Another Petstore story

So here is another story about a pet store that I wanted to check out today, I was in Paterson, NJ looking in their local petsmart at the supplies and animals and went straight for the reptile section. I was assuming that there was going to be a ball python because almost every store has them and well here is what I found when I saw the little dude.

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/1442/ball1.png
http://img576.imageshack.us/img576/3040/ball2s.jpg
http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/2408/ball3.jpg
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/7360/ball4.png

As you can see, the BP was mixed in the same enclosure as some species of boa, I am not sure what type of boa it is because I don't read or learn about them but I do know that putting them in the same tank isn't the greatest of ideas. He is also very skinny and had stuck shed all over his face, body, and eyes and some of the shed was scattered through the tank showing the humidity was terrible. There wasn't much water in the bowl and there wasnt a single hide in the tank for them to reulate their temperature along with no sign of thermometers. I can't stand when petstores do this sort of thing and it just drives me nuts. I also saw the ferret cage with 3 ferrets, no bowls of food water or litter and no toys or tubes to play with and they only had one hanging bed(sorry for the lack of pictures). Thnx for checking out this post, I just had to vent.

:( The best thing you can do is complain directly to corporate. That can actually make a difference in the quality of their care. I am pretty sure it is against their company policy to house species together. And definitely against their policy to not provide water.

I agree. Take it as high up as you can and don't give up. This isn't an excuse, but sometimes things like this happen because the managers simply don't know any better. Unfortunately, they often don't take advise from patrons very well. But if corporate gets involved... I hate to think of those ferrets without any toys - they are very playful and interactive creatures and need the stimulation. I hate stores like this.... Good luck to you!

Wtf.....

Doesn't surprise me, I've seen worse. At least the cage was clean and there was water available. It seems like the Ball wasn't stressed, but the boa sure looked to be completely stressed. Either way, it's wrong.

Jim Smith

Was that a Petsmart? If so, then it is DEFINITELY against their policy to house different species of snakes together. I would take this straight to corporate. Also, if it is a Petsmart, they are not housing them according to policy. :mad::mad::mad:

A lot of times stores don't put hides in the display tanks because then people can't see the snake and want to purchase it.

But the stuck sheds and the fact that it's in with a boa is just really dumb. Sounds like they don't have a knowledgable reptile person on staff. Did you talk to anyone? The manager?

That's not a Petsmart they only have animals in those caging system things not tanks they don't sell Redtail Boas and they don't sell Ferrets.... maybe it's a Petco?????

that boa looks like a dwarf, probably a central American or Nicaraguan.

As bad as it looks, the bedding is fresh and they have clean water. The requirements of the two are very similar (i keep both in the same rack system on different levels). The boas will utilize the 90 degree basking spot, assuming that the cage is even set up for the proper temperature. :/

Alley cat pet store here in Vancouver has boas and balls together also, pisses me off because they refuse to take any advise because "They know it all" and have competent employees who know what they are doing.
At least this is what they told me :rolleye2: