Buying a snake...

Where would you suggest buying a snake from? There is a great breeder/exotic petshop near me. They are extreemly knowledgable, and breed some great snakes. There is also a Repticon show coming up. I have also heard of online sites that sell great snakes. Any advice for a good BP?

I want one of Adam Wysocki's Spider Ball Pythons from www.8ballpythons.com Just my 2 cents. Good Luck.

Either a very reputable exotics pet store, a good breeder or a good show are all good places to purchase snakes. If possible take a friend along who is knowledgeable about snakes so they can help you judge what is and isn't a healthy snake or know when you are being fed a bit of a "sales" line. If you find a snake you like but aren't sure, you can always ask to place a deposit and then post here for advice on your purchase before finalizing it. Also about what you do need to buy for housing and what you don't need (pet stores will sell you a ton of pretty useless and mostly expensive stuff). Oh also always ask about written health guarantee and if from a pet store, insist on actually witnessing the snake eating as they often tell you it eats when it actually does not.

Just my 2 cents....but I stay away from buying from pet stores. Many, many good, reputable breeders on here...I suggest you stick around a bit and form your own opinions of them! If you are investing in a morph, don't be afraid to ask some questions....find out about the snakes lineage and if the breeder has a record of such. And I second the desire for one of those hot little 8BallPython spiders!!

-BT

Where are you from? I will be at the Repticon show here in Orlando comin up in a few weeks. I'll point you to some reputable people I know that will be at the show. Anyone on these boards will advise you to stay away from stores such as Petco. There are plenty of stories on this forum that describe the employees lack of knowledge in the herp field.

In the mean time...check out the caresheets and get all set up and ready to bring it home to a nice comfy place :)

there is only one pet store that i would send any one to. that is because they are awesome. and there are many peps on this site who will agree with me.

www.lllreptile.com

i just checked there site for you. right now they have male bp's for 25.00 if a normal is what you want than that is the best deal you will find.
http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/...-ball-pythons/

There's another petstore I'd happily send people to as well...and that's Zoo Creatures, which is owned and ran by NERD. But of course, you'd have to be at least a day's drive away to make it feasible to go shopping there. They're located in New Hampshire...so if you're in the New England area...lucky you!!!

www.8ballpythons.com


You cant go wrong! Adam is the MAN! AMAZING customer service! He will take the time to awnnser your questions and responds really quickly! He is a great role model. He is Number 1 in my book. :carrot:

Give him a call!

I checked out both of those sights. I want either a female normal, or a male morph. I am a little bit weary about buying online though. I am going to go to the Repticon show coming up, and hopefully will get a good deal on a snake. If i can't find one there, i will go ahead and get one online, but shipping and such scares me.

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Originally Posted by Amy1217

I checked out both of those sights. I want either a female normal, or a male morph. I am a little bit weary about buying online though. I am going to go to the Repticon show coming up, and hopefully will get a good deal on a snake. If i can't find one there, i will go ahead and get one online, but shipping and such scares me.

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Amy, Most professional breeders back their snakes 100%, meaning if they arrive DOA they will refund your money or replace the snake.

There is nothing at all to be worried about during shipping. Most snakes come very well packaged and arrive completely unharmed. I have not had the pleasure of recieving anything from Adam at 8ball, but I've seen some pictures and I would guarantee live arrival from him. Adam is one of the best around.

Ill have to make sure i give the sites a double check..but in going to the Repticon show (as you know nathanledet), and they always have good deals, especially the second day...we'll see what pans out....

I`ve never done any online transaction involving live animals yet but I`m saving up and hope to be able to purchase from Adam in the future because I`m really impressed with what he offers and I`m not even in the US.
At the same time, enjoy your time at the show and keep your options open and I wish you the best with your acquisition. Personally, I`d email Adam and hear him first. But by saying that, by no means am I saying other breeders are bad, just my personal choice.

i too plan on buying at least one snake from adam in the future! gurantee

as soon as i move out and get a job and get a credit card

I'd be willing to send people to the Chicago Reptile House as well.

Brian Potter is one of the people that puts on the NARBC shows, and he is one of the store owners. Plus, not to many pet stores breed ball morphs either :)

I bought my first snake (pictured in my avatar) from there.


Any way, find yourself a reputable vendor, look through the board of inquiry on fauna. If you can get a hold of a vendor list for the show, check them out before you go.

Also, you're better off getting a captive bred ball python, not a captive hatched or a wild caught. When you go to pick out a ball, find out what it's been eating, when it last ate...etc. It's important stuff that you may forget in the heat of the moment. If you can find out what sex (having it probed or popped) at the time, it's good to get that as well.

Wherever you decide to get your Ball from, first familiarize yourself with how a healthy ball will look and behave. Also, know what questions to ask the breeder/pet store owner, and make sure you agree with all of their answers.

Find as much good info as you can... and make sure you are getting it all from a legit source.

Adam will see you through! Give him a call!!


He should still have some normal 06 females availible!!

i'd highly recommend chicago reptile house!

i bought my first snake from, i asked brian alot of questions and he wasn't hesitatn about answering them all. very trustworthy guy in my opinion