Where would you rather buy?

I finally got in my thermostats after the first set was so severely damaged in shipping that UPS never delivered them to me and instead sent them straight back. I now have everything I need to set up my Ball Python tank and make sure I can get the environment stable before I buy the ball python. However, I now have two questions.

1) I had been thinking about buying my bp from either Petsmart or Petco near my apartment, but yesterday I found out about an on-line site where you can buy BPs and feeder mice (Big Apple Pet Supplies)

So if you were me would you rather buy from a local store or from an on-line breeder (supposedly this site gets all their BPs from one well respected breeder, who that is I have no idea). So i am just looking for a little input on this matter. The prices are the same from this site or the local store (both around $75).

2) How long can you leave a BP in its tank without checking on it. In about two weeks I am going out of town for the weekend (friday through late sunday early monday), and in the month of July I have three wedding to attend on three successive weekends. Will the little guy be okay for that length of time or should i just wait buy him in august? The UTHs will be on the thermostats so I shouldn't have to worry about heat or anything, but there always seems to be something that I haven't thought about. The longest I would ever be gone is a weekend.

Thanks for all the input so far, and I look forward to getting my first BP.

TheChemist

i would absolutely not buy my snake from petsmart or petco.

I would buy straight from the breeder (so i guess i wouldn't take either of your options), you'll get better customer service and better prices. Your profile doesn't say where you're located, but if you have any kind of local show you can go there and see snakes before you purchase them, or find breeders in your area and if you like them buy from them.

You don't say whether you plan on getting a normal or morph or male or female (which all effects the price). If you're just looking for a normal male, often times breeders have one or two in the racks they'll let go for a very small price or just the cost of shipping in some cases. If its a female, look to spend 25-45 dollars or so.

If you're looking for a morph, you can get male pastels for about 100, females for 2-300.

As for leaving animals alone.. I'll leave them for up to 7-12 days. Everyone is cleaned and watered and misted before I go (i also don't generally feed a few days before leaving and skipping a meal every once in a while will not do your animal any harm). I'm not terribly concerned if my animals are without water for a few days. They don't drink a whole lot anyway, and everyone gets fresh water when I get back.

For your first BP I personally would buy from a reputable breeder. You know it is healthy, feeding if a hatchling, and no mites. It is hard when you are new to know what to look for in a sick BP and what to do when there are problems.

As far as going away.....It is good once you get a new BP to leave it alone for a couple of weeks without touching it. This is really the hardest thing to do so going away might give it time to adjust quietly without disruptions. I would personally have someone come in and check to make sure there are no fluctuations in the temps and to make sure the water bowl is full maybe a mid vacation check.

Also I am sure that you have seen this but this is a great tool for a new owner. Congrats and good luck...it is just the beginning for you as they are totally addictive. :D

http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules/...warticle&id=59

just want to chime in on this subject, I wouldnt at all buy from a petco, i mean a petsmart maybe because they usually seem a little more concerned about all their animals, but in all honesty, just go to a reptile show. This may take a little waiting for you, idk where you are from or when the next nearest show will be, but there you will be able to talk one on one with breeders and even get to see the snakes in person.

I agree with everyone else and never buy from petco and only MAYBE from petsmart (depends a little on the situation and the specific store). Buy from a reputable breeder.

OR... You don't mention what you want your bp for. Is this a potential breeder prospect? If so, definitely buy from a good breeder - and go to a show or expo to see the snakes in person first.

BUT, is this going to just be, and only ever be, a pet? If that's the case, look into a rescue group. There are some very good ones out there and unfortunately bps find their way into rescue all too often. Give a home to a snake that really needs one! If the group is a good one, they'll be able to provide you with a lot of background info, feeding practises and history, shedding history, and also provide you with lifetime help for your snake. I adopted my 1 1/2 year old female bp from a rescue and she is wonderfully healthy, peaceful, and a very aggressive eater - couldn't be happier with her or the group!

And your bp should be fine for a weekend or even a week at a time. Just make sure he has plenty of water and the UTH/thermostat is stable and you should be good.

Just my thoughts.... Good luck!

