Is it okay to buy Ball Pythons from Petsmart/Petco?

I've heard about the things PETA says about Petsmart and Petco, and I'm just wondering if it's okay to buy a BP from there. There really my only option, giving that the closest breeder I can go to is 3 hours away and I don't know if the travel with upset the snake. :( I'm also wondering if Ball pythons can handle long distances?

I would consider a ball python (or any reptile) purchased from either company as a rescue. They are TYPICALLY horrible with husbandry and vastly overpriced.

The best option is probably to browse morphmarket.com or kingsnake.com to find a ball python with better care given and at a better price. Shipping is usually ~$50 but petsmart and petco tend to be at least $50 overpriced anyways and they are usually in really rough shape and probably need a vet visit regardless which will cost upwards of $100. Shipping is perfectly safe with the various options available to ship reptiles.

Good luck on your search. If you have questions about husbandry or how to set up a home for your new snake buddy, the forums here can and do provide all the answers and easy to find FAQs.

So on the matter of PetSmart and PetCo, they really don’t take good care of their snakes, it’s not just PETA saying bad things, I’ve seen it myself, underfed snakes, obese snakes, dehydrated snakes, snakes with MITES, it can be bad, so you could get a very ill animal if you go there. I don’t buy animals from there because I don’t want to support their animal abuse, but others buy from them to save the animals. Maybe not for your first snake though. That’s not to say ALL of the snakes are unhealthy, but I’ve seen many.

As for whether beeps can withstand long trips, yes! People order snakes online and have them shipped to them. As long as the animal is comfortable, a three hour car ride will be safe, at least to my knowledge.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you so much! :D I'll check out their website, thank you again!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by OneEyedFox

So on the matter of PetSmart and PetCo, they really don’t take good care of their snakes, it’s not just PETA saying bad things, I’ve seen it myself, underfed snakes, obese snakes, dehydrated snakes, snakes with MITES, it can be bad, so you could get a very ill animal if you go there. I don’t buy animals from there because I don’t want to support their animal abuse, but others buy from them to save the animals. Maybe not for your first snake though. That’s not to say ALL of the snakes are unhealthy, but I’ve seen many.

As for whether beeps can withstand long trips, yes! People order snakes online and have them shipped to them. As long as the animal is comfortable, a three hour car ride will be safe, at least to my knowledge.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

Okay! Thank you so much! I was a little worried if I got my snake and drove it back home three hours later it would get a little sick. Thank you so much for the advice! :D

Just check out my post that I had last week about one petco store and that would be able to help make your decision [emoji22]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just do your homework and look up reviews before you buy an animal from anywhere for that matter, there are at least a couple very large, very heavily advertised breeders that are known for mite issues as well. So even though they may advertise like crazy, it doesn't mean they necessarily sell the best animals either.

We purchased our (overpriced) pastel banana boi from a reptile specialty store near us because we wanted to establish a relationship with a knowledgeable hobbyist who could assist us as we learned to care for our BP. We also have a great many general pet shops near us. Overall, the care of their snakes leaves a lot to be desired.
If you can't travel and are reluctant to ship, check out Craigslist. In our area there are always at least a dozen BPs for sale. Some from amateur breeders, others from owners who need to sell for a variety of reasons. The latter usually offer the snake and habitat for a small 'rehoming' fee.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by larryd23

We purchased our (overpriced) pastel banana boi from a reptile specialty store near us because we wanted to establish a relationship with a knowledgeable hobbyist who could assist us as we learned to care for our BP. We also have a great many general pet shops near us. Overall, the care of their snakes leaves a lot to be desired.
If you can't travel and are reluctant to ship, check out Craigslist. In our area there are always at least a dozen BPs for sale. Some from amateur breeders, others from owners who need to sell for a variety of reasons. The latter usually offer the snake and habitat for a small 'rehoming' fee.

---

But be careful when you buy from Craigslist. I have a friend that takes in reptiles in our area from Craigslist and they almost always have some illness or just generally awful husbandry, and if it’s your first snake, I wouldn’t recommend a sick one.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Nathanhimmerich

I would consider a ball python (or any reptile) purchased from either company as a rescue.

---

Its a purchase not a rescue........ AND you are just making room for the next animal.

