Is it a ball python or a boa?

charlesc84 · 09-14-13, 11:16 AM

So yesterday I ended up a driving to Philly on a random road trip with my friends. We checked out this pet store called Monster Pets, and while me and my friend are looking at animal books, this old guy starts staring over our shoulders. He asked about a book my friend is holding, then I noticed he was holding a gorgeous baby albino Boa(so bright I suspect it was a sunglow). I said something to the effect of "thats a really nice snake". He told it was a hybrid, so I replied "Really? BCI with BCC?".
So that's when I found how crazy this guy really was, because his reply was "No, it's a ball python". My response was "Umm... Sir that's definitely a Boa."
He then told me "It's a ball python, I have the mother at my house". I reiterated that the snake is in fact a Boa. He ended the exchange with "Whatever you say!", and walked away really pissed off.

Very bizarre experience. I just thought I should share it.

snakeman879 · 09-14-13, 11:40 AM

Wouldent like to buy a new snake off him then god knows what u might get lol . No point going to him for info on a certain snake if he had no idea what he had in his hands. What was the condition ov the snake did u get a good look ??

Jack C · 09-14-13, 12:42 PM

You should have asked him how he incubated the eggs, if he bred the snake like.

charlesc84 · 09-14-13, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snakeman879

Wouldent like to buy a new snake off him then god knows what u might get lol . No point going to him for info on a certain snake if he had no idea what he had in his hands. What was the condition ov the snake did u get a good look ??

Oh well the guy didn't work at the store.
The snake actually appeared to be in great condition, but I probably should have offered to buy it off him just to get it away from him.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack C

You should have asked him how he incubated the eggs, if he bred the snake like.

He had to have been crazy, I have no idea what he would have said if I asked him that hahha.
The whole thing has boggled my mind, I really wonder how he even got that snake.

charlesc84 · 09-14-13, 01:57 PM

Also I just realized I meant to put this in general discussion not under giant pythons.

StudentoReptile · 09-14-13, 05:32 PM

Had someone once tell me that they had a hognose python. [working at petstore at the time] I asked if they actually had a Hog Island Boa. Nope, they had a hognose python. I explained that I had 20 yrs working with reptiles and had never heard of such a snake, and I enthusiastically invited them to bring the snake to the store and show it off. Never saw them again.

Years before, I was working at Petsmart and argued with a younger staff member that the milksnake we had for sale was a Sinaloan, not a Pueblan. He wasn't even aware that there were different species of milksnakes before he started working there, but no no no, he knew more than I did and swore up and down it was a Pueblan. Even after showing him pictures from two different books and the nearest REPTILES magazine, he wouldn't accept it.

Some people just don't want to admit they were wrong, especially to a stranger.

Mikoh4792 · 09-14-13, 05:37 PM

I saw a craigslist ad in my town for an African Red-tailed boa constrictor...

Hannibalcanibal · 09-14-13, 06:36 PM

I once heard someone call a BALL python a "wild and dangerous animal", that needed "experienced handlers" to care for.. while the ball is not always considered a good beginner snake, they are far from giant killing machines that need alligator hunters to hold lol.

charlesc84 · 09-15-13, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

Had someone once tell me that they had a hognose python. [working at petstore at the time] I asked if they actually had a Hog Island Boa. Nope, they had a hognose python. I explained that I had 20 yrs working with reptiles and had never heard of such a snake, and I enthusiastically invited them to bring the snake to the store and show it off. Never saw them again.

Years before, I was working at Petsmart and argued with a younger staff member that the milksnake we had for sale was a Sinaloan, not a Pueblan. He wasn't even aware that there were different species of milksnakes before he started working there, but no no no, he knew more than I did and swore up and down it was a Pueblan. Even after showing him pictures from two different books and the nearest REPTILES magazine, he wouldn't accept it.

Some people just don't want to admit they were wrong, especially to a stranger.

Wow, did he ever come around?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hannibalcanibal

I once heard someone call a BALL python a "wild and dangerous animal", that needed "experienced handlers" to care for.. while the ball is not always considered a good beginner snake, they are far from giant killing machines that need alligator hunters to hold lol.

That type of stuff drives me nuts.

StudentoReptile · 09-15-13, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlesc84

Wow, did he ever come around?

Nope. At least not before I quit.