Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I attend college in a small town outside of roanoke, and a pet shop just opened a few weeks ago. this shop only deals in CB reptiles and keeps heat, humidity, and cage cleanlyness good for all the animals. So in otherwords they are a small shop and I want to keep them open. The owner doesnt know much about reptiles but gets caresheets for everything she buys so she can take care of it. Early on she got several iguanas and will not sell them to people unless they buy a large cage and she makes sure they know what they have to go thu for them. I greatly respect the owner.

What I am asking for is a list of reptiles (or some "normal" petshop animals) that she could buy for rather cheap and wont feel bad about selling to the public.
I told her try for a few skinks, maybe a corn snake or two. she has ball pythons, anoles, iguanas, and leopard geckos.

thanks for any help you can give!
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1.1 ball pythons (Draco and Naga)
1.0 red tail boa (Malichi)
coming soon (well not that soon...need more space and tanks first)
1.0 blood python (lestat)

I'm puzzled as to why someone who doesn't know much about reptiles would want to open a pet shop that deals only in CB reptiles. Oh well, at least she's doing right by getting the proper caresheets and keeping the place clean and healthy (although if it were me, I would have done my homework before opening the shop).

In answer to your question, maybe some bearded dragons? I'm not all that knowledgeable on lizards in general, but "beardies" seem to be fairly popular. I applaud her efforts in ensuring that prospective ig owners know fully about the responsibilities before selling them. As for snakes, corns and cal kings always seem to be popular and can be obtained as neonates/juvies at reasonable prices. I still think OBKs will gain in popularity at some point, although they're a bit more pricey. (Keith H, what do you think?). Brooksis and goinis also may be good candidates.

In terms of general shop strategy, I wouldn't restrict it to just CB reptiles, and I'd bring in a few specimens of the more exotic types of animals - even if they're more pricey. I'd carry some hamsters, gerbils, whatever, as well as tarantulas, and maybe some fish. (Oh, and if people will be buying reptiles, they'll need live reptile food like crickets, feeder mice, etc.). A few ball pythons, red-tail boas, or monitor lizards would round out a stock that would let people know that they could obtain just about any type of "non-conventional" pet at this place. The more variety, the more likely that shoppers will keep returning to check on what's new. All this is based on what I see at local herp-based pet shops that have been successful here in OK.

Hope all this helps some!
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MichaelB

it is not that she is only dealing in reptiles, just this is a reptile forum. Also she knows all out the fuzzy animals it is just the reptiles she doesnt know as much about. I have learned a great deal about reptiles from these forums and from keeping a few of my own. she keeps cages and rabbits and puppys and fish and cage accessorys and anything else a petshop should have. just she is losing money one the reptiles and is considering dropping them because as a new store in a new place in a small town very few people know about them...
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1.1 ball pythons (Draco and Naga)
1.0 red tail boa (Malichi)
coming soon (well not that soon...need more space and tanks first)
1.0 blood python (lestat)

Ahh, now it's starting to make more sense. Your first post stated "This store only deals in CB reptiles," from which I gathered that, well, the store deals only in reptiles (captive bred ones).

My overall impression is that there are two kinds of pet stores: Those that specialize in herps and exotics, and those that don't. I thought we were talking about the former, but it now appears that we're talking about the latter, which typically don't carry much in the way of herps or related supplies at all. Maybe some basic supplies, like enclosures, water bowls, etc., but usually few herps or none at all. From a pure marketing standpoint this makes sense, as most people either admire herps or loathe them - relatively little in the way of middle ground. People who don't like herps generally would just as soon not have to even look at them, so the presence of herps - especially snakes or spiders - in a pet shop that mainly caters to furry animals might even drive away potential customers. Hence the two kinds of pet stores.

Here's what I'd do: Scale back on the herps and related stuff (the demand just isn't there), and limit stock to just some basic accessories. But - be prepared for someone to come in with a request for something more exotic, and have a way of getting hold of it for them. So, if someone comes in and asks if you have, say, ball pythons or mercury heat/UVB lamps, you can say, "no, but we can track it down and order one if you'd like us to" instead of just saying "sorry, no we don't."

