Need some advice fast!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Whitney Scheib

They definitely don't look like those wood mites. they were super tiny, reddish brown color, and I watched them crawl under my kings scales. Some of them were bigger then others, and they were visibly sticking up off my snakes bodies, but the others were so tiny it was hard to see them. They also had the pepper looking color when I found them dead in the water bowl. I did a thorough cleaning of my kings cage, and one of my BP's cages so far. Took all the aspen out, scrubbed the cages and water bowls, steamed them both, and soaked teh snakes. So far, they have been mite free, but I have to wait 3 days to check again, since they ate last night.

---

Those are definitely the bad mites, not of the wood variety. Begin treating immediately and don't quit till they're totally gone. Then treat again, just to be safe.

As far as the KSB, don't buy from pet shops. You can find something far better by searching on the classified sites and buying from a breeder.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Whitney Scheib

I actually decided against another snake right now. My boyfriend is actually desperately wanting a Super Dwarf Retic one day, so we decided to save up for him instead.

Also, I know alot of people hate Petco. I have had good experiences, and bad ones. I actually got my first 2 snakes from a guy who worked there. Had some issues, but worked them out. Then get all my feeders, supplies, etc from there. But when I got my stepsons corn, it was REALLY sick and refused to eat and was killing itself from not eating. Plus, not there fault, but the Aspen I got that was infested was from them. The only issue I have seen with there reptiles though, is they have a very finnicky batch of BP's who have stuck sheds alot. There pretty good about there reptiles though, because the people who work with them have there own collections and breeding going on... But, Petco surprised me tonight! They for the first time in 3 months that I have seen, had 2 Pastel Balls, an Argentine Boa, a CA Boa, and 2 GTP's!! I was sooo shocked to see those there!! I wish I would have gotten the money to get a GTP, but still...

But all in all, I think I will play it safe, and treat the mites I have, and wait on a snake. I would rather have a few REALLY nice ones, then a bunch of commons ones if that makes sense. So, saving now for an SD retic. :)

But thank you for the advice, and I was in such a hurry tonight, I forgot to pic up some mite treatment, so gotta do that tomorrow....

Oh, I have to brag for a minute. I got a ferret today as a Xmas present!!!

Okay, done with my rant.

Tahnk you for the advice though!!!

---

none of that sounds like "a good experience" to me.

you've got mites, a sick, non-feeding corn, and witnessed the BP's being kept in improper conditions. the ball pythons are not "finnicky," their humidity is not high enough. plain and simple.

if they can't keep the humidity up enough for the BP's to have proper sheds, surely they will kill the GTP.

my suggestion is to find a local breeder and stop giving your money to these atrocious places. you buying things from there just reiterates to them that their husbandry is acceptable, when clearly it is not.

besides, pet stores like that are insanely overpriced. i'm sure you could find readily available frozen feeders direct from a breeder. that way, you don't have to worry about anything.