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Re: Common BP Myths?
The first one about growing to the size of a tank is an old,old rumor that I used to only hear said in relation to tropical fish. "If you buy a small aquarium the fish will stay small". I believe that it was a sales tactic of pet stores to be able to sell to people that couldn't afford a large enough aquarium. In recent years I have heard it said about various creatures.
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Re: Common BP Myths?
 Originally Posted by Beardedragon
Balls can be difficult to get to eat, have to have very specific heating( most non forum people provide above heating  ) humidity has to be just right, the cage has to be just right, or all sorts of problems can occur.
I think a pet rock would be a good choice instead
From some of the things I've seen, I'm going to have to disagree with this. Balls make pretty decent starter snakes in my mind. Given some of the things I hear customers say as to how they keep their snakes, and have a fat BP on their arms when cruising petco for their new heatrock... I'm gonna have to say they can survive a fair amount of stupidity on their owners part. Not to say they are bulletproof, let alone idiot proof. But I believe some of their problems are over exaggerated. But... That's just my opinion.
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Registered User
Re: Common BP Myths?
A good starter snake could be something like a Corn, a Bull Snake, or maybe a Childrens/Spotted Python.
A corn snake is not really that much easier to keep than a ball. I'd say they are on the same level with regards to care as hatchlings because they have just as many feeding issues, especially if they are from a pet store. BP's are less aggressive and skittish than baby corn snakes, IMO, and they aren't as easy to lose due to their size as babies.
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BPnet Veteran
Re: Common BP Myths?
Thanks guys/gals I needed a laugh. I was in a pet store the other day and someone asked me (they thought I worked there) "can you tell the age of a snake by checking their teeth?" WHAT? no but that works for horses. I love the one "if a snake tastes human blood they will always be looking for a way to kill you and eat you" LOL there are some really ......interesting.... people out there.
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BPnet Veteran
Re: Common BP Myths?
 Originally Posted by Gooseman
From some of the things I've seen, I'm going to have to disagree with this. Balls make pretty decent starter snakes in my mind. Given some of the things I hear customers say as to how they keep their snakes, and have a fat BP on their arms when cruising petco for their new heat rock... I'm gonna have to say they can survive a fair amount of stupidity on their owners part. Not to say they are bulletproof, let alone idiot proof. But I believe some of their problems are over exaggerated. But... That's just my opinion.
I would just like to point our just because the animal is alive and looks healthy that does not mean that it makes a good beginners animal. I have had pets for many years and the snake is the one that eats the least and requires the most attention as far as the housing issue goes. If you want a beginner pet go buy two parakeets and feed them and water them daily they will be just fine. But for a snake the word "beginner" belongs no where in the vocabulary.
Not trying to be rude but I hate pet stores such as petsmart and petco they have no business selling pet food much less pets. I find no defense for them. When you have some one cranking out puppies and selling them sick and with fleas usually some one calls the local SPCA but with chain stores such as these that sell sick fish, birds, reptiles, and other miscellaneous animals PEOPLE ACTUALLY PRAISE THEM because they donate to a charity or have animal adoption days!!!!! WOOOP-DE-FRIGGEN-DO!!!! I could care less I really wish people would open their eyes and take off the rose colored glasses and realize that chain stores like this really should not be in business and most people are just to dumb to realize it until it is too late and they have already bought a "pet" from this place.
I was one of these "innocent" by-standers. I bought pets from the conglomerate places and I always thought oh they take such good care of the animals until you start to learn what each animal requires for housing, food, attention, and medical attention. i mean what are these people thinking!!!!
Please some one tell me I am not crazy and that I am not making all this up.
I also know that there are a few people in this forum that run pet shops and do a darn fine job at it. You care about each animal that is there. You pay attention to them you ensure proper diet and housing. This is not directed to you few that don't just care about the "sale". To you few whom are to few I tip my hat to you.
I think some people in this forum would agree with me on this subject.
Oh yah Goosman sorry for using your post as a jumping board for this I really didn't mean to I started writing and all these angry feeling came out. None of them are meant towards you I hope you understand and take on offense I really don't mean any of this to you.

Ok I am off my soap box sorry you guys had to endure that.
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BPnet Veteran
Re: Common BP Myths?
