Pecto Stepping up there games for BPs

I recently went to petco 2 days ago for frozen mice and i always look around and I saw on the ball python price tags it said Pastel Ball Python i forgot exactly all the prices but it said around 250, then Spider Ball python 400, and then Pinstripe Ball Python 350. Then it said get half off with PALS card. But petco had the ball pythons in the back for feeding so i think im gonna go again tomorrow to check it out again. IDK if this is at your local petco but it's at one of mine. I posted this because this is the first time ive seen this so wanted to tell you herpers whats happening. :)

Interesting. I have seen and bought a Pastel at Petco, but I have never seen any other morph there. I'll definitely swing by a few them them around here. Where are you located?

They still call them "fancy" here.

I saw the same thing. Pastels, Spiders, and Pinstripes. A little over priced though for my taste.

The petco that i went to is in California, Bakersfield

Haha, "fancy"
I bet they are WAAYYY overpriced.

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Originally Posted by tsealock

Haha, "fancy"
I bet they are WAAYYY overpriced.

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Yeah, and they were just normals.

I went to the Petco in Tacoma, Wa. They had a Pastel, Spider, and Pinstripe. For $150 each.....with your P.A.L.S. card. I looked at them all, popped them. They where all males. But, I picked up the Spider & Pinstripe. I was at a expo this weekend. The 150 price tag was less than the show.....I ask the manager if they could get more. SHe said yes but, they can't get specific sex. So, guess next order I'll pop and if a female, she'll come home with me!!!!

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Originally Posted by Pieds

The petco that i went to is in California, Bakersfield

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I live in California as well and I always check out the reptiles if I stop by PetSmart/Petco, have yet to see anything but normals though. A small, local reptile shop had some beautiful little mojos and pastels the other day though :)

The petco in Denton, Texas is so sad. They have: 1 baby leo, 1 baby bearded dragon, 1 baby corn snake, and 1 pac-man frog. Thats it. LAME

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Originally Posted by tsealock

The petco in Denton, Texas is so sad. They have: 1 baby leo, 1 baby bearded dragon, 1 baby corn snake, and 1 pac-man frog. Thats it. LAME

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Well, maybe with only four reptiles at least they are getting treated well, which is more than I can say for 99.9% of stores that carry a bigger selection.

Gale

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Originally Posted by shorty54

I went to the Petco in Tacoma, Wa. They had a Pastel, Spider, and Pinstripe. For $150 each.....with your P.A.L.S. card. I looked at them all, popped them. They where all males. But, I picked up the Spider & Pinstripe. I was at a expo this weekend. The 150 price tag was less than the show.....I ask the manager if they could get more. SHe said yes but, they can't get specific sex. So, guess next order I'll pop and if a female, she'll come home with me!!!!

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Typically they only get males of the morphs because they are able to set their costs with who they are buying them from (kinda like Home Depot) so the breeders are holding back their females and shipping them males.:snake:

I'm amazed anyone would consider buying a snake from Petco..... :weirdface

Really morphs in petco and in Bakersfield I guess I have to go take a look this Friday. Which petco was I know there's two.

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Originally Posted by garweft

I'm amazed anyone would consider buying a snake from Petco..... :weirdface

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I know petco sucks way to pricy for me man with that money I can get me two decent morphs from a breeder

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Originally Posted by garweft

I'm amazed anyone would consider buying a snake from Petco..... :weirdface

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People just wanna save a few bucks if petco is letting em go cheaper? Amazing!

Id never do it...

I'd rather see petco step up their care as opposed to their game..

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Originally Posted by shorty54

I went to the Petco in Tacoma, Wa. They had a Pastel, Spider, and Pinstripe. For $150 each.....with your P.A.L.S. card. I looked at them all, popped them. They where all males. But, I picked up the Spider & Pinstripe. I was at a expo this weekend. The 150 price tag was less than the show.....I ask the manager if they could get more. SHe said yes but, they can't get specific sex. So, guess next order I'll pop and if a female, she'll come home with me!!!!

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Live in Spokane, now I'm moving to Tacoma for the Petco. :rofl:
they better get more :D

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Originally Posted by Kymberli

I'd rather see petco step up their care as opposed to their game..

