Why would a pet store be selling an ADULT BP?(MN if you want to rescue it)

[angllady2]

Wow this thread is sure volatile!

While I can sympathize with the OP wanting that snake in better conditions, jumping the gun like that and flying off the handle about calling the ASPCA is just silly.

First of all, if the snake showed up within the past two weeks, who is to say it wasn't just dropped off in that condition?

Secondly, you always catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Why not ASK where the snake came from and what condition it arrived in ? Ask if they have experience in dealing with this kind of thing. Maybe they don't have a clue how to help it with a bad shed. Offer to bring in a printed caresheet with some tips if they would like. Make a good impression and maybe you'll do some good. Go off half-cocked and nobody wins. Even a simple, " Boy that hide looks kind of small for him, don't you think?" Is better than reporting them. Now, if the snake remains at that store and in that condition for 6 months or so, then yes it's time to step in, but not now.

What do you think the ASPCA, who tried to pass the Python Ban, will do if they take the snake? I'm betting it will get put down, and that's if it's lucky. How is that helping anything?

I understand being upset, but going off that way is not going to benefit the snake or the store.

Gale

[mainbutter]

1. Why would a pet store be selling an ADULT Ball Python?(seems stange to me)

Because pet stores stock animals that are in demand.

[wolfy-hound]

What is the big deal over a store having an ADULT ball python? Not everyone wants a hatchling. It wasn't there TWO WEEKS BEFORE??? So what? Stores get in stock all the time. Would this be some huge deal if a new hatchling shows up too? Stores get stock in to sell so they can get more stock in.. it's a cycle.

The fact that the hide looked too small could mean the hide was too small or that the OP isn't as familiar with how squished a ball python can be inside its favorite hide. *WE* don't know because we aren't there. Not seeing a thermometer or heat means absolutely nothing, as the sensors and heat might not be easily visible. UTH are not visible in most cases since they are UNDER THE TANK. Sensors can be placed under the substrate out of sight. Again.. *WE* don't know.

A bad shed is not reason to call the authorities. If so, almost every snake owner would lose their pets, as sooner or later most snakes will experiance a poor shed. Also, the snake could easily have just been dropped off with bad shed on it, or it could be leftover from poor husbandry from wherever the store got it. Even kept in perfect conditions for a few days doesn't ensure that a perfect shed will result if the shedding cycle was already begun.

Calling the ASPCA when the snake was in a proper enclosure(even if small) by itself(not with a pile of others) with a water dish(even if small) and a hide(even if small) is a ridiculous overreaction and will (hopefully) result in only the ASPCA officer thinking the OP is foolish.

Saying that it's warrented because the circumstances COULD be way worse than we have been told would mean that I should call the ASPCA on anyone on the thread just because THEIR circumstances could be way worse than they've told us. There is that 'innocent until proven guilty' that we all enjoy in life. Assuming that because it's a pet store and you saw a bad pet store once doesn't mean that this particular pet store is a bad one. By that reasoning, I should call the authorites on everyone owning a snake since I've seen a really bad owner with a snake once, so all people who own snakes must neglect and abuse them.

EDUCATION is always the preferred method of changing circumstances. The ASPCA is not going to walk in and snatch up a python and carry it away to a land of rainbows and prekilled rats. Educating the pet store IF THEY NEED IT would result in better conditions for all the reptiles they have AND all the reptiles they would acquire in the future. Talking calmly and professionally with people can actually result in an exchange of knowledge.

[ShortStack]

I'm somewhat confused by the OP's response. First, she was infuriated and was going to call the ASPCA. Then, someone sorta reasoned with her and made her realize perhaps talking to the manager/owner was best before taking any other action. Then, she was all riled up again and was on the ASPCA wagon. As hard as it is, I think she needs to take a step back, and seperate logic from emotion. Yes, anyone would FEEL bad for the snake if it's not in the "best" living conditions. But, like others have said, would it be best to immediately call authorities instead of using REASON to try and talk to these people?

Does this store regularly keep snakes, even as hatchlings? If not, maybe they aren't aware of how to house them. Like others have said, if you simply talk to them, you may teach them something. It may simply be they don't KNOW not that they don't CARE. There's a big difference.

