Albino Burmese Python

[Aphrodites]

Hi There Guys

I was wondering if you could assist me. What would the going rate be for albino burmese pythons:

Hatchling:
Yearling:
Sub Adult:
Adult:

Also is there much of a demand for them?

I have noticed that in general the cost of snakes (Obviously dependant on the type) has gone down quite a lot in the last couple of years. I also notice that people are struggling more and more to sell their snakes, why is this?

Any feedback or assistance which you can give me would be much appreciated.

[reptile_man65]

People do think they can charge alot. If you look hard enough and have a little patience a good deal will come around. Get as many quotes as you can.

[putridity]

You could pick a hatchling or maybe yearling up for about R1200

[Serpy]

or even round the R750 to R800 mark

[reptilefeeders]

or even round the R750 to R800 mark

I wish i could find it for that price here in cape town.cheapest i got myne for was R1500 for a hatchling

[reptile_man65]

Anything over R800 is just too expensive for a hatchling. I'd say R750 is a fair price for both parties.

[Loslappie]

Here in cape Town there are not that many breeders around, so you find the guys selling snakes at a somewhat escalated price, and if you get it from a pet shop well there most certainly will be a mark up. Ive seen an ad for a very normal looking corn snake for R1500

[reptile_man65]

LOL its such a load. Why dont you look at breeders from other places around SA.

[Bushviper]

Albino Burmese hatchlings (shed and fed) should go for about R1200 depending on how many you take. They could drop as low as R950 if you ask around or know the breeders.

Yearlings could cost about R1600 each because they have eaten about 40 rats since hatching at R10 a rat and needed a cage with heating.

Adult then go from R2000 to R3500 depending on size, sex and condition.

It you are in a hurry to sell then nobody wants them and when you want to buy everybody wants to keep theirs or want crazy prices. That is Murphy's law.

[Snakes4Africa]

Prices are subject to supply and demand. I sell out all my Burmese Pythons every year and do not sell them cheap. Burmese Pythons are relatively expensive to house and maintain.... If you are looking for something cheap... look for something else, like a Corn Snake.
It is very easy to say that they should sell for R750 or so... when you don't have any, when you actually have the animals available, then quote a price. If you don't have the stock, how can you set a price?
This is a capitalist market: why must I sell all my animals for hundreds of Rands less than they are worth?
Also, bear in mind that they are seasonal breeders and as such are more abundant at a certain time of year and scarce at others. It is true that you may find them as cheap as R750 when there is a glut of them around, but they are worth more. You cannot import them from the States for that little.
The bottom line is If you have the money and like the snake, buy it. If not, don't!

[reptile_man65]

I dont know if I agree with S4A's final statement. There is most definately a point where you can get pay way too much for a snake. The best thing to do is ask around. See what people would pay or have paid. It's no use going ok well that BHS is R500 and I like it so I'll take it.

[Loslappie]

Reptile man, unfortunately if the guy has the animals, and you cannot source them anywhere else, he is the King, also like BV said he has put in a considerable amount feeding and maintaining the animal till it is sold. I know of one albino in Cape Town for sale, and the guys here that knows can correct me if Im wrong, I think its R3500? and its not an adult yet. BUT it is the only one I have seen for sale here! yet at r15 a large rat, what do you think its costing them to feed that animal, as well as house it?

Getting them from say JHB is an idea, it will then cost you the travelling which is R135, import permit from Cape nature R80, export permit from Gautend R50, and then probably you have to get it to the airport in gauteng which means an additional R100 or so for courier, and you need a proper container to transport the snake, and add the additional little charges and and and..... so unless you have a saving of R600, you might as well pay whatever is being asked here! (I am currently going through this process, so I know what it will cost) for me its worth it, Im saving R700 on the snake!

[reptile_man65]

Well I can't say I agree with the "king" mentality. They may seem that way but with a little bit of patience and some careful planning you can get an albino burm for much less than the above mentioned prices. When I first started out I bought on impulse and it shredded my pockets. but now I spend, sometimes moths, looking and waiting.

[Burmbuddy]

NICE Albino Burm hatchlings are WORTH R 1500 in my mind
Yearlings-R 1800 R 2000
Adults, depends, how old, have they bred, Dissease history ect....

I dont care what other peaple sell them for, that is what they are worth...IMO

[Loslappie]

. When I first started out I bought on impulse and it shredded my pockets. but now I spend, sometimes moths, looking and waiting.

I know what you mean, I take the same stance, but remember starting out and you want a snake, you know the lengths you will go through to get it.
Patience paid off for me in a few instances, however on more occassions Ive kicked my a$$ on not taking certain seemingly "escalated offers" If the opportunity is there and the opportunity does not come around often, take it.
Reptile man which area are you situated? as that makes a difference.

Burmbuddy I agree, and as Ive seen Albino Burms can be rather costly so naturally people shop around, but being in Cape Town, I think you can appreciate the difficulty in locating certain snakes here.