What happens when reps outgrow petstore enclosures?

[DDW]

I've been observing a Honduran milksnake at Petco for a couple months now and some questions came to mind. Let's say the staff at said pet store takes good care of the reps, so they are all healthy. What happens to those reps, that are healthy but are not bought, when they grow too big for any enclosure at said petstore? I wouldn't think they would just put them down or anything like that. I'm curious because, though I'd like to get it, I won't be able to get any snakes for a few years and I know for a fact this particular snake, unless bought by someone else which is very unlikely, will outgrow it's current enclosure and likely all the enclosures there too. Would they modify the larger aquariums and keep in that or try to get rid of it elsewhere?

(Obviously I should ask the staff there but am unable to go out there for a while and am curious to hear what y'all have to say, especially from those who have worked for petstores)

[Aaron_S]

If it truly outgrew the store there's a chance they'd just send it to the supplier and get something else in.

[eminart]

If it were "very unlikely" that anyone else would buy it, Petco wouldn't still be in the business of selling snakes.

[DDW]

If it truly outgrew the store there's a chance they'd just send it to the supplier and get something else in.

makes sense/: thanks:)

[DDW]

If it were "very unlikely" that anyone else would buy it, Petco wouldn't still be in the business of selling snakes.

Hmm, I guess so(I also guess I should reevaluate my definition of "very unlikely" XD), I'll keep an eye out, hopefully it does go to someone with knowledge of snakes. I'm probably overexagerating lol sorry.

I'm also wonderingHow long a store will keep its animals, if it doesn't outgrow. Anyway, this was most likely just a silly questionthanks for replying anyway. I was just concerned because I fell in love with that particularly active tangerine Honduran milk.

[reptiledude987]

it depends on the store. some dont have the option of moving them to something larger but If they have the option they usually do. However that being said the groth rates at stores are slower than they are when in a home because most stores are on a minimal feeding schedule for a couple reasons 1) to reduce their cost of maintaining their stock 2) to prevent things from outgrowinr their enclosures.

[DDW]

it depends on the store. some dont have the option of moving them to something larger but If they have the option they usually do. However that being said the groth rates at stores are slower than they are when in a home because most stores are on a minimal feeding schedule for a couple reasons 1) to reduce their cost of maintaining their stock 2) to prevent things from outgrowinr their enclosures.

Well, maybe it won't outgrow too much before I'm able to tall my parents into letting me have a snake (unlikely but possible if I can somehow lessen my mother'said fear of snakes. ^.=.^ especially since horses are more dangerous than the Honduran milk or mbk. But I'll most likely end up with just a gargoyle gecko:/) thank you :) hope sort of restored-ish.

[Minkness]

If they have a specific animal for a long period of time, they actually lower the price, sometimes up to 75% of the original cost. They usually get such small things in, that they almost never actually outgrow the enclosures.

[DDW]

If they have a specific animal for a long period of time, they actually lower the price, sometimes up to 75% of the original cost. They usually get such small things in, that they almost never actually outgrow the enclosures.

Like clearance at the supermarket lol, this also makes sense, in that case, I might be able to get a really well priced milk lol I think I'm going to start adding up needs for enclosures and stuff for a total money amount for enclosures and such. (About 40-50 gal tank equivalent or a 3'x2'x2' if I'm remembering correctly... uth, thermostat, lighting, hides, substrate, ect...) I might actually be able to do this. Especially if I start out with a plastic container/tub and move on to a terrarium later when I've saved enough.

[Minkness]

I'd say start with getting permission first.

[DDW]

I'd say start with getting permission first.

I will, don't worry, that would get me kicked out and the snake killed X2 I just want to see the numbers of what I would get.

[sophiedufort]

Just as other members said, Petco offers a heavy discount on reptiles every now and then. It is not only to get rid of older animals; it can be because they want to discontinue a certain line, or they have 'reptile day,' when all crawlies will cost 50% less. I noticed, however, that they increase the price just because the promotion.

