Has anyone purchased there reptile from a Flea Market?

So, I'm getting a Ball Python very soon and I was wondering if anyone has ever purchased one from a Flea Market and how healthy they were??
I might be going to a Flea Market in either Savannah or Jacksonville, next Saturday. So, I just wanted to know if anyone ever did, can you tell me your experiences and all?


I do have a few question that I shouldn't ask right now, but I am.

So, the temperature in my house is 73f and I sleep with a fan on and turn it off during the day... The fan won't be facing towards the Bp but i'm still concerned will it make it to cold in my room if I sleep with it on at night?
Plus, my air vent is on the ground and it blows straight up should I close it? It's near the tank...
Oh, and about my curtains, I also leave them open at day and close them at night, I don't feel comfortable leaving them open all night but well it effect the snake if I just randomly open my curtains?

Okay, that's all the questions for now!

Thank you so much for reading, replying and the advice!! I know I post dumb questions, but please be nice, everyone (especially us newbies, some of us do our research) and thank you for being nice, if you are.

i don't have first-hand experience, but i would not purchase any pet from a flea market.

do you plan on having supplemental heating? if so, what? the answer here will help us better answer your questions.
a fan running will lower the room's humidity, so be aware of that.

with the air vent: this can be addressed with how you plan on heating the enclosure.

changes in room lighting won't have any adverse affect on the snake.

[emoji4]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ZuesTheBallPython

So, I'm getting a Ball Python very soon and I was wondering if anyone has ever purchased one from a Flea Market and how healthy they were??
I might be going to a Flea Market in either Savannah or Jacksonville, next Saturday. So, I just wanted to know if anyone ever did, can you tell me your experiences and all?


I do have a few question that I shouldn't ask right now, but I am.

So, the temperature in my house is 73f and I sleep with a fan on and turn it off during the day... The fan won't be facing towards the Bp but i'm still concerned will it make it to cold in my room if I sleep with it on at night?
Plus, my air vent is on the ground and it blows straight up should I close it? It's near the tank...
Oh, and about my curtains, I also leave them open at day and close them at night, I don't feel comfortable leaving them open all night but well it effect the snake if I just randomly open my curtains?

Okay, that's all the questions for now!

Thank you so much for reading, replying and the advice!! I know I post dumb questions, but please be nice, everyone (especially us newbies, some of us do our research) and thank you for being nice, if you are.

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I can't help with the flea market question, I wasn't even aware snakes were available at flea markets. I haven't seen that in MA at least. I would imagine it would come down to whether or not it's a reputable breeder or not, regardless of location. I doubt I would buy from a flea market though


Heat sources on thermostats will provide a constant, stable temp in the enclosure.

The air vent and the fan shouldn't be a problem as long as they aren't blowing directly on the enclosure.

The curtains are not a problem if you open and close, but you don't want the enclosure too close to a window as it can cause dangerous heat spikes.


As far as the temp in your room, you're going to need a heat source unless the ambient temps in your room are at a constant of about 84-86 degrees.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

i don't have first-hand experience, but i would not purchase any pet from a flea market.

do you plan on having supplemental heating? if so, what? the answer here will help us better answer your questions.
a fan running will lower the room's humidity, so be aware of that.

with the air vent: this can be addressed with how you plan on heating the enclosure.

changes in room lighting won't have any adverse affect on the snake.

[emoji4]

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Yeah, I didn't think a Flea Market would be good.

I'm planning on using an UTH, if that is what you're asking.

I'm planning on shutting the air vent also.

and Okay! :D

Thank you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ZuesTheBallPython

Yeah, I didn't think a Flea Market would be good.

I'm planning on using an UTH, if that is what you're asking.

I'm planning on shutting the air vent also.

and Okay! :D

Thank you.

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you're going to need an ambient heat source for the enclosure since your room is colder. i'd recommend a CHE (ceramic heat emitter) with a thermostat, but personally i use my CHE with a rheostat and it works well.

I have never bought a reptile at a flea market and i've never seen one there.

Although, Kellers fleamarket in Savannah used to have tons of puppies and even a building with exotic birds. And no, I wouldn't buy one at the flea market. There are enough breeders and stores around you, there is no need to buy one from a person that would subject it to the extreme temperatures at a flea market.

About the temps, you have to make sure you control the temps INSIDE the tank. As long as you have the belly heat (or whichever heat you use) on a thermostat, it will adjust as needed by itself. If the ambient (air) temperature gets a bit lower at night, it is ok. As long as its not extreme and as long as your other heat source is working as it should and on a thermostat.