It would be nice if they could kick-start the herp market there, and stimulate more interest. But sometimes you just have to go with the flow.
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MichaelB

there is a pretty good demand for smaller reptiles as this is a college town and not many fuzzy creatures can live in a dorm.

plus to help new herpers get into the game I am going to be giving a few reptile "shows" to let people know what kinds of things would be good for a dorm room that will stay small (we can have no bigger than a 10 gal. tank. so small lizards and I was thinking maybe sand boas?)
so we are trying to raise interest!
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1.1 ball pythons (Draco and Naga)
1.0 red tail boa (Malichi)
coming soon (well not that soon...need more space and tanks first)
1.0 blood python (lestat)

I'm behind you, and hope you and the shop do well. You may uncover a whole new market waiting to be tapped!

When I was in college, the only pets we could have in the dorms were tropical fish. They still wouldn't let me keep sharks or pirhanas in the bathtub, tho. I guess Va. Tech is a little more lenient.

Reconsidering my first post on this thread, bearded dragons, geckos, and tarantulas would work as far as 10-gal or less. Young corns and kings also would be okay, but would probably outgrow a 10-gallon in a year or two. Others may be able to suggest some CB snakes that will stay small enough. A handful of larger, more exotic animals (monitors, boas, etc.) would be less important but it still wouldn't necessarily hurt to have a few around. After all, the clientele won't be limited strictly to students.

I agree that iguanas should not be sold at all, unless they are rescues that she wants to find good homes for. Stay away from baby igs.
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MichaelB

I go to Ferrum College. on campus noone is can have anything other then non-agressive fish, however noone follows that rule. Most people however move off campus by junior year though and most of the appartments let you have anything other than dogs.
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1.1 ball pythons (Draco and Naga)
1.0 red tail boa (Malichi)
coming soon (well not that soon...need more space and tanks first)
1.0 blood python (lestat)

When I saw Roanoke I just thought VT (Blacksburg is close). Anyway, it doesn't change things. Good luck!
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MichaelB

Consider rack systems. I maintain 10 adult ball pythons and 2 black milk snakes in a vertical rack system over 7 feet tall. It doesn't take up much surface area at all. A smaller set up could be placed on top of a small refrigerator in a dorm room quite nicely. Such a set up could house ball pythons, corn snakes, kingsnakes, etc. without any problems. The base of such a rack could be only 3-4 square feet, and the rack could contain several enclosures. Could use it as furniture (place a lamp on it, or use it as a coffee table).

Hi. I'm just a pet owner with 2 dogs, 4 cats, 4 snakes and 1 betta fish. What keeps me going to a paticular petshop is variety. Both in reptiles and the supplies you need to take proper care of the reptile/pet. The reptile/fish store I bought my jungle carpet python from had alot of differnt snakes, tortises, creepy crawly things, (not for me!), some lizards, one or two types of frogs,etc. Plus all the supplies you could need from heating, lighting and books, etc.They had just about everything you need for reptiles, fish, even cats and dogs. It's like going to the zoo. Most of the snakes were corns, boas and an occasional different one like my jcp. I can think of another shop that has several different kinds of monator lizards. Also KNOWLEDGE of what they are selling. And proper care of their animals. Nothing turns me off then seeing animals in poor condition when it's preventable.
The shop should provide the right foods for what ever reptile you are selling. Both live and frozen. (I choose to feed my snakes frozen.) But something I don't like to see is puppies and kittens!!! There are to many unwanted cats/dogs for petshops to be selling more.
Good Luck :0)

well about the puppies and kitties the owner has kept my attention there by taking local peoples puppies and kittens and for around $25 and then selling them for around $50. which if you think about it really isnt that much profit as the shop has to pay for food and caging and other supplies.
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1.1 ball pythons (Draco and Naga)
1.0 red tail boa (Malichi)
coming soon (well not that soon...need more space and tanks first)
1.0 blood python (lestat)

