Someone is selling me a Red-Tail Boa... but it has a lump...

[midtx350z]

Long story short, there's a guy that lives in a city 30 minutes away from where I live. He's selling his 6ft Red Tail Boa for $250. I wanted to take a look at it first so we met up. Come to find out... the boa has a small "lump" under her head on the right side, he said she's had it since he can remember and she doesnt have trouble eating or anything. I handled her and she's VERY sweet and calm. He said she's been eating a large rat every 1-2 weeks.

This guy owns a lot of snakes, retics, pythons, burmese, etc. He also breeds his own rats. He said he was running out of room and needs to get rid of her.

Now the question is... what do you guys/gals think the lump is? And is that price good for this snake? I attached a few photos of my friend holding her. You can see the lump on the third photo.

[Keri]

Oooh... that "lump" probably doesn't mean good things, probably an abscess or growth of some sort, a vet visit definately. If you want to take her on keep that in mind but I would not pay money to buy her (you'll be paying to find out what it is) Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, she's cute

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[Sakara]

unless he got it vet tested to insure it wasn't anything bad, I wouldn't get her...

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[midtx350z]

Abscesses. An abscess is a pocket of bacterial infection, which in snakes may appear as a firm lump. Pus formed by snakes is solid, unlike the liquid pus formed by mammals. Because the pus cannot be drained, an abscess may require surgical, as well as medical therapy. Abscesses can be just a millimeter or two in diameter, or can grow very large. They may have a scab on the top. These bacterial infections can form at the site of a bite from live prey, cage mates or parasites. In these cases the bite mark may be obvious.

It is also common for snakes to develop many small abscesses within or just under unbroken skin. These are more easily felt than seen. If the infection did not arrive through external trauma, such as a bite, scratch or burn wound, it must have arrived internally. Frequently, skin infection is the outward manifestation of a more serious internal problem, septicemia, or blood poisoning. In these cases, the bacterium that causes the abscesses has been disseminated throughout the body, although we may only see the effects on the skin.

The source of bacteria is usually the snake himself or the prey. Most bacteria, given the right conditions and a host with a weakened immune system, are capable of causing some sort of disease. Some of the bacteria found on and in the body of a healthy, normal snake have the potential to be particularly dangerous. One of the best known is Salmonella. Potentially dangerous bacteria are also found in the snake's mouth, his digestive tract and waste. Some are found in the blood stream. When the environment is clean and well suited to the species, a snake in good health will not usually become ill; his immune system keeps the bacteria in check. Usually as a secondary invader, fungi can also become involved, complicating an already serious condition. Bacterial and fungal skin infections are generally related to a husbandry problem and should be treated by a veterinarian.

Blister disease is a life-threatening condition in which fluid-filled pockets form under the scales, lifting the scales. The surrounding skin may be abnormally pink, red or moist. These blisters are painful and are prime entry points for bacteria and fungus. Blister disease is largely due to improper husbandry. Usually the environment is inadequately heated, too moist or too dirty. Some bacterial or viral infections cause inflammation of blood vessels, interfering with normal circulation. The resulting fluid build-up can appear similar to blister disease. It is important to inspect the underside of your snake for irregularities in the color and normally smooth, dry contour of the large belly scales.

I really liked her.

What would be a fair way to go about it if I did decide to buy her? Ask him to take her to the vet first? Ask him for money back guarantee if she gets sick from it?

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[Keri]

Maybe a vet visit first - where you both attend so you can hear what the vet has to say. I wouldn't put any stock in getting your money back afterwards unless he's a close friend. (If you want to take on the snake as a rescue go for it but use that $250 towards the vet bill) sorry, I don't mean to sound callous - I don't mean it that way, just giving you an honest opinion, I don't want you to get screwed over.

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[BlackLava]

no way would i pay that much for a snake with a strange unknown lump, unless he can provide documentation that it has been tested and proven to be non-harmful. now if he wants to give it to you, and you wanna pay the vet bills, go for it, otherwise, i would walk the other way lol.

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[spix14]

Take her if you can get her free and are willing to foot some vet bills-otherwise steer clear. I wouldn't take his word on paying you back either-seeing as how he's trying to sell a snake that has something wrong with it to begin with.

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[Smtie]

Is it your first boa? If so I wouldn't start with a rescue. I had to treat one of my boas for URI and it was pretty nerve racking trying to get a catheter down his throat to administer his meds. Just saying it wouldnt be a fun first boa experience.
If your really set on the boa go to the vet together and split the cost of the visit. If somethings wrong you'll be able to get an idea of what it will take to correct it as far as time and money goes. If nothings wrong I'd pay the guy back his half of the vet visit + the 250 and be on my way.
If he says no its probably a sign he knows somethings up.

Looks to me like his lips are kinda "puffed" apart too. Hard to see though.
Did you get to see the set up he is being kept in? Look clean and heated?

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[midtx350z]

Originally Posted by Smtie

Is it your first boa? If so I wouldn't start with a rescue. I had to treat one of my boas for URI and it was pretty nerve racking trying to get a catheter down his throat to administer his meds. Just saying it wouldnt be a fun first boa experience.
If your really set on the boa go to the vet together and split the cost of the visit. If somethings wrong you'll be able to get an idea of what it will take to correct it as far as time and money goes. If nothings wrong I'd pay the guy back his half of the vet visit + the 250 and be on my way.
If he says no its probably a sign he knows somethings up.
Looks to me like his lips are kinda "puffed" apart too. Hard to see though.
Did you get to see the set up he is being kept in? Look clean and heated?

