I am buying a corn snake i need help!?

Question

how do i know if my corn snake is healthy because the guy I'm buying him from in the pet shop seems a little suspicious i need a list of things i need to check please.

Answer 1

Selection of your snake

Healthy snakes are alert. It will watch all movement in and near its cage, and its eyes will be bright and clear. Beware of sluggish, unresponsive specimens.

Examine the snake's skin carefully, especially the spaces under the scales, for this is where ticks and mites are often hiding. Snake ticks are big, appearing as bumps protruding from beneath the scales. Mites are tiny and bright red, like grains of paprika. Avoid any snake with these external parasites (see snake specialist for more information).

Look at the snout and mouth. Any red or swollen areas indicate possible mouth rot, and curing this is often a long and difficult process, so avoid any snakes so infected.

Always ask the shop owner (persons who look after the snakes) if the snake has been eating and when did it last eat. Pet shops sometimes starve the snakes to make them seem slimmer.

If your snake has passed these tests then it is probably a good, healthy snake. Internal problems such as intestinal worms are hard to tell but usually some of the external problems will occur.

Answer 2

The only thing I would add to that last answer is within 24 hours of getting it take it to a vet that specializes in exotic pets. The pet shop should give you some type of warranty on the snakes health "like a 30 day guarantee ext.."

if the vet sees any problems take the snake back to the pet shop and get a refund, and possibly store credit to cover the vet bill. Most places would rather cover a vet bill than have you running around telling everyone they sold you a sick animal.

We did this when we got our ball python 8 months ago, she was healthy (although a bit under weight)