Pet Store Balls

Scubadiver59 · 03-21-17, 05:37 PM

Petco near me has a Ball that's been there for a bit...in a tiny 10gal aquarium. Well, I have this soft spot for strays, stopping to move turtles out of the road (even snappers!), so I'm thinking about bringing it home.

It isn't a small snake, about 1.5-2.0in girth, a bit larger than what I've seen in the pet stores so I'm guessing that's why it's still there. It has normal patterning, doesn't look underfed, can't tell about mites yet, but I have a 20gal I can put together rather quick w/UTH & light(s)--until I get another 40gal--and quarantine it in another room if need be.

I know the store managers so I'll have a talk with them and see if I can handle the snake to get a gauge of its demeanor. I'm not worried about coloration, I'm not that picky, but I guess I need either encouragement to make the move or someone to pull me back from the precipice and say let it go.

Any comments?

trailblazer295 · 03-21-17, 06:07 PM

What does the snake look like health wise? Generally the common thread is to not support poor care of reptiles in stores. I know about soft spot for animals though.

Scubadiver59 · 03-21-17, 06:50 PM

No sagging skin that I can see, no leftover shed clinging to the snake. Looks healthy enough, but I'll ask for a hands on and see what a closer looks turns up.

And I get the, "don't reward poor husbandry" shtick, but I'd be getting a Ball sooner or later anyway and this one has made it this far in the store, so...

Of course they have cats up front, not that I'd ever own one, again, but I'm leaning away from high maintenance pets as I get older--the cleaning and feeding schedules are more to my liking.

Quote:

Originally Posted by trailblazer295

What does the snake look like health wise? Generally the common thread is to not support poor care of reptiles in stores. I know about soft spot for animals though.

trailblazer295 · 03-21-17, 07:03 PM

If the snake appears healthy and is eating properly then go for it. Ask how often/what is it eating as well.

sattva · 03-21-17, 07:28 PM

It all boils down to room with me right now... I went to my local reptile store a while back and they had three full size normal balls for a $20.oo adoption fee... I felt sorry for them, but I can take them all home...

If you have the room to take it on, go for it...

Scubadiver59 · 03-21-17, 08:14 PM

I have a whole room full of room, a spare 20gal for for this Ball until I get a larger one, and even more room if I start stacking w/PVC enclosures.

I also have four upstairs bedrooms worth of space if I so desire to go overboard/expand. Me and the boys sleep on the futon downstairs, so who needs beds upstairs when you can have more snakes!!

Besides, it keeps the relatives at bay, away...far away!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sattva

...If you have the room to take it on, go for it...

uhhlise_nacole · 03-22-17, 04:16 AM

I was in the same position also with a BP.. he had been there for a year and I would always check to see if he had sold. I'd beat myself up after every visit for torturing myself with temptation. finally I saw a kid holding him while screaming in terror for no apparent reason, that's when I decided this dude was coming home with me! I will admit it was an extremely rewarding feeling, especially if you're in the market for one and have the extra room/supplies.

GyGbeetle · 03-22-17, 08:26 AM

I'd err on the side of caution when it comes to Petco purchases of animals. their reptiles, unlike their cats, are not adoptions, so you're feeding into their profit margin. They also have a reputation for poor care of reptiles; inexperienced staff, poor mandates from corporate, no vet budget for reptiles, etc. If you do purchase the ball you've had your eye on, quarantine that animal, and as a back-up, schedule a vet appointment immediately.

I'm not saying that you shouldn't purchase a reptile from Petco. Just know that they have just gotten into the exotic pet trade. They don't usually sell proper equipment or feed in the store on average to support these animals they have for purchase. Our local Petco has some beautiful balls, and they get a mite infestation nearly every quarter (due to not properly quarantining animals, or sterilizing their enclosures).

I think if you have a vet that the ball can see immediately, even if it's just a once over and a baseline blood panel, I'd go for it. The animal could look healthy from the glass enclosure it sits in, but you never know what may be lurking

**Aaron_S** · 03-22-17, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GyGbeetle

I'd err on the side of caution when it comes to Petco purchases of animals. their reptiles, unlike their cats, are not adoptions, so you're feeding into their profit margin. They also have a reputation for poor care of reptiles; inexperienced staff, poor mandates from corporate, no vet budget for reptiles, etc. If you do purchase the ball you've had your eye on, quarantine that animal, and as a back-up, schedule a vet appointment immediately.

I'm not saying that you shouldn't purchase a reptile from Petco. Just know that they have just gotten into the exotic pet trade. They don't usually sell proper equipment or feed in the store on average to support these animals they have for purchase. Our local Petco has some beautiful balls, and they get a mite infestation nearly every quarter (due to not properly quarantining animals, or sterilizing their enclosures).

I think if you have a vet that the ball can see immediately, even if it's just a once over and a baseline blood panel, I'd go for it. The animal could look healthy from the glass enclosure it sits in, but you never know what may be lurking

What may be lurking? I think vet visits and blood panels are overboard for a new snake (real rescues aside.)

Quarantine is a must but what are we really quarantining for?

1. Mites - Nix/PAM spray and treat the animal as if it has it when you receive it. Option B would be buy predator mites and release them in the enclosure with the new snake.

