Pet Store Sexing Unbelievable!

I was off and bored today so I decided to test different pet stores reliability. (call it what you will). I grabbed our MALE albino and spider, then I was off! (I grabbed 2 so one male wasn't getting popped all day)
So I set out to Store A, (all the stores I chose were affiliated and sold reptiles, even some morphs!! Walk into the store, I tell one of the guys in the reptiles section that I need a ball python "popped", he looked at me as if I were speaking Vietnamese. So I then told him "sexed" or "probed" he then knew what I was talking about but still had to call another employee to assist him. They both looked at our spider for about 8-10 min and then guaranteed me it was a female. I said ok thanks.
Store B, also assured me that my spider was a female even though they were very quick about it.
It wasnt till I got to store C, that I finally got an accurate reading!!! He popped our albino and right away he knew it was a male! I know where I'm going from now on!
Sadly Store D didn't pass the test either, even though they had 3 different people look at it!
It's horrible knowing that it doesn't take much knowledge about reptiles or
pets in general to work at a retail pet supply store. I dont support them and will continue not to, ( at least towards my herps).

Three of four stores gave me false information, and we all know that males and females are a big price different most of the time. What if I went into one of those stores looking to buy a female albino??? If I didnt know any better they could just hand me a male, sell it to me for female price and then send me on my way!!

Four hours and a tank of gas later I got what I needed and I hope it helps someone in the long run!! Just because they say it doesnt mean it!!!

Thanks for your time!

-M

Retail petstores are awful. They almost never hire anyone that knows anything about the reptiles because then they can't train you their way and you won't sit by and let a sick reptile get sicker. It's despicable. Some aren't like that, but the majority are. And what's worse, I took my male normal to Banfield to see one of their "herp vets" and he insisted that my snake needed both UVA and UVB lighting and that it was absolutely imperative that I buy bulbs that had both. :rolleyes: It's a little ridiculous.

I could have saved you 4 hours and a tank of gas and just told you that most pet stores don't know what the heck they are talking about.

If you want something done right, ya just gotta do it yourself. :gj:

At least when I went to pet smart they admitted they couldn't sex the snakes but were told they were female by the breeder. I'll accept that for now, but I want to get it sexed, I wish I knew how to pop so I could figure it out!!!


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So let me see YOU are willing to put your animal through unnecessary stress and are willing to jeopardize your animal's health so you can prove a point? :confusd:

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Originally Posted by AK907

I could have saved you 4 hours and a tank of gas and just told you that most pet stores don't know what the heck they are talking about.

If you want something done right, ya just gotta do it yourself. :gj:

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yeah i hear you on that when i got my snake i called pet stores where they sold all kind of snakes and none knew how to sex. an employee said he did so i let him look at my snake and said it was male because the spurs looked male :rofl::rofl:. after all that i just looked online to learn how to sex snakes myself.

I was off and bored today so I decided to test different pet stores reliability. (call it what you will). I grabbed our MALE albino and spider, then I was off! (I grabbed 2 so one male wasn't getting popped all day)
So I set out to Store A, (all the stores I chose were affiliated and sold reptiles, even some morphs!! Walk into the store, I tell one of the guys in the reptiles section that I need a ball python "popped", he looked at me as if I were speaking Vietnamese. So I then told him "sexed" or "probed" he then knew what I was talking about but still had to call another employee to assist him. They both looked at our spider for about 8-10 min and then guaranteed me it was a female. I said ok thanks.
Store B, also assured me that my spider was a female even though they were very quick about it.
It wasnt till I got to store C, that I finally got an accurate reading!!! He popped our albino and right away he knew it was a male! I know where I'm going from now on!
Sadly Store D didn't pass the test either, even though they had 3 different people look at it!
It's horrible knowing that it doesn't take much knowledge about reptiles or
pets in general to work at a retail pet supply store. I dont support them and will continue not to, ( at least towards my herps).

Three of four stores gave me false information, and we all know that males and females are a big price different most of the time. What if I went into one of those stores looking to buy a female albino??? If I didnt know any better they could just hand me a male, sell it to me for female price and then send me on my way!!

Four hours and a tank of gas later I got what I needed and I hope it helps someone in the long run!! Just because they say it doesnt mean it!!!

Thanks for your time!

-M

petsmart and petco never know how to sex.