Thanks so much for your input.
I agree with you, I probably should steer clear of rescues. He did say he had a 3ft male Red Tail, I guess I could check him out. Or maybe I should steer clear of this guy.
I'll bring up the vet idea tomorrow when I speak to him. We'll see what he says. The snake acted and looked super healthy other than the lump.
As for the lips, I can kind of see what your saying. I would have taken more pics but it was dark.

He said he builds his own cages. She was in a 6x2x2. I didn't see the setup though.

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[Icicle]

I would buy her, but have him take her to the vet, and pay the bill, and the med's.

From zooming in on the 3rd picture it looks like a bite from a rat to the lower side of the jawbone. might be an infection.
Definitely a vet visit snake.

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[kellymack515]

A rescue for your first redtail is probably not the best idea. As far as this guy, anyone trying to sell a snake for that much with a very obvious unknown medical problem is likely someone you do not want to do business with. What if the other snakes have unknown problems that aren't so obvious? Steer clear. But I would try to convince him to give the snake up to the local herp society or a herp vet in the area. Good luck and keep us posted!

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[Stargazer]

$250 is high for a common boa, especially one with a health issue. You can get them for $90 here at the store and even less at an expo. If it comes with a 6' enclosure, though, it could be a good deal, but the lump is definitely concerning. Exotic vets are not cheap.

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[Stargazer]

People who live in Texas, like Sakara, could probably point you in the direction of a reputable breeder who has reasonable prices. You can do way better than that for a nice BCI with guaranteed health.

	Boa Constrictor Imperator Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator). Most common is the Colombian Boa.

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[Sakara]

haha I didn't even see that you live in Texas. whoops lol. there are a lot of good breeders in texas. and if you are willing to pay $250 you can get some nice animals. even if a person sounds like they take decent care of there animals it's not always true. even if there is proper caging. one of my buddies has a friend who was trying yo sell some nicer snakes. I had gone to take pics of them last night to post them for him. what I saw was nice AP cages with multiple animals in each one and poo and pee everywhere. no substrate, dirty water if any at all and the albino boa was wobbly. I immedietly scrubbed myself down and high tailed it out.

also if he is feeding live prey (which is bad) and if that's a rat bite, it could kill her... there is a member on here whose reticulated python had been bitten by a rat earlier in it's life and now it has a lump on it's neck that is fatal and will eventually cause the snake to have to be put down. I don't know about you, but when I buy a snake, $100 or $1000 I expect that animal to be in proper health and provided that the animal is properly cared for, which I do, I expect to have a pet that lives a very long time

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[dapozer]

Not a good way to start. $250 is pretty high for a common bci, for 250 you could get into hypo, anery, pastel and other bci's off kingsnake, you could get into some of the true bcc boas and have better animal that you can be a part of while it grows up. I got my common for under $50 off craigslist from a girl that did not have any skills and a drug problem here he is



keep looking.

	Boa Constrictor Constrictor Red Tail Boa Constrictor (Boa constictor constrictor). Refers to "true" red tail boas such as the Guyana and Suriname locales.

	Boa Constrictor Imperator Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator). Most common is the Colombian Boa.

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	Hypomelanistic Hypomelanistic - a genetic reduction in the dark pigment Melanin.

	Anerythristic A recessive genetic mutation in which the animal is void of red pigment.

[midtx350z]

He just emailed me this:
"I have no problem taking her to the vet and getting her checked. But the price will go up to 320. I use a to z vet they r the only vet that specialize in reptiles. I guarantee the health of my snakes. If you have any questions call after 7. Also the small red tail is already sold. Thanks!"

No go? What are some good breeders in Texas?

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[midtx350z]

He just emailed me this:
"I have no problem taking her to the vet and getting her checked. But the price will go up to 320. I use a to z vet they r the only vet that specialize in reptiles. I guarantee the health of my snakes. If you have any questions call after 7. Also the small red tail is already sold. Thanks!"
No go? What are some good breeders in Texas?

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[Sakara]

yea..... I wouldn't do that... That's just me, but even when I heard the price at $250 that would have been a big "no thanks" lol... What kind of boa are you looking for? a normal? a morph? a sub species specific? doesn't matter? lol

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	Morph A morph is a color or pattern variation that is proven to be genetic. Common morphs include albino, anerythristic, gentically striped, Hypomelanistic, and many others. Morphs also include combinations of simple traits such as "Sunglow" which is Albino and Hypomelanistic. These traits may be recessive traits, co-dominant traits, dominant traits, or created through selective breeding (ie Pastel).

[dapozer]

kingsnake.com Classifieds: EBV X RONNE PASTELS - TWO GREAT BLOODLINES IN ONE! - PHOTOS

get a WOW snake for 250 shipped from a very good breeder. just one of many good snakes out there

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	East Bay Vivarium East Bay Vivarium - Specializes in the captive production of a wide selection of reptiles, amphibians, and arachnids. Located in Berkeley California

[midtx350z]

Originally Posted by Sakara

yea..... I wouldn't do that... That's just me, but even when I heard the price at $250 that would have been a big "no thanks" lol... What kind of boa are you looking for? a normal? a morph? a sub species specific? doesn't matter? lol

How much do they range? I'm just getting into Boas so I thought I'd do good with a normal. But if I can get a morph for close to that price, I'd love that.

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	Morph A morph is a color or pattern variation that is proven to be genetic. Common morphs include albino, anerythristic, gentically striped, Hypomelanistic, and many others. Morphs also include combinations of simple traits such as "Sunglow" which is Albino and Hypomelanistic. These traits may be recessive traits, co-dominant traits, dominant traits, or created through selective breeding (ie Pastel).