I don't trust them with their snakes. They claim that they provide their animals with the greatest care, but they don't. At my nearest Petco store, all snakes had mites, again and again, even though they were not housed together. I believe it was because of handling procedures. Also, I think they buy their pets in shady places. Their snakes look terrible. I bought a snake from them and it died soon after, with no sign of illness. My ball python was purchased from Petsmart, and she was (and continues to be) very healthy and beautiful. All my other snakes, got them from breeders.

[DDW]

Just as other members said, Petco offers a heavy discount on reptiles every now and then. It is not only to get rid of older animals; it can be because they want to discontinue a certain line, or they have 'reptile day,' when all crawlies will cost 50% less. I noticed, however, that they increase the price just because the promotion.

I don't trust them with their snakes. They claim that they provide their animals with the greatest care, but they don't. At my nearest Petco store, all snakes had mites, again and again, even though they were not housed together. I believe it was because of handling procedures. Also, I think they buy their pets in shady places. Their snakes look terrible. I bought a snake from them and it died soon after, with no sign of illness. My ball python was purchased from Petsmart, and she was (and continues to be) very healthy and beautiful. All my other snakes, got them from breeders.

That being said, I have yet to find any type of rep breeders in my area, I am going to be driving 4 hrs to the nearest reptile convention and most of the people out here that do know anything about snakes keep wild caught(not well kept at all either) And, I've gone to PetSmart and petco. The ones from petco are way better looking than PetSmart. The staff seems to know quite a bit at petco too. (Not saying this is true for all, just these particular stores) thanks for the input. ^.=.^

[Minkness]

Same here Dragon. The chain stores here have nicer stock than most breeders. Though I did learn there's a really nice boa breeder about an hour and a half away. But in my direct surroundings, it's cheapscape, reptile flippers or like a puppy mill for reptiles x.x I don't think I'll ever buy local for that reason.....except at repticon, but all the reptile venders are from totally different states.

[SSSSnakes]

The enclosures are adjustable if a reptile grows larger. Petco marks down the reptiles after they have been in the store for long periods of time. If they don't sell they will be transferred to another store that sells reptiles faster. They are never put down or shipped back to the vender. If the reptile can't be sold after being marked down or moved to another store, it will be adopted out.

[DDW]

Same here Dragon. The chain stores here have nicer stock than most breeders. Though I did learn there's a really nice boa breeder about an hour and a half away. But in my direct surroundings, it's cheapscape, reptile flippers or like a puppy mill for reptiles x.x I don't think I'll ever buy local for that reason.....except at repticon, but all the reptile venders are from totally different states.

Vey good points, I haven't found rep breeders within a reasonable distance and the pet stores (where I never see mites, as far as my inexperienced eye can see but I don't see any uh scrawling around other than escaped crickets) seem to be the most knowledgeble of all the people I know in my area, I have not even seen any rep groups or the such. It seems, I'm in the black hole of no herps.
The closest thing to pet reptiles is the(rather nasty and worst places with exotic animals) local zoo. One time, a big cat was in an enclosure right across from a monkey exhibit, the animals could see each other and were pacing in the rather small enclosures. My zoo is a disgrace to all zoos. We don't go there because of the mistreatment of all the animals.
Anyway, back to topic, I have yet to encounter any bad advise from the pet store employees in my area. (That I recall lol)

[DDW]

The enclosures are adjustable if a reptile grows larger. Petco marks down the reptiles after they have been in the store for long periods of time. If they don't sell they will be transferred to another store that sells reptiles faster. They are never put down or shipped back to the vender. If the reptile can't be sold after being marked down or moved to another store, it will be adopted out.

