Rescuing a girl...Only JUST found out how bad her situation is =[

[Libby]

I realize that reptiles don't usually get equal treatment from animal welfare groups. (Yes, I know what a can of worms that is, but hear me out!) If the conditions the snakes are being kept in are deplorable, then report him to animal control. I know you just want to rescue these animals and I think that it's absolutely wonderful that you are going to the effort, especially when you are pregnant yourself. I just hate the idea of giving money to these kinds of people, and get so frustrated when I hear about people paying money to bad breeders or pet stores to "save" an animal by buying it. If you go to see a purebred puppy and find a puppy mill, don't get out your wallet, get your phone and report them!

Oh, and I almost never look at the reptiles section of Craigslist anymore. It just tears me up.

[RockNRollProcelain]

I realize that reptiles don't usually get equal treatment from animal welfare groups. (Yes, I know what a can of worms that is, but hear me out!) If the conditions the snakes are being kept in are deplorable, then report him to animal control. I know you just want to rescue these animals and I think that it's absolutely wonderful that you are going to the effort, especially when you are pregnant yourself. I just hate the idea of giving money to these kinds of people, and get so frustrated when I hear about people paying money to bad breeders or pet stores to "save" an animal by buying it. If you go to see a purebred puppy and find a puppy mill, don't get out your wallet, get your phone and report them!

Oh, and I almost never look at the reptiles section of Craigslist anymore. It just tears me up.

Don't smack me, but I totally hadn't even thought of that...(Which is funny because I'm an avid follower of the SoCal Herp Society that just recently rescued 184 Ball Pythons...) I don't have any evidence of deplorable conditions yet, unfortunately. But as of Monday, depending on what I see...I'll be able to make a judgement call. I do know a healthy Ball Python when I see one. So I'll definitely have to look into my animal control center and see what their rules and regulations are, and how I would go forward with this if indeed the animals are being kept in as awful conditions as I'm afraid they are...Thank you =]

And I totally agree that I hate the idea of giving money to people who can't care for animals, but I figure it's better that I give them some money and give the animal a loving home than that I ignore it because I don't want to give them money and never know what happens to the animal (I'm totally the person to stay up all night worrying.) So if I can't haggle him for the boy, I'll see what else I can do to help him.

[Libby]

Don't smack me, but I totally hadn't even thought of that...(Which is funny because I'm an avid follower of the SoCal Herp Society that just recently rescued 184 Ball Pythons...) I don't have any evidence of deplorable conditions yet, unfortunately. But as of Monday, depending on what I see...I'll be able to make a judgement call. I do know a healthy Ball Python when I see one. So I'll definitely have to look into my animal control center and see what their rules and regulations are, and how I would go forward with this if indeed the animals are being kept in as awful conditions as I'm afraid they are...Thank you =]

And I totally agree that I hate the idea of giving money to people who can't care for animals, but I figure it's better that I give them some money and give the animal a loving home than that I ignore it because I don't want to give them money and never know what happens to the animal (I'm totally the person to stay up all night worrying.) So if I can't haggle him for the boy, I'll see what else I can do to help him.

That's right, I'd forgotten that the big bp rescue was in CA, so maybe you do have some good local resources. It's a tough call. If this were a breeder with lots of animals, then the only thing you could do would be just walk away and report him. When it's just a couple snakes...then maybe the best thing to do is grit your teeth and just get them out of there. You definitely are capable of assessing the snakes and their husbandry, and I trust your judgement to make the best decision on how to help them. As far as not letting the hormones get the best of you, well, even if his face needs punching, your baby needs you out of jail!

[RockNRollProcelain]

That's right, I'd forgotten that the big bp rescue was in CA, so maybe you do have some good local resources. It's a tough call. If this were a breeder with lots of animals, then the only thing you could do would be just walk away and report him. When it's just a couple snakes...then maybe the best thing to do is grit your teeth and just get them out of there. You definitely are capable of assessing the snakes and their husbandry, and I trust your judgement to make the best decision on how to help them. As far as not letting the hormones get the best of you, well, even if his face needs punching, your baby needs you out of jail!

