I bought my first snake 8 months ago, first I did my research on breeds, hardiness, temperment and size using a lot of site (including this one) I decided on a Bredli and set about making enquiries, I found a few avliable and went out to have a look first person (lets not call them a breeder) I went in asked to have a look "can I hold the hatchie" "no sorry just had 1st feed may throw up" """warning bells"""" "can I have a look at the parents" "no prob mate" took me to a room with two snakes housed together in a 4x2x2 enclosure "can I hold one" "nah mate sorry they don't like people" I said thanks but no thanks and left. This person was selling more expensive ones!!!! !
I don't get why you got upset or warning bells when he said that you can't hold them as they just got fed?( not having a go) Or the bit about not being able to hold the parents? Maybe it is just me but i don't think there is anything wrong with that? I rarely let anyone else hold my snakes, especially other snake keepers. Sounds like he was just practising some good hubandry/quarrantine?
I bought my first snake 8 months ago, first I did my research on breeds, hardiness, temperment and size using a lot of site (including this one) I decided on a Bredli and set about making enquiries, I found a few avliable and went out to have a look first person (lets not call them a breeder) I went in asked to have a look "can I hold the hatchie" "no sorry just had 1st feed may throw up" """warning bells"""" "can I have a look at the parents" "no prob mate" took me to a room with two snakes housed together in a 4x2x2 enclosure "can I hold one" "nah mate sorry they don't like people" I said thanks but no thanks and left. This person was selling more expensive ones!!!! Next breeder I went to showed me feed and shed records had all defecations marked, let me hold all the bubs and both parents. I picked the cheaper one not because she was cheap but because she was the calmest and I have an 8 year old that loves snakes, she wasn't cheap because she was nasty and not advertised as such but because the rest of the clutch were hypo and she was the most classic of all markings. I don't think cheap means nasty but I think there are "breeders"out there just to make a buck and there are people who honestly love their snakes and bred!!!!!!!
Maybe you're doing it wrong... mine were all gorgeous....All human babies are ugly little wrinkled things anyway. I only produce snake babies now, they are much prettier.LOL.
Cheers
Ian
....... I went in asked to have a look "can I hold the hatchie" "no sorry just had 1st feed may throw up" """warning bells"""" "can I have a look at the parents" "no prob mate" took me to a room with two snakes housed together in a 4x2x2 enclosure "can I hold one" "nah mate sorry they don't like people" I said thanks but no thanks and left. .......!
There are also breeders out there who honestly love their snakes, know what they're doing and they also like to make a buck. Don't dismiss them.
I understand about the quarantine issue with the parents my issue with what he said came most from the "1st" feed bit of what he said about hatchies as everything I have read seen or heard says they should be feeding well and have had a shed. Also never said I have an issue with people making money but making it by selling babies before they are ready to go is not as far as I'm concerned is bad practice in any animal. I bred
ed dogs and wouldn't let a pup go before it is eating well and will be able to be by itself. I understand snakes don't need mum but to sell a hatchie before it's feeding etc isn't that the same sort of thing.
I understand about the quarantine issue with the parents my issue with what he said came most from the "1st" feed bit of what he said about hatchies as everything I have read seen or heard says they should be feeding well and have had a shed. Also never said I have an issue with people making money but making it by selling babies before they are ready to go is not as far as I'm concerned is bad practice in any animal. I bred
ed dogs and wouldn't let a pup go before it is eating well and will be able to be by itself. I understand snakes don't need mum but to sell a hatchie before it's feeding etc isn't that the same sort of thing.
Was the seller willing to let you take the snake home that has only 1 feed before it was established? Did you ask when they were willing to let it go?
You're right. A good breeder would not sell an animal that is not eating well, and voluntarily. I personally don't let babies go until they have had at least three unassisted feeds - this means they are taking their food eagerly without needing to be teased. But in saying this, the buyer needs to address some common sense and responsibility, too. I have sold good feeders only to have the buyers contact me because their new snake is refusing to eat. One came back to me 3 weeks after I sold it because the buyer was scared of it. I deliberately picked out my best feeder for him knowing his lack of experience, but that little snake came back to me refusing to eat for 6 weeks before i resorted to trying a live mouse. The snake pounced on it straight away, but still would not eat a thawed one straight after. I had to feed him live for 4 weeks before I finally got him back onto dead food. He was eating well and back to normal so let him go. The next buyer, an experienced snake keeper could not get that snake eating properly and had to resort to force feeding.
So while I agree a good breeder makes sure they are selling healthy, feeding snakes, what happens once they leave the seller, isn't always an issue that is the fault of the seller. So always talk to the sellers before blasting them on here. Issues can often be simply resolved, saving everyone un-necessary heartache.
I'm not disputing you acted sensibly. I would have done the same. i would not buy a hatchling that's had just one feed. I was just commenting, that once you do get one home, be sure you stay in contact with the person you buy from. Nobody knows your hatchling better than its breeder.
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