what should i do?

I went to the pet store from some supplies yesterday and the store owner heard that i got a new snake and asked what kind it is. I said it was a Ball python, she told me they are Illegal her, and the worst thing is that she told me i was taking care of him all wrong and if i carry on it'll die. i got all my information from reptile forums, care sheets, and breeders.
the first thing she told me is that only breeders keep them in tubs, she said they need a lot of air, and that there is no air in a tub. And even if i keep him in a tank when he's full grown he'll be strong enough to climb up the tank and break the wire mesh or smash the glass and escape. Then she told me that if he's full grown and wraps himself around my arm, no one will be able to get him off and he'll cause some damaged. Worst of all this comes from a person that said to feed my crested gecko baby food and to put my snakes and geckos on vita sand, she apparently has been working with reptiles her whole life and calls herself an expert.

back to my problem, pythons are illegal her, i didn't know this some one else gave me the wrong information. apparently tarantulas, scorpions, python family, and boa family are all illegal. But i know people who own this pets here. I really don't want to get rid of my snake I'm to attached already just the thought of it made me breakdown last night for 3 hours. If i can't own a python or a boa, this leaves me with the coloubrids. The breeder i bought my snake from only sells corn snakes, gopher snakes, and king snakes I'm not interested in any of these...
I don't know what to do, i can't give him back i don't want the city to take him away from me, and from what the store lady said to my mom she is now nervous of him.

sorry for my long post, I'm really upset and i don't know what to do :'(

Hey There,

Where are you from, are you sure that Ball Pythons are "Illegal" there or do they just require a permit? I would find out more information or try a different local source.

As far as care and housing, if you have read the caresheet here on this forum and are following it you are doing a good job. Your Ball Python is a docile creature and by no means will break the glass of a terrarium, it may attempt to get out but a solid lid or mesh wire top will prevent this.

Tubs are a sufficient way to house ball pythons, but they still need to be setup to promote adequate airflow. This can be done either ventilation in the tub or in the rack where the tubs slide into.

First things first, that lady is full of crap. Don't listen to her.

What city do you live in? They are some places when keeping pythons is illegal, but there are also places where you're just required to have a permit.

A tub is a perfectly fine cage for a BP, breeder or not, as long as it is set up properly. It does need to have air holes placed, preferably melted with a soldering iron rather than drilled, so that there are no sharp edges. A tub is also easier to keep at a proper temperature and humidity. Tanks are "ok", but they need more modification and upkeep to properly house a BP.

If you are getting info from reptile forums (especially this one :)), caresheets, and such, you are already 10 steps ahead of most people, and you are probably doing just fine.

Do you live in NYC?

If so it is in fact correct Ball Pythons among other things are indeed illegal.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/download...healthcode.pdf

i live in a little city in Ontario, it says:

"being of a list of animals the keeping of which is prohibited within the City;
All crocdillians
All venomous snakes
All scorpions and tarantulas
All snakes of the family Pythonidae and Boidae"

i just listed the reptiles.. but then further on it says

"Being a list of places or circumstances which are exempt from the application of this bi-law;
By anyone holding a license under any statute of legislature of Ontario or the government of Canada, which permits the keeping of animals under stated conditions"

it would be easier to just add the link to it but i won't for some reason. It looks to me that they are Illegal in the city :(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bonus41

i live in a little city in Ontario

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Ahh, there have been several towns in Ontario that have put certain bylaws in for certain exotics as of late for one reason or another, Oshawa comes to mind off the top of my head.

If it is indeed illegal then I would first contact the breeder that sold you the animal and see if they would take it back or see if they could provide you with any suggestions.

Since I read recently that we can't encourage criminal behavior on the forums, I will add this disclaimer that this is only a joke and not real advice.

Just keep it on the down low. Nobody has to know. Yup... that's R Kelly lyrics. Are those banned too?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MrLang

Since I read recently that we can't encourage criminal behavior on the forums, I will add this disclaimer that this is only a joke and not real advice.

Just keep it on the down low. Nobody has to know. Yup... that's R Kelly lyrics. Are those banned too?

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How is suggesting a person "keep it on the down low" using lyrics from a song any different than directly telling them to break the law?

Disclaimer :rofl:

bonus41, no one here on BP.net should be encouraging you to keep an animal in violation of your local laws and ordinances. What you choose to do on your own is up to you.

To be blunt, the lady who gave you that advice in the pet shop doesn't know the difference between ball python husbandry and a box of rubber dog poop.

No matter what you decide to do about your situation, I hope you'll continue to be a part of our community on BP.net!

Your keeping your ball python on vita sand?


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