Why the second thread? :confusd:

I wouldn't subject my snakes to some inexperienced idiot trying to probe or pop it.

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Seems cruel to subject your snakes to this to prove something you already know.

Can we get the 2 threads merged please

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...g-Unbelievable!

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Originally Posted by Deborah

So let me see YOU are willing to put your animal through unnecessary stress and are willing to jeopardize your animal's health so you can prove a point? :confusd:

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They have been popped twice out of their entire lifetime so far let's calm down just a bit, like I said I took two. If you don't have anything nice to say don't comment at all.

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Originally Posted by Mrl249

They have been popped twice out of their entire lifetime so far let's calm down just a bit, like I said I took two. If you don't have anything nice to say don't comment at all.

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Taking a snake places is stressful enough and then there is the possibility of transferring illness/mites from poorly kept pet store animals. When you add into the equation that it is very easy to injure a snake when sexing if you don't know what you are doing you get a bad situation that I personally feel is irresponsible.

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Originally Posted by Mrl249

They have been popped twice out of their entire lifetime so far let's calm down just a bit, like I said I took two. If you don't have anything nice to say don't comment at all.

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When you decide to start a thread, you invite comment. If you weren't prepared for the inevitable critiques, then you shouldn't have posted. I happen to agree with Deborah's sentiments myself.

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Originally Posted by ExotixTowing

Can we get the 2 threads merged please

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...g-Unbelievable!

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Yes we can! :gj:

Why would you put your snakes through all of that???? Just to find out the sex seems a little absurd to me. Deborah is right whether you like it or not. Oh, by the way, telling one of the mods to calm down seems a bit ballsy to me!

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Originally Posted by Mrl249

They have been popped twice out of their entire lifetime so far let's calm down just a bit, like I said I took two. If you don't have anything nice to say don't comment at all.

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And I assume those two are now quarentined away from your other snakes? :rolleyes:

Oh I am sorry, let me try again... thank you SO much for enlighting us on Petstores unriability when it comes to sexing snakes....now is that better?

Wouldn't want your feelings hurt by telling the truth now would we? :rolleyes:

Now to everyone else that may read this thread, exposing your animals to stress,possible injuries,illness,parasites beacause you are bored and want to make a point is NOT a good idea!

I wouldn't send my kids for a weekend with a suspected pedophile just to prove my suspicions so I could boast about it on a message board.
Maybe instead of just complaining about these stores, you could offer to help them properly sex their snakes or better yet, train their employees to do it. Most of the workers at these stores are well intentioned. Many even have reptiles of their own, they just don't have proper training.

I think that the subject is all wrong. It's not really all that unbelievable.

My local pet store when I first started in ball pythons didn't know how to sex, and didn't like probes, because they said it would sterilize the snake.

After building a relationship with them, they began to let me sex their snakes for them and even show them how to. I didn't mock them or make fun of them, and I purchased most of the adult females that were dropped off there by people who no longer wanted their snakes (this was in 2005/2006 when breedable normal females were still selling for over $1000 online).

I didn't however, ever take one of my own collection into their store. Anything I purchased from them went straight to QT into a PAM treated tub.

I would never do anything as risky as exposing any of my collection to a variety of pet stores just to prove a point, but that's just me.

Welcome to the friendliest online community for All your herping needs. :rolleyes:

I'm glad I have Twin Cities Reptiles, and it's a close drive too!

Bruce knows his stuff, has at least one of his incubators on display so you can see what projects he has going on, and is an all-around professional. I've seen him sex snakes for a number of people, and I've seen him both probe and pop everything from every day ball pythons to 7 foot carpet pythons.

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Originally Posted by rlditmars

Welcome to the friendliest online community for All your herping needs. :rolleyes:

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:confusd::confusd::confusd:


Once one of my snakes is in my house, they dont leave.
We dont even go into the snake room till everyone has showered after an expo.;)
I am not worried about too many things BUT mites can be a real pain............. I have been there once because of my stupidity and I will do everything I can to not have to do that all over again.

I think it is interesting that you tested the knowledge of the pet store employees this way, but I also think that data could have been received without bringing your snakes along for the ride.

