New Snake - need suggestions....

[Freakie_frog]

I think if I am going to spend that kind of money I would want to order it from a very reputable breeder - I don't think I want to purchase it from a local reptile show - your thoughts.

Thanks for your input also.

I think thats a very smart idea.. However don't write off smaller breeders I've gotten great animals from smaller breeders that have the same caliber animals, service, knowledge as the big guys. Some time better cause they have to work to earn your business twice as much because they don't have a wide known rep yet.

But if your looking at spending that kind of money buy from who your comfortable. Never should you be uncomfortable during a multi thousand dollar transaction

[Freakie_frog]

Thanks to you all for your input - it is very helpful. I am fairly new to keeping snakes - has the piebald morph been around for long enough time where the cost may go down in the near future???

Depends its down from the 8500.00 it was four years ago. Its been around since '97. For many people seeing 1200.00 pieds is a kick in the guts for others its a dream come true.

[L.West]

Wow, I never even realized that they were almost $10,000 at one time - good lord - I could never justify that to my husband - LOL.

Now the $1,400-$1,800 doesn't sound to awfully bad.

Another quick question - since this is my thread I don't think it will be considered hi-jacking!!!!! Is it okay to sit in the sun with your BP for short time frame or would they prefer the shade??? I don't want to hurt my BP by holding it in the sun for maybe 15 minutes - your thoughts.

[Freakie_frog]

Wow, I never even realized that they were almost $10,000 at one time - good lord - I could never justify that to my husband - LOL.

Now the $1,400-$1,800 doesn't sound to awfully bad.

Another quick question - since this is my thread I don't think it will be considered hi-jacking!!!!! Is it okay to sit in the sun with your BP for short time frame or would they prefer the shade??? I don't want to hurt my BP by holding it in the sun for maybe 15 minutes - your thoughts.

It'll be fine.. I take mine outside for Pictures all the time (sunlight is free and great for photos. )

[L.West]

I thought so also but my husband who knows absolutely nothing about snakes and won't even hold my snake - told me I shouldn't have her outside because the suns rays would dehydrate her - so I felt I better inquire with folks who know what they are talking about.

[Freakie_frog]

I thought so also but my husband who knows absolutely nothing about snakes and won't even hold my snake - told me I shouldn't have her outside because the suns rays would dehydrate her - so I felt I better inquire with folks who know what they are talking about.

Only if you were to leave her there in the sun for hours and then not offer water for hours would you even be close to being at risk of that. Then I'd be more worried about it over heating than dehydrating.

[L.West]

Great - thanks for clearing that up - she really seems to enjoy the sunlight for short periods.

[trott]

Agree with Spaniard. Def get what you want first. You could spend 500 per then realize after 3 you could have your dream snake. But i've seen HC albinos go for as low as 450 at shows. Pieds as low as 1250 as low white. There are some high white 09's out already for 2k so far, so figure somewhere in between depending on the amount of white first and unique patterning second. Also you can start an account or payment plan if you feel you'll spend your "snake money". Just make sure you get credit if you fall short, but most breeders do that without question.They want to work with you and keep your business.
Also pieds are like fingerprints , no two are identical. So make sure you get the one you want. Don't settle.

[L.West]

I will start doing more research and checking out what is available out there - I know that I want one that has a fair amount of patches - I don't want 95% white or anything like that more like 70/30 - I'll just have to look around while I am figuring out how to pay for it - LOL!!!!

Is the general rule of thumb - the younger the snake the cheaper it is??? I would much prefer an established one over a newborn but that may be way more expensive.

[Spaniard]

Yes in general adults are more expensive because of the time and money put into feeding, husbandry, etc. Typically with pieds you'll also see that the more white they have the more expensive they are as well.