people irk me

[Kaylaaa]

Snakes in general are one of those pets that people jump into with both feet and then lose interest. Once they figure out there is more to it than tossing out some food, water and a litter box they lose interest. In addition to that they perceive ball pythons as one of the cool snakes you can take out at parties and pass around and be an all purpose companion snake. They end up with animals scared out of their wits that wont eat and they get tired of it and neglect them. You can see it in so many of the "Alright I got a new BP now what do I do with it" first posts. Once they start reading the responses about UTH and thermostats and care sheets and all that expensive stuff you see the excitement just dwindle. It's a shame that reptiles are considered to be disposable animals by so many people.

Cause stupid young kids want to be 'cool.' Be the badass with a five foot snake.
The last part of your post made me laugh though, I have seen so many posts here where people are like 'but I can't afford to get a t-stat, or heat things properly.' Alright well just because the dumbass at petco said get a small cage and one lamp and call it good doesn't mean that's how it is. Now buy the [stuff] or rehome your snake to someone that will, haha.
I have dropped so much money on my BPs perfecting their tanks since I don't have racks, and I dont regret a penny of it. Even though I bought things multiple times trying to get it right. It's trial and error, and if you can't put forth the effort to at least try for your snake babies you shouldn't have them in my opinion.
But I am also a perfectionist and need my tanks right on constantly haha

[Kaylaaa]

Luckily, I haven't seen any sketchy ads for mistreated snakes *fingers crossed* but, I do frequent a reptile rescue and the condition of some of the animals is downright depressing. Really makes me thankful for them and the work they do with their animals. I'm doing my part and raising my boys to care for their animals. My son has a bp and a uromastyx. He's 3.5 and he feeds the uro, helps spot clean both enclosures, helps when we deep clean and is fully involved in the keeping and care of both. My 1.5 yr watches everything we do with both and when he's old enough, we'll put him to work too!

I just want to say good for you for teaching your son to love his pets and care for them properly. You will raise a fine young man that cares about his animals. The world needs more of that.

[distaff]

Cause stupid young kids want to be 'cool.' Be the badass with a five foot snake.
The last part of your post made me laugh though, I have seen so many posts here where people are like 'but I can't afford to get a t-stat, or heat things properly.' Alright well just because the dumbass at petco said get a small cage and one lamp and call it good doesn't mean that's how it is. Now buy the [stuff] or rehome your snake to someone that will, haha.
I have dropped so much money on my BPs perfecting their tanks since I don't have racks, and I dont regret a penny of it. Even though I bought things multiple times trying to get it right. It's trial and error, and if you can't put forth the effort to at least try for your snake babies you shouldn't have them in my opinion.
But I am also a perfectionist and need my tanks right on constantly haha

Yeah. It's one thing to make an initial mistake based on bad information, and another thing not to fix it as soon a you are able to. Very much trial and error for each individual set-up...but, for someone who just bought the animal for the "cool" factor, that part might not seem so interesting.

I'm going thru this now with my birds. Caged indoor birds should really have supplemental full spectum light. Essential psychologically, and for D3 and calcium absorption. However, get to this level of understanding, and there is a whole new level of BAD info. on how to provide that. There is a YouTube channel out there showing how to use aquarium LED lights for your birds. His birds are going to go blind. Both Amazon and Dr.'s Foster and Smith sell repackaged ZooMed reptile lights as "avian" lights. You will have to get into some fairly technical literature to learn why that is TOTALLY wrong, and harmful to your birds. Some of the reviews on Amazon will steer the customer in the correct direction, and point out the correct avian requirements, but ZooMed, and Dr.'s F&S absolutely should know better!

Ticks me off to no end.

