just wondering

Yep exactly Adam. We knew, even newbies that we are, that captive born was probably not captive bred and therefore knew we took on extra risks with this little snake. Other than the not great shed this week we've been lucky with feeding, defecation, etc. but as I said in my last post, I'd just rather not rely on luck the next time we purchase.


~~Jo~~

Quote:

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

Yep exactly Adam. We knew, even newbies that we are, that captive born was probably not captive bred and therefore knew we took on extra risks with this little snake. Other than the not great shed this week we've been lucky with feeding, defecation, etc. but as I said in my last post, I'd just rather not rely on luck the next time we purchase.

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A fecal float might be a good idea. Certain parasites can lay low and reproduce in great numbers over time causing a healthy snake to experience appetite loss and other problems as it gets older.

-adam

i have 5 ball pythons... every one from a breeder. (2 different breeders)

i have two boas... one from a breeder and one from a local breeder but via my favorite pet store.

i have 4 corns... all from my favorite pet store again... but... two were brought it from kathy love whereas the other two... who knows.

would i buy a ball from a petstore... no way! i want quality, i want genetics and i want superior service before, during and after the deal which i can honestly say... adam is definitely giving me and the other breeder i got my normal male dexter from... his customer service before, during and after was great too.

;) just my two cents worth!

all 3 of my bps were purchased from breeders, one from chicago reptile house for 40 dollars, it was originally 50 because of reduced pattern, but brian gave me a discount.

the other two , male and a female, were 15 and 25, from camlon reptiles... i was kind of wary though...

Unfortunatly where I live there are no local breeders (there are a few people thinking of starting up in the next few years when their BPs reach maturity though), so getting one in can cost more money. The pet store I got my BP from is very good with BPs, as basically every person that works there owns at least one (the manager has kept BPs since the 1970s) and they get their BPs shipped from a breeder. That costs $129, but the price includes a free feeding, and a free herp check, with a health garantee. To get one shipped to me from a breeder it would cost more than that.

I'd pay for health and wellness, feeding and care anyday.

i bought mine from a friend of a friend who is a somewhat local breeder at the expo for $25. i've only had him 5 days so i haven't really handled him since putting him in his tub.

Other than the considerations already mentioned:

Here in Edmonton (Canada), pet stores sell ball pythons for around $300. So that is one reason I would go with a breeder ($75-$150). However I also object to WC/CH balls on ethical grounds- I don't think it is necessary to support the exportation of wild animals from Africa when they are abundantly available in N. America, bred in captivity. I realize that breeders will always be importing looking for the next big morph, and it may be true that the wild population is in no danger of being threatened by the export trade. But I like to do my part and buy CBB.