Also, how do you know the snake wasn't dropped off in those EXACT conditions hours before you got there? If the employees have a store full of customers and other duties to take care of, do you think they can stop right that minute and give the snake the best enclosure possible? Especially if they aren't used to housing them as adults? So what if they have shelves of supplies and tanks. It doesn't mean they can take one right off the shelf and use it.

I will be the first to admit that I know very, very little about snakes. I am extremely new to this hobby. However, new or not, most of this seems like common sense stuff.

Just me 2 cents.

[Igby]

While I agree that they, being a large chain petstore that SELLS the supplies that a ball python would need, should do better by the snake if its living conditions are in fact deplorable, I feel that this is rather hasty. Check back there and see if they have fixed the situation. You may have caught them on the day that they rescued it. If the poor thing is still dealing with dismal conditions, assume that they are ignorant and try polietly telling them what the snake needs (because they could very well not know, since most pets stores typically sell the babies). If that doesn't work, then threatening to, and eventually taking action, seems like an appropriate measure. I am also wondering why the original post seems to put a lot of emphasis on the fact that it is an adult. Do adult ball pythons not deserve to find good homes? Should pet stores exclusively sell babies?

[zina10]

Here is a pic of my Blast Boy, to kind of lighten up the mood.

Now, if you saw that picture without any kind of explanation, you could turn me in as well...

That hide is definitely getting to small for Blast boy ! However, he LOVES it !! He has a bigger hide further back into the tub, and I've switched locations of the hide and he would ALWAYS go back to his mini hide or cruise until I put it back into the tub.

The hide is extremely lightweight, it does not cut into him in any way. He just decided to live as a tortoise, and carries his house around with him, LOL. He will take it different places in his tub. Sometimes its only his upper third body underneath of it, but thats ok with him

His waterdish is small as well, but as I explained, I do not use large water dishes, my BP's do not soak in them, I have yet to have a bad shed in those tubs. I simply raise the humidity when its time for them to shed.

There is also no thermometer in the tubs. There is flexwatt underneath each tub, controlled by a Helix and checked periodically with a temp gun.

So, without knowing any of this info, how would that pic look to someone ?

Personally, I think he is one funny dude Btw. he eats his F/T rats like a champ and never seems to get enough

[Superpop]

Wow!!!!

Thanks for all the volatility. I seem to have a knack for creating it on here without really doing anything to warrant it. I was just trying TO HELP this snake that isn't even mine out! Thanks to the people being mean when I am just trying to figure out what the right thing to do is.

I haven't contacted anyone about this snake...YET. I am going to check on it again this week when we go shopping in the area.

btw...to all the people calling me a "her"....I am a "him".

Thank you to all the people who gave advice in this thread without being rude.

[zina10]

I think I called you a "her", sorry about that

[Superpop]

Are you kidding me? Is this a joke? Someone who admits that they have very little experience with this species is threatening the reputation and livelihood of a business owner because he took in an unwanted animal?

And so you want to report them to privately run organizations who are actively trying to end the herp keeping hobby?

I think you need to step back and take another look at what you are doing. There are far too many people in this world today who think they have the right to tell others what to do despite having little knowledge themselves.

Tell you what....

We both live in St. Paul. The pet store in question is in St. Paul. I'm sure you have much more knowledge on BPs than I do. You want me to send you the address of the store in question so you can go check up on the snake?

btw...according to both google reviews the store has....they get their dogs from puppy mills. Obviously this store's reputation isn't very good.

[Vypyrz]

Now, if you saw that picture without any kind of explanation, you could turn me in as well...

The hide is extremely lightweight, it does not cut into him in any way. He just decided to live as a tortoise, and carries his house around with him, LOL. He will take it different places in his tub. Sometimes its only his upper third body underneath of it, but thats ok with him

+1 for the BP's that prefer wearing hats instead of larger hides...



I've also got some pics of a large male BP that I used to have that preferred a smaller hide. I will never figure out how he managed to get himself in and out of it. The hide was 13" X 9" and the snake was 4'-7"...