Reptile & Amphibian Forums

It was a normal but it had a nice pattern. I loved the pattern on his head and neck. I haven't stopped thinking about it. I HATE to buy from Petland and the last one I bought from them was a VERY hard to feed and eventually died (even after vet visits). I had the poor thing about a yr and a half. I am almost afraid to try another bp but i just keep thinking about this one and how nice he/she was. Should I try again???? I guess I am very gun shy. If he/she was a difficult feeder I'm afraid I would not be able to force feed. I did find ANOTHER vet in my area that is a registered herp vet. I hear great thing about her. She also treats birds and other exotics. So that is good news. Any thoughts? Warnings? Etc? Thanks.

Your odds are about 50/50 (or less) that you will get a healthy animal that is feeding from a pet store.

If you want to increase your odds of getting a good animal - buy an established one from a breeder that will guarantee it's health.

If your previous expereince has put you in a position where you will be stressing yourself and your snake if it's not eating off the bat - that won't be good for either of you. Of course you could get lucky and it could be eating fine - before you buy it find out when it's scheduled to be fed again and arrange to be there for the feeding - if it doesn't eat or they won't let you watch - pass on it.
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

6.42.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi)
0.1.0 Bredls Python (Smurfette)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.0 frogs rescued from pool skimmer
0.0.1 Lizard of unknown origin

Where do you live? Is Petland a national chain? The Petland near me sells them for 99 dollars and they dont look that great, nothing I couldnt get at the next show for 10 dollars anyway. Id say to buy from a breeder as well. I bought my first ball from a pet store and had nothing but trouble with him until he died. Ill never buy from a pet store again. This isnt to say that this one might not be perfectly fine, I just think you have much better options to consider. Good luck.

ep
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Occupants not paying rent:
1.1. balls
1.1 corns
1 everglades rat
1 w. hognose
1 bearded dragon
2.1 cats

I live in So Ohio.....about 3 hrs from Columbus and 3.5 hrs from Cincinatti. Yes Petland is a national chain and this one sells them (bp) for 68.88 I just thought the snake was nice looking tho I'm sure he was just an average bp to you breeders. I loved his pattern. I've pretty much talked myself out of it I think LOL. I'll keep and eye out at the next Ashland Ky show and see what I can find there...Maybe a het for something for a good price? ...I only go to Petland to buy my feeders and saw him (bp). I have a trinket rat that is a pain sometimes but he finally ate today after a month. SO I know how aggrivating it can be as he won't let me forget that LOL. Anyway I'll let ya know what happens. If I decide to risk it or wait.

if shes an eater then im sure they ill do it with no hesitation. if shes a picky feeder or non feeder they may be reluctant to feed her in front of someone, and you would just have to go on their word that she eats JMHO

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