Death Wish or learning opportunity

I have an opportunity to get a whole bunch of bp's from a not-so-reputable source. The snakes would be captive hatched or farmed at best, however I would be able to get them for free.

It is likely that many of the snakes I receive would be in ill health, but I have the means to quarantine them from my current snakes (seperate building), and I think the opportunity to learn first hand about snake ailments would be helpful.

Though I am just learning, I'm sure I can provide for the snakes better than what they are currently receiving.

Would I be crazy to recieve snakes from such a source? Are the vet bills going to be insane? The learning opportunity and the chance to help the snakes is worth something to me, but I want to be careful not to get in way over my head.

Any thoughts?

Hmmmmm....well, while the snakes themselves might be "free" the costs could certainly skyrocket. Vet bills are the most obvious biggie...but what about housing? What about heating? Just looking for supplies to house and heat ONE snake properly I'm finding tons of ways to spend more money than I thought I would need to. Then there's feeding, too. Lots of bp's means LOTS of mice and/or rats.


And what about the time commitment involved in taking care of so many rescue animals all at once? Maybe Rusty will see this and chime in about how much time and effort goes into her rescues.

Now, I don't know what sort of life-style you lead. Only you can judge whether you truly have the time and the temperment to take on such a responsibility. But please, please, please think long and hard about doing this, rather than letting yourself get caught up in the excitement of the moment. Count up the cost of taking on this tremendous responsibility....then multiply that by 100 or so because you're most likely drastically underestimating the true cost.

i dont see the point in taking the risk to get free possibly ill normal balls. i am assuming they are hatchlings correct? you are better off spending the money on getting some from a good breeder that you can expect quality from, than spending the money on vet bills and tylenol for yourself down the road.

Housing and feed is cheap. I work at a pet store, so I can get all but the tubs for free.

Time is not a factor. I have plenty.

Temperment is not a factor. The doctors give me all kinds of great medications that keep me in reasonable spirits not matter what happens.

Yes, they would be hatchlings.

The main point with taking the risk on the normal balls is to learn first hand about the different problems I can encounter with snakes.

In short, I am questioning whether the experience I will gain with the "free" snakes will add significant value to my ability to care for more expensive balls.

Please note that I am not suggesting that the value of a free snake is any less than the value of an expensive snake. The only difference is the cost. I would treat a free snake the same way I would treat an expensive snake.

You'd probably save money in the long run just buying normal CB hatchlings. I know of several people who sell female hatchlings for $65 and less and males for $45 and less. Shop around and get good quality animals. Just my opinion. :)

Lemme get this straight...you have the chance to basicly save alot of ball pythons and give them a good home?

I think the answers obvious :)

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Originally Posted by digitalkitteh

Just my opinion. :)

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Just nothing..


If I didn't value everyone's opinion I wouldn't bother posting! =)

I also hope Rusty chimes in here Spencer as she's got solid experience with rescues. What I can say about taking in snakes with problems is only from the little experience I've had with a few of them.

First off, I wouldn't even consider it unless you have a very good herp vet you can turn to at a moment's notice let alone the whole issue of costs entailed for fecals, exams, meds, etc.

I'm not sure what your current level of experience is with bp's but I can tell you Mike and I went through a LOT of worry and stress over our rescues and yes we are having success with them but it could have just as easily gone bad. With one non-eating wild caught rescue we talked about euthenasia before we even brought her home so we were prepared if there were no other options for her. That never had to happen but I feel if you are taking in rescues you have to know when enough is enough and be prepared for failure as much as you are for success.

I applaud you for wanting to help these snakes but think it through considering all the possibilities. Also, depending on where you are getting them from, will the "supplier" just go back out and get more thinking there's now a market for their sad product?


~~Jo~~

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Originally Posted by srozell

I have an opportunity to get a whole bunch of bp's from a not-so-reputable source. The snakes would be captive hatched or farmed at best, however I would be able to get them for free.

It is likely that many of the snakes I receive would be in ill health, but I have the means to quarantine them from my current snakes (seperate building), and I think the opportunity to learn first hand about snake ailments would be helpful.

Though I am just learning, I'm sure I can provide for the snakes better than what they are currently receiving.

Would I be crazy to recieve snakes from such a source? Are the vet bills going to be insane? The learning opportunity and the chance to help the snakes is worth something to me, but I want to be careful not to get in way over my head.

Any thoughts?

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If you give them a home, it would only encourage the "not-so-reputable" folks from bringing in more sick snakes into the world and that is never a good thing. The only way to shut them down is not take in their animals, free or not and report them to the authorities.

If you decide to take them, make sure that you contact your vet and ask him or her if they could give you a better rate for treating the numerous snakes. Also, make sure that you have your setup(preferably a rack system) ready to go beforehand so that they can have the best home possible when they get there. Good luck.