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Inquiry Sunshine Serpents

Ahh, I see. Sorry, I must've missed that part. Still, if no mention was made of the snake being sold as a pair, thats shady IMO.
 
I just received a really nice adult yellow rat from dan on thurs 2/6, and the weather wasn't an issue at all, in fact it wasn't even mentioned by dan or myself.
It was only 19 degs when I picked up the snake at the fed ex facility, and the animal was still warmish.

I dont know Dan, but he seemed very professional, and his e mail correspondence was Excellent! Smooth as can be.
 
DavidBeard said:
Why on Earth would you require someone to buy a male with something as common as a Yellow/Everglades Rat?.
Click to expand...

David,
I think the animals age has a bit to do with it. It's a yearling female. Most colubrid sellers do indeed have a clause that lone females aren't sold individually, or if they are, they are at a bit of a premium price. Babies? No. (Although honestly, if you're only buying one $50 baby--paying $50 to ship is kinda crazy, but to each his own) But older stock often is only sold in pairs or trios and not broken up. As a breeder who's has the great luck of getting a hatch rate of less than 5% females, multiple years in a row, I can tell you that I've done the same.

More often than not, pet seekers are more than happy to purchase a male, especially since males are most likely priced lower. However, a buyer specifically requesting a female is more than likely a breeder (or one who dabbles!) and they know or are receptive to the no lone females rule on aged animals.


The only case in this thread was that Sunshine forgot to mention it in his ad. It happens. He's gone on now to make his buyer happy. It's all good.
 
Magic said:
David,
I think the animals age has a bit to do with it. It's a yearling female. Most colubrid sellers do indeed have a clause that lone females aren't sold individually, or if they are, they are at a bit of a premium price. Babies? No. (Although honestly, if you're only buying one $50 baby--paying $50 to ship is kinda crazy, but to each his own) But older stock often is only sold in pairs or trios and not broken up. As a breeder who's has the great luck of getting a hatch rate of less than 5% females, multiple years in a row, I can tell you that I've done the same.

More often than not, pet seekers are more than happy to purchase a male, especially since males are most likely priced lower. However, a buyer specifically requesting a female is more than likely a breeder (or one who dabbles!) and they know or are receptive to the no lone females rule on aged animals.


The only case in this thread was that Sunshine forgot to mention it in his ad. It happens. He's gone on now to make his buyer happy. It's all good.
Click to expand...

Good thoughts Kerri!

In my experience, in reality, I have forgotten this " industry standard " that has been mentioned, as only two times has this " standard " been brought up to me in any transaction I was about to make on a snake I was fixing to buy, that turned out to be a female, in my entire lifetime. I have currently 15 females I have paid for, and never with any of these did I have to pay a higher price because they were female, nor did I have any issue buying the females to begin with, as many of the breeders didn't even make that " standard " an issue to begin with. Some breeders may follow that rule, but in my experience, most don't.

I agree that Sunshine must have forgotten to mention that in his ad, and I am pleased to see that he will be honoring the sale of this lone female to Seth. I knew this would work out, as Daniel is a good guy!! :thumbsup:
 
It's a rare occasion for me to purchase a single gender since I only purchase in pairs. But when I have to purchase a single gender, I would get frustrated if someone would tell me I have to purchase a pair. It would defeat the purpose of why I would purchase a single gender in the first place.

I tend to stay away from those who feel it's necessary to practice that. I feel like it hinders your customer base to a small group and adds pressure on the person interested.

It's like going to a car lot to purchase a car and the dealer wouldn't sell you one unless you buy a truck also.... Pointless IMO
 
the purchase was made and received, I thank Daniel for honoring the original agreement for the 2012 female yellow rat that we had agreed on.

I must ask however, am I wrong in expecting a 17 month old snake to be larger?

I paid quite a bit more to get a 2012 instead of a 2013, was I wrong in expecting a 2012 yellow rat to be substantially larger than 29 grams?
 
poomwah said:
the purchase was made and received, I thank Daniel for honoring the original agreement for the 2012 female yellow rat that we had agreed on.

I must ask however, am I wrong in expecting a 17 month old snake to be larger?

