Craigslist Boas?

[nchapa]

Would you adopt a boa from craigslist? They seem to be as common as pitbulls and chihuahuas. I know I can get a better quality snake from a good breeder for probably less money.

Would you rather buy quality or get someones unwanted pet if it was well taken care of?

I'm talking Colombian Boas. I am thinking of getting one and feel sorry for those unwanted craigslist boas but at the same time I would rather get quality.

Torn

[Joosway]

Well I bought my hatchling from craigslit and I couldn't be happier hasn't missed a meal or anything the guy knew his stuff just make sure the ball python looks health and that shouldt be a problem.

[abrunsen]

Would you adopt a boa from craigslist? They seem to be as common as pitbulls and chihuahuas. I know I can get a better quality snake from a good breeder for probably less money.

Would you rather buy quality or get someones unwanted pet if it was well taken care of?

I'm talking Colombian Boas. I am thinking of getting one and feel sorry for those unwanted craigslist boas but at the same time I would rather get quality.

Torn

I personally want to "rescue" a snake from Craigslist for my next one. I think it's good to take snakes from people that are not properly caring for them. You would be giving it a new home and probably saving it from poor conditions. Just know when you adopt it, it might have problems so you could have potential vet visits and other expenses.

-Alex

[zach_24_90]

i actually do 85-90% of my business off craigslist.... wonderful tool

[Rogue628]

I personally want to "rescue" a snake from Craigslist for my next one. I think it's good to take snakes from people that are not properly caring for them. You would be giving it a new home and probably saving it from poor conditions. Just know when you adopt it, it might have problems so you could have potential vet visits and other expenses.

-Alex

I agree. If I saw the same animal in craigslist I wanted that I could get from somewhere else, I'd more than likely take the craigslist animal. I want the animal for the animal, not any other reason. The only exception is I don't won't a known aggressive animal that's extremely hard to handle. I don't won't one that I know is going to try to nail me everytime I stick my hand in their cage. I recently turned down the possibility of rehoming a pair of a proven breeder bloods from someone who lost interest in the project. The guy told me the male was extremely cage aggressive and will nail you everytime you stick your hand in. He handles him with gloves. The female was a little aggressive, but he didn't want to split them up. I want animals to handle and interact with and has a nice personality. But that's just me....

[Evenstar]

Just because its on craigslist doesn't mean it isn't quality. A lot of people will get a boa (or any other animal ) then decide they don't want it for whatever reason and on to craigslist it goes. Many of these animals originally came from quality breeders. I would learn as much as you can about the various morphs/types of boas and how to recognize them, then pick apart the ads. You might be really surprised at what you come across!

[Rogue628]

True but around here you're not going to find any designer morphs. You're lucky if you find an ablino kingsnake lol The very few snakes I find on craigslist or ball pythons, usually normals way over priced just becomes a 20 tank with whatever set up they're using.

And I was speaking more of rescues or those up for adoption, not saying that any reptiles on cl are low quality. But I'm a sucker for sick, injured, homeless, and ill kept animals (not just reps).

[Daybreaker]

Honestly no: I wouldn't. But not because I could get a better one somewhere or that I don't want to give it a good home but I am wary of what possible health issues it could have. I don't want to throw it out, but there have been threads on other forums about people loosing their collection due to a boa that came from a questionable background that was positive for IBD and infected their collection. Am I saying all boas on Craigslist have the disease? No, of course not: I'm not even saying IBD is common because it happens pretty rarely (ie a snake dieing from it or infecting other animals). BUT, my point is with boas I will only buy from a reputable source and I will not risk my current collection.

[RichL]

I keep an eye out for deals.

I recently picked up a spider male of breeding size with a 40 gallon setup for $150. He wasn't kept in ideal conditions, so I took him to the vet @ another $36. Came back pretty healthy. He is of course still in QT though. Then sold the 40 gallon tank and lid for $50. So I got a 1.5 yr old Breeding size male spider for $136 as long as his health lasts through the QT and doesn't require another vet visit.

It's up to you though. I am glad that I was able to pick up my recent addition, and don't regret it one bit. He is living well now =)

I would be careful though, as you can end up with some issues. A lot of people don't take care of them the way they should be taken care of.

[Evenstar]

Honestly no: I wouldn't. But not because I could get a better one somewhere or that I don't want to give it a good home but I am wary of what possible health issues it could have. I don't want to throw it out, but there have been threads on other forums about people loosing their collection due to a boa that came from a questionable background that was positive for IBD and infected their collection. Am I saying all boas on Craigslist have the disease? No, of course not: I'm not even saying IBD is common because it happens pretty rarely (ie a snake dieing from it or infecting other animals). BUT, my point is with boas I will only buy from a reputable source and I will not risk my current collection.

This is a very good point especially with regard to boas!