The short answer is a very simple "I wouldn't".

You can very easily find a reputable breeder and have the animal shipped for about the same money and often less than buying from the big box stores.

The big box stores are often overpriced in the first place. Combine that with a MUCH higher risk of mites, etc...and a vet bill and you're already in for more than you would have paid for a quality, healthy animal from a reputable breeder.

I, myself have actually spoken with management on many occasions at my local big box stores as well as called corporate on two occasions. Not worth buying an animal from there.

Somebody above mentioned that buying from there is basically getting a "rescue" animal, which in some ways is accurate, but consider this: a rescued animal is taken out of a bad situation where proper health, husbandry, etc... are not provided. Buying from the big box stores may take one animal out of one enclosure, but only at a HUGE profit for the store and that enclosure will be filled within days with another mistreated animal.
Check out Aerries post above, that should answer your question....

Anyway, morphmarket is probably your best bet. There are also some great breeders right here on this forum. Maybe start a new thread saying you're looking for a certain morph and ask if anybody has what you're looking for.

Went to Petco for some animal supplies and just happen to check in the snakes....
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?sha...7&share_type=t

That’s what myself and a couple of people in this group are battling right now


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I only would if the store had healthy, mite-free, properly-kept snakes. I have yet to find such a store.

Buying online eliminates having to go a long distance for a pet snake!

Also, you can choose what kind of ball python you want if you buy online.

Like, take the banana morph: https://www.morphmarket.com/us/c/rep...page=1&sort=le
I've seen this morph being sold for around $200 at PetCo, but on MorphMarket you can see that a regular banana morph shouldn't be that much.

Also, if you're not worried about the morph, some people have normal ball pythons posted for $20 or less--a much better deal than what PetCo wants you to pay so they can continue mistreating their animals.

Have you checked Craigslist or even now Facebook? I got my big beautiful boy Pua from Craigslist lol. His original owner didn’t want him anymore and was unable/Unwilling to give home the care he needed, so he surrendered him to me! He himself got Pua from a reptile Expo. There’s a local breeder here in the Iowa City area who only posts on Craigslist. I don’t know where you live of course, but if anything just get it shipped to you. It’ll take at most 3-5 days and you’ll Snake will be fine. $150 dollars at Petco might get you a sick, basic morph snake whereas anywhere else online $150 would get you a possibly nicer morph plus shipping. Not to say all morphs aren’t beautiful or rare, but a Spider shouldn’t cost as much as a Bumblebee or an Albino. I payed $100 for my Bumblebee girl at a reptile Expo. Just see what’s in your price range, and order online or see what Snakes are available locally. Stay away from Petsmart


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

Its a purchase not a rescue........ AND you are just making room for the next animal.

---

Arguably semantics, but the sentiment is the same. I've seen some really rough snakes at petco specifically and contacted higher management and saw some minor changes temporarily..Part of me wants to save individuals regardless of whether they will just replace it. Like, they'll replace it a week after it dies too. So we as snake caretakers have the option to rescue snakes in that position. We have to pay, so it is ALSO a purchase, but what is your point exactly? Not recommended for a first snake I agree with, overpriced and supporting people who don't deserve reptiles I also agree with, so what are you arguing?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Nathanhimmerich

We have to pay, so it is ALSO a purchase, but what is your point exactly? Not recommended for a first snake I agree with, overpriced and supporting people who don't deserve reptiles I also agree with, so what are you arguing?

---

It's just that the difference between a rescue and a purchase is that you're financially supporting a company that is using your money to harm more animals.

In a rescue, it's (hopefully) a case in which you're preventing animals from being in bad situations. You are arguably not doing so when purchasing from a supplier that relies on the cycle of Cheap Husbandry + Bad Care = More Profit.

Which, you know. PetCo and PetSmart are going to have thousands of animals suffering in their care anyway, regardless of whether or not their mistreated and neglected pets are being bought and producing money for them.