Wow you guys seem to have good ideas at a very opportune time. So I live in Birmingham Alabama, and I just found out that there is a reptile sanctuary 30 minutes from my apartment, and a reptile show 20 minutes from my apartment once a month (next show is on friday).

I am thinking I would honestly like to get an adult BP so I don't have to mess with buying successively larger tanks. Here is the link to the sanctuary with the reptiles they have for adoption. If I am interested in one of those BPs then I just need to contact them to get some info and probably schedule a time to see the reptile.

Thanks for the ideas guys. They have opened up many new ideas.

TheChemist

If you want the link to the reptile show website here it is.

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Originally Posted by TheChemist

Wow you guys seem to have good ideas at a very opportune time. So I live in Birmingham Alabama, and I just found out that there is a reptile sanctuary 30 minutes from my apartment, and a reptile show 20 minutes from my apartment once a month (next show is on friday).

I am thinking I would honestly like to get an adult BP so I don't have to mess with buying successively larger tanks. Here is the link to the sanctuary with the reptiles they have for adoption. If I am interested in one of those BPs then I just need to contact them to get some info and probably schedule a time to see the reptile.

Thanks for the ideas guys. They have opened up many new ideas.

TheChemist

If you want the link to the reptile show website here it is.

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Aww giving a home to one of the ones at the sanctuary is a GREAT idea! When you find your perfect snake post pictures, we love pictures. :)

This appears to be a very legitimate rescue organization. Now, being in MI, obviously I don't have any firsthand experience with them, so take this with a grain of salt, but I did some research into them and they seem to be very much on the up-and-up. I like how each primary volunteer is profiled and it's great that they do conservation and education as well. Their adoption fees are a touch high, but I'm comparing to fees here in MI so this might not be an accurate statement.

One definite plus is that their snakes are already on F/T rodents - no need to switch them over!

I would seriously consider "Joey" or "Sara". Both of them look really good to me from what I can tell from the pics. Sara has a scar, but if it's old and healed, that won't be any issue. The only reason I would go for one of them over "Victoria" is because her description kind of indicated that she might be more finicky about eating. No other reason.

Another reason for adopting is that, even though the rescue will keep these snakes til they find homes and they aren't in any "danger" now, when you adopt one, it allows them the room to rescue another snake who may truly be in danger.

If you are wanting just a pet, these snakes are very promising! As I said before, I couldn't be happier with my adoption experience. Good luck and keep us posted!

If i were looking for a normal BP, now that im much more knowledgeable about BP's i almost want to spend all my money and get everything from the petco type stores.

Buying a snake from those places is like the late night commercials about sponsoring a less fortunate child, that's what these snakes are. And its great if they are able to be taken from those places and given a better life.

Unless your looking for a line or breeding purposes and know what to look for i wouldn't think it would be so horrible to get one from those places. Iv become friendly with my local mom an pop pet store since getting all my mice from them. But the other day this idiot passes by the BP tank, and goes "ohh damn it! i wanted to see you eat that mouse" and proceeds to rip open the hide and pull the snake out.
I was so shocked by this i was probably a little nastier then i wanted to be but told him to put the snake down right away and to never ever ever do that again.

He didn't know any better but that's what happens. Its just like some of the posts we get on this forum where people think they are doing good but aren't. I think every opportunity to save a snake from the hell of corporate pet stores is one that shouldn't be over looked.

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Originally Posted by DrEwTiMe

Buying a snake from those places is like the late night commercials about sponsoring a less fortunate child, that's what these snakes are. And its great if they are able to be taken from those places and given a better life.

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I don't disagree with you there. However, the problem that is so common with the chain pet stores is that these snakes are often less than healthy or have other issues once gotten home (they go off their feed, they have mites, they have RIs, etc). That is not always the case and there are some stores (i.e. some of the mom and pop ones) that are very good and knowlegable. I am not slamming pet stores as a whole.

BUT so often pet store snakes just have problems. When I was researching before bringing my snake home, I visited our local PetSmart and asked lots of questions. I already knew enough to know that most of what I was told was downright wrong. And I felt bad for that. But I also did not want to bring home a problem that a newbie would have trouble dealing with. And I wanted knowlegable help if the need should come AFTER the purchase of the snake.