[cletus]

Cause stupid young kids want to be 'cool.' Be the badass with a five foot snake.
The last part of your post made me laugh though, I have seen so many posts here where people are like 'but I can't afford to get a t-stat, or heat things properly.' Alright well just because the dumbass at petco said get a small cage and one lamp and call it good doesn't mean that's how it is. Now buy the [stuff] or rehome your snake to someone that will, haha.
I have dropped so much money on my BPs perfecting their tanks since I don't have racks, and I dont regret a penny of it. Even though I bought things multiple times trying to get it right. It's trial and error, and if you can't put forth the effort to at least try for your snake babies you shouldn't have them in my opinion.
But I am also a perfectionist and need my tanks right on constantly haha

Yeah. I certainly wasn't trying to call anyone in particular out. I just think people need to research before they get any pet. Makes no difference how much the animal costs. You still have a responsibility to take care of it. I just hate animal abuse in any form. I remember cringing as a kid watching Jake the Snake Roberts throwing those snakes around the ring. Walking out to the ring with a big snake in a bag and just throwing it into the ring before he got in. No telling how many snakes he seriously injured over the years. And it was all on TV. What a role model.

[Kaylaaa]

Yeah. It's one thing to make an initial mistake based on bad information, and another thing not to fix it as soon a you are able to. Very much trial and error for each individual set-up...but, for someone who just bought the animal for the "cool" factor, that part might not seem so interesting.

I'm going thru this now with my birds. Caged indoor birds should really have supplemental full spectum light. Essential psychologically, and for D3 and calcium absorption. However, get to this level of understanding, and there is a whole new level of BAD info. on how to provide that. There is a YouTube channel out there showing how to use aquarium LED lights for your birds. His birds are going to go blind. Both Amazon and Dr.'s Foster and Smith sell repackaged ZooMed reptile lights as "avian" lights. You will have to get into some fairly technical literature to learn why that is TOTALLY wrong, and harmful to your birds. Some of the reviews on Amazon will steer the customer in the correct direction, and point out the correct avian requirements, but ZooMed, and Dr.'s F&S absolutely should know better!

Ticks me off to no end.

Exactly. I mean, I had a good idea of what I was doing when I first got my BPs but there was definietly things I needed to learn and fix as I went along. Making an effort at least is all that really matters to me.

That's crazy about the birds, I never knew that.
I don't see how florescent lights would be good for them though, haha, wonder what that guy was thinking.

[Kaylaaa]

Yeah. I certainly wasn't trying to call anyone in particular out. I just think people need to research before they get any pet. Makes no difference how much the animal costs. You still have a responsibility to take care of it. I just hate animal abuse in any form. I remember cringing as a kid watching Jake the Snake Roberts throwing those snakes around the ring. Walking out to the ring with a big snake in a bag and just throwing it into the ring before he got in. No telling how many snakes he seriously injured over the years. And it was all on TV. What a role model.

I wasn't trying to call out anyone either, I was just saying I have seen it here where people want the snake but then realize they don't have the money for what the snakes needs or don't want to spend the money on it.
I have never heard of that show though, sounds sad. It was supposed to be a kids show? eek

[Eric Alan]

I have never heard of that show though, sounds sad. It was supposed to be a kids show? eek

Only if you count professional wrestling as a kid's show (WWF).

[Nellasaur]

My stomach is in a complete knot. I live near Buffalo NY and a person in Wilson NY (about 25 minutes away) just got nailed by the Niagara County SPCA... among other animals, over 200 snakes in totes, approximately 50% dead. I'm trying to figure out my space and if I can take in any of them. I've already got 5 rescues from a boy in NJ that I'm currently working on. There was a lady in Amherst NY (10 minutes from me) with a bunch of arachnids and snakes a few months ago... I took a corn snake that my niece is lovingly caring for now and friends took a couple of the balls. What possesses people to do these cruel things? And I truly believe the shelters destroy most of them because they don't get adopted quickly like puppies and kittens... Damn! I'm really upset. I'm totally hating someone right now.

My shelter won't even adopt out herps at all. Their care requirements are too specific and there aren't enough herp-savvy staff on hand to ensure they get proper care here, much less educate the adopters to take care of the animal after it goes home. When we get herps in they're either adopted out to our staff right away, or transferred to our local herp society for rehabilitation and rehoming.

[Gruba]

I just want to say good for you for teaching your son to love his pets and care for them properly. You will raise a fine young man that cares about his animals. The world needs more of that.

Thank you. He begged for the uro and a snake so he has to take care of them. As much as can for his age anyway. I've come to love Millow, the bp, as much as he does but, it's his snake and will be going with him eventually when he moves out. So he needs to learn how to take care of him properly.

[cletus]

Only if you count professional wrestling as a kid's show (WWF).

lol Have I dated myself??