Would you ever consider purchasing a WC ball?

My very first purchased snake was one my mom got me when I was in 7th grade. It was a WC ball python. I think she bought it for about $250.00 :O

I did in the beggining of my getting into reptiles but never again :colbert:

Sure, if it was a new morph, or was a dinker with potential--or had some other very significantly appealing trait. I would also consider buying a WC that was a proven breeder and had been established for several years--I don't think I would consider that to be too different from a CH or CB.

I don't have a moral issue with it. Ball pythons are big money in Africa. To keep them that way, a certain amount of care has to be taken with the habitat they come from. That's good for wild ball pythons. You have to understand, this isn't a situation where the snakes would be living out their lives in the wild if they weren't being shipped here. They would be EATEN if they weren't being shipped here.

If will be well started unusual cool dinker.. already parasites free in good health and eating yes... otherwise (just missed one on Fauna :( )

yes because new genetics there are many morphs yet to be discovered and from what iv've heard there have been some really cool morphs coming from wc yet this is still a little risky due to parasites and what not should only be done if experienced enough and with the help of a good herp veterinarian to deal with the parasites issues

I can see a professional breeder getting WC snakes to expand/strengthen the bloodline, but for a personal pet I would not want one.

When I was much younger I owned a CB Desert Iguana. He was the greatest little guy, very friendly and inquisitive and calm. It was a pleasure to hold him and he’d perch on your shoulder for ages, occasionally nuzzling your neck.

When he passed via an accident* I waited a couple years before getting a new pet. In fact, I did not plan to get one, but a local pet store had a Desert Iguana for sale and I really felt it was ‘time.’ So I got him. Big mistake. He was clearly WC and freekin’ nuts. It was not possible to hold him, he was very skittish, ill, and generally anti-social. He soon died, and in hindsight I think it was parasites – he never grew or gained weight.

Call me gun-shy, but no more WCs for me!

* My sister dropped him one morning while I was at school. I had specifically told her not to handle him that morning, too. While I was at school I felt something was wrong so I left and came home, only to find my sister and mother sobbing over him. He was still partly alive, so I was able to hold him until he died.

I have a WC. Not by choice, but just due to the person i bought her from gave me a BS story, and acted like he didnt really know lineage.

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Originally Posted by FIEND_FO_LYFE

I have a WC. Not by choice, but just due to the person i bought her from gave me a BS story, and acted like he didnt really know lineage.

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same thing happened to me! lol:D

I believe every case is different. I do have 2 females that were CH. My 7 year old and a new dinker believed to be a vanilla. The oldest was a hatchling when I got her and promptly vet treated.

There is only one BP that I would ever purchase as WC and thats a giant sub saharan. I missed out on one in the fall so Im keeping my eyes open but that is the the only one Id get WC. I believe BPs are harder to acclimate and so would only purchase a WC if it was a very special BP.

I know I'm living in the past, but it wasn't that long ago that most of the Ball Pythons sold at pet stores WERE wild caught or captive hatched.

Jim Smith