I personally don't bring my snakes anywhere there are other "unknown" reptiles. I see people bring their snakes and lizards to reptile expos and I just don't want to expose mine to all of these animals that I have not personally checked out. It really just isn't worth the risk in my opinion. But there is obviously a large group of people who are willing to take this risk. I don't frown upon them though. Ultimately it is your choice what you do with your animals and where you take them. We all choose to keep our snakes different ways. Bringing your snake with you somewhere isn't "wrong" and it isn't automatically going to make your snake or your whole collection ill. What you should realize is that it could happen.

Should we not ever drive in cars since the national auto related deaths is 560 this year? No, of course not! There are risks we take everyday. Some are more dangerous than others. Bringing a snake to a pet store isn't a death sentence, but it is putting your snake in a vulnerable position that it never needs to be in. If you have a good reason to bring it somewhere, then go fot it. If it isn't really necessary then I would skip on that risk. :gj:

As an alternative, you could have went into the pet stores and asked them to sex their own snakes. Im sure those who don't know what they are doing wouldn't even bother popping or probing. A knowledgeable employee would know that you can't sex a snake by looking at it.

The results are not unbelievable. Commercial pet store employees don't know what they are talking aout 99% of the time. I've seen it first hand. I correct them on their misinformation when I can and that is really all I can do.

In the future, save your snakes the stress and let the employees use their own animals to demonstrate their proficiency.

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Originally Posted by rlditmars

Welcome to the friendliest online community for All your herping needs. :rolleyes:

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I guess a praise for something risky that can jeopardize someone entire collection would be better and more friendly? :rolleyes:

Sorry but if questioning someone is unfriendly than be it.

I believe that new owners are entitle to know the risks involved with such a behavior and this is why I questioned the OP. (Nothing more nothing less)

Disclaimer: This is MY personal opinion as a snake owner and member of this forum.

I love all you guys! Ha :) thanks for all the feed back bad or good :) !

P.S. Snakes wont be leaving anywhere anymore, except to the vet!

BTW............... this thread and all the bickering is WORTHLESS without names;)
In your area you probably hit PetsMart, Petco, Pet Plus and may be Pet Land out on 1604? or maybe the store on Tezzel Rd that I can never remember the name of owned by Mike?

I try to spread the name of people I can trust to help others out should the need come, first is LSRS The Syndicate and then there is The friendliest online community for All your herping needs:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

LSRS get top line because we are local and can meet face to face:gj:

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

I think it is interesting that you tested the knowledge of the pet store employees this way, but I also think that data could have been received without bringing your snakes along for the ride.

I personally don't bring my snakes anywhere there are other "unknown" reptiles. I see people bring their snakes and lizards to reptile expos and I just don't want to expose mine to all of these animals that I have not personally checked out. It really just isn't worth the risk in my opinion. But there is obviously a large group of people who are willing to take this risk. I don't frown upon them though. Ultimately it is your choice what you do with your animals and where you take them. We all choose to keep our snakes different ways. Bringing your snake with you somewhere isn't "wrong" and it isn't automatically going to make your snake or your whole collection ill. What you should realize is that it could happen.

Should we not ever drive in cars since the national auto related deaths is 560 this year? No, of course not! There are risks we take everyday. Some are more dangerous than others. Bringing a snake to a pet store isn't a death sentence, but it is putting your snake in a vulnerable position that it never needs to be in. If you have a good reason to bring it somewhere, then go fot it. If it isn't really necessary then I would skip on that risk. :gj:

As an alternative, you could have went into the pet stores and asked them to sex their own snakes. Im sure those who don't know what they are doing wouldn't even bother popping or probing. A knowledgeable employee would know that you can't sex a snake by looking at it.

The results are not unbelievable. Commercial pet store employees don't know what they are talking aout 99% of the time. I've seen it first hand. I correct them on their misinformation when I can and that is really all I can do.

In the future, save your snakes the stress and let the employees use their own animals to demonstrate their proficiency.

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Great read kaorte!!! Thanks

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

BTW............... this thread and all the bickering is WORTHLESS without names;)
In your area you probably hit PetsMart, Petco, Pet Plus and may be Pet Land out on 1604? or maybe the store on Tezzel Rd that I can never remember the name of owned by Mike?

