A pic or two and a question...(or two)

[Payne]

I've noticed my girl is getting darker and darker over the past couple months. Do RedTails go through color phases? I'm not complaining. She's still beautiful to me and has a great temperament. ( She's chilling on my wrist and occasionally making a run across my keyboard right now ) I was just curious if her colors will change throughout the year. I've only had her for about 7 months or so. Also I've fallen in love with the sunglow and blood variations so I was thinking of getting her a mate sometime in the future. Are the Reptile Expos a good place to find a nice snake at a good price or should I just go through a breeder? Thank you all!
And here's the pic or two. lol
2012-02-04 17.43.19.jpg
2012-02-04 17.42.33.jpg

[ballakrisztian]

Hello!

day do have color phases, even within a day day can change pretty much. As they get oldar, their colors "mature" a bit ( especially within their first few years ). I'd go with the breeder, it is far better to obtain your animals from a breeder ( less stress on the animal, less health issues... )

She's nice
Take care: Krisztian

[Kilowea]

The color changes are normal some snakes change more than others and more frequently as well just depends on the species and individual.

I have always had fairly good luck at reptile shows/expos. You can usually get more competitive prices and it is nice to see not only the snake you want but the others in the same person's care. They are very fun and also a good opportunity to meet the breeders and others who share your interests. You can also get to see cool/rare morphs and species that you normally wouldn't get the chance to see which is always awesome :P Even if you end up buying from a breeder direct I still highly recommend going to a show and enjoying the experience. I used to go at least once a month but sadly they don't have more than 1 per year up here and even that is a maybe.

Very pretty snakey you have too

[Payne]

Originally Posted by Kilowea

The color changes are normal some snakes change more than others and more frequently as well just depends on the species and individual.
I have always had fairly good luck at reptile shows/expos. You can usually get more competitive prices and it is nice to see not only the snake you want but the others in the same person's care. They are very fun and also a good opportunity to meet the breeders and others who share your interests. You can also get to see cool/rare morphs and species that you normally wouldn't get the chance to see which is always awesome :P Even if you end up buying from a breeder direct I still highly recommend going to a show and enjoying the experience. I used to go at least once a month but sadly they don't have more than 1 per year up here and even that is a maybe.
Very pretty snakey you have too

Thank you. I've never been to an expo so I've always wanted to go just for the experience but I never knew if it was a good place to actually shop. My brother got a beautiful albino Burmese for $150 a few years back but I didn't think that kind of deal would be common. Still... never hurts to look. First reptile Expo here I come!...well in a month or so. lol

[Kilowea]

If you have a smart phone and are worried a deal may seem to good to be true you can always do some on the go research too :P Usually a good idea to research what you're buying and who you are buying from if possible. Be observant as well, if some of the animals look iffy then it may be prudent to avoid the whole table etc. Good deals are always fun to find one of my favorites I got was an adult male caramel corn snake that I bought for $50...I got him because his color and pattern stuck out to me :P Turned out to be an Amber(hypo caramel) het bloodred and amel and that was quite a pleasant surprise back when I was still breeding corns and the bloodred was a fairly new morph haha.

Make sure you take pictures for the few of us that can't go to shows easy :P

[KyleZ]

Many reputable breeders offer animals for sale at expos... Many un-reputable folks also peddle at expos. I enjoy expos simply to see and be around the various animals, buy feeders, and once-in-awhile, consider a purchase from the right breeder at said expos. Two snakes of my collection are from expos, and have been awesome captives for the past 4 years, and came from great and reputable folks. For example, I have even had the priviledge of meeting Morti and LdyDrgn at an expo, and I have full confidence in the awesome snakes they offer for sale...

No matter the case, always be careful, do your research and practice proper quarantine with any new arrivals. Personally, I feel I can usually tell within 5 minutes of conversation with any vendor whether or they are shady or on the up-and-up when it comes to their critters.