Remember, if you adopt from a reputable rescue group, you are taking a snake out of their care which allows them to take in another snake that may be in desperate need. So you truly are helping a creature in need, but you are getting a healthy snake and a reliable resource for yourself. Win-win.

These are just my thoughts.... ;)

I prefer to buy directly from breeders--however, if there is a local store that buys only from a reputable source, and does things properly, I'd consider them. Depends on their markup, of course.
We DID have a local store here like that, but the owner retired. They got their baby balls from CrestedGecko.com. That was years ago.

We have a couple of 'fairly decent' stores around now, and I might pick up adult females from them, but probably not hatchlings--markup is too high in retail.
We also have 2 shows per year, and I've shopped at those before. I vend at the fall one.
So, there are actually a number of different options.

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Originally Posted by Evenstar

I don't disagree with you there. However, the problem that is so common with the chain pet stores is that these snakes are often less than healthy or have other issues once gotten home (they go off their feed, they have mites, they have RIs, etc). That is not always the case and there are some stores (i.e. some of the mom and pop ones) that are very good and knowlegable. I am not slamming pet stores as a whole.

BUT so often pet store snakes just have problems. When I was researching before bringing my snake home, I visited our local PetSmart and asked lots of questions. I already knew enough to know that most of what I was told was downright wrong. And I felt bad for that. But I also did not want to bring home a problem that a newbie would have trouble dealing with. And I wanted knowlegable help if the need should come AFTER the purchase of the snake.

Remember, if you adopt from a reputable rescue group, you are taking a snake out of their care which allows them to take in another snake that may be in desperate need. So you truly are helping a creature in need, but you are getting a healthy snake and a reliable resource for yourself. Win-win.

These are just my thoughts.... ;)

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I definitely see your point there. And the place where i go for my mice the owner is really dedicated to his animals, he does shows for out local schools and stuff with kids as well as one of the most knowledgeable people about most reptiles. Sometimes you can't help having less dedicated employees. This is even more prevalent in the chain stores where they care less about screening for these types.

I got my snake from a breeder but can't tell you how many times i have walked into a chain store and wished i was rich so i could purchase all the reptiles in the store and give them a better situation.

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Originally Posted by DrEwTiMe

I definitely see your point there. And the place where i go for my mice the owner is really dedicated to his animals, he does shows for out local schools and stuff with kids as well as one of the most knowledgeable people about most reptiles. Sometimes you can't help having less dedicated employees. This is even more prevalent in the chain stores where they care less about screening for these types.

I got my snake from a breeder but can't tell you how many times i have walked into a chain store and wished i was rich so i could purchase all the reptiles in the store and give them a better situation.

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I wish I was rich too! I would do the same thing. And my house would be overrun with my German Shepherds.... If only we could rescue them all! No animal deserves to be treated poorly.

That pet store you mentioned sounds like it was great. Our local mom and pop store is pretty good too. I go there for my supplies and avoid PetSmart altogether if I can help it.;)

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Originally Posted by Evenstar

I wish I was rich too! I would do the same thing. And my house would be overrun with my German Shepherds.... If only we could rescue them all! No animal deserves to be treated poorly.

That pet store you mentioned sounds like it was great. Our local mom and pop store is pretty good too. I go there for my supplies and avoid PetSmart altogether if I can help it.;)

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Ya besides the fact that i feel like this guy actually cares, being a small business owner myself i choose to give my patronage to others like myself rather ten the corporate giants. Its nice to have the more personal experience so i try to promote that with my money whenever possible

I was going to buy a baby ball from PetCo. but the employee made me grab one myself, and then it kept lunging out trying to tag one of us (and by us, I mean my friend, me and they employee) or something. Then I found a more local place. Where they breed their own reptiles, and feeders. And if they don't have any hatchlings, they get the babies from breeders they know personally, so it's not like they come in from who knows where. I will be doing a lot of business with them in the future, and be staying on the path of buying from breeders directly. As far as supplies (like decor and things along those lines) I get them from pet stores, and then disinfect them, spray them with PAM, all that jazz. The girl got mites once, and I do not need her getting them again. Anyways, that was my personally experience with PetCo, and I will never buy a reptile from them.