My point on not selling the puppies and kittens is not whether or not your making a profit. alot of people buy them on impulse without knowing about the breed of dog or cat. then when they grow up to be dogs/cats alot of people turn them into shelters because of some behavioral problem or it just got to big. I have heard about it over and over.
Also if people know shops will take their puppies/kittens then people will continue to let their pets have babies becasue the local pet shop will take them instead of getting their dog or cat spayed or neutered. Plus it keeps the puppy mills in business at the expense of the poor dogs living in those puppy mills.

I agree, they will also start to learn 'hey, why spay/neuter when I know this petshop will take them and I can make $25 to boot!".

I refuse to shop at petstores that sell dogs and cats. I will only shop at stores that allow rescue shelters to bring their dogs and cats in to try and adopt.
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Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
"Gimli"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
"Indigo"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa
"Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa
"Arwen"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

nothing against your opinion, but, I disagree with not having dogs and cats in the shop. I hold this shop in the highest regard. the owner will not let an animal go unless she or the other manager has personally explained what is going to be needed for the animal. If she feels they will not keep the animal or they are buying for the wrong reason she greatly questinos the purchase. she will normally tell them to go home and sleep on the decision if she doesnt like their reasons. puppies do however bring in a browsing group who just may buy a mouse or hampster, or snake.
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1.1 ball pythons (Draco and Naga)
1.0 red tail boa (Malichi)
coming soon (well not that soon...need more space and tanks first)
1.0 blood python (lestat)

Unwanted/rescue dogs and cats in a petshop are great - as this is not supporting puppymills, etc. What I/we are getting at is that letting the public know they can make money by selling litters for $25 a head does not help the growing dog/cat overpopulation issue. People will do anything to make a buck and they do. Why pay $100 (I don't remember how much it costs) to spay/neuter your dog/cat when you can make money of their litters? Even if she does turn them away, people know that then they can just dump them at a shelter and hope she'll take the next litter. Not helping the problem. Not to say that people will purposely let their dogs/cats breed for hopes of making money (although some might), but having this petshop as a crutch when they're in a pinch does not really encourage people to be as quick and responsible with spaying/neutering their pets. I just think it would be best to perhaps offer to take animals w/o paying the owners for their irresponsibility. Besides, if she starts out $25 in the hole per animal, each day that animal is still in her care she spends more money and loses more money.

Again, just my opinon.
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Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
"Gimli"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
"Indigo"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa
"Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa
"Arwen"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

Well I totally disagree with iguanas being sold in pet shops. Iguanas are the goldfish of the herp world. Meaning that they usually die very shortly after being brought home. There's a lot more than having a big cage to proper iggy care. They are one of the hardest lizards to keep healthy. I feel the same way about anoles.
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Martin Whalin
My Email

Quotes from guys named Carl:

"Science stops at the frontier of logic. Nature does not, she thrives on ground as yet untrodden by theory."
-Carl Jung

"It is foolish to let singleness of purpose deprive one of the joy and delectation of the many wonderful sights and sounds incidental to the quest."
-Carl Kauffeld

that was my main reason for posting this message. I wanted a list of species relativly small and easy to care for that can be kept in the shop. I also disagree with several species in the pet trade. except for special order I dont see why you would need an iguana, or burm, or retic (which only petshop in the area before this one opened had, the other shop also sells sick animals). I am trying to help this owner by being a business consultant in the views of a reptile lover. personaly when I see a 1.5 foot retic in a petshop it makes me question the petshop.
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1.1 ball pythons (Draco and Naga)
1.0 red tail boa (Malichi)
coming soon (well not that soon...need more space and tanks first)
1.0 blood python (lestat)

Leopard Geckos & Kenyan Sand Boas come to mind. Some western hognoses can be kept in a 10 gallon (only males).
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Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
"Gimli"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
"Indigo"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa
"Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa
"Arwen"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"