what to look for in a healthy baby ball. That will help you out alot. Also look around the two places see how their animals are taken care off. Clean or nasty Im sure that for around 99.00 give or take a bit you could get a nice healthy normal baby from a breeder.

Breeders are best for quality animals, but as was stated earlier you have to do your research on them as well. The breeders who advertise here are mostly some great people with very high quality animals, so you could start with them.

Pet stores are a shot in the dark 9-out-of-10 times unless you know the owner or the source where they get their snakes.

Thats not always 100% true. I have herd lots of stories about people getting scammed by breeders. Either not getting what they bought, wrong animal, dead or sick animals, animals full of mites. Thats why its so important to check the person or place out first. I sell a lot of my normals and poss Het. babies to a local pet shop. All his reptiles are bought from local breeders. Yeah he pays more I get 45.00 each for my normal balls there. But he has told me he doesn't mind paying the higher prices. Knowing that he is getting a good quality animal. Not having to worry if its sick or eating. Ii is worth the extra cash. Sure every pet shop isnt like that, But sometimes you can find them.