Advice on getting my first BP?

[Fearyn]

Hi everyone. I'm/maybe/getting my first Ball Python tomorrow at Petsmart. I know that it isn't recommended that you buy snakes from big pet stores but all the animals there seem very healthy, lively, pretty bright colors, and seem very well taken care of in general.
We are from out of town visisting family and I decided if I want a snake I should get him here, because the petstores where I live seem to just have... not very well taken care of animals at times. I was just really impressed with this Petsmart, and I can't seem to find any local breeders. I live on a very out of the way small town.
Anyways, they have two BPs, one is a pastel I think and the other is just normal colors. They let me hold both of them and the pastel was very shy, but the other (a male apparently) was very curious and lively and crawled all over me! He was so cute. He seems like a nice healthy weight and well taken care of, so I decided I would get him.
Theres one little thing though, and Im not sure if it is a problem or not. I talked to the two ladies who care for him and asked about when/what they feed. They feed f/t once a week. The last time he ate according to them was on the 9th of this month, they said he refused to eat last time. Thats only about a week off feed, is he just a little picky? Should I worry about how well he eats? The way they explained how they feed didn't sound like they make sure the mouse is hot when they feed, they just kinda leave it in some water and stick it in his face. I've read you can dip the mouse in chicken or tuna brine or do the whole splitting their head thing so I could always try that if he were picky.
Anyways, I didn't get him today because they feed tomorrow, and I'm hoping he eats before I get him since he will want to get used to his home for a while before hes comfortable to try eating again.
If he doesn't eat tomorrow, should I re think getting him?

[JoshSloane]

I think if you are really into the snake you picked out go for it, but you could also order one from a ton of different breeders that will ship directly to you. I wouldn't worry too much about the snake skipping a meal, bps are notoriously picky. There's info all over this forum about it. Once you get him home I would bet that he would be far less stressed out and feel more relaxed to eat. Constant motion in the pet store, variable scents and probably less than ideal husbandry at the pet store can combine to make the snake fees irregularly. So do it if you feel he looks healthy.

[MidSouthMorphs]

I would check out some good breeders, petsmart and petco animals have a little history of selling sick animals or animals covered in mites. Check out some of the breeders from the forum, there are some great ones here. You'll be much happier in the long run.

[Penultimate]

I honestly would consider buying from a reputable breeder instead of Petsmart. You could potentially buy from there, but I'd be wary. If this is your first, you may not be experienced enough to see a slight husbandry issue causing a big problem. I advise against buying there.

Most breeders would be willing to ship a snake to you, and you'd have more selection that way. Not only that, but prices are cheaper and a breeder will give you better care information. I like buying animals from HDI reptiles, but do keep in mind that they are on live. If not there, I've heard good things about BHB reptiles and I've talked to the owner, very nice guy. Just do a little research before you decide.

[JoshSloane]

It's true, even with shipping you cans get a healthy bp for about the same price as a store. Not to say you can't do ok with a petco snake, but just might have some issues

[tbowman]

The advantages of buying directly from a reputable breeder cannot be overstated.

If you buy a snake from one of these chain stores and two or three months later, you have a problem, they probably aren't going to be of much help. Most pet store employees being high school age kids, who are generally not well educated on the subject of reptile husbandry. I assume that they have a high turnover rate and you may not even be able to speak to the person who sold you the snake.

If you buy from a reputable breeder on the other hand, you'll be able to go back to that person at almost any point in time if you have any questions or concerns regarding the proper care of your animal. And you'll be able to rest easily knowing that they most likely have a pretty decent understanding of the animals in question because they are in fact the ones producing the animals.

Essentially you'll pay inflated prices for sub-par services when shopping at a chain store. I'm not saying it can't be a good experience, but I would cut out the middle man.

[Baba Fett]

I got my first bp from petsmart. She was a beautiful lemonblast. She also never ate on her own. She was assisted in eating a mouse after 2 months, regurgitated and died later that night. I letter found out about the poor quality snakes sold by petsmart.

I promise you. If you find a reputable breeder, you can get a pastel and a normal for what petsmart will charge you. Healthy normals sell for around $20, pastels can go for $50. By a healthy snake cheaper.

Fast Shadow

[BWB]

I bought my boa from a store mainly because she is frigging super and the guy working in reptiles knew his stuff. I talked to him a few times before buying her. He also cared about the animals and their environment. But when I went to pick her up the main guy was at lunch so I got a guy that didn't work in that part of the store and knew nothing about snakes. He was scared of her - this beautiful, little boa, because she was coiled up. He thought that she was in striking position. He pulled on these heavy rubber gloves (like you would use for high pressure or temperature) to pick her up. I promptly took her from him, to examine, and showed him that she was easy to handle. He then put her in a tiny box for me to bring home. I rushed her home and put her in her nice, cozy enclosure and have enjoyed her since (over 4 months now).

[Fearyn]

Thank you guys for the replies. I just feel really torn; I like that little guy a lot. I guess if none of them feed today I won't get them.

[JoshSloane]

The big box pet stores like petco and petsmart do have a bad reputation for how they keep reptiles, no doubt. That being said I always check out the snakes at my local petsmart when I go to pickup dog food. There is one store in my town that never can seem to get the husbandry right, but there is a petco just down the street that always has really healthy plump babies. Just depends on the individual store/employees who take care of them.

It's always a craps shoot really. I once got a snake from a 'reputable' breeder that came with a RI and larval stage mites. After contacting the breeder he refused to claim responsibility and promptly disappeared. This was over ten years ago, and it's not worth mentioning names on here. Point is, it's always a gamble. You just have a MUCH better chance of getting a healthy, well started snake from a known breeder. Many of the people on this forum currently could probably sell you a great hatchling asap.