I think it's "possible" it's a legitimate deal and someone just desperately needed $250.

But I think it's more "probable" that there's some illegal issues going on, and stolen snakes makes way more sense than most other scenarios.

If he were "unloading" them, and just needed money(even if he just needed $250), he should have started out asking way more than $250 for that whole deal. Even if he settled for $250 because he needed drugs or to pay his electric or alimony or whatever... if he really bought all that, he would know it's worth and try to start out at a higher amount. You don't just say "Hey, this is worth $2000, so take it for $100..." without first trying to get $1000.

Changing his story makes it more suspicious. Having the wife approach first, suspicious. Quick sale, suspicious. Not using appropriate venues, like contacting those who he purchased snakes from, other reptile people, pet stores, craigslist, online venues... suspicious. Too much fishy usually means something is not kosher and you should beware.

As far as jfaria1891's lack of ethics, well karma will out. I'm certain if someone cheated him, there'd be squalling and fussing and wishing for sympathy. But as long as it's some unnamed stranger who is possibly a victim of theft, I guess it's okay. It's the same attitude of "Well yeah I stole this from a table at a reptile show, but I didn't get caught so it's not really stolen".

As far as a scorned woman stuff, if she sells things in HER name, then he's out of luck. If the items belong to him or are in his name, she's a thief same as if she walked into your home and took your things and sold them. Sorry, but just because he's a jerk doesn't make it not stealing. If the car was in her name, then I hope she really enjoyed his anguish when he found out it was gone.