I'm hoping so! It was a little farther south than I am, but they might know a more local group that could help out. I would absolutely just grit my teeth and take both snakes, but I can only pay the amount he asked for one. =/ So unless something seems wrong and I can haggle...I'll only be able to take the girlie. Or maybe he'll want to get rid of them so badly, he'll give me both for 100! Haha (I wish). And I shall do my best not to punch him =] I'll tell the hormones to keep their cool haha

[JLC]

Seems to me like a lot of very negative assumptions are being made based on nothing more than the fact that the guy doesn't "speak the language" that we usually use in our little reptile cliques.

One of our admins here has fully grown, breeding ball pythons that eat nothing but mice. They're perfectly healthy and plenty big enough to breed safely.

I'm not defending negligent practices, just suggesting that folks relax until there's actual evidence that such practices are taking place.

Also keep in mind that she may not be gravid at all. The seller may be assuming she's gravid just because he's seen her locked with the male, or even just because they've lived together for a time.

Don't fret too much about the transfer. They're not THAT delicate. Find an insulated container to carry her in such as a small cooler. Even a cheapo styrofoam cooler from the corner market would be fine. Put some padding at the bottom, bagged snake in the middle, and some padding on top. If it's really cold (seems unlikely in southern Cali) you might tape a heat pack to the inside of the lid...but if the container is insulated, she should be just fine on the short trips from house to car to house again. Keep the temps in the car on the warm side, but don't leave the container right beside a heat vent, and don't leave it in the direct sunlight if it's a warm, sunny day.

Get your enclosure at your own place set up for her and ready to go. Don't worry about her substrate, just use what you use. Use whatever hides you think best. Have the temps dialed in. Make sure it's in a quiet place where she won't be disturbed. Pick her up, bag her, transport her, and then set her in her new enclosure. Handle her just enough to check for injuries or signs of illness.

And you should decide ahead of time what you want to do if you go in there and find a sick snake blowing snot and terribly under weight. Decide ahead of time if you will reward that guy with $100 to "rescue" his snake. If so, then do it. If not, be prepared to walk away. That decision is entirely yours to make. It'd be good to prepare yourself mentally for the worst, but don't go in ASSUMING the worst just because he doesn't communicate well.

[JLC]

OH...and one more thought occurs to me...quarantine the heck out of her if you do end up bringing her home. Keep her in a separate room, as far from the rest of your collection as possible. And have a completely different set of equipment for working with her that never touches your other animals. Work with your established collection first...wash...then work with the new comer, then wash wash wash. If she IS sick, you don't want it spreading to your other snakes.

[RockNRollProcelain]

OH...and one more thought occurs to me...quarantine the heck out of her if you do end up bringing her home. Keep her in a separate room, as far from the rest of your collection as possible. And have a completely different set of equipment for working with her that never touches your other animals. Work with your established collection first...wash...then work with the new comer, then wash wash wash. If she IS sick, you don't want it spreading to your other snakes.

Luckily I had thought of this earlier when I went shopping and I grabbed all sorts of stuff that will just be for her. She's going to be in a separate room until I'm sure she's okay. And I plan on calling my vet and seeing if she wants me to bring her in to get checked out (better safe than sorry!) I definitely don't want any illnesses spreading to all my other babies. And I don't want to take any risks with her if she IS gravid (which I will be finding out tomorrow! Based on the story he told me, she might actually be gravid. But then again, it could just be a story. We shall see). I'd much rather take every single necessary precaution (and then some) than just assume that she's okay and have something terrible happen.

Oh, and on the happenstance that I can bring the male home too...The same protocols shall be followed with him as well. =] Thank you for all of the advice. I really appreciate it!

[tj4x4fun]

Good luck. Keep us posted.

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[PitOnTheProwl]

1300+ g male


1100+ g male

Mousers their whole life, you feed what they will eat..........Not what you think they should eat.

[Skiploder]

1300+ g male


1100+ g male

Mousers their whole life, you feed what they will eat..........Not what you think they should eat.

Thanks for bravely coming forward and admitting you are an animal abuser.................I recommend you immediately stop feeding them what the want to eat and force them into a long period of food refusal by making them eat something they have no interest in.