Advice wanted on purchasing thin python....

[Turningstar]

Good morning everyone.
I was hoping to get some opinions about a snake I saw last night at Petco. It was a small ball python, hatchling or close Im guessing, but VERY thin. It basically looked like a spine with scales. Unfortunately, I didnt get a picture, as I was trying to wrangle my 3 kids, which is like cat herding.....
The little guy wasnt even hiding under the silly log they had in his tank, just laying out in the open under the lights. I cant stop worrying about it. Im thinking of going back this weekend when my husband has the kids and talking to the manager about it and seeing if it has been eating or not. They told me last night that they only have live adult mice, not fuzzys or hoppers. Those are frozen. So I know he isnt getting live food, as at his size, Im pretty sure he couldnt take an adult mouse. So maybe he isnt eating f/t?
Sorry, I digress.... I know that Id be feeding the cycle if I bought him, and Im not thrilled about it being $70 if they don't discount him because of his condition.
We have a rat snake hatchling and a bp juvenile? at home now, and I have all the equipment to set him up and quarantine him. Im just looking to get others opinions on whether or not I should take him or leave him. I respect the knowledge of all the seasoned reptile keepers here, and just want to make an objective decision.

[Danger noodles]

I wouldn’t. If it was available to be adopted then yes I would but no way will I pay to support what those companies do

[Bogertophis]

Objectively...don't do it...unless $70 means nothing to you, which obviously isn't the case.

Buying a snake in bad condition from a pet store will only doom another one to replace it...any pet store with such an animal on display for sale has no heart &/or
no expertise. The snake may be MORE than just not eating, it may be sick. Can you afford expensive vet trips with this snake? Do you actually have enough
experience to rescue it without help? Even if they GIVE you the snake (which they won't), it's likely to cost you more money.

The store should be reported to their upper management (& possibly your local animal control) for neglect & animal abuse, not "rewarded" with your hard-earned
money. Still your call...I understand how you feel...your heart's in the right place, even if you just speak up for him. Report this!

[dakski]

I completely agree with the previous comments.

They will just replace him/her with another uncared for animal. Don't support them.

Also, $70 is just the start. If the animal is ill, you can add $1,000's to that.

Great heart, but realistically, not the best thing for you and encourages rather than discourages poor behavior and treatment.

[MedusaThePastelBP]

......

[Bogertophis]

Also, encourage Petco & all other pet stores to STOP carrying live animals UNLESS they can do so with healthy animals that they have the proper KSA's to care for.

(KSA- knowledge, skills & abilities) Many "pet stores" find they sell more when they deliberately prey on the sympathy of pet lovers to buy anyway, to "rescue" sick
& underweight animals from them. Those places deserve NO support & should be called out.

[bcr229]

Contact corporate and complain.
https://www.petco.com/contact-us

If that were a cat or dog animal control would be in there so fast it would make your head spin.

[Cheesenugget]

Don't pay them a dime. Either they give it to you for free or they can deal with another dead python. It is not fair to the poor animal but this is their mess. If they truly care, they will give it up without payment.

[Gocntry]

Everybody above is correct, I would feel bad for the poor guy too .

BUT, I did that a few months ago, A friend of mine called me about some "mean Ball Pythons" the pet store had that the employees were scared of

These were small gals, 1 was 76g when I got her.... and they wanted to know if I wanted the "bite gloves" to handle them (really??)

I picked them up for $30.00 per snake

now I will have the 3rd vet visit next month, been through a regurge and a mite scare with these BP's. Are they doing better YES!

but it did it cost me a lot of energy, time, vet visits and money to get them there, and the Pet store will just get more and probably do it again.

[Turningstar]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Im not going to try to buy or adopt it, even if they try to give it to me. I will check on him when I go back, and if there is no improvement, Ill call corporate.

With 3 kids, I have enough going on. Adding a possibly sick snake to the list is more than I need at the moment.