mites?

[Pecan'nPumpkinPython]

I'm thinking about buying another ball python, but this will be my first purchase from a pet store. What should I look for to make sure that she doesn't have mites?
Thanks!

[joepythons]

I'm thinking about buying another ball python, but this will be my first purchase from a pet store. What should I look for to make sure that she doesn't have mites?
Thanks!

If the snake has bugs crawling all over it or just on it LEAVE IT there.Its also a good idea to handle it BEFORE you buy it to see if it acts healthy.It should grip your hand to hold itself on and constantly flick its toungue in and out.I suggest if the snake looks sickly then LEAVE IT at the store and let them pay for the vet bill.Please do not feel the "need" to "rescue" it unless you have alot of money on hand for the vet bill,please remember they will just buy another one to replace it.Why not buy one from someone you can trust allready(the person you bought from allready)?

[krazi0469]

thats true... i made the mistake TWICE... of not really checking the snake out b4 i got it... and i lost them 2... my last one i got .. i checked him out really good.... he just got done shedding.... no mites.... and he flicked his tounge out alot... he's doing great.. eats great(which we just skipped a week b/c he was shedding.. and now he's not to happy with mommy.... LOL) he has gone through 2 sheds... (finishing his 2nd one now)... he's having trouble with shedding all the way... so i read a thread.. and had him soak in warm water... and that helped alot

[kc261]

I'm not sure why you want to buy from a pet store this time?

You ask about mites, but those are far from the only problem you can bring home from a pet store. In fact, from what I've read (I haven't experienced it myself), mites are more of an annoyance than anything. It seems they can be accurately diagnosed by a beginner, and treated effectively with a can of Provent-Mite or whatever it is called. No vet bills.

On the other hand, a pet store animal could have internal parasites or other things that you might not notice at first, and will require a trip to the vet to resolve the problem.

Why not buy from a breeder? Some people are worried about shipping costs, but you could always go to a show, or find a local breeder.

We got our girl at a show for $20. The savings compared to a pet store price paid for the extra gas to drive out of town to the show, as well as the entrance fee for our whole family. Plus we got to spend a wonderful day looking at all sorts of beautiful snakes and lizards and other cool animals.

[Pecan'nPumpkinPython]

Well, I was thinking about it because she's a really pretty girl, docile, and she's a lot bigger than my other balls. I guess I was thinking it would be fun to have something with a litttle more substance, and the larger females from breeders are significantly more expensive...but obviously since everyone is so against it, and I greatly value your opinions then I'm not going to get her...I'll just wait for mine to grow...and wait....and wait...

[juddb]

Well, I was thinking about it because she's a really pretty girl, docile, and she's a lot bigger than my other balls. I guess I was thinking it would be fun to have something with a litttle more substance, and the larger females from breeders are significantly more expensive...but obviously since everyone is so against it, and I greatly value your opinions then I'm not going to get her...I'll just wait for mine to grow...and wait....and wait...

It looks like you have yourself a nice little collection, i dont understand why you wouldnt purchase a new animal from a reputable breeder for a nice captive bred animal with no worries of parasites and what not....

[Pecan'nPumpkinPython]

Well, like I said ya'll convinced me otherwise...so I'm not going to purchase her. However, just for the record, according to the pet store they got her from a breeder who I've heard on here is considered reputable, and she is captive bred. Also, I forgot to mention that I was worried that a big girl from a breeder might have never, or at least rarely been handled, and I wanted a "friendly" snake. I didn't mean to spark a whole bash against pet stores, my main question was about mites. I have never seen mites and I just thought it would be nice to know what they looked like in case I ran across them in the future.