Quote Originally Posted by Bogertophis View Post
You mentioned the snake is 5 mos. old, but how long have they actually had her? Some illnesses are slow to show up, others are fairly quick.

Pictures can hide the real body weight: a snake may have taken a deep breath when photo was taken, & actually be thin/underweight.

Is the snake feeding? They might be having trouble getting the snake to eat. Ask (yourself?) why they want to sell a snake they've barely owned.

Do read up on quarantine since you have others...it's a hassle & will be for quite some time if you do it right. You risk all your others if you don't.

Assessing the health when you see/hold the snake: Eyes- no stuck eye-caps, clear & undamaged. Mouth-normal pink color, tongue tips not stuck together;
Snake should not have to open mouth to breathe, should not see bubbling or hear whistling or crackling sounds. Body: no lumps, bumps, bite wounds,
caved-in areas (can be broken ribs etc). Look CLOSELY for ticks & mites. Look at the cage they've kept snake in...is there adequate heat? If not, the snake
may be on the verge of illness (it can be hard to tell). Is the cage clean? If there are feces, do they look normal? Look at the snake's vent: any "residue"?
(should not be) Watch the snake move...you know what normal looks like, right? See if the snake can right itself when gently turned over. Look for any
abnormal neurological signs...

Their communications (lack thereof) would concern me too: consider that this snake may be stolen & they just want a quick sale, & couldn't care less. If that's
the case, do you really want to pay them for what they did?

IF you go see this snake & DON'T bring it home, DO remember to change your clothes (wash & disinfect them), & shower thoroughly before you get anywhere
near your own snakes. Really. Be skeptical but as one who has rescued snakes, also be open to it...it can also turn out great. (how's that for ambiguity? LOL)
Yeah I have been extremely skeptical and basically fell off the band wagon when I got an email back and they ignored many of my questions. Sometimes silence is enough of an answer unfortunately. And I'm not a rich kid who can adopt all the noodles and quarantine them all and get them all vet visits and save all the noodles. As much as my heart wants to.