Very angry BPs at Petco

I went to petco yesterday and asked to see their ball pythons. They were fairly new because I went in two weeks ago and they didn't have any.

They were beautiful, no mites or anything, a few of them had amazing markings and I wish I could have taken a few home (aside from the price, and the fact that I shouldnt be getting any more pets for a while). One of them was so light it looked almost pastel, another had a stripe down half its body, another had some serious blushing. Not your normal normals.

The girl showing them to me had just been handling guinea pigs and mice so she didnt want to reach in there. So I did. And boy were they unhappy!

I've never been bitten by a ball python before, and I was repeatedly attacked by each of them (there were about six of them). I picked each of them up and they were just the most angry little things I've ever seen. I wasn't hurt, of course, didnt even get a scratch, but they were letting me know I should stay away. They werent hatchlings, they were small but had some good size to them.

What could be the reasons why they would be so incredibly snippy?

Bad husbandry... The fact that a giant monster is reaching into their environment and they think they'll be eaten...

They are so overstressed from being caged together.. they are probably perpetually on edge. And I would doubt that their temperatures are correct. :(

My guess is on very stressed from being housed together, improper husbandry, no hides, and people constantly tapping on the glass.

My little granite male is from there, and he is finally settling down a bit. He's still very flighty, and likes to strike, but is a good eater. I can hold him now without him trying to fly out of my hands or bite me. Poor boy.

The BP I had gotten from petco was actually the opposite. He was scared of everything and would ball up and not relax for quite awhile if you were handling him. He was Ashes, the one that I sold to a forum member awhile back. I believe that maybe the other snakes in his cage at the store, were more dominant, and he ended up suffering for it; he was shy and would only eat prekilled; terrified of live.
I wish that pet stores would get a dang clue. :(

It could be lots of things, but some BP's are just mean as hell especially when they are young. I have a 400g pinstripe that will literally come out of her tub striking at me. If I don't want to get bit I have to throw a towel over her to change her substrate. Most will calm down as soon as you pick them up but this girl will just continue striking even in my hand.

The thing is, their husbandry appeared to be correct (this is a really good petco, generally). Good temps and humidity, good hides, however it was only about a 20 gallon tank for the snakes, definitely crowded. I was just surprised that they werent trying to ball up, they just wanted to attack! Once I had put them all down, they just sat there staring at me, coiled up and shivering ready to strike. It would have been scary if they werent so cute.

you got a granite from petco? is that normal?

temps and humidity is ok and they have hides but like you said but they are new, most likely captive hatched and had to go through some stressful shipping procedures to be placed together in a 20gal in a pet store where they are constantly handled by non-serious buyers who think a pet store is a petting zoo.

maybe that could be the problem...?


p.s. oh and i agree with amy, jennifer and becky as well.