Breeder vs. Pet Store

I'm looking to get a BP after I set up the habitat and all, but I've been looking around a bit. I want a HATCHLING. I live in Dayton, OH (about an hour north of Cincinnati and an hour south of Columbus).

I've been to two pet stores near my house.

Jack's Aquarium and Pets: Had hatchling Ball Pythons, but keep them in a very small tank together. I counted 5-6 in nothing bigger than a 10 gallon tank. I've heard from other people that Jack's doesn't take care of their animals very well, so I'm extremely apprehensive. They are charging around $50/$60.

PetSmart: They had a small tank labeled for a Ball Python hatchling, but I didn't see it inside. I think they are out. The problem is that the label said Captive HATCHED, not captive BRED. They are charging $70/$80.

My friend got his BP from an online breeder.

http://www.rcreptiles.com/: He's an actual breeder, and the closest to Ohio that I've found. He's out of BP hatchlings (waiting on a female to lay eggs). I believe my friend said RC charges around $80 + shipping for the hatchlings.

QUESTIONS/CONCERNS:

- Which is better: Pet store or Breeder?
- Which is better: Captive Hatched or Captive Bred?

I'm worried about stressing the snake out through shipping, but worried that the snake is stressed out like crazy through pet store procedures anyways.

I've read captive bred are better than captive hatched.


Does anyone recommend any breeder or know of any close to or in Ohio?

Thank you!

Breeder, breeder, BREEDER!!! Any of these wonderful breeders here would be happy to supply you with the most beautiful animal you have ever dreamt of! I would go to the for sale/Wanted forum and post up what you are looking for. I love you BP.net breeders!!! You guys RULE!!!!:gj::gj::D

CB captive bred is what you should look for.

Can you give me a link to the breeder section? I couldn't find it.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=69

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Originally Posted by Johnny Hive X

Can you give me a link to the breeder section? I couldn't find it.

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http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/f...splay.php?f=69

Be careful when looking at animals that are for sale from people who only have a few posts. Most of the people selling on tis site can be vouged for, but not most of he new posters. There have also been a couple of problems here recently with new members signing up and posting ads, then getting caught trying to pull scams. You can ask or inquire abouit a breeder you are thinking of buying from here and also on the BOI at www.faunaclassifieds.com
Godd luck finding what you are looking for.

Why not try going to one of the reptile shows in Columbus? You will get to talk to many breeders, as well as have a large selection to pick from. I'd be willing to bet that you could even pick up a pastel male for around $80-$100.

The next one is November, 15th. That should give you enough time to have an enclosure set-up for your new BP!

http://www.allohioshows.com/

There are tons of ball python breeders who sell very healthy snakes. I have had dealings with NERD (New England Reptiles), 8Ball, and TSK. I would not hesitate to purchase from Ralph Davis, Jasballs, Heather's Herps, West Coast, BHB, Bailey Reptiles, VPI, and tons more.

I would not worry at all about the shipping of a healthy snake from a breeder. I would worry greatly about purchasing a reptile from a box store like Petsmart, Petco, etc.

I love TheVipersHouse! I got my female Spider sibling from him and he is so great! but really any of these breeders are great. I wouldn't really worry about shipping all that much. It is stressful but make sure you get overnight shipping. It may cost more but its worth it!

Usually you are better off buying from a breeder. Most breeders take very good care of the animals they their own snakes produced.

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- Which is better: Pet store or Breeder?

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Breeder

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- Which is better: Captive Hatched or Captive Bred?

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Doesn't matter as long as the animal is healthy and well started

Well now I am a lot more comfortable buying online and know for sure not to buy from a store.

Thanks to everyone for all the helpful info.

I've already received 2 PMs from breeders.

Thanks for that Ohio reptile show info! I've heard of a few. I just checked and luckily I don't work that day either. I'll probably go up and check it out.

What's the best way to transport if I happen to buy from a reptile show?

Any advice on buying from a reptile show?

There is a difference between CB (captive bred) and CH (captive hatched) however either one should be fine. With a CB animal, the benefit is that the breeder you purchase from would be able to tell you the history of the parents of that particular animal. If you get a CH, that means that the gravid females were taken from the wild, but the babies were hatched in captivity. Typically, either CB or CH should not be at risk for parasites or feeding issues that you might see with a WC (wild caught).

I would say to check out some of the big breeders like 8BallPythons, BHB, Ralph Davis Reptiles, NERD, just to name a few. If you're looking for a normal BP, you will likely be able to find one for less than you'd think. And a lot of the big breeders won't list their normals online, so you may want to email them to see what they have available and what kind of deal you may be able to get. I'm sure you'll find normal males for next to nothing if you just pay shipping. You'll be sure to get a healthy, feeding bp that way rather than taking your chances on a pet store snake.

Be careful at reptile shows... if you have someone that knows a good deal about reptiles I'd take that person with you. Reptile shows are full of breeders with healthy animals and also resellers with less than healthy animals.