Another fun PetCo visit...

I love Pet co! I think its great that they pay people to do stupid things with great animals. LOL its like where all the Village you know whats go.. LOL

The PetSmart where I bought my BP has limited space for reptiles. However, instead of overcrowding their tanks, they only order new ones each time one is sold. Seems like a fairly simple way to get around things. Although I know they have easy access to a breeder, so its simple for them to order something and get it the next day. Maybe some of the Petco's you guys are talking about can't do that, but it's still no excuse.

Everytime I go to Petco they never have their BP's separate or any other snake for that matter. One Petco I visited actually has a reptile expert on staff. He actually knew what he was doing. But most of the other stores don't.

To be fair to PetCo this ONE PetCo is doing something right...

While I don't personally believe in keeps BPs together in a tank, some people do. Personally I think everyone needs to make up their minds after balancing all the facts, and not just listen to someone because someone says so.

The petstore I love keeps their BPs all in one tank. Mostly because their store is the size of a postage stamp, but also the manager, a really great women who I could talk to for hours, has house BPs together since the 1970s. While I don't agree with her, talking to her, she does have her reasons for it, and while she listened to me, she is going to do what she believes if okay. Though she did day if a snake was being too dominant/or one was so small in stunted, she does believe in separating them.

I don't really see a problem with a pet store keeping ball pythons together. It is a temporary situation. It is pretty impractical to have a separate cage for every normal ball python when in a pet store setting IMO.

I went to Petco a few days ago and saw about 10 baby bps in a tank I'd estimate to be a 5 long and they were all frantic and moving around and streching out to the ceiling. A couple days later I went back to grab somthing else and they were all gone and I doubt they were all purchased that quickly. It's so sad.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pfan151

I don't really see a problem with a pet store keeping ball pythons together.

---

The same problems apply that apply if it was at your house. Is it that hard to have a hatchling rack out there with one BP per tub?

Well as you all have stated, I have never seen BP's individually housed at ANY pet store that I have been to. And as it has been stated, it's a matter of space and logistics to the store. That doesn't make it right, but it's not done out of heartlessness.
I have to say, however, that I bought my BP from Petco, and the Vet was rather impressed that he was parasite free and rather healthy. He was a little under weight, but he's a great feeder so that isn't going to be a problem for long!
When buying any animal from one of the big names, it's a must to have already done your homework. That way you know what is normal behavior and what are signs of stress and illness.
I think the most disapointing factor in the Petco scenario is the lack of training that their employees receive. I actually got my own snake out of the tank they were in because they young guy there was afraid. He had been bitten a few days before because he was unaware of the whole shedding process, and distrubed a Ball while its eyes were milked over! This is how snakes get bad reps!! :salute:

everytime i go there are multiple in the tank..and i saw 3 BCI in the tank together also

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cris78

everytime i go there are multiple in the tank..and i saw 3 BCI in the tank together also

---

That's a good way to end up with less than 3 BCI's!