Today I went to the All Maryland Reptile Show in Havre de Grace, Maryland looking to buy a normal male baby ball python. The expo was amazing, they had a lot of great snakes, and anything else anyone owning or thinking about owning a snake would need. When I first entered the expo I immediately hit every table to check out what different breeders were selling, looked at some really nice snakes, and to look for my newest pet! To make a long story short, I walked around twice just to make sure I had seen all of the potential snakes that I would consider buying. Toward the end of my walk around I lay my eyes on this beautiful little baby ball female (not even a foot long), with the most amazing pattern. She looked nice, had clean vents, no wheezing, actively flicked tounge, skin was not too loose as it was a baby, eyes clear, gripped firmly but gently, everything SEEMED to be perfect. So, I went in expecting to get a baby male and walked out with a female hatchling. BTW I was sanitizing my hand with purell after holding each snake.

I was so excited to get her home and put her in the tank so that she could get used to her new enviornment. Havre de Grace is about a 1 hour drive, so on the car ride home I had her between my legs in the little tub she came in with my hands cupped around the tub (to keep it warm) and below the air holes of course so that she could breathe. I also had towel over her to keep it dark. During this time I was periodically checking on her to make sure she was okay. She made it through the car trip, and before I put her in her actual tank I quarantined her to make sure she did not have mites or anything else. I stepped out of the room for about 30 minutes to each lunch, and when I came back she was dead!! She was lying lifeless on her side, I could not believe it. The quarantine tank had everything that the snake needed including two hides, a waterbowl, white paper towels as substrate and appropriate heat with 2 thermostats and a hygrometer. I have absolutely no idea how this happened or what could have caused the death, everything with the husbandry was perfect. I bought the snake from Adam Kuhn of Adam Kuhn Captive Bred Reptiles, and I believe that he sold me a sick snake. I took his buisness card when I purchased her, and when I called him and told him what happened he was not helpful in trying to remedy the situation at all. He said that I would have to wait until the next show on Feburary 15th (almost six weeks from now) in which he would pay the $7.00 for admission and then provide me with a new snake! He did not offer another snake free of charge, and when I offered to pay for shipping he deterred me and said that it would cost me at least $50.00. Not only was he unwilling to replace my snake at the present time, he also did not apologize and was extremely passive about the situation.

Obviously, the snake that was sold to me was sick prior to my purchase. Please BEWARE and STEER CLEAR of Adam Kuhn and the reptiles he is selling. I was very excited about bringing my new snake home, and needless to say I'm extremely distraught over what happened. I do not want this to happen to anyone else. Although graphic, I do think it is important to illustrate the severity of the situation by including a photo. As soon as I figure out how to upload pics, I will post again with them included on the page.