We got 20 newly imported farm hatched babies at the Orlando Repticon this past Saturday for $7.50 each. We thought it would be fun to do and would be able to sell them fairly easily. As Sunday came around I realized how big of a responsibility we had actually taken on. So I figured it best to come here and tap into the knowledge and experience of the members on this forum.

I have had snakes all my life off and on and got bitten by the bug again last year. My son started it off with a ball python, followed by my wife with her first ball, and so on and so on.... Now we have 3 boas, 3 balls, and 2 corns in addition to the new babies. We both have experience dealing with pets of all kinds and various levels of medical care for them. My wife is also a tech at the emergency vet clinic here. I have done a lot of reading and talking in the last few months and have learned a huge amount about caring for these guys. I am also fortunate enough to be friends with 2 local ball python breeders and a very helpful reptile shop owner.

So here is what we have done so far and what we plan to do. When we got home Saturday, they all got a soak for a couple of hours to get them rehydrated and then were moved into a 30 gl long tank. We went shopping and got Sterilite 6qt tubs and water dishes. Sunday morning I drilled the tubs and went to get some extra things we forgot. One of them was PAM to treat each baby, but the store was out of that so I got "Reptile Spray" instead. But, by the time I got back, my wife had already weighed and ID'd each one and put them into their own tubs. There are no signs of mites, but I plan to treat them anyway. They got their hides today. They're stacked beside me in a small area with over 300 gallons of aquariums, so the room is a constant 65-70% humidity and 85*. One of them just shed and it was in one piece, so at least the humidity is good.

For feeding I thought I would try each one on f/t mice fuzzies since we have dozens of those already. If any take them fine, we'll just keep going with hoppers, small mice, rat fuzzies, etc. If they don't I think the best first offering is hoppers so as not to overload their systems after not having eaten in who knows how long, then move them to the appropriate sized prey.

As far as medical care, we plan to observe closely and only those that are beyond what we are comfortable dealing with will go to the vet. I am not sure about worming or any other treatment that might be a good preventative measure. I know of the use of Panacure and Flagyl and can administer either orally or by injection.

I would like to see each one eat at least 3 times and poop and shed before they are put up for sale. Some of these guys are very nice looking - one has a black stripe down it's back, one could be a granite, a few have lots of white around the alien heads, some with nice neck or tail stripes, some unusual patterns and one that looks like a sable.

Any and all comments, suggestions, ideas, etc are very much welcomed.

Jeff