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most definitely. if these giant pet chains start selling morphs in quantity at a lot lower prices due to low quality and the fact that they (usually) don't keep the husbandry on point... it could cause the prices to be diluted for specialty breeders who are producing quality animals with proper husbandry - when it comes to people new to the game they usually HAVE to buy their morphs from a breeder since a pet store usually doesn't have them... but if they are starting to carry them... who knows that that will do ...??

Cue the bad sheds, mites, and emaciated morphs...

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Originally Posted by garweft

I'm amazed anyone would consider buying a snake from Petco..... :weirdface

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Actually, I bought my first snake from there. Didn't know about this forum, and wasn't aware of a few things. My experience wasn't all that bad. I paid ~$100 for snake, tank, bedding, water bowl, and heating pad. Went and got a acurite and table lamp dimmer for another $30 and I was set. So I spent $130 for everything, and I have a nice looking normal female. In the end, it's not all that bad.

We are a select group of people and 95% of the general public only knows that reptiles need heat and water and food. They usually don't know how much heat, or how much food, or the right humidity for that matter. You know more because of this forum I bet then you ever did before.

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Originally Posted by Orlandoflor

I know petco sucks way to pricy for me man with that money I can get me two decent morphs from a breeder

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Then go do that. No one is telling you to buy from Petco, they are just saying that Petco is having morphs now for sale. Which is what I assumed would eventually happen. Why be stuck with spiders that you can't sell as a private breeder when you can sell them to petco for 200 bucks and petco will charge 400 to a person who doesn't know any better? See what I'm saying?

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Originally Posted by BuckeyeBalls

People just wanna save a few bucks if petco is letting em go cheaper? Amazing!

Id never do it...

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Then don't. Again, see above.

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Originally Posted by Kymberli

I'd rather see petco step up their care as opposed to their game..

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Me too, but I can tell you exactly why they don't. They get people who aren't knowledgeable about reptiles, and train them on corporate standards and that's it. They don't want the guy in there who sets everything like it should be with heating pads and such because of one reason.

COST.

Not only would it cost Petco tons of money to make every single animal have the standards needed for perfect husbandry, but it would cost Petco tons of money training each employee and then paying the employee for the reptile position even more because of all the extra work that would be needed.

Sorry ladies and Gentleman, but that's the way it works. At the end of the day, Petco is a business, and their goal is to make as much money as possible while spending as little as possible.

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Originally Posted by MarkieJ

Cue the bad sheds, mites, and emaciated morphs...

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See above please.

So much hate in this thread. I'm not "Defending" Petco, but if you don't like them, don't go to them. If you know how to take better care of the animals they house, then you go work for them for $7.50 an hour. I'm content with my job, and even though it sucks, that's life, and I know that I'm not going to go in there with the intention of buying any snakes or trying to correct their husbandry.

Sorry for the rant, but I just don't like seeing people bashing a place because they are a business and are trying to make money. :colbert:

Also, while I'm on the subject, take a look at their care sheet for example:

http://www.petco.com/caresheets/snak...ython_Ball.pdf

I mean, seriously, how many things can ALL of us point out that are so wrong with that "Care sheet"?

See what I'm saying about their training? This is what they give their employees, and tell them, "Hand this out to anyone who wants a snake." Education and cost are the problem.

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Originally Posted by The Hedgehog

Me too, but I can tell you exactly why they don't. They get people who aren't knowledgeable about reptiles, and train them on corporate standards and that's it. They don't want the guy in there who sets everything like it should be with heating pads and such because of one reason.

COST.

Not only would it cost Petco tons of money to make every single animal have the standards needed for perfect husbandry, but it would cost Petco tons of money training each employee and then paying the employee for the reptile position even more because of all the extra work that would be needed.

Sorry ladies and Gentleman, but that's the way it works. At the end of the day, Petco is a business, and their goal is to make as much money as possible while spending as little as possible.

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Oh I know, I understand completely. And I actually don't "hate" petco or petsmart. Petsmart's Banfield hospital pointed me in the direction of an exotic vet I would not have been able to find on my own. Plus, their workers are some of e nicest people I've met, most do really care about their animals.

And the cost of proper care would mean they'd have to hike up the price for the pet and ultimately have less sales. But, with that said, there are cost efficient as well as cost-free ways they could improve their care.

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Originally Posted by The Hedgehog

Then go do that. No one is telling you to buy from Petco, they are just saying that Petco is having morphs now for sale. Which is what I assumed would eventually happen. Why be stuck with spiders that you can't sell as a private breeder when you can sell them to petco for 200 bucks and petco will charge 400 to a person who doesn't know any better? See what I'm saying?

