underground reptiles

[Cheesenugget]

I was just trying not to make any waves with the people that had good dealings with them. They say the animals are visually healthy when shipped. So I didn't say anything to them either time cuz I know they are going to just find any reason to blame me. So I just take the $400 loss and move on.

I have watched a transaction take place where the staff was selling a ball python that was underweight: saggy skin and portruding spine. They told the customer it had been eating very well, the customer who could not tell the difference between what looks normal and what does not.

I had also watched them sell the wrong UVB lights to bearded dragon owners as well as the owners coming back, with their beardie that they purchased from them, complaining that their lizard is not eating, etc. I had to step in many times to tell them that the cheap coiled UVB bulb is junk and a real effective one will cost them about $70-90, which the store does not carry or advice their customers about. Not enough UVB: no appetite plus MBD. The customers would always look at me in shock and the staff would look irritated that I butted in. Unfortunately, many more animals are being sold to unaware, new keepers who take their word as is. It really is also the fault of the owner for not doing their own research and take heed in the old warning: buyer beware.

Side note: similar thing occurs in The Jungle, another online retailer and pet store nearby. They list blue tongue skinks with MBD (The spine was curved) at full retail price and snakes with R/I for sale. You would think they would remove them from display or lower the price.

So I take good reviews from pet stores like that with a grain of salt. There's are times when they did deliver a healthy animal as promised. My king is an example of that. Surrounded by other cages where snakes had stuck shed and less than ideal conditions, she is healthy, free of mites and no issues. It is a roll of a dice depending on who picked out your animal for shipping.

Also keep in mind, were the reviews someone new to the hobby who can't tell the difference between a healthy or sick animal? Did the animal they purchased survived long enough just to die months later (Keep in mind it can take weeks until symptoms show) that may or may not have been sick the whole time? UG is known for blaming the customer, saying that you had the animal long past the return period so therefore it is your fault. But like I said, due to their staff's lack of experience and drives to make a sale, and that it can take weeks for symptoms to show, I would not rule out of being given a sick animal at all.

Farm bred means the animal in question was bred in the country where their parents (usually wild) are from. Then it is shipped over here for sale. They are not bred responsibly in terms of selecting and matching up healthy parents who may have no genetic defect and good temperaments. This is an option when captive breeding and hatching has not been established yet or the cost of captive breeding was more than the farm breds so there is a demand for the more affordable.

Since you brought it up earlier, I had met Chun from Dynasty Reptiles at an expo. I bought my woma from him (They breed their own womas). Sweetest little dude. Healthy with no issues. He was very nice, gives me all the advice without having asked for it, and even encouraged me to contact him should I have any questions later. I would highly recommend him.