So, big picture wise, I guess you're right and it doesn't matter. It's gonna happen anyway.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Nathanhimmerich

Arguably semantics, but the sentiment is the same. I've seen some really rough snakes at petco specifically and contacted higher management and saw some minor changes temporarily..Part of me wants to save individuals regardless of whether they will just replace it. Like, they'll replace it a week after it dies too. So we as snake caretakers have the option to rescue snakes in that position. We have to pay, so it is ALSO a purchase, but what is your point exactly? Not recommended for a first snake I agree with, overpriced and supporting people who don't deserve reptiles I also agree with, so what are you arguing?

---

I don't agree with "rescues" like that, sure you save one snake and that's great. But like you said, that supports their poor practices. That just sends another animal to it's death. And that isn't how you should rescue animals.

Here is the problem about petco and petsmart. They are no longer the stores they were in the 80s and 90s. They are corporate chains that only want to make profits. Animal sales are a minute amount of their profits directly but a huge amount in supplementary items such as cages, decor, etc. If you buy from them you are perpetuating their neglect as a company wide chain toward reptiles specifically. It does not matter if you find the unicorn store that treats their animals well, they are not a mom and pop shop, they are nationwide chains. When you buy an animal from any of their stores it proves to them that continuing the poor care and consideration they have for these animals over making money is profitable.

If you want to help end this problem, make sure to never buy a live animal from these chains and let everyone you know that they need to avoid doing so as well. This is the only way we can send a message to these stores to stop selling live animals.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Nathanhimmerich

Part of me wants to save individuals regardless of whether they will just replace it. Like, they'll replace it a week after it dies too. So we as snake caretakers have the option to rescue snakes in that position. We have to pay, so it is ALSO a purchase, but what is your point exactly?

---

Businesses don't like to lose money. If no one purchases snakes that are sick, mite-ridden, and kept incorrectly so that the stores continually lose money on them, they have incentive to change. If well-meaning but soft-hearted people purchase those animals because they think they are saving them, then there is no incentive to change and plenty of incentive for the store to make things worse for the animals so that customers continue to feel sorry for them and buy them.

It's also rather insulting to small/private breeders if buyers are willing to plunk down $50-80 for a sick, mite-ridden, dehydrated, non-feeding normal BP hatchling from such a store, but they won't consider getting a healthy well-started one from the private breeder for half the price, because the overpriced sick one needs to be "saved".

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bcr229

It's also rather insulting to small/private breeders if buyers are willing to plunk down $50-80 for a sick, mite-ridden, dehydrated, non-feeding normal BP hatchling from such a store, but they won't consider getting a healthy well-started one from the private breeder for half the price, because the overpriced sick one needs to be "saved".

---

I definitely agree on that aspect. I wonder how we could educate the public about the plethora of great breeders available with proper care given and the horrible conditions in chains like these...it's something I've seen myself often. I buy cat food at such stores, always checking on any reptiles, and the snakes never look like they are flourishing.

Is it "ok" ?

That depends on how you look at it. Its "ok" as in, its not against the law.

Is it morally wrong? Many will say that it is, because it keeps that business going, and its not going well for most of the animals that end up in those stores.

However, others may think that EVERY life counts, and is worth saving. And of course they are. But at what price ? Again, every animal purchased there, means more are coming.

In the end, you have to decide if YOU are comfortable supporting that part of their business.

Just be aware that you may up with a over priced, sickly or mite infested animal. It may have all the issues a "rescue" might have, but you will pay more then if you went to a reputable breeder.
It may go well. It has gone well for many people and no-one should be ashamed of their animal based on where it came from.

Once you actually SEE an animal in really bad shape, it is difficult to turn away. We ARE human. So I just don't go look at them anymore.

Because I have a responsibility to MY animals that are already at my home. Without being able to do the STRICTEST of quarantine (meaning a separate building, no shared ac/heat system) and changing clothes between animals, I just won't risk it anymore.

Sure, there are also risks when buying from a breeder. Esp. if that breeder is sketchy or largely un-known. But the chances of things going south is FAR FAR higher when purchasing at a chain pet store or off of craigslist, as well as "rescuing" a sick snake from some individual.

So basically, its "ok", but not advisable..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by zina10

Once you actually SEE an animal in really bad shape, it is difficult to turn away. We ARE human. So I just don't go look at them anymore.

Because I have a responsibility to MY animals that are already at my home. Without being able to do the STRICTEST of quarantine (meaning a separate building, no shared ac/heat system) and changing clothes between animals, I just won't risk it anymore.