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Number one, go try to sell a spider ball to Petco for $200, I bet they will laugh and offer you $75 or less. Plus, I'm pretty sure they have certain people that they are REQUIRED to get their animals from.

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Originally Posted by The Hedgehog

Not only would it cost Petco tons of money to make every single animal have the standards needed for perfect husbandry, but it would cost Petco tons of money training each employee and then paying the employee for the reptile position even more because of all the extra work that would be needed.

Sorry ladies and Gentleman, but that's the way it works. At the end of the day, Petco is a business, and their goal is to make as much money as possible while spending as little as possible.

So much hate in this thread. I'm not "Defending" Petco, but if you don't like them, don't go to them. If you know how to take better care of the animals they house, then you go work for them for $7.50 an hour. I'm content with my job, and even though it sucks, that's life, and I know that I'm not going to go in there with the intention of buying any snakes or trying to correct their husbandry.

Sorry for the rant, but I just don't like seeing people bashing a place because they are a business and are trying to make money. :colbert:

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So you are telling me that because they are a business trying to make money, that it's a satisfactory excuse for poor husbandry? Last I checked Petco in the business of selling ANIMALS which would mean husbandry of their ANIMALS would be one of the most important things.

If you go buy a car from Ted's Honda shop, and the car that you decided to buy had been test driven alot because it had sat on the lot forever, and Mr Ted decided that because the car had been there forever he just wasn't going to change the oil because that was going to cut in to his profit. Well when the engine begins to have problems because of it, are you going to say to yourself "well Ted is in business to make money, so I guess its ok..."

Or with BP's oil spill. they are a business trying to make money, but does that give them an excuse for skimping on safety and preventative measures just so they can make a little more profit?

Plus, the husbandry issues that petco has wouldn't be that expensive. All the tank materials they get in bulk, and a manager giving verbal instructions like changing bedding/ water, turns temps to certain degrees... words are free!

Just saying man, think about what you are saying before you try to call people out by making excuses for these large corperations.

I still think you can get better prices with a reputable breeder.
However, This would be a good alternative for someone who didn't have a reputable breeder in their area.

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Originally Posted by PweEzy

Number one, go try to sell a spider ball to Petco for $200, I bet they will laugh and offer you $75 or less. Plus, I'm pretty sure they have certain people that they are REQUIRED to get their animals from.

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Reading Comprehension > You

I was making a point for the sake of the argument. Nice job taking that out of context though.

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Originally Posted by PweEzy

So you are telling me that because they are a business trying to make money, that it's a satisfactory excuse for poor husbandry? Last I checked Petco in the business of selling ANIMALS which would mean husbandry of their ANIMALS would be one of the most important things.

If you go buy a car from Ted's Honda shop, and the car that you decided to buy had been test driven alot because it had sat on the lot forever, and Mr Ted decided that because the car had been there forever he just wasn't going to change the oil because that was going to cut in to his profit. Well when the engine begins to have problems because of it, are you going to say to yourself "well Ted is in business to make money, so I guess its ok..."

Or with BP's oil spill. they are a business trying to make money, but does that give them an excuse for skimping on safety and preventative measures just so they can make a little more profit?

Plus, the husbandry issues that petco has wouldn't be that expensive. All the tank materials they get in bulk, and a manager giving verbal instructions like changing bedding/ water, turns temps to certain degrees... words are free!

Just saying man, think about what you are saying before you try to call people out by making excuses for these large corperations.

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Once again Reading Comprehension > You

I never said it was a satisfactory excuse for poor husbandry. DO NOT put words in my mouth. I said that it would cost them a ton of money to keep each of the species of reptiles up to their true standards in each store across the US. It would also cost them a ton of money to train each person who works in the reptile department to properly care for these animals. With any large corporation there has to be a uniform set of guidelines that employees have to follow. So they would have to all be trained the same way in each store. Which means new training classes would have to be created, which would me new videos and employee handbooks, which in turn would cost.............You guessed it, more money!

Again, look at the spreadsheet I posted of how they are supposed to care for the animals. That's what the employees go off of. Unless that person has worked with reptiles before, they would have no idea that nearly all the information on that care sheet is incorrect.

