what to buy new or used??

ok i have been looking for a ball python (just a generic one it is my first snake)
but the prices at the local pet store are insanely high ($59.99 for a 16inch but a bermese for a 24incher is only $65 but i don't want somthing that big) so i found a guy that is selling a 2year old female ball with a 29G tank and a hide a heat light a water dish and a treed branch the guy wants $80 buy said he would take
$70 cash(good deal???) but my dad whom is deathly afraid of snakes wants me to get a babby so i can rais it from birth but my question is should i find a babby or is the 2year old female not the "damaged goods" my dad thinks it is and the guy selling said he only had a hard time feeding once and never bitten allways nice what do you guys think?? (also shoud i try to get the guy down around $60
if thats what i should get or is $70 fair??)

id say for tank and all the supplies you got a pretty good deal there

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Originally Posted by cornfuzed

ok i have been looking for a ball python (just a generic one it is my first snake)
but the prices at the local pet store are insanely high ($59.99 for a 16inch but a bermese for a 24incher is only $65 but i don't want somthing that big) so i found a guy that is selling a 2year old female ball with a 29G tank and a hide a heat light a water dish and a treed branch the guy wants $80 buy said he would take
$70 cash(good deal???) but my dad whom is deathly afraid of snakes wants me to get a babby so i can rais it from birth but my question is should i find a babby or is the 2year old female not the "damaged goods" my dad thinks it is and the guy selling said he only had a hard time feeding once and never bitten allways nice what do you guys think?? (also shoud i try to get the guy down around $60
if thats what i should get or is $70 fair??)

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Its hard to say whats "fair" without seeing the condition of first the snake, secondly the enclosure w/ accessories. If the snake isn't healthy to begin with you could incur some decent vet bills, but regardless I'd take the snake to the vet to have a fecal exam done and overall checkup.

If he doesn't have all of the necessary components for the cage setup you'll probably spend a bit of money for them. I would do a simple tub setup like this: http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=40

Here's BP.net Ball Python caresheet:
http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=59

If you have any other questions after reading those let us know, but honestly I'd meet the guy and check out everything first before you make your decision. If the snake is in poor shape I'd pass, there are plenty of places/people here that could get you a nice healthy captive bred male for a first pet.

-Jason

[QUOTE=cornfuzed]ok i have been looking for a ball python (just a generic one it is my first snake)[QUOTE]

I don't know of any "generic" ball pythons they all have their special traits and personalities. So even a so called "normal" will be an awesome pet.

Jason hit the nail on the head, you need to see what you are buying to determine if it is a good deal. Things to look for: clear eyes, no remaining shed, vent is clear/clean, no bugs, when you handle her that she doesn't appear in pain, etc.

Good luck

new or used? I seriously hope you are not referring to these animals as a commodity bought at a garage sale.

I have bought snakes as babies and as adults. I have never had a problem buying an adult. But just go check the snake out. Like the post above says. All the equipment is worth over $80 so it sounds like a good deal to me. Just make sure the snake is in good health.
Trey

Hi,


I'd say it mainly comes down to personal choice.

As long as both snakes are in perfect health and the tank provided will keep it in the right conditions there's nothing wrong with buying someone elses pet - just find out why he's selling it and if it eats. You might also have limited comeback on a private sale if there does turn out to be a problem.

Do you know what sex the two snakes are and if both are captive bred?

I, personally, enjoyed watching my first ball python grow larger from a baby but obviously this involves changing the housing at some point.

Only advice I can give is to find out as much as you can about the two snakes involved and use that as the basis for deciding.



dr del

I would just be worried about the "trouble feeding" part. Since you don't have experience with snakes, I would be more inclined to suggest going with a captive bred baby from a reliable breeder that will continue to be a good resource if you run into problems. You can't really know how well this snake will eat, and the seller will be out of the picture once the transaction is completed. That said, $70 is a good deal.

thanks i didn't buy it because when i went to buy it the guy said it was pooping and it's insides were hanging out (it was desgusting and looked verry painful and acted so so i didn't buy it also th e so called 29gallon tank was a 12inch x 12inch x 18inch and was plywood with a plexi window not a good scene and i think that the snake is prolly dead by now) guy still wants to sell the rest for the stuff for $50 i think he is on smack

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cornfuzed

thanks i didn't buy it because when i went to buy it the guy said it was pooping and it's insides were hanging out (it was desgusting and looked verry painful and acted so so i didn't buy it also th e so called 29gallon tank was a 12inch x 12inch x 18inch and was plywood with a plexi window not a good scene and i think that the snake is prolly dead by now) guy still wants to sell the rest for the stuff for $50 i think he is on smack

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That is too bad (for the snake :( ) But glad you didn't get taken. There are alot of great breeders on this site and I am sure one of them can hook you up with a real healthy one.