Michael cole

[Mike Cavanaugh]

I am considering a rather large order... a lottery... a grab bag... from michael cole. If you have delt with him before please share. Consider me a 285 lb sponge. I need every single bit of information I can get from this vendor / this kind of purchase. Consider me a GIANT sponge.. I will soak up any info you can give to me!!!

thank you VERY much for your time.

Mike

[Michelle.C]

I've never purchased one of the "lottery bags" from him, but I've done business with him. For the past several years I'll get 3-4 of his Captive Hatched Fancy females. They've all thrived! He's a great guy to do business with, very honest.

[Gloryhound]

We were considering doing his grab bag this year, but figured we were a little too green to be messing with a group of Captive Hatched babies this year. If we at least get some eggs and have them hatch before next years grab bag we may feel ready to give it a try.

As far as Sensie Cole goes, thats what I like to call him, you can't find a nicer breeder. We bought both our bumblebee and albino from him. He has walked me through step by step for setting up our incubator and recommended one that seems to be of a very nice quality for the price. When we have any question we give him a call and he is always ready to help in any way he can. He does not like dealing with E-mail and stuff and is more of the on the phone type person when he is trying to explain things. I really hate to say it, but we have ordered snakes from some big names like Graziani, Ralph Davis, and VPI, but the best service we have gotten was from Sensie Cole at Ballroom Pythons South.

Per the Gloryhound and Hathor (Hathor is my wifes user ID) we would have to give Michael Cole and thats all the thumbs we have available!

[Alice]

I agree totally with Gloryhound! I've known Michael for 5 years or so and have bought ball python morphs from him every year. All have been healthy, eating and top quality animals. They have all thrived.

As Gloryhound mentioned, Michael is the best when it comes to sharing his knowledge and experience. I have spent hours at his side or on the phone learning from him. He has even advised me not to buy an animal he had for sale becasue it wouldn't fit well into my initial breeding plans.

IMHO, no one could go wrong buying from Michael Cole of Ballroom Pythons South. AAAAAAAA+ reptile enthusiast and breeder.

[wolfy-hound]

I'll add to the kudos. I've bought from Micheal Cole and he's ALWAYS helpful, always ready to discuss your purchase and I've gotten a lot of CH females from him. I'm always happy with my purchase, and with the high level of service.

[muddoc]

One of the nicest guys in the business. I have never bought anything from Michael, but I did do a trade with him this year in Arlington. I've known Michael for about three years, and would buy anything he has for sale. Do not worry at all about sending money to Michael. You'll definitely get what you were looking for.

[rabernet]

I've also purchased some CH girls from Michael and all of them are healthy and thriving - one is breeding this year.

However - I would caution you Mike, read all you can about getting hatchlings started. If you don't feel comfortable doing so - you might wish to wait and just cherry pick some animals you like when he posts individual pictures of available animals - ones that he's already gotten to feed.

Keep in mind too, that the grab bag will be mixed males and females, and be prepared whether you plan to keep or re-sell any of them. If you plan to re-sell, it would be best if you are able to get them feeding consistently first.

Good luck with whatever you decide! But Michael as a vendor - I wouldn't hesitate to purchase from him!

[Mike Cavanaugh]

Please give me your best guess... I know there are lots of variables.

If husbandry is PERFECT, in a properly sized rack system, only handling the snakes to clean tubs, offering food once per week...

say out of 30 snakes that were gotten through a lotto bag, how many would likely give you trouble feeding? How many would ultimately not eat to the point of starvation?

I have done a lot of reading about the troubles of raising hatchlings. My questions here are specifc to snakes purchased in a lotto bag, straight from africa way.

I know responces to this do not mean I would have the same experience! I am just looking for info on what other experiences have been!

Mike

[mxrider42]

I got 15 CH girls from Tim Lane, he gets his straight from Micheal. All ten ate with no problems and are now 600-700 gram girls. They ate there first meals with me also.
Trey

[SPJ]

Mike is excellent. The lottery bags are great and his other animals are top notch.
No worries when dealing with him.