Your two analogies with "Teds Honda Shop" and "BP" are miserable. If you actually worked in the automotive business, you would know that's exactly what goes on. Trust me, I worked in the Auction business for years. The dealers do in fact skimp on working on the car if they know they're about to sell it. (Just pointing that out)

BP was trying to save money so they cut a corner. Look what happened. I am in no way trying to "Defend" Petco, so stop putting words in my mouth. I'm just saying that as a large corporation, don't expect things to change because people complain about it on a forum. If YOU don't like it, start writing letters to Petco and see how far that gets you. They aren't going to change anything if it requires spending a lot of money. Whether they buy in bulk or not, it still costs the company money.

For example, lets say they get heating pads for all the snakes and the correct lighting for all the lizards. Now you need a thermostat for all the snakes heating pads and you also need an easy way to access all the lighting. Which would mean changing their display setups. (Again spending more money). Changing bedding regularly would require more money. I'm pretty sure they don't get bedding for free. I'm also sure that having the employees do more work would require.......You guessed it! More money.

Don't kid yourself either. They make a KILLING on the animals they sell. As you said, they buy in bulk. They do the same for the animals. They buy them in bulk, ship them to the stores, and make a killing on the markup they charge. Why do you think people on craigslist need $200 for a rehoming fee for a normal ball python? Usually because they paid more than $75 for just the snake alone.

And once again, just in case I didn't make myself clear, I'm NOT defending Petco, but I understand why they don't change. It's a business model, and it's working, and "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Just saying man, think about what you are saying before you try to call people out on something they might have a ton of knowledge about. ;)

That sounds interesting, but those prices are definitely higher up there compared to others. Just hope that Petco takes care of these BP's.

I'd also like to throw out, that I am ALL FOR GETTING THEIR STANDARDS UP. I'm also just a realist though. ;)

Go to youtube and look up petco, petsmart it's so Grrr i can't say it but you will understand what I'm getting at........ They buy all there animals from one company. My opion none of them have any business carrying any sort of reptiles. :tears:

My exact words were "making excuses for these large corperations." B/c all I read in that post were excuses... but I guess thats neither here nor there. I won't argue with you on a public forum.

In regards to the OP, it actually may be a nice touch for the industry because people will see the eye poppers like a spider or pinstripe and will be more interested in all the morph which could be pretty good "free" advertising for the industry. And when people don't want to pay $400 for a spider, they will be able to research a breeder to get one from. So it might actually be benificial and is a good piece of info to know, thanks OP!

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Originally Posted by PweEzy

My exact words were "making excuses for these large corperations." B/c all I read in that post were excuses... but I guess thats neither here nor there. I won't argue with you on a public forum.

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Meaning you can't debate with the facts that I just put up? I've said my peace. Later.

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Originally Posted by garweft

I'm amazed anyone would consider buying a snake from Petco..... :weirdface

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+1

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Originally Posted by Generationshell

I still think you can get better prices with a reputable breeder.
However, This would be a good alternative for someone who didn't have a reputable breeder in their area.

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No, it wouldn't be a GOOD alternative.

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Originally Posted by The Hedgehog

Meaning you can't debate with the facts that I just put up? I've said my peace. Later.

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You're an accountant in the corporate world, so you have a lot of insider knowledge about how businesses operate financially. Congratulations, and thanks for sharing.

However, whether or not you mean to defend Petco, your posts sure read as though you are. Yes I know you specifically stated that you're not defending Petco, the rest of your words tell a different story. I get that you're probably playing devil's advocate, but not everyone who reads this thread will. Maybe you should go back and re-think your posts on this topic.

Furthermore I've been in at least three Petco's in the Atlanta area. They're all rather disgusting, even in comparison to Petsmart which is no Shangri La by any means. I would never consider even purchasing feeders from a Petco in the Atlanta area.

Oh man. People get so petty in their arguments online. Gah. It's silly.

My local petco juuuust opened a few moths ago and I've stopped by every now and then when it's 830 and I need some random thing. lol.. Otherwise, I go local.

They have BPs, and yeah.. they're not cared for that well. Nothing there really is, but oh well. :/ Such is the way of the world when money is more important than life! No morphs though, and fingers crossed they don't get any. The best thing about my area is that people boycott corporate places that are in it for the money and not their product, whether it's food, animals, or otherwise. Even if they had them, the majority would rather buy from our local shops, not some big name.

They only had normals the last time i was at petco which is in Everett Washington. However they did have a Colombian Boa for sale and a few other cool snakes available.