2. RI - These generally have symptoms already seen in the snake at purchase so I wouldn't worry about this beyond the first 3 - 5 days.

3. Internal parasites - Feed the snake. See it's poop. Is it solid with nothing in it? We're good. These are EXTREMELY rare these days.

Anything else is something generally out of our controls. Cancer or an internal organ problem? Nothing we can do after purchasing it and it's natural. It won't spread to your other snakes.

I get the not supporting PetCo thing and that's a fair statement but the OP doesn't have this moral issue for this case and that's fine. For the most part PetCo is now buying their reptiles from large scale breeders looking to move large volume at wholesale dollars.

Here in Canada I know for a fact some of my animals have ended up in large chain pet stores. I sell to a wholesaler who holds the contract for all the PetSmarts in Canada. So in reality I can walk into a PetSmart and know the ball pythons there come from quality stock. (I also know other breeders who sell to the same guy)

**Andy_G** · 03-22-17, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GyGbeetle

quarantine that animal, and as a back-up, schedule a vet appointment

I think if you have a vet that the ball can see immediately, even if it's just a once over and a baseline blood panel, I'd go for it. The animal could look healthy from the glass enclosure it sits in, but you never know what may be lurking

Total complete overkill and unnecessary, especially when so many vets out there will treat preventatively/unnecessarily.

Scubadiver59 · 03-22-17, 07:17 PM

Gonna commit to that one BP this weekend, after I put together that other tank. I'm glad that I bought a few larger hides and "swimming" pool, they're going to take up a lot of room in that 20gal, but I guess that's okay in the interim while I watch for mites.

Manager also offered 50% off the $89 snake, so I can live with the $45 (+tax) price and get that snake out of the small cage. Talking with the Manager and another employee, it's been there for a while, and I'm told it's never tried to bite...a good sign.

akane · 03-23-17, 08:51 PM

Even if you ignore any moral standing Petco and Petsmart along with a few other major chains tend to only buy from very large breeding companies that often have a bad track record for their husbandry and health. Stores often will not take animals from local breeders due to being under contracts and may even require the person turning over an animal to pay them to take it and then "adopt" it out for a fee to end up with basically free money so it's pretty certain nothing in their standard displays are from a local or specialized breeder. I will buy from the chain pet stores sometimes because I lack sources but I would not assume anything with it's health except that there's a good chance it's been exposed to things and possibly stressed in it's life. I'd basically treat it as a rescue or wild caught when it comes to potential parasites, infections, poor feeding periods at points in it's life, and past shedding issues even if that's been sorted out now.

**Aaron_S** · 03-24-17, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akane

Even if you ignore any moral standing Petco and Petsmart along with a few other major chains tend to only buy from very large breeding companies that often have a bad track record for their husbandry and health. Stores often will not take animals from local breeders due to being under contracts and may even require the person turning over an animal to pay them to take it and then "adopt" it out for a fee to end up with basically free money so it's pretty certain nothing in their standard displays are from a local or specialized breeder. I will buy from the chain pet stores sometimes because I lack sources but I would not assume anything with it's health except that there's a good chance it's been exposed to things and possibly stressed in it's life. I'd basically treat it as a rescue or wild caught when it comes to potential parasites, infections, poor feeding periods at points in it's life, and past shedding issues even if that's been sorted out now.

You clearly missed my post where I explained, in detail, how large chains acquire their animals. It's a feeder system and it certainly starts at the "small breeder".

I know it's true in Canada and in the US. The only difference is I don't know the major players in the US as well as I know them here.

Scubadiver59 · 03-25-17, 04:52 PM

The new addition is at home.

Didn't get a weight yet, but length is about 30in, the full length of the 20gal tank I have it in.

Here are some preliminary (substandard) pics..

Quarantine Rack

Layed out investigating

Looking for the (fire) escape route...

They were still feeding it pinkies, multiple pinkies, but I bought some mice more to the correct size. I'll try feeding it in a few days, it was due to eat today, after it settles in.

A really docile snake...I like that already!

GyGbeetle · 03-27-17, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akane

Even if you ignore any moral standing Petco and Petsmart along with a few other major chains tend to only buy from very large breeding companies that often have a bad track record for their husbandry and health. Stores often will not take animals from local breeders due to being under contracts and may even require the person turning over an animal to pay them to take it and then "adopt" it out for a fee to end up with basically free money so it's pretty certain nothing in their standard displays are from a local or specialized breeder. I will buy from the chain pet stores sometimes because I lack sources but I would not assume anything with it's health except that there's a good chance it's been exposed to things and possibly stressed in it's life. I'd basically treat it as a rescue or wild caught when it comes to potential parasites, infections, poor feeding periods at points in it's life, and past shedding issues even if that's been sorted out now.

this has been my experience with these large chains. Even when the chain stores purchase from large breeders, the breeders are often not reputable, and have poor husbandry, which is why I always stress, especially here in the states, to have a vet appointment for all new reptiles purchased from places like Petco and Petsmart. Been around this bend too many times to see it not end well.

I'm glad your purchase went well, Scuba, and she looks breathtaking. Just keep a close watch on her over the coming weeks, and make sure you lengthen your quarantine to what your normal protocol may be. I'd recommend 90 days, but the decision ultimately is up to you.