About the curtains, well, its best to cover the back, sides and even top of a glass tank, so its not see through. It provides much needed privacy for a Ball Python and can even help some with drafts. So opening and closing the curtains shouldn't really matter. I turn the light off and on different times throughout the day in the room where I keep my snakes and it never seems to bother them. In the wild they spend long periods in darkness while they hide, sometimes coming out to hunt or on the lookout for another spot. So their "light periods" are never really controlled anyway.

The AC vent. It shouldn't be blowing directly onto the enclosure. On the side nearest the tank, you could always place a piece of cardboard or styrofoam against the tank, to insulate it.

Hope this helps a bit ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ZuesTheBallPython

Yeah, I didn't think a Flea Market would be good.

I'm planning on using an UTH, if that is what you're asking.

I'm planning on shutting the air vent also.

and Okay! :D

Thank you.

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Yup, like tttaylorrr said, you'll need an additional heat source. A UTH is just to provide a hot spot, not for ambient temps. You'll need a heat bulb or a CHE to raise the ambient temps.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

I can't help with the flea market question, I wasn't even aware snakes were available at flea markets. I haven't seen that in MA at least. I would imagine it would come down to whether or not it's a reputable breeder or not, regardless of location. I doubt I would buy from a flea market though


Heat sources on thermostats will provide a constant, stable temp in the enclosure.

The air vent and the fan shouldn't be a problem as long as they aren't blowing directly on the enclosure.

The curtains are not a problem if you open and close, but you don't want the enclosure too close to a window as it can cause dangerous heat spikes.


As far as the temp in your room, you're going to need a heat source unless the ambient temps in your room are at a constant of about 84-86 degrees.

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I'm not even sure if there is any at a Flea Market tbh.

Okay.

Okay. That's good.

Okay and I'm not gonna put it close to a window.

okay.

Thank you.

I do have an 100W Infrared bulb. but my light fixture will only hold 45 and lower, so I guess I'll have to get another light fixture? or a lower bulb?

I know, I know, what a noob. lol

Yeah, you'll need a new heat lamp. Whether you go with a bulb or a CHE is up to you. There are pros and cons to both.
Don't worry about the noob questions, that's how you learn. We were all new once.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Yeah, you'll need a new heat lamp. Whether you go with a bulb or a CHE is up to you. There are pros and cons to both.
Don't worry about the noob questions, that's how you learn. We were all new once.

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Thank you so much for your help. :D

No problem, happy to help. You're off to a good start with your research, just fine tune and you'll be good to bring your new pet home.

Thank you everyone for your help and advice!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ZuesTheBallPython

I do have an 100W Infrared bulb. but my light fixture will only hold 45 and lower, so I guess I'll have to get another light fixture? or a lower bulb?

I know, I know, what a noob. lol

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what size is the enclosure you're planning on using?

I actually got mine from an indoor flea market back when I lived in Las Vegas. At the time it was one of the best shops around that just happened to have their shop in an indoor flea market.

Not sure about a traditional outdoor one and would be hesitant unless the person selling was from a known breeder or shop in the area. I would make sure to watch out for signs like mites and RI if you do purchase from there.

Make sure you get a proper fixture for any heat lamp or CHE as it needs to be a ceramic socket and rated for the wattage of the bulb or emitter.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

what size is the enclosure you're planning on using?

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It's a 20 gallon Exo-Terra.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ZuesTheBallPython

It's a 20 gallon Exo-Terra.

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i'd recommend a 100w CHE, which is what i use for my 20gal. the ceramic bulb needs a ceramic socket dome, jsyk.

I got two tortoises from a car boot sale and it resulted in my collection of tortoises ending up with the species specific herpes virus that Mediterranean spur tortoises can have. one was a hermans and it dies the other was a spur thighed. It depends on the source of the reptile.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SDA

I actually got mine from an indoor flea market back when I lived in Las Vegas. At the time it was one of the best shops around that just happened to have their shop in an indoor flea market.

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Okay that is funny! I bet it's the same couple I wholesaled a litter of baby boas to back in 2003. I met the couple at their house and we did the deal. I went by the shop to see my babies later and was completely shocked that it was at an indoor flea market but they did seem to take decent care of the animals but still.. quite a shock. I'm actually glad to hear they are still in business. I hope my babies found their way to good homes.

lol u spelled Zeus incorrectly in your forum handle name.


Edit: no i never bought reptiles from a flea market. i did see lil baby turtles in critter keepers in LA Chinatown a few years back. i was very tempted to buy one as they were really cute but i don't think i could've taken it on a plane back home with me.