I have owned Ball Pythons for 10 years going on 11 now. I sold most of mine in 2006 before I went into the Marine Corps, although I kept a couple of them. I am now out and started up a collection again. I actually bought a Pinstripe from Petco today. Has no mites, proper girth for his length, ate well, and looks very healthy. He is also very alert I might add.

Is it easy to bash someone or a company if you don't go physically see it for yourself. Every location will be different. My petco actually has employees that care for the animals. The person I dealt with has a small collection of Ball Python morphs so I imagine that is why they are cared for so well. But, some locations have the employees that view it as "just a job" or "they are just animals". And with those individuals, they are causing you all to stereotype all of the stores.

That is pretty much like saying one Chiles' had bad food, so all of them must be terrible. Do everyone a favor with all of this pointless talk and go to your Petco and see the Spiders, Pinstripes, and Pastels for yourself, then you can make some judgements. That is all.

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Originally Posted by MidSouthMorphs

I have owned Ball Pythons for 10 years going on 11 now. I sold most of mine in 2006 before I went into the Marine Corps, although I kept a couple of them. I am now out and started up a collection again. I actually bought a Pinstripe from Petco today. Has no mites, proper girth for his length, ate well, and looks very healthy. He is also very alert I might add.

Is it easy to bash someone or a company if you don't go physically see it for yourself. Every location will be different. My petco actually has employees that care for the animals. The person I dealt with has a small collection of Ball Python morphs so I imagine that is why they are cared for so well. But, some locations have the employees that view it as "just a job" or "they are just animals". And with those individuals, they are causing you all to stereotype all of the stores.

That is pretty much like saying one Chiles' had bad food, so all of them must be terrible. Do everyone a favor with all of this pointless talk and go to your Petco and see the Spiders, Pinstripes, and Pastels for yourself, then you can make some judgements. That is all.

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I live in the chicagoland area and have been to a lot of stores and have not seen one that keeps up with there reptiles. In fact i was asking about a lizard in one of the tanks about 2 weeks ago he seem in really bad shape. I asked how much he was the guy turns to me and said 25.00 i said I'll pass went to the back to get dog food and on my way back up to the front of the store he has the nerve to tell me I'll give him to you for half off because he is sick :O I almost lost it on him :( Your telling us about judgments when most of us have been to the stores.

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Originally Posted by MidSouthMorphs

I have owned Ball Pythons for 10 years going on 11 now. I sold most of mine in 2006 before I went into the Marine Corps, although I kept a couple of them. I am now out and started up a collection again. I actually bought a Pinstripe from Petco today. Has no mites, proper girth for his length, ate well, and looks very healthy. He is also very alert I might add.

Is it easy to bash someone or a company if you don't go physically see it for yourself. Every location will be different. My petco actually has employees that care for the animals. The person I dealt with has a small collection of Ball Python morphs so I imagine that is why they are cared for so well. But, some locations have the employees that view it as "just a job" or "they are just animals". And with those individuals, they are causing you all to stereotype all of the stores.

That is pretty much like saying one Chiles' had bad food, so all of them must be terrible. Do everyone a favor with all of this pointless talk and go to your Petco and see the Spiders, Pinstripes, and Pastels for yourself, then you can make some judgements. That is all.

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Are you going to be breeding that pinstripe?

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Originally Posted by Haydenphoto

I live in the chicagoland area and have been to a lot of stores and have not seen one that keeps up with there reptiles. In fact i was asking about a lizard in one of the tanks about 2 weeks ago he seem in really bad shape. I asked how much he was the guy turns to me and said 25.00 i said I'll pass went to the back to get dog food and on my way back up to the front of the store he has the nerve to tell me I'll give him to you for half off because he is sick :O I almost lost it on him :( Your telling us about judgments when most of us have been to the stores.

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So you are basing your whole comment off of one visit? Like I said, every location is different. Go back and re-read everything I said. I am not defending Petco as a whole, I am stating that certain locations do actually care. I know of a Petco that is closer to me than the one I actually go to for dog food, it is a poor excuse for a Pet Supply store due to the poor nature of the animals.

All that falls back on the management also, like I said. It depends on if the poeple actually care about the animals or if they just treat it as "another job". That is a huge problem now, the majority of American youth do not take pride in their work, no matter if it is working part time at Petco. Sais alot about a person in my opinion.

And yes I will eventaully breed him, why do you ask?

