Is this A Good-Deal?For a Reptile?

Question

I'm going to be trading my sulcata (african-spur-thighed-tortoise) for a adult ball python -male-, but the guy that im trading it with has his own herp program. My baby tortoise is about big as a Tennis Ball.

Answer 1

It is totally up to you as to whether this is a good trade or not. Moneywise, they are probably about the same price. Male balls are not worth a whole lot, nor are the smaller sulcatas.
There are pros and cons to each animal. Torts will need a larger area to live and eventually a very large dog house for shelter and end up outside, whereas the snake will need a tank and can be kept inside.
Male ball pythons stay on the smaller side.. 4-5 foot max. So, they will only need to eat about one rat per week. Which will probably be less than feeding an adult tort everyday.

Think about the long term and decide which would be the better pet.

Answer 2

A sulcata tortoise and an adult ball python doesn't seem like a very good trade to me. A ball python is probably one of the rare snakes I would not own. The ball python no matter how much is handled is always head shy and gets scared of most things around it and this leads to more snake bites to your hands and face. I own several species of snakes including red tail boas, green tree pythons, corn snakes, and at one time a ball python. I used to handle the ball python every day for several hours a day and never had a problem with him until he got to be about 2 years old and then after that all he did was try to bite me any time I went near him. I own aquatic turtles and tortoise's and even though your sulcata will get very large they do make wonderful friends. Turtles can learn to recognize there owners and be very friendly. I have a Russian tortoise that is 17 years old and all he does all day is hide until I come from work and the second he hears my voice he is out of his hole and running around his habitat until I take him out and he plays around my feel trying to climb up my legs. So be careful with your trade. It's always better to get an animal when young so it can learn to trust you getting a full grown animal is asking for trouble.

Answer 3

I would find out how old it is. Take a look at the snake and then go online and research. Don't just take his word for it on how old she is. If your tortoise is a baby, I don't think that the trade is very fair. Also find out how much of a money difference there is between your baby african-spur-thighed-tortoise and the snake. If yours costs more, I REALLY think it's a bad trade. Hope this helps! I love reptiles too :)

Answer 4

Yes.
You really are getting a good deal. The baby tortoise will grow too large for most yards, and push down fences. By trading him now, you get an easier pet, and don't have to worry about the problems down the road.
It's especially good because the guy has more resourses to deal with how big the tortoise is gonna get. (they also get mean)
Trade now. You won't be sorry.

Answer 5

Got to be honest with ya.. Stick with the turtles! Big snakes become a real pain to keep and overall u will spend WAY more $$ on supporting the snake... But the deal sounds fair even if he breeds.. Snakes take a lot of work to breed and raise... Just my opinion...

Answer 6

as size goes its a very good deal but its going to cost you a few mice or a rat every 4 weeks. adult pythons eat every few weeks but wheh fed a large rat he shouldnt be hungry for over a month.i think they are hungry again whe the snake passes its previous meal.at least thats the way i would feed my snake.if you have seen anaconda those big boys need a horse to feel full and not taco bell.

Answer 7

yes its good