petco bp?

[geckofreak570]

is petco a good place to get bps? Also are they wild caught or captive bred?

 

[Scott&Nikki]

A breeder is always a "better" choice, but I am sure they are fine. They seem to house them better (at least in the ones by my house) than people complain about housing leos. I believe they are captive bred, but they should be able to at least tell you that.

 

[geckofreak570]

ok i just cant afford a breeder

 

[John N]

If anything, a breeder might even be cheaper than pet stores and most of the time healthier...

If you are just looking for a normal, I'm sure there are people in Mass. that is willing to sell one to you.

 

[geckofreak570]

ok i'll check around

 

[Scott Ashton]

ok i just cant afford a breeder

More than likely the pet store stock are imports.

If you're looking for a normal BP - a breeder isn't going to be any more than the pet store. The key is to find someone local to your area - because shipping will skew the cost signifcantly.

 

[Sunrise Reptile]

Yep, Scott is right. Check out kingsnake.com and see if you can't find a reptile show in your area. Ball Pythons are very common, and easy to find at reptile shows. You're sure to get a good deal there!

 

[geckofreak570]

ok

 

[ama1997]

Id go with a breeder or find a show and go to it and get one. Most of the big pet store chains there balls are imports. Every ball i have bought from petco has either died or i had a really hard time getting them to eat. The ones i did get to eat a few of them are my biggest females. If they will feed it while u are there and it looks to be in good shape go for it. Make sure if u have other snakes u keep it away from the other for like 30 to 60 days. To be sure its not sick or have anything that will get passed to your other snakes. I would think about a vet visit too. Just to be safe.

 

[ReptileMan27]

Petco BPs are captive bred, my freind worked their for years and said they got them CB from places like fluker farms. You can get healthy BPs at petco, the ones here take good care of theirs. I got one of mine from them and its very heathly. Of course you need to use caution and common sense, if they cage or snakes dont look good, dont buy one. I looked mine over good before buying it, couldnt be happier. Reptile shows are a great place to get them, cheap, and lots of good breeders their. Unfourtantly thats not a option for everyone, we dont have any around here anymore

 

[geckofreak570]

if i get one from petco and it does not eat can i retern it?

 

[ReptileMan27]

if i get one from petco and it does not eat can i retern it?

they have like a 30 day gurantee on reptiles, but that for if they are sick or die. My BP I got from petco is the best eating BP I have ever had, he never misses a meal. My other one I got from a local breeder, is an off and on feeder. Its not likely any new BP will eat for the first week or so, takes time for them to settle in.

 

[geckofreak570]

ok

 

[geckofreak570]

how long should i wait before i try to feed it?

 

[ReptileMan27]

how long should i wait before i try to feed it?

Give it atleast a week to settle in before attempting to feed or handle:main_thumbsup:

 

[geckofreak570]

should it be able to eat rat pup?

 

[Sunrise Reptile]

That depends on the size of the snake. The general rule is don't feed anything larger in girth than the girth of the snake.

 

[Scott Ashton]

should it be able to eat rat pup?

Maurice is correct.

Sounds like you could use a good care sheet.

Here is one: http://www.ballpythonforum.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=3&view=findpost&p=3

 

[ReptileMan27]

should it be able to eat rat pup?

most baby BPs will start out eating small adult mice no probs.

 

[RaiQuee]

If you can get it on rats young (rat pinks/pups) do it. Don't mess around with mice if you can help it. I've found that raising balls on mice takes an INSANE amount of time to get them large, and then when they are too big for the biggest mice, and you try to switch rats somethings you can have a hard time switching them as well. Balls are known for being finicky feeders, so I figure try and stop messing up their feeding as much as possible. If the store is feeding mice however, well then you will probably want to stick with mice for the time being.

Ask the pet store what they are feeding it.

I do agree tho, a breeder would be a LOT better. Normal BPs that have fed a few times go for 30-50 depending if you want male or female. A lot better than the 100 and above Pet shops look for, and your probably going to have a healthier snake. Figure, they have to pay the 30 for the snake, the 7 bucks an hour for that employee to tell you all the wrong ways to keep the snake, the .50 to feed the snake, the space in their caging system....etc.