But I do agree. 90% of the stores I have been to were complete crap.

So what makes this good news? They could barely take care of there normals, They should use the money for training there people.

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Originally Posted by MidSouthMorphs

So you are basing your whole comment off of one visit? Like I said, every location is different. Go back and re-read everything I said. I am not defending Petco as a whole, I am stating that certain locations do actually care. I know of a Petco that is closer to me than the one I actually go to for dog food, it is a poor excuse for a Pet Supply store due to the poor nature of the animals.

All that falls back on the management also, like I said. It depends on if the poeple actually care about the animals or if they just treat it as "another job". That is a huge problem now, the majority of American youth do not take pride in their work, no matter if it is working part time at Petco. Sais alot about a person in my opinion.

And yes I will eventaully breed him, why do you ask?

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Congratulations on your new pet. I'm sure I don't have to ask since you've owned ball pythons for 10 years, but do you have it in quarantine?

In my opinion Chilis does have bad food. However well they prepare it, I personally would never eat there. It has nothing to do with American youth (about which your comment was an inaccurate).
It all comes down to the ingredients that they use: the welfare of the animals for their meat, and the produce is most likely non-organic GMO and frozen. Chipotle, and Evos on the other hand use humanely raised fresh organic meat, and fresh organic produce and dry ingredients. All of which are corporate examples.

I believe that to own and produce something truly great, where it came from and how it was cared for before you took ownership plays a huge part on your success with it, be it your livestock, pets, houseplants, or dinner.

You'll only get out what you put into it.

• That's why all of my breeder animals in-turn come from the most reputable breeders that I can find.
• That's why I turn down 'great' deals for animals.
• That's why, when someone buying an animal from me wants to know where it's progeny were produced I happily oblige and tell them.
• That's why, if they want to see my facility in person I'll make arrangements for them, even though it's in my own home.
• That's why my equipment for my geckos costs way more than the geckos themselves.
• That's why I buy local, humanely raised, and organic ingredients to cook with.
• That's why I don't buy plants at IKEA, but pay more than twice for an orchid from Whole Foods instead (which I know comes from a local reputable nursery).

Now your pinstripe from Petco may turn out to be a great pet. I certainly hope it does, and lives a healthy, and happy life. But if you're going to breed it, I'm sure you will be avoided.

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Originally Posted by LizardPants

Congratulations on your new pet. I'm sure I don't have to ask since you've owned ball pythons for 10 years, but do you have it in quarantine?

In my opinion Chilis does have bad food. However well they prepare it, I personally would never eat there. It has nothing to do with American youth (about which your comment was an inaccurate).
It all comes down to the ingredients that they use: the welfare of the animals for their meat, and the produce is most likely non-organic GMO and frozen. Chipotle, and Evos on the other hand use humanely raised fresh organic meat, and fresh organic produce and dry ingredients. All of which are corporate examples.

I believe that to own and produce something truly great, where it came from and how it was cared for before you took ownership plays a huge part on your success with it, be it your pets, houseplants, or dinner.

You'll only get out what you put into it.

• That's why all of my breeder animals in-turn come from the most reputable breeders that I can find.
• That's why I turn down 'great' deals for animals.
• That's why, when someone buying an animal from me wants to know where it's progeny were produced I happily oblige and tell them.
• That's why, if they want to see my facility in person I'll make arrangements for them, even though it's in my own home.
• That's why my equipment for my geckos costs way more than the geckos themselves.
• That's why I buy local, humanely raised, and organic ingredients to cook with.
• That's why I don't buy plants at IKEA, but pay more than twice for an orchid from Whole Foods instead (which I know comes from a local reputable nursery).

Now tell your pinstripe from Petco may turn out to be a great pet. I certainly hope it does, and lives a healthy, and happy life. But if you're going to breed it, I'm sure you will be avoided.

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I am actually far from inaccurate, From 2008 to 2009, youth in America had a 9% rise in illegal drug use, I am not saying 100% are bad, it's only getting worse. Although none of this has any relevance here. So, since you are saying I will be avoided, then some of the first morphs were imported from Africa and the first Ball Pythons, I don't see all who breed and sell being avoided. And yes, he is in quarantine.

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Originally Posted by MidSouthMorphs

Although none of this has any relevance here. So, since you are saying I will be avoided, then some of the first morphs were imported from Africa and the first Ball Pythons, I don't see all who breed and sell being avoided.

