Seen it first hand!!!!! RANT

Well I got to see it first hand :mad: . A lady called me all excited she got a normal from my local herp haunt. As a rule I have my email and phone # up there for people that need help. See she was excited the snake she just got days ago (a 200 gram ball) was mating with her other snake. :confused: Puzzled I asked if I could come over cause she had said that this was this was her FIRST ball. :confused: :confused: . When I get there she takes me to a huge 75 gal. Viv where sure enough there was her 5' KING SNAKE wrapped up with this little ball python. I threw the top off and snatched them both up but it was to late. The ball was dead. I threw a "Thit fit" and she wanted to know why I stopped them from mating. :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :fishslap: :fishslap: :tricho: :fork: . I told her that they weren't mating and then as calmly as I could proceeded to politely and with much personal restraint try and explain. After about 5 minutes of a DA blank stare I gave up.


People! I don't care what you read in a 1982 Ball Python Manual or that you Uncle use do it.

ONE SNAKE ONE CAGE!!!

These animals are in your care. Putting them in a situation that is dangerous is not only irresponsible but cruel. Prime example this pet food scare when it came out everyone that instant quit feeding "POTENTLY DANGEROUS" food to their cats and dogs. Why? you've been doing it for years your mom did your friends do and you've never had a problem and just because a couple of people had problems doesn't mean you will right.

Please these are living creatures just like cats and dogs. They deserve every ounce of proper care and preventive looking after as cats or dogs. If you can't afford two enclosures DON'T GET TWO SNAKES! problem solved.

Sorry for the rant but I really wanted to tell the kids that watched their new snake die that Paco is dead because mom was ignorant and your pet paid the price.

That's an expensive king snake meal. I swear, some people have less common sense than I would ever imagine, and I'm pretty cynical. Just so many things wrong with that, and it seems like this kind of thing is common. :mad:

:hug: that must have been so hard for you... attempting to get the person to hear you and they just don't get it.

good for you for trying though!!!

geez...what did she do when you told her it was dead?

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Originally Posted by nathanledet

geez...what did she do when you told her it was dead?

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This was what made me want to smack the monkey piss out of her. Her exact words were...

"Oh thats to bad I was really hoping they would have baby's. King George must have not liked him."


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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

:hug: that must have been so hard for you... attempting to get the person to hear you and they just don't get it.

good for you for trying though!!!

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Hard??? No its hard for me to let someone cut me off in traffic, its hard for me to go to the doctor. This was border line rage.

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

This was what made me want to smack the monkey piss out of her. Her exact words were...

"Oh thats to bad I was really hoping they would have baby's. King George must have not liked him."


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You show amazing restraint.

thats terrible (i'm being polite here)....poor Ball in with a cannibal snake never mind any other type. Just NOT on . Good on ya trying to get her to understand.

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

"Oh thats to bad I was really hoping they would have baby's. King George must have not liked him."

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That sounds like something a 5 year old would say. :mad: And a few 5 year olds I know of even would know better than that.

OMG. Reading this really pissed me off. How frickin awful.

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Originally Posted by Royal Tartan

Ball in with a cannibal snake never mind any other type.

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Technically...not a cannibal at all. Kingsnakes eat other snakes in the wild, including rattlesnakes. A ball python would be a very easy target for a King. I'm suprised that the King hadn't eaten already by the time Ed got there.

I believe my hitman will be in the area next thursday, should I give him a call? jk

but in all honesty... maybe i should find one. This is the reason I sometimes wish I was a hermit. I could have unbelievable faith in the human race... if i was completely out of contact with them.

:irkd: :irkd: :soapbx: :fishslap: :omfg: :skullbone :sick: :frustrate :thumbsdow :mad:


all these emotions came at once upon reading this!

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

Technically...not a cannibal at all. Kingsnakes eat other snakes in the wild, including rattlesnakes. A ball python would be a very easy target for a King. I'm suprised that the King hadn't eaten already by the time Ed got there.

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I assume you mean cannibal in the true sense ...eating there own ?

I probs should have said cannibalstic tendencies...either way ...still dumb to put two together ...poor Ball.

Royal Tartan

Oh Ed... Sorry.... This is what gets me... I can understand someone not knowing about keeping snakes (two of the same species) separated... What I DON'T understand is how someone. ANYONE can't tell the difference between a King Snake and a Ball Python. ? :confused: Really. :( I don't get it.........

wow too sad! it would be fun to stick that lady in with a lion and tell her to hang out for a while as you are hoping to have baby lions soon!
idiots who buy an animal and have no idea how to care for it first, or even what they have for sure, really irrititate me.

ok...I get (not really) that she put the 2 together in hopes of making "babies"...obviously she does NOT have a CLUE...what I don't get is why she would use a 200 gram with a 5 ft snake?!?!?! That is a very small/young bp!!! My 8 year old would know better!!!! What a :cens0r: :cens0r:

i'm surprised she called you... what is it she wanted from you? obviously not advice, since she didn't hear you or take your advice...

so... what did she want?

