adopting VS buying

seems there are plenty of pythons up for adoption , obviously the people at the shelters know little to nothing about them, as I consider a second snake I am thinking of taking the risk and adopting one VS buying it, price is not an issue for the kind I am looking for (under $150) but being NEW to snakes I am wondering if I might be biting into more than I can chew. thoughts are appreciated.

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I am wondering if I might be biting into more than I can chew

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Ball pythons are fairly easy to care for. what kind of snake do you currently own?

In regards to adoption vs buying that is totally up to you. there are some risk that run with doing either. Adopting is a great thing but it will be your animals so I strongly recommend getting something you really really like so that caring for it does not be a chore. If you find one for adoption that speaks to you go for it! that’s the best case scenario because you get to do a great thing and you get an animal your passionate about.

Do some research on Balls and make a decision if it would be 'more than you can chew'. once you've done that shop around for one that is up for adoption while doing the same on the regular market.

Good luck and congrats in advance if you do get a ball (they are the best :D)

While at a shelter it is almost guaranteed that the snake has seen a vet and a shelter will not let a sick snake out of their care, so it really is a good option. This is very dependent on the kind of shelter. Some are a home run shelters meaning someone feels sorry for the creature and took it in. And then there are the humane societies which is a better bet.

You still have to be careful on who you are buying from. Try to find someone who has a good reputation.

As said above, don't just pick one for the sake of being cheap, pick one you love and if it isn't any from a shelter then so be it. You don't want that animal just to go back there because you may have made a mistake and made a hasty decision.

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Originally Posted by AllThatInThemGenes

Ball pythons are fairly easy to care for. what kind of snake do you currently own?

In regards to adoption vs buying that is totally up to you. there are some risk that run with doing either. Adopting is a great thing but it will be your animals so I strongly recommend getting something you really really like so that caring for it does not be a chore. If you find one for adoption that speaks to you go for it! that’s the best case scenario because you get to do a great thing and you get an animal your passionate about.

Do some research on Balls and make a decision if it would be 'more than you can chew'. once you've done that shop around for one that is up for adoption while doing the same on the regular market.

Good luck and congrats in advance if you do get a ball (they are the best :D)

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I currently have a Spider female about 3 months old.

price is not the concern, having one that I "click" with is.

There is nothing wrong with getting any animal from an adoption/rescue organization or from animal control rather than from a breeder. I would suggest doing your research to make sure that the organization has a good reputation before you contact them though.

I think it may be a even better choice to use a quality rescue group or aspca shelter- a store has a motivation to sell as much as possible. A rescue wants to find a good fit for pet owner. As said above it will most likely be get checked and the temperament will be noted. Please note that what I said about buying does not apply to a good breeder. 😊

I wish you luck with whatever you choose!

Honestly they are both one in the same.
Only difference is known history.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

Honestly they are both one in the same.
Only difference is known history.

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Unless the former owner just gives it to you. I'm up to five of those...

knowing the history sometimes is the difference between having a snake only suited for a untouched display animal going to someone who wanted a pet who can be handled.

After health, temperament is everything. At least with adoption, you will get to see and handle the animal before purchasing it. The only draw back is that one can feel emotionally pressured to take an animal that needs a home even if the animal isn't so much to one's likeing.

i would adopt if there were morphs that I like up for adoption. I respect and appreciate peeps who do adopt. :gj: :) every BP and animal deserves a good life.

I will say that several shelters/etc that I have known of did not have any reptiles vet checked at all. They put them into aquariums with screen lids and hoped someone would call asking for a snake. Some failed to ID the species, in one case they even called Fish & Game to come get the native cornsnake to release it, when it was a sand boa. Almost every time I've seen a python/boa in a shelter or recently obtained from a shelter, it has had some level of RI.

The good groups I've seen were specific Reptile rescue/clubs who know what they're doing and have a passion for reptiles. The public animal control or shelter(the kind that generally deals in cats and dogs) do not always have anyone well versed in reptiles there, much less on staff. If your local shelter does and does a good job with reptiles, you are lucky indeed and should consider supporting them however you are able.

So I'd recommend checking for area reptile clubs, and see if they have rescues that need homes.

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Originally Posted by Kokorobosoi

knowing the history sometimes is the difference between having a snake only suited for a untouched display animal going to someone who wanted a pet who can be handled.

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True but not really applicable to ball pythons. Most ball pythons are easily handled and, if not initially, will tame down over time. There are some hard cases of course but they are the exception to the rule. This is what makes them such great introduction pets.

Please adopt if you can. I belong to the Minnesota Herp Society and we get so many surrendered snakes! In fact, check to see if you have a local chapter. For a small membership fee, you can adopt a snake for free AND save a life!

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Three of my girls are rescues. A Spider, Pastel, and a Normal. All nice snakes brought from a bad situation.

Dave