Tips on buying a healthy snake

I'm going to be buying my first snake from a reptile expo soon. I'm getting a ball python, but I need some tips on picking a healthy snakes. I know to check for mites, leftover shed, and aggressiveness, but that's about all I know. Also, could you give me some tips on choosing a good vendor/breeder to buy from?
It's going to be a 3-4 hour drive back home with the snake. Will that be safe? Any info on traveling with snakes?

The trip home should be fine. Three to four hours in a car will not harm the snake as long as you do not leave it in the car while it is not running. Try to keep the snake warm. After sitting in a display case, it may be a little cold.

The most important thing is to make sure you get a business card and contact information of the vendor at the show. Ask them if they produced the baby. Ask them how often it has eaten and what it has eaten. A good breeder should be able to answer those questions.

You would look for the same thing in a snake you would look for in any other animal you want to buy: alertness, clear eyes, unlabored breathing, perhaps some curiosity if the snake doesn't seem overly shy - tongue flickering, coming out of its ball... If you're getting a baby, make sure they've shed out and eaten at least a few times - you're not going to want an unstarted baby as a first-timer.

If the vendor seems shady, walk away. If you get a bad feeling about the breeder or the snake don't be afraid to walk away - a good deal is often too good to be true, so be wary.

Also I would have your enclosure ready to go before you even head to the expo. You don't want to bring your new baby home only to realize oh no, their hot spot's too cold/hot and there's condensation inside and they can't go in to settle down until you get it figured out.

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Originally Posted by Arcapello

I'm going to be buying my first snake from a reptile expo soon. I'm getting a ball python, but I need some tips on picking a healthy snakes. I know to check for mites, leftover shed, and aggressiveness, but that's about all I know. Also, could you give me some tips on choosing a good vendor/breeder to buy from?
It's going to be a 3-4 hour drive back home with the snake. Will that be safe? Any info on traveling with snakes?

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Just a comment on "aggressiveness" - You are getting a baby snake, not a puppy. Ones that might do a little defensive striking, in my experience, tend to be good eaters. They typically grow out of it, and the occasional hatchling tag feels like a flea bite. If you are too uncomfortable with the idea, then by all means, don't pick that baby. However, don't assume it's "mean" because it happens to be willing to try to defend itself in the midst of a crowded and confusing expo.

One thing you can do for selecting a vendor/breeder: Look up the vendor list on the expo website and search for reviews for those vendors on the Faunaclassifieds.com "Board of Inquiry". That way, you can know before you walk in the door who has a positive reputation for quality animals and helpfulness.

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Originally Posted by Inarikins

You would look for the same thing in a snake you would look for in any other animal you want to buy: alertness, clear eyes, unlabored breathing, perhaps some curiosity if the snake doesn't seem overly shy - tongue flickering, coming out of its ball... If you're getting a baby, make sure they've shed out and eaten at least a few times - you're not going to want an unstarted baby as a first-timer.

If the vendor seems shady, walk away. If you get a bad feeling about the breeder or the snake don't be afraid to walk away - a good deal is often too good to be true, so be wary.

Also I would have your enclosure ready to go before you even head to the expo. You don't want to bring your new baby home only to realize oh no, their hot spot's too cold/hot and there's condensation inside and they can't go in to settle down until you get it figured out.

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I have the terrarium mostly set up now. I'm going to finish it tonight or tomorrow so that it will be ready at least 3 days in advance. Thanks so much for the tips!

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Originally Posted by Annarose15

Just a comment on "aggressiveness" - You are getting a baby snake, not a puppy. Ones that might do a little defensive striking, in my experience, tend to be good eaters. They typically grow out of it, and the occasional hatchling tag feels like a flea bite. If you are too uncomfortable with the idea, then by all means, don't pick that baby. However, don't assume it's "mean" because it happens to be willing to try to defend itself in the midst of a crowded and confusing expo.

One thing you can do for selecting a vendor/breeder: Look up the vendor list on the expo website and search for reviews for those vendors on the Faunaclassifieds.com "Board of Inquiry". That way, you can know before you walk in the door who has a positive reputation for quality animals and helpfulness.

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Thanks for the tips, and aggressiveness is just something that I've heard to look for. I won't worry too much about it. In your opinion, should I get a baby/hatchling, a juvenile, or an adult? Is it just a matter of opinion?

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Originally Posted by Arcapello

Thanks for the tips, and aggressiveness is just something that I've heard to look for. I won't worry too much about it. In your opinion, should I get a baby/hatchling, a juvenile, or an adult? Is it just a matter of opinion?

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It depends largely on your preference, what's available, and your budget. Things to consider: Older morphs tend to cost more than hatchlings, and aren't as widely available at shows. Hatchlings become a concern more quickly if they go off feed than an adult, but adults can be harder to convert if you are wanting to feed them something other than what they are already eating (rats, F/T, etc.). Just go in with an open mind and choose the one that you just have to keep walking by to look at...one...more...time! :D

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Originally Posted by Annarose15

It depends largely on your preference, what's available, and your budget. Things to consider: Older morphs tend to cost more than hatchlings, and aren't as widely available at shows. Hatchlings become a concern more quickly if they go off feed than an adult, but adults can be harder to convert if you are wanting to feed them something other than what they are already eating (rats, F/T, etc.). Just go in with an open mind and choose the one that you just have to keep walking by to look at...one...more...time! :D

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I had actually been planning to get the one that I liked the most :rolleyes: Glad to hear it's not a bad idea.

