Petsmart lies...

[ErikBush97]

So I decided to call petsmart specifically to catch them in their lies. I have had a problem with my local petsmart saying that they can't sex their ball pythons because 'they are too young'. So after hearing them say that about four times I said that you can pretty much sex them from birth. As I expected, I was put on hold... they then took me off hold and said that they have a specialist who comes and does it. I said 'well a 'specialist' should know that you can sex a ball python at any age.' And as I guessed... I was put on hold again... after a few minutes a woman answered and said she was the reptile manager. She said that they don't have an on-site specialist. She said that they are too young to be sexed but they usually take their snakes to the vet to be sexed. I then politely said 'You can basically sex a ball python from birth. Why do you wait to take them to the vet?' And the lady hung up on me. I am definitely not going back to them... I could ask someone there what time they close and they would put me on hold so they could ask a manager... I had only one conversation with someone at Petco amd could instantly tell that they are obviously better educated about their animals. And I didn't find what I was looking for but the guy who works there recommended several local places to try..

[Mark Taylor]

Non forum rants..(if it makes you mad or sad post it here)

Or have I missed the point?

[infernalis]

I stay out of big chain stores.

Support the small business, buy from independent (mom/pop) stores or mail order.

The big chains don't need our money.

[red ink]

Can Bps be accurately sexed from hatching....?

That would be one heck of a small probe, how hard do you have to strain your eyes to get an accurate sub-caudal count?

Can you even insert a probe at that age with any snake and not risk damaging the snake?

[Terranaut]

First thing to ask an employee at a place like that is do you keep reptiles?
Anyway why would you bother? This is why you joined here isn't it? Also why call and troll the store with a question you knew thay couldn't answer? Waste of your time and theirs. If you need supplies and know what you want, go in and buy it. Need advice , ask here. I also like the little shops. Generally I still would ask for advice here but at least most small stores use the products and own some of the same animals they sell.

[Terranaut]

Can Bps be accurately sexed from hatching....?

That would be one heck of a small probe, how hard do you have to strain your eyes to get an accurate sub-caudal count?

Can you even insert a probe at that age with any snake and not risk damaging the snake?

Many people will "pop" a royal right out of the egg. It's weak and seldom resists. I was planning to pop my carpets this year but will all slugs it isn't happening :(

[ErikBush97]

Non forum rants..(if it makes you mad or sad post it here)

Or have I missed the point?

Works for me. Lol

[ErikBush97]

I stay out of big chain stores.

Support the small business, buy from independent (mom/pop) stores or mail order.

The big chains don't need our money.

I am growing away from them. Maybe to buy products for a dog or a cat but not for reptiles... I made a friends with an employee at a local pet store, who owns snakes and knows his stuff. Pretty cool guy and the whole store is great... I almost bought a 20 liter bag of aspen for $22.00 and the lady who works there pointed out that they smaller bags are $8.00 and they are also 20 litres (each)... so I would have wasted $22.00. That's when I decided that small businesses (or at least this one was
...) are just way better than corporations. They are a lot more focused on helping you and know more about the animals they have. Plus it's a five minute walk compared to a 1 hour drive or 2 and a half hour bus ride to pet dumb or petco.

[ErikBush97]

Can Bps be accurately sexed from hatching....?

That would be one heck of a small probe, how hard do you have to strain your eyes to get an accurate sub-caudal count?

Can you even insert a probe at that age with any snake and not risk damaging the snake?

As Terr said.. popping is usually the way to go. Snakes need to just evolve and grow nut sacks so we don't have these issues anymore. LOL

[Mark Taylor]

As Terr said.. popping is usually the way to go. Snakes need to just evolve and grow nut sacks so we don't have these issues anymore. LOL

That's was funny but not sure I would want to handle the snake any more though lol:)

[smy_749]

Sounds like you called to be annoying and ask questions you know the answer to. lady doesnt know but it doesnt make her a liar....stop trolling the petstore, a week ago you didnt know and you learned on the forums now you want to bother her as well....i woulda hung up on you too.

[Aaron_S]

Can Bps be accurately sexed from hatching....?

That would be one heck of a small probe, how hard do you have to strain your eyes to get an accurate sub-caudal count?

Can you even insert a probe at that age with any snake and not risk damaging the snake?

Yes. We pop babies right out of the egg.

Probing can be done too but it's way faster to pop ball pythons. Other species probably need to be probed.

Also, other more delicate species, like green trees have delicate tails so you can't sex them until they are larger. Popping or probing. Has to wait.

[Aaron_S]

So I decided to call petsmart specifically to catch them in their lies. I have had a problem with my local petsmart saying that they can't sex their ball pythons because 'they are too young'. So after hearing them say that about four times I said that you can pretty much sex them from birth. As I expected, I was put on hold... they then took me off hold and said that they have a specialist who comes and does it. I said 'well a 'specialist' should know that you can sex a ball python at any age.' And as I guessed... I was put on hold again... after a few minutes a woman answered and said she was the reptile manager. She said that they don't have an on-site specialist. She said that they are too young to be sexed but they usually take their snakes to the vet to be sexed. I then politely said 'You can basically sex a ball python from birth. Why do you wait to take them to the vet?' And the lady hung up on me. I am definitely not going back to them... I could ask someone there what time they close and they would put me on hold so they could ask a manager... I had only one conversation with someone at Petco amd could instantly tell that they are obviously better educated about their animals. And I didn't find what I was looking for but the guy who works there recommended several local places to try..

Why are you still wasting time with pet stores?

[KORBIN5895]

Sounds like you called to be annoying and ask questions you know the answer to. lady doesnt know but it doesnt make her a liar....stop trolling the petstore, a week ago you didnt know and you learned on the forums now you want to bother her as well....i woulda hung up on you too.

I guess a spade is a spade in your books huh?

[Amadeus]

Sounds like you called to be annoying and ask questions you know the answer to. lady doesnt know but it doesnt make her a liar....stop trolling the petstore, a week ago you didnt know and you learned on the forums now you want to bother her as well....i woulda hung up on you too.

I was gonna say this but with more snide remarks.

[RandyRhoads]

What's funny is they make you sign a waiver that you won't hurt the @&$)ing goldfish or nasty rodent you just bought but they will murder their reptiles...