Adopting Snakes

[Bijan]

Hey guys.

I'm new to the forum and large snakes.

What is your experience with adopting snakes/ buying them from Craigslist?

Does the procedure typically mimic getting any other animal? What precautions should I take, etc.?

I really would love to buy a "used" snake, and it's a lot cheaper too. But is it really worth it compared to buying from a reputable breeder?

Opinions/Comments?

Thanks

[marvelfreak]

Just check the snake out good and make sure it's health. Also ask to hold it make sure it has a good temperament.

[Lankyrob]

~I think it depends what you want - if you want to breed yourself then you want to get form a reputable place so that you can trace genetics - if you just want a pet then why not adopt an animal?

[Freebody]

~I think it depends what you want - if you want to breed yourself then you want to get form a reputable place so that you can trace genetics - if you just want a pet then why not adopt an animal?
ya sounds about right :) Welcome to the forum :)

[infernalis]

I commend you on wanting to give a snake a second chance... Go for it!

[Swan]

If your unfamiliar with snakes then you should find someone that is knowledged in the herp world and take him/her to look at the adoption in question. They will know what to look for. Correct husbandry, knowledge of current owner and any visual problems. Someone with experience will also be able to explain temperament and proper care of that species. Great that your going to give an adoption a good home. Good luck.

[presspirate]

With the exception of one, I have gotten all of my snakes from CL. As Rob said, they can make great pets, but if you are going to breed, it is probably best to purchase from a trusted breeder.

Set up a time to go observe the snake and handle it. Don't commit to a purchase until you are satisfied that it's overall health is good.Be sure to ask about shedding, feeding, and any other health concerns you may have. Make sure you have the enclosure set up and warm before you bring the snake home. Once you get your snake home, leave him alone for a week or so before handling. And keep it separated from any other snakes you might have for a month or two. Also, make sure you have the name and contact info of a reptile vet near you in case anything comes up.

Having said all that, good luck on your new pet. It's always exciting when you can adopt a new snake and give it a happy safe and warm home!

[Freebody]

some things to look for, allertness, clear eyes, unless she is in shed of course than they will be blue :P, check for little black bugs under their scale " mites" check to makes sure its not making a gurgling weasing sound " respritory infection" check to see if its straight, i mean no bulges or mutations, and check to see if its moving right, i mean if its twisting around like rolling over or turning its head upside down, those are signs of neuoligical problems, if that all checks out you should have yourself a good healthy new pet snake, and of course get the guy to hold it or handle it ourself to see if its tame, but that is somthing with 9/10 and be tamed yourself with a little pacience. add some for me if i missed anything plz :) make sure to do your homework on the specific species in question and have a cage set up properly before you run out and get your new friend, im sure we have all done it at one point in time and its not to big of a deal as long as its all done asap, but it makes the transition much more pleasant for you and the snake :)

[Nafun]

I have adopted snakes and lizards, but there's a couple of things to watch out for.

First, as everyone said, be sure to check the health of the animal.

Second, find out why the person is getting rid of the animal.

Third, watch out for rehoming fees. The idea behind a rehoming fee is to recoup the costs required to prepare the animal for adoption (such as vet visits) and to ensure that the animal is going to a home where it won't be the star of a youtube video that leads to anonymous sending 50,000 pizzas to your house. If someone wants a rehoming fee that is equal to or in excess of the cost of the animal, be sure to ask what justifies it. If they refuse to lower a rehoming fee that is justified solely by "making sure it goes to a good home", offer to let them visit your home and inspect your set up. If they still refuse, they're selling the animal, and you'd be better off going to a breeder. You can also ask them to justify the rehoming fee by getting a vet to verify the health of the animal.

Many people use "rehoming fees" on craigslist to get around the ban on selling animals. Call me a crotchety old man, but if you buy an animal that you can't take care of, you should not hold its well being hostage to try to make a profit.


Something else to think about. If you're getting a snake that isn't dangerous, you don't necessarily have to turn down animals that are aggressive. I wouldn't suggest trying to adopt an aggressive adult burmese, but a crotchety snake who isn't going to send you to the hospital every time it strikes can be worth the effort.

For example: I July I adopted a ~3.5ft adult male ball python. The previous owner had had him for about 3 years, and hadn't even named him. They never handled him because when you opened his enclosure he puffed and hissed. Within two months, he became my most friendly and docile snake. He has never bitten me and actively seeks out attention. All he needed was a little TLC and an owner who wasn't afraid of getting bitten. Now I'm looking forward to decades with an absolutely wonderful snake whose previous owner had written him off as "unhandlable".

[Damion930]

my gf found my retic Enki on cl for nothing and his enclosure he was only supposed to be six ft and was closer to nine but I couldn't be happier he has a great temperament but as she has no snakes experience and mine was limited to helping my breeder buddy with his we got lucky just bringing random snake into our home imagen my suprise when I came home to look what I got u honey

[Bijan]

Thanks for the info guys.
There are also a couple rescues and herpotological societies around that are probably going to be my first resource before cl. I'm assuming (not sure yet) that they provide vet checks for their animals.

[Will0W783]

I have had both good and bad luck. I adopted a neglected Frilled dragon, and despite repeated vet visits and intensive UVB therapy, she could not recover and I lost her after a few months. I had ended up spending a fortune on this animal to try to nurse it back to health after it had basically been kept in forced brumation year-round.
On the flip side, one of the best and nicest snakes I have ever owned I got from Craigslist. Baby, my late superdwarf retic, was from a man selling her so his fiancee could move in. SHe was terrified of Baby and said it was her or the snake. Baby was $75, and my neighbors' kids played with her in the grass during the summer, she went to photo shoots with models, and helped several friends of mine come around to snakes. Baby seemed to sense when she was the center of attention and I would swear she hammed it up. I had her for about 2 years and she was like family to me. I could not have asked for a nicer, sweeter, more beautiful animal.
So as long as you ask the usual questions, see the owner's setup and check the health of the animal, I think Craigslist is a great way to get a cheaper snake that needs a good home.

[Dumeril daddy]

I just adopted a dumerils boa ..... Prior parents of dumeril didnt know feeding xinditions for a ground boa ..... Just make sure u do ur homework exotic pets are nothing like domesticated animals make sure to know possible total growth length dont just see something cute get it then realize years later u have a 15 foot snake u cant take care of...

Daddy dumeril

[Aaron_S]

It depends on what you want Bijan.

Buying a snake from a breeder ensures you have someone to call if you have a question as well as you know the entire history of the animal. Getting one from craigslist could be a pocketbook killer as Kim mentioned but also worthwhile.

If you do get a "rescue" from craigslist just be sure to know you very well may be getting a snake who is in poor health and coming from a bad situation. If you're new to reptiles I wouldn't recommend it.

[Dumeril daddy]

i just got my 2 dumies from cragslist for free only had to buy 1 tank getting from prior owner just make sure you dont put alot of money into rehoming fees n stuff that is 100% negotiation

[Aaron_S]

I would NEVER give someone a "re-homing fee". That's called selling not adopting.

[Lankyrob]

When we rehomed our corn i refused the rehoming fee but was prepared to make a payment for the vivarium and equipment that came as part of the deal.