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 :(

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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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Originally Posted by Rat160

Your keeping your ball python on vita sand?

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I think there might be a larger issue here...

he is not on Vita sand it was just recommended by a store owner. I personally do not know what to do here, I'm pretty attached to this guy I'd hate to give him up. looking at the Bylaws more closely, you can't have more then two dogs, when we had three for 2 years now. ill call the breeder for suggestions, i don't know if calling city to give us information will do anything.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bonus41

I don't know if calling city to give us information will do anything.

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You can call the Town Office and speak with the Bylaw officer to confirm whether or not the posted bylaw is current. If the bylaw is current, they will typically reiterate it over the phone. Other then that no exceptions are made for 'pets'.

Unfortunately you are in a tough spot.

Are you able to adopt your snake out to a friend or someone that is capable and willing to house it in a town/city where there is no bylaw in place?

Either that or try to get a petition going in your town to get the law changed...

unfortunately there is no friends or family who could adopt this guy. The only thing that i could think of is exchange this guy for a different snake and pay the difference, he had a gopher snake that i saw in the store but i know nothing about them, plus i don't know how i can let go of this guy though. My dad keeps saying that every thing will be fine, but i have big anxiety problems i can only look at the worst that could happen. i was up all night with nightmares of them taking him away from me. i hope we can work out a way to keep him

I would recommend contacting the city about it. That way, they know you have it and you aren't hiding anything. You haven't done anything wrong. If they insist on taking custody of the snake, you can make it clear that you'd like to know what happens to it and would be willing to care for it yourself if at all possible.

First of all RELAX. I know its a crappy situation but you just have to realize that the law is the law and for the time being its not going to change and there is nothing you can do about it.

Now Like others said check to make sure it is the law and its current. If it is and you are in fact not allowed to keep ball pythons then its up to you whether to rehome the snake or not.

Most importantly whoever this pet store is i would steer clear of going there or buying anything from them. They are obviously very mis-informed on herping.

Other than that I am sorry about your situation and wish you the best.

I'll get my mom to call them tonight, I'm very worried they'll take him away though. I don't know if they will be nice enough to let me keep him

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Originally Posted by bonus41

I'll get my mom to call them tonight, I'm very worried they'll take him away though. I don't know if they will be nice enough to let me keep him

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If it is against the law then they will not let you keep him. Hopefully you can find some good news. Good luck.

Try to relax. It's not like the city is going to come knocking on your door in hazmat suits to confiscate your ball python. Lol, the thought is actually kind of amusing considering how harmless a ball python is.

As others have said, contact the city. Perhaps if they are kind hearted they will educate you on how to receive a permit to keep these animals? If not, I would seriously try to start a petition going to change the law to permit ball pythons at least. If enough people call, write, or email their complaints to the city then something will be done about it. At least, I hope. :salute:

That lady at the petstore was thrown at the wall at a child. I have my dog trained to take care of my snakes better than her. Dont ever listen to another thing she says, shes a moron.
Im pretty sure that lady is not going to call the police and try and get you in trouble because she knows you have a python. You have a few options here. One of them, and im not saying you should because it is illegal, would be to just keep the snake and if anyone asks what youre buying rats for you could just say a cornsnake or other colubrid. Once again, that is illegal and i wouldnt want mounties to come and arrest you for it, but im just saying if i was hypothetically thrust into that situation in an alternate Canadian universe that is what i would hypothetically do. And while i was hypothetically breaking the law i would definetly hpothetically be listening to Rush, the best canadian band ever.:banana:

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

Rush, the best canadian band ever.:banana:

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:gj:

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

Once again, that is illegal and i wouldnt want mounties to come and arrest you for it ... I would definetly hpothetically be listening to Rush, the best canadian band ever

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lol... really?

OP, keep us up to date and let us know what happens.

Still curious as to what part of Ontario you are from, I have pulled more and more city bylaws and almost every one prohibits 'pythonidae' and 'boidae'. One of the cities I looked up that has Ball Pythons as an illegal exotic pet even sells them at the local pet stores.

You could just tell them it's another kind of snake if someone asks, haha. It seems people nowadays can't tell a Ball python from a Burm from a Garter Snake :rolleyes: They're all 'big scary dangerous animals that will eat your cat'.

Joking aside...

First step, call your local bylaw and inquire about the status of the current law. As mentioned, some places say they are Illegal to keep without a permit. So you may be able to apply for one if that is the case.

Worst case scenario is that Ball Pythons are illegal in your area. That would be very very unfortunate, but at that point, you have a few options:

1. You keep it, even though it's against the law. This wouldn't be something I'd recommend, as we are trying to keep a positive spin on the hobby and show that we do obey the laws. However, as long as you kept it to yourself, not many people will be coming to your home looking for it. IF they did, however... IF someone found out, you and your family could get in a lot of trouble.

2. Contact the breeder and tell them what's going on. Most will be reasonable and try to help you as best they can. Perhaps you could get a lovely Colubrid or similar snake. They aren't BPs, but they have their quirks. My Corn is a funny duck.

3. If the breeder here will not take it, explain your dilemma and see if someone in your region of Canada can take on this snake from you and give it a home. That way you don't have to put it on Kijiji or Craigslist and you know he'll go to a home that understands BPs. Heck, some of us out West would be willing to help if need be, I'm sure. And that way, you can then get an animal that's legal in your area.

So don't fret too much. It is stressful, but there is always a positive resolution if we think clearly, stay calm and ask questions. Nobody is going to send you to jail for having this animal. And your animal will not be taken away and 'put down'. Take the right steps, take your time, ask for help and this will all get resolved in a positive way.

I am not in Canada for the summer but usually I live in Toronto and my family home is in Peterborough, Ontario. I have a good friend in Ottawa (is often in Peterborough) that owns snakes and other reptiles responsibly and has a lot of connections in the herping community. He would definitely be able to take the snake from you or find a good home for it if you do have to give it up :(

You could ship your BP to me here in the states they are legal.

You could defect to the USA.

To escape political persecution.

banning snakes is definatly political in nature.

(just trying to make light humor of a bad situation)

Harry

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Originally Posted by Old Sloppy

You could defect to the USA.

Harry

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I wouldnt do this. Heck the way things are going now im thinking about defecting to Canada!

[QUOTE=el8ch;1832659]lol... really?[QUOTE]

Lets be honest here... Out of Justin Bieber, Avril Lavigne, Bryan Adams, nickelback...etc... Rush is by far the best band to come outta Canada.

The mounty joke was just a cheap shot i couldnt resist adding in hehehehe:D

Thanks for the help everyone, i contacted the breeder and he said it was no problem and that he'll give me in store credit. i went up last week and got myself a Brooks King, and i seem to be enjoying him so far

It's a pity you couldn't keep your ball, they are great snakes. From what I have seen, King snakes are pretty cool as well, and hopefully you will enjoy him for a long time to come.

Gale

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Originally Posted by bonus41

Thanks for the help everyone, i contacted the breeder and he said it was no problem and that he'll give me in store credit. i went up last week and got myself a Brooks King, and i seem to be enjoying him so far

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And where are the requisite photos of Mr. Brooks? :)

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