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Purchasing first corn snake!

Wilder

Wilder

Y HALO THAR
Hello everyone,

As I said in the subject, I will be purchasing my first snake soon. After several months of research on the snakes themselves and various breeders, I thought I was comfortable with ordering one sight-unseen from online. The breeder I chose is one of the trusted, respected ones and has a policy that I quite like, so I figured it would be worth the shipping cost to have that peace of mind.

However, we just moved to an area where there is a reptile show held every month... and we live all of 10 minutes away from it! Here is where I start to have some second thoughts. Would it be better to go pick one out from one of the breeders at a show, or to just go ahead and pay an extra $40 for the shipping? Also, it's getting very cold here now, would that be a worry with having one shipped here? The thought of seeing the snake before buying is nice, but heck, hatchlings are ugly anyway, right? ;)

I think what has me most worried about buying a snake from someone that I might never have contact with again is if the snake turns out to be one of the rare ones that would rather eat you than socialize. The breeder I would order online from allows returns if the snake isn't what you expected, so that eases my fears. Maybe unfounded fears, but still!

What do you guys think? Better to order from a good, trusted source or to go on the cheap and buy one at a local show? I know many people have gotten good deals from shows, but, well, call it first-time jitters. :) We're planning on going to the show anyway... at the very least, it's a good place to get snake food from.

Thoughts?
 
Kinda sounds like you're talking about Kathy Love? If so, that's a great choice---the best you can make.

However, for your first snake it's not really a necessity. Most breeders at expos have guarantees and it's the same type of things as Kathy. You can normally check out the breeders that will be at the show ahead of time and do some research. I'm in Florida and Kathy love does shows around the state--so you see what I mean? Good breeders are available at shows and not just online.

I got a pair of baby corns last year at the expo from Lost World Reptiles (they dont ship online so I'm not trying to solicit business) and they've been wonderful. Never been nipped at, never refused a meal and the breeder has been available to answer any and all questions by email.

Basically, you cant go wrong either way, but I'd suggest just buying one from the show.
 
I would go with the show. It's good to talk to the breeders and you get a better deal (especially if you aren't picky). Just make SURE you get the breeder's card so you can call/email them with any problems. Online places are great if you live somewhere where shows are not commonplace, but I know I'd rather talk to the breeder.

The big places have good policies, but I think the best way to get good treatment as a customer is to A. buy from a breeder who isn't part of a big company and handles everything themselves, and B. meet the person. It's easier to talk to one person who you kind of know than it is to email a company, probably have to ship the snake back at your expense, etc.

Also, make sure you check out breeders that are as close to your home as possible. If you find 'that guy from down the street' selling snakes at the show, you have not only an easy return/exchange, but an expert opinion.

I don't know... I get hard to understand sometimes, but I would definitely go to the show if I were you. I know I get the most peace of mind by buying from someone who I have met and gotten contact info from.
It would be helpful if you posted who you were going to buy from online too.

No problem with the cold, they are shipped in hot or cold packs as appropriate and are overnight delivery, just make sure you are around to recieve the package.

BTW, hatchlings are NOT ugly! and welcome to the world of snakes and to this forum, youre going to love it. :crazy02:
 
It makes more sense to buy from the show. If you bought a corn online and wanted to return it, it would cost you $40 to ship it back plus another $40 for the new corn, on top of the $40 you paid with your original order.

You simply can't beat getting to hand pick a corn yourself because you get to see firsthand the corn's colors, health, size (compared to its clutchmates), and general temperament. This all comes in handy because I guarantee you there'll be at least one snake at the show that'll stand at as YOUR snake. ;)

Most of the people who sell at small monthly shows are local breeders, so it'd be easier to get in touch with them if you were to have any problems. Plus, they're likely to be regular vendors at the show, so it's not like they'll disappear overnight. Just make sure to ask where they're from and get their contact information. If the show has a website, look up the vendor list in advance, visit their websites, and do a background check on them at the BOI.

I do have to admit though, with these kind of shows, you'll end up wanting to bring home 50 snakes. :grin01:
 
Azruial said:
lol, are there any of those shows in CT?
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I'm not sure, but I think CT is included in the "All New England Reptile Expo Center Show" in NH. That already passed, but I think there's another in April if you check www.herpshows.com

And I found that herp shows are the BEST places to get food! So cheap! So good! It made me happy.

