What the HELL!!

[reggi-BP]

so i was looking on reptile citys website because im shopping for some hermit crabs. an i decided to check an see what other reptiles they carry so when i get to the python part this is what i see


''PYTHONS
Why would I choose a Ball Python for a pet?

The Ball Python (python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is one of the most beautiful snakes in the world, displaying remarkable patterns of gold, ebony, and bronze. It is an extremely docile snake which is one of the reasons why they make great pets.

Ball Pythons are nocturnal so during the day they will generally sleep in their hide boxes, but at night you can watch them take baths.

!!!These snakes are imported into the United States by the thousands. Most will not eat due to stress and internal parasites. They also are covered in huge ticks
which, must be removed.!!!

Reptile City treats each wild caught Ball Python for worms and inspect each snake for ticks before shipping. After treatment and placed in natural enclosures, our Ball Pythons will eat and thrive in captivity.''

what the heck retile city u import a bunch of wild ball pythons full of sickness an u trying to sale them as pets! WTF an why do they wait until shipping to get off the ticks omg i have never read anything more insane omg how can u say our pythons will eat an thrive in captivity after telling us u get parasite infested stressed snakes full of ticks i mean that is insane

[stratus_020202]

It is sad, but i'm sure what their saying has a lot of truth to it. Wild caught ball pythons are imported by the thousands, and many are problem feeders. Most of the groups catching these are looking for a quick turn around to make money. They don't have space to house all the wild caught snakes, so they catch and ship off right away.

They do say they inspect each snake before shipping to a new costumer. It's all about the quick turn around. The faster you can receive a snake and ship it out, the less you spend on care. Honestly, I would never by a snake unless it has eaten at least 3-4 meals. Unless it was from a trusted source.

I'm also skeptical about buy a wild caught at all. I'll leave that to the pros.

[Skittles1101]

That is sad, unfortunately imports are usually riddled with parasites and ticks. However I give these guys credit for at least stating the truth and not trying to sell them off as perfect pets. Most of us know the risks of taking in imports, but the general public do not.

As for the hermit crabs. I have two I just want to let you know they are the biggest pains in my ass! They dig for hours some nights (when they are molting)...you have to change the sand a lot. I actually have had to get mite treatment to the tank because they keep coming back! I need to look into a better product because this one only seems to keep them away for a month or so. I constantly have to give my two soaks during treatment so they aren't uncomfortable. The mites aren't like snake mites, they are smaller and a different color...but it's such a pain sometimes. If anyone has any hermit crab mite products they can recommend I'd love to hear it! Kind of sucks having to completely scrub down their tank once a month when it can probably go 3-4 months normally!

[MasonC2K]

Actually, I got to give them props for such upfront honestly. How many places DON'T tell you where they get their supply or what problems there might be?

[gold217]

That is sad, unfortunately imports are usually riddled with parasites and ticks. However I give these guys credit for at least stating the truth and not trying to sell them off as perfect pets. Most of us know the risks of taking in imports, but the general public do not.

As for the hermit crabs. I have two I just want to let you know they are the biggest pains in my ass! They dig for hours some nights (when they are molting)...you have to change the sand a lot. I actually have had to get mite treatment to the tank because they keep coming back! I need to look into a better product because this one only seems to keep them away for a month or so. I constantly have to give my two soaks during treatment so they aren't uncomfortable. The mites aren't like snake mites, they are smaller and a different color...but it's such a pain sometimes. If anyone has any hermit crab mite products they can recommend I'd love to hear it! Kind of sucks having to completely scrub down their tank once a month when it can probably go 3-4 months normally!

I used to have 10 hermit crabs when I was in preschool but they never had mites....try any oil, salt, or both along with the medicine your using.

[Skittles1101]

I used to have 10 hermit crabs when I was in preschool but they never had mites....try any oil, salt, or both along with the medicine your using.

You can't really see them unless you're looking for them. I've googled what they could be and it turns out mites is the only thing that fits. They tend to stay around the food and water dish and on the crabs themselves. I feel bad for my poor little critters and they do go away for a month at a time but I have no idea where they keep coming back. I mean my apartment is pristine (OCD a little...) so it's not like I live in a dirty house with mites, they are only in the crabs enclosure. What kind of oil or salt? And where do I put it in the tank? The mite guard killer stuff I have I sprinkle on the bottom before I add the sand and that keeps them away/dead for a month...plus the soakings help.

Sorry OP I totally

[gold217]

You can't really see them unless you're looking for them. I've googled what they could be and it turns out mites is the only thing that fits. They tend to stay around the food and water dish and on the crabs themselves. I feel bad for my poor little critters and they do go away for a month at a time but I have no idea where they keep coming back. I mean my apartment is pristine (OCD a little...) so it's not like I live in a dirty house with mites, they are only in the crabs enclosure. What kind of oil or salt? And where do I put it in the tank? The mite guard killer stuff I have I sprinkle on the bottom before I add the sand and that keeps them away/dead for a month...plus the soakings help.

Sorry OP I totally

Make sure there's no dust or plants around the tank and rub salt and olive/vegetable/mineral oil on the sides and bottom of the tank. Take out the substrate and bake it.

[reggi-BP]

As for the hermit crabs. I have two I just want to let you know they are the biggest pains in my ass! They dig for hours some nights (when they are molting)...you have to change the sand a lot. I actually have had to get mite treatment to the tank because they keep coming back! I need to look into a better product because this one only seems to keep them away for a month or so. I constantly have to give my two soaks during treatment so they aren't uncomfortable. The mites aren't like snake mites, they are smaller and a different color...but it's such a pain sometimes. If anyone has any hermit crab mite products they can recommend I'd love to hear it! Kind of sucks having to completely scrub down their tank once a month when it can probably go 3-4 months normally!

WOW THAT SUCKS ihv had them before ive never had that problem only prob i had was one of them lost a claw very weird but i was a child so i didnt really know im looking forward to give them a try have something different i really want a red foot turtoise but there not in the budget as of now

[GoFride]

I would rather know upfront about the WC issues - and what was being done to correct them. Just my 2 cents.