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

i'm surprised she called you... what is it she wanted from you? obviously not advice, since she didn't hear you or take your advice...

so... what did she want?

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She wanted to know what "Morph" would be born. :(

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

She wanted to know what "Morph" would be born. :(

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What?!?!? OMG! :disbelief

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

She wanted to know what "Morph" would be born. :(

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http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k1...ulke/thud1.gif

...OH. .MY. .GOD...

I don't even know what to say. I'm speechless and mad that someone would be that ignorant to do such a thing. That poor ball python!

Unreal!! Ya know, people want snakes because they think there different and cool but they do not take the time to do their homework. I do not know everything, not near as much as my hubbie or you guys. I do know how to take care of them on a normal day to day bases with no problems.

What this woman did was cruel. Why did she not ask someone could you cross breed these snakes? Why take a chance? My snakes are part of my family as I know you guys feel the same. She does not need animals if she will risk their life.

So sorry FF you had to experience that.

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

She wanted to know what "Morph" would be born. :(

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Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!! :slamhead: Are you freakin' kidding? Piebald King Kupas, bia bia.

King X Ball... albino monicled cobra maybe?

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

This was what made me want to smack the monkey piss out of her. Her exact words were...

"Oh thats to bad I was really hoping they would have baby's. King George must have not liked him."


:banned1: :banned1: :banned1: :banned1: :banned1: :banned1: :banned1: :banned1: :banned1: :banned1: :banned1: :banned1: :banned1:

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Ahh another fine example of why I hate people what a dumb human being. I give you much credit for not beating her.

omg some people just dont think before they act. jesus...poor little BP!!:(

Un-friggin real!

Sigh- It is true, you can't fix stupid.

Did she show any remorse at all for causing the little guy's death? Wow, what an idiot...

Um.... WOW. :eek::omg::disbelief:evileye::thumbsdow That's really all I can come up with. Wow...

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Originally Posted by silverdust

Did she show any remorse at all for causing the little guy's death? Wow, what an idiot...

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No it was more like the kids goldfish had died.

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Originally Posted by Laooda

Oh Ed... Sorry.... This is what gets me... I can understand someone not knowing about keeping snakes (two of the same species) separated... What I DON'T understand is how someone. ANYONE can't tell the difference between a King Snake and a Ball Python. ? :confused: Really. :( I don't get it.........

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Um, yah. Im seriously doubting that this woman's IQ was over 60. I really, really, REALLY can't grasp the concept of someone not reconizing 2 totally different kinds of snakes without this statement being true.

Someone should be watching this woman day and night.

Im really sorry you had to go through this mindboggling frustration.

I've been sitting here for five minutes trying to come up with a reply. I can't. I'm speechless.

My brain just keeps screaming "HOW COULD SOMEONE DO THAT?"

You showed remarkable restraint and politeness to someone who quite obviously deserved neither.

I'm so sorry you had to go through that!!! *big hug*
That poor, sweet, little snake...............

What amazes me is how some people take the ownership of animals so lightly by not doing any research.

Yet again another example of why people should not own any kind of animal.

The scary thought is how long will it take before that person get another snake “That her king George might like” because we know that someone like that with little to no common sense will most likely buy another snake in no time at all thinking it was just not her fault.

Ed I admire what you do by trying to help people, I would not be capable of doing that without losing my cool in that kind of case.

Ed, I admire you...I'd likely have lost it and said a whole bunch of not so very child friendly words. Seems this owner is defintely homozygous for stupid and uncaring. Sadly she'll likely dash out and replace the poor ball python and in the process teach her kids some very poor lessons about respecting living things. :(

I've been saying this for years...75% of the human population consists of complete morons. I am amazed these people can even tie their own shoes.
My parents owned two pet stores and the stuff the general public does is unreal. Most people here have NO clue just how dumb most people are when it comes to pets. It isn't even sad or pathetic, it's frightening...

Wow, just....wow.

Thats all I can muster at this point in time. :(

I don't know what to asy. I'm just sitting here shocked.

God! Did she get dropped on the head as a :cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r:ing child??!! :fork:

I have no idea what I would have done had I been in that situation. :O :banned1:

someone give that lady a black mamba... be sure to mention they love their heads rubbed

...... :eek: ........

Ok, apparently this woman did not even THINK (if she can at all) to do some research before getting the ball or attempting to "breed" the two.... That's ridiculous... there is absolutely NO explanation for that.... COMPLETE STUPIDITY!!!! I'm 16 and I research an animal thoroughly before i get it.... this woman should be taken to a desert island and left there....

If I would have been there I highly doubt that woman would have liked what I would have said... or done.... You must have amazingly strong self restraint....

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Originally Posted by bpshorty9

... this woman should be taken to a desert island and left there....

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Nah, she'd probably wipe out a whole race of butterflies by "breeding" them to scorpions. :D

I really think they should teach basic animal care/responsibility/rights in school. What if this level of stupid was passed down from the girl's family. It's an entire legacy of stupid with animals suffering for it.

