"adopting" over buying from a store/breeder?

Hello all, I'm new here and looking at getting my first ball python! There seems to be a lot of snakes on kijiji in my area all with the same back stories "I'm too busy" or "I can't have one at my new apartment" etc. I'd like to take one of these guys in but there are concerns, like getting one with hidden health problems, "attitude problems" from lack of handling or being fed in their main terrarium/vivarium etc. You know what I'm talking about- and then a private sale is a lot less accountable for these issues. If the snake is free, as I have found one "just looking for a good home" it almost seems like a more honest deal.

Also then I don't get the fun of having one from very small, knowing exactly how old it is etc.
Any personal stories to share with this type of experience? For my first should I go for a breeder just to be safe (since I don't have the experience to notice health problems as well as most)?

I feel like I for right in here as I am from Canada and know what kijiji is and your dilemma reminds me of...well me. Lol

The wife and I wanted a snake 3 years ago and went to a store to figure out which. We ended up settling on a ball python. We went the adopt route first and got a big ol male from someone who didn't want him. He has been an absolute dream. Handles awesome, nice and chunky, and eats like a pro. Plus it felt good to give him a good home.

We saw there was a reptile show around us and decided to go. It was a few months after getting our male and we had not found this site and knew nothing about morphs. Well we ended up going to the CRBE. It was awesome! Ended up leaving with a female and a bunch if odds and ends.

My opinion on weather or not to go to a show or buy on kijiji. Well I will never regret our kijiji male. He was the one to get us hooked and it feels good to give him an awesome home. However shows are a great place to compare and contrast snakes and meet a lot of awesome people. If you are looking for a specific morph, shows are the way to go. If you just want a ball python, nothing wrong with adopting. That's my take on this.

I'm in Canada too, and I purchased my first snake from a couple off of kijiji who were downsizing. He just recently passed away but was super sweet, not head shy, and all in all the perfect ball python.

I wouldn't worry about attitude problems with a BP...they are generally very chill.

As far as health problems...I would think the main concern would just be dealing with "neglect" type of problems like stuck/retained shed, or being skinny (because they only need to eat once a month according to the pet store :rolleyes: ) or dehydrated. That describes most of the BP's I see on craigslist.

That said, you always run the risk of having to deal with some kind of health problem when purchasing a snake. If you think you'll be immune to potential health problems by purchasing from a breeder, check out Fauna's BOI...plenty of people have received sick animals from "pro" breeders...and if you think every breeder will take care of you if something does happen, again, check the BOI...it's not always guaranteed...

If it's a normal BP you're looking to pick up, they're a dime a dozen. I wouldn't pay more than a nominal fee...25 bucks or so...check it out in person. If it looks like it's in good health, most likely it is.

Good luck!