That is good to know(assuming a good knowledgeble person buys/adopts it) it could be seen in a couple of ways... I've noticed that the enclosures are separated by sliding glass dividers but sometimes those sections still wouldn't hold the larger bearded dragons, boas, and countless other reps because it would be too skinny and more long. It would work for the slinger snakes but the others are more likely to get too wide for them. Though I do see what you mean^.=.^ thanks:)

[DDW]

So I was thinking about posting some of the pics I snapped of this sweet looking guy/gal when I was there last so I set up a photobucket account so here they are. I have no info this guy/girl but he/she is pretty and as far as i can tell, is happy, healthy, and active. This little bugger is always moving around, climbing on that fake plant and on the temp guage. I have yet to see mites (as well as I can tell) in think this particular snake would be a good addition to any collection.
http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q625/DarkDragonWarrior/1431401343_zps9d9a5693.jpg
http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q625/DarkDragonWarrior/1431401352_zps4158ecf1.jpg

I think I did that right, what do y'all think of the little guy/gal? As ive said before, it seems he/she is always cruising around but hides under the water bowl when other(more rambunctious customers come close (they were obviously not reptile people though.) thanks all! ^.=.^

Edit: I see it did work, yay! :) anyway, sorry for the glare and bad resolution pics, they were taken with a bad cell phone camera and I never got a chance to hold the little Honduran milk.

[reptiledude987]

Cute littlle bugger there. youre right it would be a good one to get your collection started!

[DDW]

Cute littlle bugger there. youre right it would be a good one to get your collection started!

I wish I could :( I want to take him/her home so badly.

[DDW]

Well,went back... and the same snake was there... I got more pics...http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q625/DarkDragonWarrior/Mobile%20Uploads/20150517_152451_zpsl4hrsshe.jpg
http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q625/DarkDragonWarrior/Mobile%20Uploads/20150517_153203_zpsyjfmiwcd.jpghttp://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q625/DarkDragonWarrior/Mobile%20Uploads/20150517_153209_zpsjg5nouly.jpghttp://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q625/DarkDragonWarrior/Mobile%20Uploads/20150517_153311_zpswruwovdo.jpghttp://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q625/DarkDragonWarrior/Mobile%20Uploads/20150517_153405_zpstxnzsmvw.jpg

These are in the order I took them, active little bugger

This snake was listed to be $169 what do you think of the price? It seems pretty healthy as usual. Once again, was hidden under its water dish until I came over (as far as I could tell) and was just wandering around its enclosure afterwards.

[Minkness]

I cpuld be wrong, but seems pricey to me. Then again, my local pet store had a normal corn baby (couldn't have been more than 12g) for nearly 70$ and normal BPs for for 60$.

[prairiepanda]

That really is a beautiful hondo! Price does seem high to me though. Milk snakes are much cheaper than that at my nearest Petsmart(I think around $75 to $95; it varies), and I would expect the prices to be the same or lower down in the states. But if they've had it for several months maybe they'd be willing to offer a discount. Pet stores don't like to hold on to animals for so long.

[DDW]

I cpuld be wrong, but seems pricey to me. Then again, my local pet store had a normal corn baby (couldn't have been more than 12g) for nearly 70$ and normal BPs for for 60$.

Hmmm... perhaps they upped the price because it is tangerine Honduran milk? They had an albino California King for $84 what does that sound?

[DDW]

That really is a beautiful hondo! Price does seem high to me though. Milk snakes are much cheaper than that at my nearest Petsmart(I think around $75 to $95; it varies), and I would expect the prices to be the same or lower down in the states. But if they've had it for several months maybe they'd be willing to offer a discount. Pet stores don't like to hold on to animals for so long.

That is quite a difference, perhaps, if I get the money in, I could move out and get it in many many months lol if it stays there. X2 then the price might be down a bit (perhaps a lot)

[Princess-dad]

I purchased 2 snakes from my local Petco . BCI common boa and a albino corn . Both discounted and both healthy . Boa was $45.00 US . Corn was around $38.00 I believe . It probably depends on the store you purchase at , when it comes to healthy and well cared for .Both snakes were docile and well mannered . Im no expert but in my opinion both snakes are quite good looking .

[DDW]

They are pretty^.=.^ that albino corn is so nice looking:) (I don't care for the patterns in most boas:/) both are very good looking snakes