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Originally Posted by Sausage

Nah, she'd probably wipe out a whole race of butterflies by "breeding" them to scorpions. :D

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:rofl:

Oh man FF; this kind of thing enrages me too. I can feel your rage and pain :(

After a cool off period I can say this.
Guys this is why education in our hobby is above all the best tool we have. Without education new keepers and would be breeders give those of us who could give lecture after lecture on care and breeding a bad name. Our hobby is growing like wild fire but with growth comes some growing pains. This lady's uneducated and ultimately short experience was a direct result of the growth of our beloved hobby. Her idea that reptiles are "bulletproof" pets comes from the commercially presented view of reptiles as pets. Ever look it one of those Petsmart "starter reptile kits" there full of junk and not one book or even handout on temps/humidity/hides and so one. Our charge as responsible keepers/breeder is to educate people about what is the proper and (while not bulletproof) relatively ease that is reptile keeping.

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Originally Posted by darkangel

I really think they should teach basic animal care/responsibility/rights in school. What if this level of stupid was passed down from the girl's family. It's an entire legacy of stupid with animals suffering for it.

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I agree. Every High school biology class should have at least 1 sm. mammal, and 1 reptile that the classes learn about and take care of, as well as teaching the proper care of snakes, lizards, mammals, etc., stressing the importance of learning proper care of an animal before purchasing one.

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

After a cool off period I can say this.
Guys this is why education in our hobby is above all the best tool we have. Without education new keepers and would be breeders give those of us who could give lecture after lecture on care and breeding a bad name. Our hobby is growing like wild fire but with growth comes some growing pains. This lady's uneducated and ultimately short experience was a direct result of the growth of our beloved hobby. Her idea that reptiles are "bulletproof" pets comes from the commercially presented view of reptiles as pets. Ever look it one of those Petsmart "starter reptile kits" there full of junk and not one book or even handout on temps/humidity/hides and so one. Our charge as responsible keepers/breeder is to educate people about what is the proper and (while not bulletproof) relatively ease that is reptile keeping.

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Excellent post! Darn it but I have to spread more good rep around before I can get back to you again.

Thanks Jo.

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

After a cool off period I can say this.
Guys this is why education in our hobby is above all the best tool we have. Without education new keepers and would be breeders give those of us who could give lecture after lecture on care and breeding a bad name. Our hobby is growing like wild fire but with growth comes some growing pains. This lady's uneducated and ultimately short experience was a direct result of the growth of our beloved hobby. Her idea that reptiles are "bulletproof" pets comes from the commercially presented view of reptiles as pets. Ever look it one of those Petsmart "starter reptile kits" there full of junk and not one book or even handout on temps/humidity/hides and so one. Our charge as responsible keepers/breeder is to educate people about what is the proper and (while not bulletproof) relatively ease that is reptile keeping.

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Why don't we as a community put together care sheets and see if the major chains will hand them out. Like one sheet for snakes, listing all the commonly sold snakes with their proper care, maybe with a little photo next to it for the idiots like this lady who don't know what they bought. One for lizards and one for amphibians. They will list the manditory minimum requirements, as well as suggested ideas for each species, and some "trouble shooting" for problems on the back, along with links to specific care sheets on some of you larger breeders' websites. I work at a printing company, so if we could get the information together, I can layout some nice looking sheets and strong arm the pet chains into handing them out. We could also do complete care sheets for each species for them to have on hand and make there "reptile experts" read and learn. I can do the printing as well, but I don't have money to do it all by myself. What do you guys think about something like this? If we can get the herp community to loudly complain about what these chains are doing and threaten with a very public boycott, they might be happy to accept of even purchase the care sheets to hand out to everyone who buys a reptile. Even if all of their experts were brought up to speed with how to care for each reptile, that would be better than nothing.

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Originally Posted by PythonWallace

Why don't we as a community put together care sheets and see if the major chains will hand them out. Like one sheet for snakes, listing all the commonly sold snakes with their proper care, maybe with a little photo next to it for the idiots like this lady who don't know what they bought. One for lizards and one for amphibians. They will list the manditory minimum requirements, as well as suggested ideas for each species, and some "trouble shooting" for problems on the back, along with links to specific care sheets on some of you larger breeders' websites. I work at a printing company, so if we could get the information together, I can layout some nice looking sheets and strong arm the pet chains into handing them out. We could also do complete care sheets for each species for them to have on hand and make there "reptile experts" read and learn. I can do the printing as well, but I don't have money to do it all by myself. What do you guys think about something like this? If we can get the herp community to loudly complain about what these chains are doing and threaten with a very public boycott, they might be happy to accept of even purchase the care sheets to hand out to everyone who buys a reptile. Even if all of their experts were brought up to speed with how to care for each reptile, that would be better than nothing.

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They want give them out lets face it if people knew out very little reptiles need the major chains wouldn't be able to peddle that crap they do. They price their animals so that if it dies guess what you can just come get a new one. Its in their interest that people don't know it makes for repeat customers. Which is why I leave my number and email with Petsmart and my local herp store for people that need help.