I try to spread the name of people I can trust to help others out should the need come, first is LSRS The Syndicate and then there is The friendliest online community for All your herping needs:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

LSRS get top line because we are local and can meet face to face:gj:

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I agree pit, and River city exotics (owned by mike) is the one guy that got it correct. I went to Alamo aquatics,fail.
Petsmart (fail). And I went to petco for the last one.

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Originally Posted by Mrl249

I agree pit, and River city exotics (owned by mike) is the one guy that got it correct. I went to Alamo aquatics,fail.
Petsmart (fail). And I went to petco for the last one.

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Its all about knowing your area;)

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Originally Posted by JaGv

petsmart and petco never know how to sex.

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Just throwing this out there, and I apologize if it's been said later on in the thread, but petco and petsmart employees are not allowed to sex a snake.


Considering lots of people on this forum don't know how to sex, even when they've been told and shown how, I don't think it's shocking or even bad that somebody at a pet store is unable to sex a snake. Now I don't think they should make a guess, but how many people do we see on this forum every so often still believing that only pythons with spurs must be male? Many pet store employees can end up out of a job, if they attempt to sex a snake, particularly if they accidentally injure it in the process.

Adding to, since I missed my edit limit...

Aside from petco/petsmart employees possibly jeopardizing their job if they sex a snake, did you bother teaching them how to do so properly, or did you walk out smug and happy that you're so much better than they are? If you went to boost your ego and have a laugh at the expense of a minimum wage employee that is subjected to absurd upper management and policy (who regularly push more responsibility, false information, and reduce the hours in which to do their job).... I'm not sure they are the ones in the wrong here.

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Originally Posted by Anatopism

have a laugh at the expense of a minimum wage employee

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Not to side-line his BUT why does everyone want to throw around "min wage employee" like its a bad thing?
I was a mechanic for 15 years and I am tired of working for shady garages (yes dealers included) and working on peoples cars that are to ignorant to know anything about them but put fuel in them!!
I am currently unemployed and LOOKING FOR A MINIMUM WAGE JOB.
Why??
Because my wife and I are happy just paying our bills;)
I'm 36 and my house is paid off, my 2 motorcycles are mine, my two trucks are mine, and my wifes car is almost paid off.
What more do I need than to pay my taxes and bills?:D

EDIT.......... Forgot to mention that I put my wife through college because I made too much to qualify for assistance. She holds an associate degree in culinary arts and another in restaurant management.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

Not to side-line his BUT why does everyone want to throw around "min wage employee" like its a bad thing?
I was a mechanic for 15 years and I am tired of working for shady garages (yes dealers included) and working on peoples cars that are to ignorant to know anything about them but put fuel in them!!
I am currently unemployed and LOOKING FOR A MINIMUM WAGE JOB.
Why??
Because my wife and I are happy just paying our bills;)
I'm 36 and my house is paid off, my 2 motorcycles are mine, my two trucks are mine, and my wifes car is almost paid off.
What more do I need than to pay my taxes and bills?:D

EDIT.......... Forgot to mention that I put my wife through college because I made too much to qualify for assistance. She holds an associate degree in culinary arts and another in restaurant management.

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I'm not saying it's a bad thing at all, I'm saying they are working in a job that doesn't pay well, and are pushed to their limits. Speaking from personal perspective/experience from being at Petco for 5 years, the company puts SO much on their employees, with minimum reward. It has a huge turnover rate because it's stressful, too much is expected, and hours are frequently cut. I'm not going to bash somebody who barely makes enough to support themselves, is constantly threatened with having fewer hours, and is expected to do 5000 things in a day. Even if you care about the animals, the company makes it difficult to do your job properly. A retail pet store employee has more things to think about than how to sex a snake :P

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Originally Posted by Anatopism

Just throwing this out there, and I apologize if it's been said later on in the thread, but petco and petsmart employees are not allowed to sex a snake.


Considering lots of people on this forum don't know how to sex, even when they've been told and shown how, I don't think it's shocking or even bad that somebody at a pet store is unable to sex a snake. Now I don't think they should make a guess, but how many people do we see on this forum every so often still believing that only pythons with spurs must be male? Many pet store employees can end up out of a job, if they attempt to sex a snake, particularly if they accidentally injure it in the process.

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yeah i only mentioned it because i figured he took his snakes to petco and petsmart. i knew they don't sex snakes at either stores because i asked when i bought my 1st snake and i was told to have a vet or someone with experience do it.