I also got my second corn at the show I went to in October and I love him, he's really agreat snake. Shows are good because 1. No shipping, 2. You get to talk to the breeder and ask questions, and 3. You get to hold, see, and get to 'know' the snake before you buy.

In short, shows are good and make more sense unless you want something really specific, or if shows don't come around often enough where you live.
 
Thanks for the replies, everyone. :)

We've decided to wait until we've gone to the show. I think I will be able to decide a lot better then, as I can ask the local breeders some questions. I'm not entirely sure WHAT to ask, but I can bet you guys here will give me some ideas. ;)

Of course, I do have a few more questions right now. In reading around online, I've seen it said that if a vendor at a show lets you handle the snakes, you shouldn't buy one from them as you don't know what it's come in contact with. Is this true? If that's the case, how can I be sure the snake I want will be mellow enough to make a good companion? Can I ask the vendor to handle the snake I want, and expect that they will do so happily? Just how jumpy should a young snake be? Is there any way to tell how it will act as an adult based on its attitude as a baby? Unless there's an older snake that really does call to me, I plan to get a hatchling. They're so tiny! And cute. I don't know how anyone can look at a baby corn snake and think they're evil. :)

I do already have the Corn Snake Manual, so know what to look for in a healthy snake. But is there anything else in particular we should watch out for? Any signs that a particular breeder will just try to talk a good story and make a fool of someone new to the snake world?

Oh, and are the snakes at shows usually sexed? I'd prefer knowing what my snake is, and want a male anyway. :) For the matter, I don't suppose anyone on here knows of a few good, responsible breeders that would be vending at the Indianapolis shows? I'm looking for an Okeetee, specifically. There's just something about a striking snake that's made that way from nature itself!

I'd better stop before this gets too long! Further replies VERY welcome.

Three weeks to go, yay!
 
Wilder said:
In reading around online, I've seen it said that if a vendor at a show lets you handle the snakes, you shouldn't buy one from them as you don't know what it's come in contact with. Is this true?
Click to expand...

I get the feeling that you're more concerned with temperament. With corn snakes, this shouldn't be a problem at all. In my limited experience, it seems that the nicest corns will poke their head out to look at you when you're looking at them through the glass or even a deli cup. Then when you take them out to hold, they wrap around your wrist and slowly work their way around your hand or arm as opposed to going spastic and stretching themselves out to climb out of your hand. These seem to be the ones that don't spend all their time hiding once they're settled at home.

Anyway, what other people are saying with regards to contact concerns disease and pathogens. When you handle animals at a show, you risk spreading mites as well as other diseases. That's why when I get to a show, I go to the restroom to wash my hands, then wash my hands before leaving. People will sometimes have instant hand sanitizers on their tables, but they don't do very well against some of the most dangerous parasites. With the number of animals available at the shows as well as the number of people who are there to look but not buy, not every animal is going to be handled. Still, you should try to get to a show early before anyone has had a chance to handle the animal and also to get a better selection, and be very mindful of how the animals in general look at the entire show. Try not to handle too many animals, and make sure to wash your hands before you leave.

As for questions to ask the breeders, here's what I ask for:
1) When the snake was last fed
2) Whether the snake eats frozen or live (ask for the size of feeder if you're unsure)
3) How often the snake was fed
4) The snake's age (you should be able to get a hatching date)
5) What the snake's parents looked like
6) If there are any clutchmates available (so you can see how yours compares)
7) When was the snake's last shed (worth asking but doesn't really matter)

And I think there were one or two more questions I normally ask but I can't remember at the moment.
 
Not to mention the sex.

However, it's most important to check the snakes health. Check if the mouth is closed properly. If the tongue flikkers. If possible, check the mouth.
Look for parasites. Especially around the eyes, nostriles and vent. See if the body feels strong and solid. No mites crawling around. Check if the eyes are clear, no signs of old skin/scars/evidence of old poor sheds (Like a disformed tail). Look for kinks ect. To name a few things ;)
 
I have a small question. If your purchasing a corn. Why not just ask if someone around here on this forum. Lives near you, Most of them are well skilled and have a good idea of what's going on. Perhaps one of the breeders on here can hook you up. Without a shipping cost.. teehee Just thought I'd note that.

:cheers:
 
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