First buy

Hey everyone,

I am quite new to the world of snake care and was planning on starting. I have done research and will be going out to pick up the necessary requirements to provide a good home to a ball python. The only thing I am having trouble on is where I could go to get one. I have seen a lot of places that involve mail but I am very uneasy about it. I have been trying to see if there are any breeders in my area but I have had no luck. I live just by Oklahoma City. Has anyone else tried the mail thing and satisfied by it?

Hope to see you all around the board as I will have many more questions in the future.

Most every snake I've gotten from a breeder was shipped to me (not by mail, by overnight FedEx). It's a great way to get a gorgeous snake from a reliable source that isn't close to you. You do need though to research the breeder, ask around and make sure this is someone that sells healthy snakes, has a good reputation and will stand behind their snake and their shipping procedures.

Ive gotten all of mine by mail and they all arrived healthy and what I expected. If you have got any questions about the person your interested in buying a snake from feel free to ask about them here:)

Alright I will do some research. Also does anyone have any recommendations for it? I am sure you guys might have more experience than I do. Thanks.

Heres a few


http://www.ralphdavisreptiles.com/
http://www.8ballpythons.com/
http://www.bobclark.com/
http://newenglandreptile.com/available/
http://www.vpi.com/
http://www.bcherp.com/
http://www.morphcapital.com/
http://www.roussisreptiles.com/
http://ballpython.com/page.php
http://www.rustys-balls.com/2008%20Babies.shtml
http://www.heathersherps.com/
http://www.caspersonreptiles.com/
http://www.baileyreptiles.com/available.html
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=74847
http://www.nextworldexotics.com/ballpythons.htm
http://brockwagnerreptiles.com/
http://www.coreywoods.com/about.shtml

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Originally Posted by Beardedragon

Ive gotten all of mine by mail and they all arrived healthy and what I expected. If you have got any questions about the person your interested in buying a snake from feel free to ask about them here:)

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*When I say mail i mean Fedex over night*

Hey Z

I am near OKC too and was in your boat about a month ago. I figured out Bob Clark (linked above) is in NW OKC. They were real helpful, Jeff is the guy that helped me in particular. You can save on the shipping and they have LOTS to pick from. A little on the spendy side, but everything looked really healthy.

Hope this helps.

I've had tortoises, lizards, snakes, and tarantulas all shipped via Fedex overnight, and have NEVER, had a problem. Make sure it's a good, reputable breeder who's experienced with packaging and shipping, and you should have no problem. Most will also have a Live Arrival Guarantee (Sometimes only known as LAG on their sites) if you're there to sign for the package when it arrives.

The majority of my snakes were shipped to me, and I have never had a problem when I dealt with reputable people.

I know some on here may say it's not the best choice but i got my ball python off of craigslist. You can find really good deals on ball pythons there, i got mine with two terrariums, heating pad and bulb for $40! Your also relieving the previous owner of there "burden", in some cases, not all. And in my case i helped out the snake, big time. It was in an unclean terrarium and now he's in a much better place with me. Just a thought when looking for your ball.

The biggest problem with using something like Craigslist for a newer keeper is that they aren't as likely to know what to look for if the snake has been kept very poorly. It's not a good deal if you end up with a sick snake, are an inexperienced person and now facing vet bills and worry while you are still learning about how to care for a bp in the first place. Just my opinion really but I hate seeing a person's first experience with this wonderful species be one of worry, stress and unexpected vet costs. Some craigslist snakes are great but most are there becuase their previous owners just didn't care for them all that well.

I think, especially for a first snake, you want to go the route that will give you the best chance at a healthy, well started snake.

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Originally Posted by herrwest

I know some on here may say it's not the best choice but i got my ball python off of craigslist. You can find really good deals on ball pythons there, i got mine with two terrariums, heating pad and bulb for $40! Your also relieving the previous owner of there "burden", in some cases, not all. And in my case i helped out the snake, big time. It was in an unclean terrarium and now he's in a much better place with me. Just a thought when looking for your ball.

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While I have "adopted" (and I lose that term lightly, because most Craigslist posters are selling) several ball pythons from Craigslist, I would not recommend it for someone who has never had a ball python before.

My first adoption - which ended up truly being a rescue were two adult females that were so emaciated and malnourished, that the guy went from asking $150 for the pair, to giving them to me.

He fed them once every three months - when he "remembered" to feed them. They were supposed to be four or five years old, and they were 700 and 800 grams. They were so starved that they struck at any heat that moved past their enclosures.

I had the experience at the time, to know not to just keep feeding them as much as they could eat (they probably both would have eaten 5 or 6 small rats at one sitting if I'd let them). It was heart breaking to watch them constantly in hunt mode - NEVER relaxing, because they were starving and didn't want to miss a chance at another meal.

I did eventually re-hab them and re-home them.

Another Craigslist "adoption" was supposed to be three adult females and one baby female. One adult was male, and the balance were infested with mites. I am always prepared for mites, so I was able to deal with it swiftly.

It has not been my experience that Craigslist is where a new person to ball pythons should adopt from.

I will state however, that I did chose to use Craigslist to truly adopt out baby male ball pythons. Contrast my ad, to what you are used to seeing on Craigslist:

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/pet/794173196.html

As to the OP's original question - most of my collection has been shipped to me by FedEx, and I would not hesitate to purchase a well started baby from someone reputable. You can always inquire here in our inquiry section on someone's reputation if you are interested in buying from them.

buying online has been great for me. infact fed ex just visited me this morning at 9:30am with another one!