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Originally Posted by Arcapello

I had actually been planning to get the one that I liked the most :rolleyes: Glad to hear it's not a bad idea.

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:gj: Do you know what kinds of morphs you'll be looking at?

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Originally Posted by Annarose15

:gj: Do you know what kinds of morphs you'll be looking at?

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Well, it kind of depends on price. I might just get a normal (they're beautiful, just not different).
I would really like a morph, though. I've heard that pastels can be $75-200, and I really like their look, so I might try to get one.
I'm hoping to spend less than $250 (on the snake itself, setup is all done except for a few things). Any suggestions of snakes that might be in my price range? (Assuming it's a male juvenile or hatchling)

In that price range: pastels, spiders, pinstripes, lessers, black pastels, and probably a couple more that I'm not thinking of. Males will be cheaper than females, typically.

Enchi, fire, lesser, and mojave are a few more at the upper end of your price range.

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Originally Posted by Annarose15

In that price range: pastels, spiders, pinstripes, lessers, black pastels, and probably a couple more that I'm not thinking of. Males will be cheaper than females, typically.

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Thanks so much :D And I have noticed that males are noticeably cheaper than females. Is this because females grow to be larger?

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Originally Posted by brobertson

Enchi, fire, lesser, and mojave are a few more at the upper end of your price range.

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Okay, thanks. I'll have to look for some at the expo.

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Originally Posted by Arcapello

Thanks so much :D And I have noticed that males are noticeably cheaper than females. Is this because females grow to be larger?

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It's because females are the ones that lay the eggs :P

If you're looking just for a pet and know you're never going to have any intentions of breeding down the road, you can go with a male. If you think you ever might want to breed in the future, go with a female - by the time you're ready to start breeding, she's ready to go, you don't have to wait years for your girls to get up to breeding size.

A common thing I have seen lately is also receipt issues.

At a show, it can be something that's difficult to get, but if you can, ask for a receipt for the transaction. That way you have written proof that you purchased that hatcling from said vendor, just in case there are problems down the road or issues.

Expos can be very hectic, and I know only a handful do this, but it should be a request that most vendors should honor. Receipts are a standard of being in a business. And there have been numerous stories lately where a receipt might have helped resolve a potential problem, or back up a claim from the buyer.

All in all, go with your gut. If you get a 'bad feeling', trust it. It's usually right when it comes to that kind of thing.

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Originally Posted by Vasiliki

A common thing I have seen lately is also receipt issues.

At a show, it can be something that's difficult to get, but if you can, ask for a receipt for the transaction. That way you have written proof that you purchased that hatcling from said vendor, just in case there are problems down the road or issues.

Expos can be very hectic, and I know only a handful do this, but it should be a request that most vendors should honor. Receipts are a standard of being in a business. And there have been numerous stories lately where a receipt might have helped resolve a potential problem, or back up a claim from the buyer.

All in all, go with your gut. If you get a 'bad feeling', trust it. It's usually right when it comes to that kind of thing.

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Thanks! We don't have any reputable breeders/shops within 5/6 hours of here, and the expo is 4 hours away, but I thought it would be better than getting a sick snake. I didn't want to order online, either.

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Originally Posted by Arcapello

Thanks! We don't have any reputable breeders/shops within 5/6 hours of here, and the expo is 4 hours away, but I thought it would be better than getting a sick snake. I didn't want to order online, either.

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Totally understandable. Go, see, talk and get familiar too. Find a snake that really appeals to you too. Don't just look at the price tag (at least, not first, haha).

I hope you find a fantastic little snake for you!

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Originally Posted by Vasiliki

Totally understandable. Go, see, talk and get familiar too. Find a snake that really appeals to you too. Don't just look at the price tag (at least, not first, haha).

I hope you find a fantastic little snake for you!

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Update:
I did find a normal male. I had been planning to get a morph, but I really liked his pattern and personality. And he's pretty light for a normal. I'm sure every owner says this, but he's the prettiest normal I've seen :D One of the prettiest BP's, too.

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Originally Posted by Arcapello

Update:
I did find a normal male. I had been planning to get a morph, but I really liked his pattern and personality. And he's pretty light for a normal. I'm sure every owner says this, but he's the prettiest normal I've seen :D One of the prettiest BP's, too.

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Pic-tures! Pic-tures! Pic-tures!!! :D

I see that you already bought the snake and congratulations!

Just in the off chance someone in the future stumbles on this thread I will share the one tip I can contribute that nobody here has mentioned.

Mites are one of the major issues you DON'T want to bring home with you when you buy a snake. I was advised by a local breeder on how to properly check for them before purchasing. If the snake is small, you want to be VERY CAREFUL when you're holding their head and neck.

You want to check the area under their chin. There's a little cleft there that expands when they're swallowing food to allow their mouth to wrap around it more. It looks like a little butt crack. If you carefully hold the snake and check that area using your fingers to spread and move the skin and reveal the scale-less area between the crack, you can often catch mites by finding them hiding in there.

His source for this tip: he worked at NERD for several years.

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Originally Posted by Annarose15

Pic-tures! Pic-tures! Pic-tures!!! :D

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Once I start handling him I'll start a thread :)