Deformed albino, yay or nay?

Hey guys, this owner is selling a female albino ball python with a birth defect. She's got a weird head. I of course wouldn't breed her But I do think she would be a great pet. He's asking $100. Do you think that's a good deal? Again she will be a pet not a breeder!!!!!

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The cost of a pet is completely subjective. Is she worth $100 to you?

i do not see the point of getting a deformed animal if there are options of getting healthy one.
the idea of taking in an animal that nobody else wants is very noble, but the owner doesn't seem too eager to let go of this one.

Actually as long as the snake eats poops and does all other snake things then a deformity isnt really a health issue. My concern would be to actually know its a deformity and not an old injury.

Personally I think any animal the is deformed or injured from birth or otherwise should only ever be given to someone else. There should never be a price even if it is discounted. You never know if the deformity will cause an early death or vet bills in the future, so it would be unfair to charge someone to care for the animal that obviously has something wrong with it.

I kept one of my baby fire skink I hatched out last year because it was born with a little kink in its back. I've had it long enough know that it appears perfectly healthy besides the visual kink. Still when I choose to rehome it I will be giving it someone for free because of the kink.

It actually does look more like an injury then any deformities I've had. I actually had a normal female whose mouth swelled up like that after being bit on the inside of her mouth by a rat. I guess it depends on whether or not you really like the animal and it's worth $100.00 bucks to you. You could probably find a nice healthy normal for free. Personally if I were the one selling that snake, I wouldn't be asking for that much money for that animal.

I'm not familiar with the intricacies of all the different albino morphs, but from what I've seen they usually go anywhere from $250 on up. So it does sound like a decent discount, if there are no other issues besides the appearance of the head. It's up to you; I think she's otherwise very pretty

Otherwise she seems to look healthy. If it is a deformity she has made it to adulthood so it does not seem to bother her. I say go for it.

I totally understand charging money for a rescue. It tends to show you are serious about their care to the seller. If she was free any one could get her and she could end up in a bad home.

Looks like a duck!

it looks somewhat cute~ it looks like got stung by a bee..

I would be worried it's an injury too. I would ask to take it to the vets office before paying money for it. I have rescued reptiles before and dealt with owners trying to sell me a chameleon with a blatant abscess and massive infection causing the eye turrets to puff out and droop towards the ground. This animal was on it's death bed and I had to pay 150 for the initial vet bill and antibiotics not o mention the proper equipment to care for him. What if that animal actually needs proper care or surgery in order to live a full happy painless life? Maybe ask for proof of a vet bill from them? 100 is too high without knowing the exact details.

The current owner may feel that he needs to put a price on the animal, however small, instead of giving it away, to help ensure that it doesn't get flipped since he may not personally know the OP. Unfortunately there are people out there who would breed it, and be happy to get a cheap female albino even if she is deformed, as long as she can eat, poop, shed, and lay eggs.

A pet quality animal in other word an animal with deformities should be free, unlike what some think charging a re-homing fee does guaranty a good home ($1000 animals get neglected and abused too)

As far as it's head I agree with Mark the shape and coloring make me thing that it is an injury also which in that case could mean that your $100 could soon turn into a couple more $100 being spent.

If you want to buy a pet then you should pick an healthy one even if that means paying a little more.

If you want to rescue an animal then you should not have to pay this price and think that reptile rescues are often very costly.


Does he have pictures of the animal when it was younger showing the deformity since it says it's a birth defect? Can he provide the name of the original breeder so you can confirm that it actually hatch this way (ask for picture as well)


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Thanks guys, just asked further details now! Will get back to you guys!


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Screams injury to me. I'd be worried about the Vomeronasal organ (Jacobson's organ). (located where our soft palette would be)

Find out if she's eating. And if her tongue is normal (functions normally)

My other worry is the other snake I spy under the log in the first picture. Is this guy a reputable breeder? If so, why is this snake living with another snake. Makes me wonder how much or little he knows and if you can trust him. Honestly, I think I'd walk.

I'd definitely want to see pictures of the inside of the mouth, proof that it can feed on its own, and maybe even an x-ray (I agree with alan12013, you should probably try to convince the seller to get it a trusted herp vet to verify that it's more or less healthy before agreeing to purchase) because that snake looks all kinds of jacked up. To be honest, it looks more like an old injury to me but stranger things have popped out of eggs, I suppose it could go either way.

Also seconding what gaplastina pointed out, I don't take cohabitation (it looks like there's a Spinner Blast under the half log) as a confident sign.

I will have to agree with the others, this looks almost like an old injury. I'd want proof that the snake has been this way from birth as well as I would like to see pictures of the inside of the snakes mouth if possible.

***update, update, everyone loves updates!*** So he is NOT a breeder, fairly new to ball pythons though. He got it from this girl who bought it from Ben Siegal. So he took it to Ben and he says the snake got it from being in a rack. Now, I'm no rocket scientist but I've never had/seen a snake get a flat face from being kept in a rack. Thoughts?


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It's possible, due to repeated head cramming. But even that in itself has a greater cause. repetitive stress syndrome.

Honestly I'd steer clear. If it was a donated animal, or you were merely taking it off someones hands, I'd say go for it, and you have a heart of gold. But in these circumstances I'd pass.

Their story doesn't seem quite right to me, and again the issue with the Jacobson's Organ, and or tongue functionality bothers me, without hard written or photographed documented proof.


Good on you for coming here first however. Smart move. Your heart is clearly in the right place.

Thanks Navaro, didn't know that could happen! I had a feeling there was more to the story. The guy did say Ben fed her a rat and he current weight is 600g. If he decides to give her to me or at most pay a small adoption fee, I'd take her and give her a large tank and extra love. I hate to see these animals treated poorly just to pop out eggs in the long run. But I wouldn't pay over 25 for an injured animal. Poor snake :/


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Well the story has changed and that to me means stir clear!

Head/nose rub is a possibility but I am still thinking injury more like a bite, either way it's something that would need to be assessed by a vet which mean it will cost you a lot more then a $100.

IMO they should get this looked at by a vet before adopting out this animal.

Do yourself a favor, save money and get yourself a healthy hatchling from a breeder.


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