I paid quite a bit more to get a 2012 instead of a 2013, was I wrong in expecting a 2012 yellow rat to be substantially larger than 29 grams?
Click to expand...

I keep and breed this group from wild caught locales- Deckert's, Everglades, and intergrades of south Florida yellows X Everglades. They're born 9-11 inches total length. Mine, born September 2013, are now almost 15 inches total length. As a range, I hope this helps you.
 
poomwah said:
How much do your 2013s weigh, Walter?
Click to expand...

If I had a scale, I would weigh for you, but I don't weigh my snakes ever. I go by length of what I expect to be well-fed individuals. For what it's worth, the girth on the little fella you have looks fine. What is its total length?
 
poomwah said:
19 inches and as big around as a pencil
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In 5 months, mine (at 9-10 inches at birth) are 14-15 inches TL. By their first birthday this September, they will be in the range of yours or so. They eat 1-2 F/T pinks every 7-9 days in general.

Depending on how yours had been raised, your snake could be 17 months and 19 inches. So, a few inches smaller than mine. Plausible, but on the lower end.
 
It depends on the individual animal as well. The vast majority of keepers really overfeed their snakes. There is no reason to stuff them all of the time, make them grow super fast and expect them to be a certain weight by a certain age. Feed the snake a conservative but healthy amount, let it grow on it's own accord and as long as it keeps pooping eating shedding growing and doing normal snake things, it doesn't matter what size it is. These animals are built to maximize and capitalize on the nutrients they get. I've done business with SS and I am a very choosy person when it comes to my colubrids. They have some of if not the best stock in most North American rat snakes and focus on quality specimens and lineages. The snake looks great.
 
aSnakeLovinBabe said:
It depends on the individual animal as well. The vast majority of keepers really overfeed their snakes. There is no reason to stuff them all of the time, make them grow super fast and expect them to be a certain weight by a certain age. Feed the snake a conservative but healthy amount, let it grow on it's own accord and as long as it keeps pooping eating shedding growing and doing normal snake things, it doesn't matter what size it is. These animals are built to maximize and capitalize on the nutrients they get. I've done business with SS and I am a very choosy person when it comes to my colubrids. They have some of if not the best stock in most North American rat snakes and focus on quality specimens and lineages. The snake looks great.
Click to expand...

Great input Miss Shannon!!
 
aSnakeLovinBabe said:
It depends on the individual animal as well. The vast majority of keepers really overfeed their snakes. There is no reason to stuff them all of the time, make them grow super fast and expect them to be a certain weight by a certain age. Feed the snake a conservative but healthy amount, let it grow on it's own accord and as long as it keeps pooping eating shedding growing and doing normal snake things, it doesn't matter what size it is. These animals are built to maximize and capitalize on the nutrients they get. I've done business with SS and I am a very choosy person when it comes to my colubrids. They have some of if not the best stock in most North American rat snakes and focus on quality specimens and lineages. The snake looks great.
Click to expand...

Very good....

Be happy you were sent a nice and healthy looking snake.
 
I'm happy I was sent a nice snake. I'm unhappy that I spent so much on such a small snake.
I hope he eats next week. He hasn't defecated or eaten yet
 
How much could you have possibly spent on a yellow rat snake?

I just bought a gorgeous adult yellow from Dan about a month ago, and its already a feeding machine.

Put a hide box or two in the cage, leave it alone,(dont handle it) and let it acclimate, it will come around on its own, in no time, they are pretty bullet proof snakes.
 
I paid twice what a hatchling would have cost.
She has several hides about 4 inches of aspen to burrow in. I left her alone for a week before trying to feed her. I will do the same for another week.
 
IMHO, she looks healthy and is a gorgeous yellow rat. Give her some time to get acclimated! Many breeders ship "empty". Meaning they wait until a snake had defecated before sending, so she may not poop until after she's eaten for you. As far as her size? I have several leucistics that are her exact age and her exact size, even two from my clutch that are smaller. You got what you paid for, and he even went above and beyond.

Poomwah, you are starting to sound like a customer who does nothing but complain.
 
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