I worry...

[Ginevive]

Something that makes me worry about RTBs.. i see so many at pet stores, and for sale online.. there must be a high turnover rate and there are always people buying them. I just worry, how many of these little "cute" baby snakes will grow old and large and still be with good homes? How many get "given up" or sold once they reach a too-big size? I hope that everyone who buys one of the cute baby BCIs or BCCs, has at least handled someone else's fully grown adult and seen how big they get.. I am just saying this because I hear so many stories of people having to get rid of their redtails, etc.

[Ken]

Unfotunately Gin, I am not optimistic that many of these little pet shop babys survive to become a size problem. With the internet, it's easier to get information than it used to be, but think most pet shop purchasers aren't remotely prepared for their new undertaking, and most pet shop staff are ill equipped to guide them.

[Ginevive]

It is sad; I hate to go into some store and see 10 BCI babies piled into a 10g tank; it is ridiculous.

[frankykeno]

Some of them have such large litters too. No wonder they end up in pet stores so much and folks aren't educated about them.

Jen, the one we rescued is a classic case in point. His owner didn't want him after he got big...not because he was big...he just got bored and wanted something else (believe it or not...we heard he has since purchased a gaboon viper...gee I'm glad we moved!). The girl he sold Ruari to had never even handled a cornsnake...never fed or cared for a snake...oh and she was afraid of rats. That girl with an almost 6 foot male BCI was just a disaster waiting to happen and of course it did. When I asked her once why in the world she took on a relatively big snake for her first snake instead of a nice little corn, milk, etc. she said "he was prettier" How do you convince someone this is a living, feeling, long living creature with unique husbandry needs that shouldn't be purchased just because he is "pretty"?

Almost every pet store I walk into has a big BCI in it. Sometimes two or three to a tank. All of them are super dark, muddy colored like Rauri was when we got him. It's heartbreaking. I can't even look because I know I want to bring them home. I know they are likely to end up in poor shape or with the wrong person. The giant snakes also are a problem but thanks for bringing up the issue of the bigger boa's who we often forget often "outgrow" their idiot owners.

[Pork Chops N' Corn Bread]

I have a feeling in the future, redtails will end up like burms. Everyone can afford them, and they have the potential to grow to a large size therefore getting dumped more and more frequently. Just My Oppinion

[CTReptileRescue]

Very good points guys, and I completely agree with the [pet store issues.
Just to prove everyones point, in the past 6 to 8 months we have received a higher average of surrender calls for boas then for burmeses pythons. I never thought that day would come.
In the rescue as of right now we have a total of
7 Common Boas, yes 7!
2 Burmese Pythons
1 Reticulated Python
2 Yellow anacondas (actually they have found a home whohoo, they are just waiting here untill their enclosure is completed.)

It is so sad that they are becoming the next throw away pet.
Rusty

[mr~python]

i know what you guys are talking about, also. the other day i was getting a couple pinkies for my ackie and some 17 y.o. kid was in there buying an albino burm and the owner (who is actually knowledgeable when it comes to herps, but just wants to make money) let him get it. it was ridiculous. the guy obviously didnt know anything about them other then their name either.

[tmlowe5704]

Something that makes me worry about RTBs.. i see so many at pet stores, and for sale online.. there must be a high turnover rate and there are always people buying them. I just worry, how many of these little "cute" baby snakes will grow old and large and still be with good homes? How many get "given up" or sold once they reach a too-big size? I hope that everyone who buys one of the cute baby BCIs or BCCs, has at least handled someone else's fully grown adult and seen how big they get.. I am just saying this because I hear so many stories of people having to get rid of their redtails, etc.

i hane not handled any larger than a 5 footer but i bought one. but the difference is, i am willing to do what it takes for this thing to live safely and that's what i am here.

[Pork Chops N' Corn Bread]

Glad nobody flamed me for saying boas will be the next burm in the neglect area...