Reasonable price for a 10yr old female BP?

[Jamielvsaustin]

I'm new here as some of you may know, and I recently acquired a 10 year old female ball python. Really I'm just fostering her, if you can do that with snakes. I don't want to keep her, but I didn't like the situation she was in and I'd like to make sure she goes to a good home.

I'm trying to learn as much as I can so that I'm confident she goes to a good home.

I'm curious as to how much someone would pay for her. I don't plan on selling her but the person that is interested in her said he can't afford to buy a python but would like to take her. So that makes me think they'd be pretty expensive...otherwise how does he plan to take care of her? He doesn't know yet that I'd rehome her for free.

Also before rehoming her I really want to take her to the vet. I don't know if she's ever been and I want to make sure she's a comfortable girl.

Since I only picked her up on Sunday, I haven't fed her yet. I'd like to wait until Sat morning, and then take her to the vet Monday after work.

Does that seem reasonable?

Also I've been reading about people quarantining snakes when they get them...is that because they have other snakes, or would you do this for a lone snake as well? And is what I'm doing considered quarantine? She in her old tank but it's been cleaned and she has a new hide and water dish. All I've been doing is changing her water/refilling it.


Thanks in advance for any advice.

[monk90222]

I picked up an 11 yr old girl that was big (3000g+) for like $200 last year...so I would say around that.....
Quarantine is so disease/parasites don't get transferred to other snakes in your collection, so for a lone snake it isn't required. Just monitor for mites/parasites/RI signs....

[WesleyTF]

I would not be the least bit surprised if someone on this forum would take great care of her. I would personally never give an animal to someone who said they couldn't afford a rehoming fee. What I have done before is set a reasonable rehoming fee and then just refuse to collect it when they come to pick up the animal.

animals can be expensive and someone who cannot afford to buy one should not have one.

[Jamielvsaustin]

Is it possible for someone not to be able to afford that but still be able to care for her? Maybe he has his own mice/rats kind of thing? Do snakes go to the vet on a regular basis like other pets? Or only when they appear sick?

Her eyes are clear, her skin looks good. I haven't notices any mites-I looked as closely as I could...no movement on her. And she doesn't make any noise when she breathes. So I think she's good to go, I just want a professional to say it.

When I bring her in, are there tests I should ask for? How long after they eat do they poop? I'll bring a piece of that in if I can

[Jay_Bunny]

I would not adopt her out to someone who cannot afford to purchase one. If he has a set up already for a snake but does not have a snake, I would want to see it with my own eyes first. Otherwise, the set up is just as expensive as the snake. Your talking a tank for an adult female, heating pad, thermostat or rheostat, 2 identical hides, water dish, screen lid, lid locks, thermometers, hydrometer, substrate.

So I would adopt the snake out to someone who can afford the rehoming fee as well as show proof of proper care (asking them questions about care and making sure they have the correct set up).

[Jamielvsaustin]

Right now all I know he that he already owns multiple snakes. What kind, how many and what condition they're in-I have no idea.

And if need be, she comes with everything she has.

*sigh*

Is there an adoption/rescue section on here?

[Jay_Bunny]

I would probably ask to see pictures of his collection, if not view them in person. I'm sorry but if someone says they have multiple snakes but can't afford to pay a rehoming fee, I see an issue and I would not adopt out to them. You could probably just as easily find someone else to take the snake.

[Jamielvsaustin]

I would probably ask to see pictures of his collection, if not view them in person. I'm sorry but if someone says they have multiple snakes but can't afford to pay a rehoming fee, I see an issue and I would not adopt out to them. You could probably just as easily find someone else to take the snake.

This is where I'm at. How can you not afford a new one, but expect me to believe you can properly care for her?

So, before anything happens I'll be getting some more information.

Thank you all for your help.

[dr del]

Hi,

Just to add that after feeding it's best to give them at least 48 hours to digest in peace so I would certainly not take her to the vet on monday if you feed on saturday as the extended time away from the temps she needs and the handling etc could cause her to regurge.

That's a bit more serious in snakes than it is in humans so you want to avoid it whenever possible.

Snakes do not need to go for regular checkups or anything - only when they have a problem or for an initial check do they really need to see a vet.

If she poops put it in a sealed bag in the fridge (not freezer ) and take it to the vet within 24 hours if you can to let him check for parasites. If you are checking for mites remember to check around the eyes between the spectacle and the head scales and alsi in the heatpits and the slit of bare skin in the middle of her bottom jaw as those are the places they like to congregate most.

You can also check around her vent to look for anything that seems inflamed or crusty if you can.


dr del

[tnelsonflorida]

I am not sure what part of Florida you are from,but I am more than glad to help you in any way possible. Feel free to PM me with any questions, I will try to help as much as possible. If ya can take a look around these forums, there is a ton of info on here.