To the "OP" ..... nice post, good laughing stuff....
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Re: Common BP Myths?
 Originally Posted by hoax
Oh yah Goosman sorry for using your post as a jumping board for this I really didn't mean to I started writing and all these angry feeling came out. None of them are meant towards you I hope you understand and take on offense I really don't mean any of this to you.
Don't worry, I'm pretty hard to offend.
But... you can't keep every tard who wants a snake from getting one. My point was that, some ball pythons are kept in deplorable conditions, and yet still manage check every box in what we attribute to a healthy snake. Eats, sheds, breeds, and is of decent weight. This is not to mean the snake is truly healthy, but is instead rather hardy. So... assuming said "beginner" reads through a caresheet, and/or joins a site like bp.net and puts into practice what they've read rather than use it as TP, then there's atleast reason to believe that a ball python could well be kept by a beginner.
As far as PetCo selling snakes is concerned. It all comes down to the indiviual associate handling the sell, and taking care of the animals in store. If the associate has a passion for snakes, and knows what they're talking about. I see no reason to banish snakes from PetCo, but if said associate doesn't have a clue... then please. Keep your head up, and stay away from fans... as there may be some fecal matter flying your way shortly.
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Re: Common BP Myths?
 Originally Posted by whitewolf
A corn snake is not really that much easier to keep than a ball. I'd say they are on the same level with regards to care as hatchlings because they have just as many feeding issues, especially if they are from a pet store. BP's are less aggressive and skittish than baby corn snakes, IMO, and they aren't as easy to lose due to their size as babies.
Corn snakes are still only 1 part of that post, there are other animals that I named, and I've not heard nearly as many problems with corns than I have with Ball Pythons. The corn snake I had was an awesome animal...I just don't like them cause their poo...oh man, talk about a whole other kind of stinky.
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Registered User
Re: Common BP Myths?
 Originally Posted by hoax
Not trying to be rude but I hate pet stores such as petsmart and petco they have no business selling pet food much less pets. I find no defense for them. When you have some one cranking out puppies and selling them sick and with fleas usually some one calls the local SPCA but with chain stores such as these that sell sick fish, birds, reptiles, and other miscellaneous animals PEOPLE ACTUALLY PRAISE THEM because they donate to a charity or have animal adoption days!!!!! WOOOP-DE-FRIGGEN-DO!!!! I could care less I really wish people would open their eyes and take off the rose colored glasses and realize that chain stores like this really should not be in business and most people are just to dumb to realize it until it is too late and they have already bought a "pet" from this place.
I was one of these "innocent" by-standers. I bought pets from the conglomerate places and I always thought oh they take such good care of the animals until you start to learn what each animal requires for housing, food, attention, and medical attention. i mean what are these people thinking!!!!
Please some one tell me I am not crazy and that I am not making all this up.
I also know that there are a few people in this forum that run pet shops and do a darn fine job at it. You care about each animal that is there. You pay attention to them you ensure proper diet and housing. This is not directed to you few that don't just care about the "sale". To you few whom are to few I tip my hat to you.
I think some people in this forum would agree with me on this subject.
Oh yah Goosman sorry for using your post as a jumping board for this I really didn't mean to I started writing and all these angry feeling came out. None of them are meant towards you I hope you understand and take on offense I really don't mean any of this to you.
Ok I am off my soap box sorry you guys had to endure that.
i also work at petco...it depresses me some days i have to go in b/c of the idiots that think that they can care for animals, much less snakes. If for some reason I really feel as if that person cant take care of an animal, i will not sell it to them...whether they get pissed or not. I work in the reptile/fish department...so i have to comment on what you said about selling injured or sick animals- we do not sell any injured or sick animals...we pull them off and treat them seperatly and immediately. I know not all stores are like this...It really depends if the company wants to hire someone that wants to work with animals and has some sort of motivation other than $, or a lazy ass who just wants his paycheck at the end of the week.
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Registered User
Re: Common BP Myths?
Yep, at my petco, our animals go straight to the vet...we have a vet that will take them at any time.
Another one I've heard:
-Snakes have retractable teeth like cat's claws.
-had one person tell me my snake was "tasting" me when flicking it's tongue and insisted I was in denial.
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