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As a ball python breeder and an avid herper I have been cautious of buying adult ball pythons when adding new genetic lines to my collection. There is a time and a place for everything and that applies when it comes to buying an adult ball python.
Is it ok to introduce an adult ball python to my collection?
Like most other living things kept in large groups Ball Pythons are susceptible to disease and viral outbreaks. This is especially true when coupled with the stress of breeding and winter shipping. When given the chance I always recommend buying baby Ball Pythons for two important and different reasons. The first reason is that a baby snake has a much smaller chance of being a carrier for most of the reptile problems out there. The second reason is that as a breeder you get an irreplaceable opportunity to get to know and understand the way that baby snake behaves as you raise it to adulthood. Having said all of this I still do believe that there are times that it is perfectly OK to buy and introduce an Adult Ball Python into your collection.
Buying an adult breeder snake
It is as important picking the right person to buy your new breeder snake from as it is inspecting the snake when you receive it. There have been countless stories of people being sold the wrong genetics and sometimes even the wrong sex. Almost every breeder I have known has had one or more stories involving these problems and although not everyone selling a problem snake has bad intentions the results could set you back years and cost you lots of money in the end. Make sure that you have a written record of what you are buying at the time of purchase including a picture of the snake for identification. Ask around and find out if others have had a bad experience with the breeder you are buying from and finally when the snake arrives inspect it carefully for parasites, Respiratory Infection and tell-tale signs of previous treatments such as needle marks from injections and discoloration from treatment.
How to quarantine a new adult breeder snake
Once you get a healthy and properly sexed animal into your collection there is still a right way and a wrong way to introduce it into your collection. If you want to know how to quarantine a new snake here are a few tips. First make sure that you treat your snake for external parasites by using Nix or Rid as well as Prevent-a-Mite on the bedding. This process is harmless and inexpensive and can save you time and money in the long run. Then make sure that the animal is housed separately from the rest of your collection and preferably in an area that does not share traffic with your snake room. This step will help prevent the unexpected introduction of disease or parasites to the rest of your collection. Finally make sure that the animal you get has a chance to feed and shed multiple times to know that there are no problems before housing it in your snake room. The accepted norm for this procedure is six months but six weeks will give you a chance to see the snake feed multiple times and shed at least once.
Our adult ball pythons for Sale
There is a right way and a wrong way to do most things and when it comes to living animals there is always the welfare and proper care of the animal to consider. The best way to make sure there are no problems is to educate yourself and know what you are getting into first. At xyzReptiles we have a dedicated Adult Ball Python section that offers adult ball pythons for sale that we have worked with for years and are replacing with more complicated genetics. These animals are taken off of breeding and maintained for a six month period before being offered for sale and will provide you with the best chance to own an adult ball python or a potential new breeder. We are also available to help you set up and breed your new snake so don’t hesitate to call us.