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I don't see your point here. What's bad about something from Africa?
In-fact, it's generally regarded as a good idea for breeders to incorporate wild genes back into their lines.
Wild caught balls should not be sold as pets. However, those who understand genetics (you may, but not all breeders do), probably understand how wild livestock can help in a breeding program.

I do, I wasn't implying that anything is wrong with Africa. I have actually been waiting to get some WC adult females.

I talked to the manager at a local Petco. The one here gets their snakes from California Zoological. I also know some local breeders who purchase from them. I do agree that most corp stores don't take care of the animals in general. But, the one here is pretty good. I've had a few talks with the managers and they at least take advice from some people.

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Originally Posted by sparticus

most definitely. if these giant pet chains start selling morphs in quantity at a lot lower prices due to low quality and the fact that they (usually) don't keep the husbandry on point... it could cause the prices to be diluted for specialty breeders who are producing quality animals with proper husbandry - when it comes to people new to the game they usually HAVE to buy their morphs from a breeder since a pet store usually doesn't have them... but if they are starting to carry them... who knows that that will do ...??

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Unfortunatley for us breeders snakes like the Pastel ball python are becoming the new normal due to other breeders not being willing to hold their prices and are selling them cheap to keep from having to feed them. I match my prices to what the top breeders are charging and if I don't sell that snake and I feed it until adult hood, then I have either another breeder to add back to the colony or the price just keeps going up because it will then be old enough for someone else to add the their colony and breed out without having to put 3 years of rats into it. Personally I wish more breeders saw it this way.:banana:

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Originally Posted by shorty54

I talked to the manager at a local Petco. The one here gets their snakes from California Zoological. I also know some local breeders who purchase from them. I do agree that most corp stores don't take care of the animals in general. But, the one here is pretty good. I've had a few talks with the managers and they at least take advice from some people.

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I have an account with Cal Zoo and for the most part have been pleased with what I have seen from them, however I haven't been nearly as impressed with them as I have with Kim and Mark Bell of Reptile Industries and Rept. Mart. My advice would be to buy from private breeders like the Bells, VPI, Ralph Davis, Alan Bosch, Steve Rousis, and NERD. You may pay a little more for your animals but what you get in return as far as healthy beautiful ball pythons will more than make up for it!!

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Originally Posted by LizardPants

Congratulations on your new pet. I'm sure I don't have to ask since you've owned ball pythons for 10 years, but do you have it in quarantine?

In my opinion Chilis does have bad food. However well they prepare it, I personally would never eat there. It has nothing to do with American youth (about which your comment was an inaccurate).
It all comes down to the ingredients that they use: the welfare of the animals for their meat, and the produce is most likely non-organic GMO and frozen. Chipotle, and Evos on the other hand use humanely raised fresh organic meat, and fresh organic produce and dry ingredients. All of which are corporate examples.

I believe that to own and produce something truly great, where it came from and how it was cared for before you took ownership plays a huge part on your success with it, be it your livestock, pets, houseplants, or dinner.

You'll only get out what you put into it.

• That's why all of my breeder animals in-turn come from the most reputable breeders that I can find.
• That's why I turn down 'great' deals for animals.
• That's why, when someone buying an animal from me wants to know where it's progeny were produced I happily oblige and tell them.
• That's why, if they want to see my facility in person I'll make arrangements for them, even though it's in my own home.
• That's why my equipment for my geckos costs way more than the geckos themselves.
• That's why I buy local, humanely raised, and organic ingredients to cook with.
• That's why I don't buy plants at IKEA, but pay more than twice for an orchid from Whole Foods instead (which I know comes from a local reputable nursery).

Now your pinstripe from Petco may turn out to be a great pet. I certainly hope it does, and lives a healthy, and happy life. But if you're going to breed it, I'm sure you will be avoided.

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Thank your for stating that!! I also will go out of my way to make arrangements for people to check out my facility and show exactly what the mother looked like and what the father looked like and save pictures from all of their previous clutches. I also go out of my way to make sure the animals are feeding before sale. If they haven't feed 5 times in a row, they aren't for sale... beware the breeders who will make you a special price for right out of the egg babies that haven't even shed, yet alone eaten their first meal. Those people are out to make a fast buck and don't really care about the animals they are producing... even though they like to use slogans like "captive bred quality animals"... more like "buy it before I have to do something with it and it dies and I loose all my money on it"