---

These are also good points. My first responsibility is to the 115 snakes in my current collection which is why I won't even walk into these stores any more. If I bring home a mite - and yes they do hitchhike - I have not done them or myself any favors. If I picked up one with a collection-killing virus or crypto then I've really abrogated my responsibility to keep them safe and healthy.

That's not to say that I don't take in rescues - I do - but they're because animal control called with a danger noodle they're not equipped to handle. While they're often abandoned or neglected, those snakes are typically in better condition than the ones for sale at the big box retail stores.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bcr229

These are also good points. My first responsibility is to the 115 snakes in my current collection which is why I won't even walk into these stores any more. If I bring home a mite - and yes they do hitchhike - I have not done them or myself any favors. If I picked up one with a collection-killing virus or crypto then I've really abrogated my responsibility to keep them safe and healthy.

That's not to say that I don't take in rescues - I do - but they're because animal control called with a danger noodle they're not equipped to handle. While they're often abandoned or neglected, those snakes are typically in better condition than the ones for sale at the big box retail stores.

---

I won't lie...IF I had the space to be able to do quarantine the correct and safe way, I would still rescue. It used to be very rewarding. It took a lot of patience, medicating, vet visits and more patience. But all of them were brought back from the brink of death (and boy some were a mess..) and placed once eating well on frozen/thawed.

But I do not have the space to correctly quarantine questionable animals, so the ones I already have take priority..

Honestly i think it also depends on your Petsmart. I have heard of horrific stories of neglected BP's from Petsmart and other pet stores, which I will say it is true in some areas. However at my Petsmart all of the animals are well taken care of, I purchased my ball python from there and he is a happy and healthy little guy with no problems whatsoever. I also know the staff and the girl who took care of the snakes loved them as her babies and took ridiculously good care of them. She was also very experienced with snakes so I think sometimes at Petsmart unhealthy reptiles can result from bad staff who arent very knowledgeable (who knows just guessing). Before you purchase the snake ask to hold it and examine it for signs of bad health. Dont be afraid to ask nosy questions also.

Of course there is always the argument that you shouldn't support Petsmart at all due to some of their locations taking care of animals improperly, but if this is your only option then dont just cross it off the list.

I personally wouldn't support them, especially when there are many breeders that can sell you a higher quality animal for less. If you don't want to ship I'd just wait for a reptile show.

I think the bottom line is this: as long as people continue purchasing from the big box stores the big box stores will continue filling their stores with poorly treated, underfed animals.

There are enough reputable breeders to support the market. Purchasing from these reputable breeders and avoiding the big box stores and the unethical breeders may help to reduce the poorly treated animals in an over saturated market.

We live in a world where you can search the internet for local breeders as well as purchase animals to be safely, humanely shipped to your front door.

Doesn't purchasing from a reputable breeder just make more sense????

There are people on here that breed bps, give them your budget for the snake and I'm sure somebody will have something you'll like. You don't have to buy from a big pet store or a larger breeder. Ask around, it'll be worth it.

I bought my BP from petco in August. They couldn't tell me how old he/she is, but he is doing great. He seemed a little under weight but once we got the feeding scheduled started he seemed to thrive. Never had a problem with feeding. Only one bad shed that was my fault.

I looked around before I bought it. Petco temps and humidity were where they were supposed to be.

Sent from my SM-G920R7 using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Amanda1987

I bought my BP from petco in August. They couldn't tell me how old he/she is, but he is doing great. He seemed a little under weight but once we got the feeding scheduled started he seemed to thrive. Never had a problem with feeding. Only one bad shed that was my fault.

I looked around before I bought it. Petco temps and humidity were where they were supposed to be.

Sent from my SM-G920R7 using Tapatalk

---

I bought all my BPs before learning and seeing the problems with these stores, look back at my threads and you will see what I mean, I’m still in battle with them...I will only purchase my snakes or any animal through trusted breeders, never again with the big box stores! Yes I bought a RTB through petco and she had mites....now is very much healthy and it’s only because of this forum that I took the strictest of quarantine serious. I won’t support them any longer. And MANY of you know what I’ve seen and what you all have helped me with


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk