Choosing Baby BP advice

[Cam]

For future reference...
Do you suggest choosing a new baby BP that stays in a ball or one that actively moves about when you are holding it?

When we had the choice between the two, both snakes were about 4 weeks old...We decided on the one that uncoiled and was tongue flicking and moving about as he was held.
Our theory was he might adjust more easily.

Any relation to one or the other being better temperament?
Better feers?
Total luck of the draw?
Thank you...again.

[DSGB]

buy from a breeder. then you know your gonna get a healthy snake.

[Sonya610]

For future reference...
Do you suggest choosing a new baby BP that stays in a ball or one that actively moves about when you are holding it?

I would think it would very hard to tell just based on the babies behavior at that moment (unless it strikes you of course!). I wonder if the breeders can tell, or if they have noticed that docile parents produce more docile offspring and vice versa.

A little guy that seems busy and squirmy could be a brave, fly by the seat of his pants kind of baby that has fewer inhibitions regarding squirming OR tagging!

[donley]

I don't know enough to be giving advice on the matter, but I did just get my first bp about a month ago. I got him from the local pet store and he was balled up (they said he was pretty much always like that). He has been great for us though, hasn't balled up since and is very docile.

[Sath09]

I wouldn't read too far into it. Sometimes when I take my snakes out they like to chill in a ball for a while, other times they like to explore... it depends on their mood.

[frankykeno]

Cam, when choosing a baby BP it's more about trusting the source than anything, especially if you are buying online and having the snake shipped in. Other than that, when you are examining a snake in hand you want to do a good all over quick health check from head to tail tip....

- clear, bright eyes with no stuck caps & no denting in (may be hazy if snake is actively in a shed cycle)
- labial pits and nostrils clear of shed and dried discharge
- mouth clean, no discharge, bubbling, red/sore areas, etc. (glottis should also be clear and not mucked up)
- breath sounds clear with no clicks, pops or wheezing
- overall the snake should feel firm and athletic, not skinny with the spine showing nor sluggish and limp
- scales should be shiny, flat, no scarring, no external parasites, no brownish or pink/red discoloration on the belly (other than a faint pink if again the snake is in a shed cycle)
- vent should be clean and dry
- let the snake run through your hand to feel for bumps on the spine or broken ribs
- when turned on to it's back the snake should be able to right itself easily
- the snake may be in a ball and that's quite normal (so is being a bit strikey if it's a hatchling)
- a slight pinch on the lower 1/3 of the body (on the side) should result in the skin immediately springing back tight to the body, if not then the snake is dehydrated somewhat (practice this on the back of your own hand)
- bp's are considering a fairly girthy snake so it should feel heavy for size and not be overly triangular in body shape when viewed from above

Hope that helped.

[Dragoon]

a breeder is the best way to go. aside from that listen to ^^frankykeno^^

[branson]

Great advice, frankykeno! It's good to see it all laid out like that, and I may have to make it a checklist when I get my bp.

[frankykeno]

A checklist is always a good thing to my way of thinking, Branson but then I'm a list maker from way back LOL. Glad that information was helpful.

[Cam]

Thank you to everyone for the very helpful replies.

We chose Frank from a local Reptile specialty store that received he and his siblings from a local breeder. We have always been very happy with the animals we have brought home from this store...the owner is very knowledgable.

When we chose Frank the owner helped us look in his mouth, check vent, scales, pits etc. He was the one that opened right up and began to explore...the other male stayed balled up for the 20 minutes we were holding them. I was concerned the one that stayed balled up would be more nervous thus more likely to strike and more difficult to feed etc.

But it sounds like their response is variable depending on when you are interacting with them...(like when I was a teenager)

I love the list...I too am a list maker...keep my daily plans in a notebook.

Thank you to everyone again.