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If you buy all that and bring it home, take the hot-rock out and throw it in the garbage before you do anything else. Also, make sure you have a thermostat for the heating pad.
As for checking out the snake, examine its belly closely. A faint pink hue along the entire length of the belly could indicate a oncoming shed cycle, and is normal. But a bright or dark pink...or a splotchy pink...would indicate serious burns from that hot-rock or an unregulated heating pad. Also look for flaky, crusty scales or blisters, which could indicate scale rot from being kept in a wet, dirty enclosure.
Make sure the eyes are clear and bright. The overall scales of the animal should be smooth and shiny. Some old bits of stuck shed can be removed, but a dry, wrinkled snake or one with multiple layers of old, stuck sheds will be at risk for other longer-term health problems.
The body should be firmly muscled and rounded. If it is triangular in shape with a prominent spine, or seems weak and unable/unwilling to grip very tightly or roll into a tight ball, it may be seriously malnourished.
Check the mouth and listen to its breathing. A faint whisper of sound is normal, but a clear whistling or crackling sound is not and means the snake is sick with a respiratory infection. Another sign is mucus in and around the mouth.
In general, ball pythons are docile pets and perfectly suitable for homes with small children. However, you may or may not be able to judge a specific animal's temperament in that initial exam. If it's sick, or being kept too cool, it may be lethargic and SEEM docile. After some time in a healthy environment with enough food to provide proper energy, you may see an entirely different personality.
I'd be far more focused on the overall health and physical appearance of the animal, as well as keeping an eye out for the general cleanliness of its original enclosure. Also ask questions about what, exactly it has been eating and how often. (Mice or rats? What size? Frozen/thawed, pre-killed, or live? How often?)
Good luck.
Last edited by JLC; 04-05-2013 at 11:22 AM.
-- Judy
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The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to JLC For This Useful Post:
JohnNJ (04-05-2013),MikeM75 (04-05-2013)
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