A visit to the snake shop.

slaponte · #1 (**permalink**) 06-21-2002, 07:53 PM

So I stoped by one of the local Snake Shops. I don't usually buy there (high prices), but they stay open until 8PM and I needed some fuzzies for the babies. I always take a moment to look at the snakes he has, and sometimes listen in on some interesting conversations.

In one tank there is a Python colied up in the back, and a black and white medium rat just walking around... A father points out "son, look, do you want to see it feed?". One of the attendants comes by and says "no, I don't think he will feed, the rat is in there since last night and he hasn't gone for it..."... [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]

The father looks at me and asked something (can't remember what exactly), but I stated something like "I don't know. I never feed my snakes live prey, mine only eat pre-killed&quot

.

I went around to the other side of the store. I was shopping for a 10G tank to separate the babie BPs for now. I noticed father and son are buying a "setup": 10G tank, lamp, light, hide, etc... What is he getting for his son? IGUANA. Not one, but TWO of them (into a 10G tank).

By this time, I am by the cashier. The guy who owns the shop is running the register (I know him from previous visits). The attendant comes up to him with the two babie iguanas, and asks "they wanted to know if there is a way to tell if they are male or female", to what he answers her "no, but it really doesn't matter"...

This small remark stuck in my head for two days now. From me listening to the conversation (and I will admit I do not exopect the best of him) it seemed something like "they won't live that long to where been male or female really matters" kind of comment.

Since I have had iguanas (2) and researched iguanas, I am starting to think that the Iguana as a pet is a horrible horrible thing. Specially since most of this babies go to pre-teen children which have no means at all to provide for them just one year down the road. Now, when I go to a show or the pet shop and I see baby iguanas, all I see is mostly dead iguanas.

The shop makes $90+ in the tank, light, hide, substrate, etc. The Iguana goes for $10. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cry.gif[/img]

Anyway, just sharing...
[addsig]

MED04 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-21-2002, 08:57 PM

I think it's too bad that so many people buy pets irresponsibly. I have wanted a boa for quite some time now, and even though I have been reading as much as I possibly can about them (and other snakes for that matter) I still feel like there is so much more I could learn. I just wish that more people would do a little more research before they go out and purchase an "exotic" pet, maybe then there wouldn't be as many rescues that need good homes. But that's just my 2 cents worth [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]
[addsig]

Ravnos · #3 (**permalink**) 06-21-2002, 09:15 PM

You can read books till your blue in the face, and ask questions until everyone thinks you're annoying - but there is a point where you just have to do it to learn more as you go. No one ever goes into something knowing everything there possibly is to know about an animal. It just doesn't happen. =)

Of course... I do agree, too many people completely skip the reading and questioning part altogether, which is in the end, to the detriment of the entire exotic pet community.

I am in complete agreement with you slaponte, iguanas don't make very good pets. At least not for most people... and certainly not for anyone who doesn't have the attention span, interest and dedication to care for them. Its truly sad... though, you really should have just offhandedly mentioned 'Yeah, I have an adult iguana, he's 6' and man he hurts when he bites.' Parents usually start rethinking things when you start talking like that. =)

Rav

[addsig]

Seany · #4 (**permalink**) 06-21-2002, 09:57 PM

ok... don't be mad at me, but I really don't think Iguanas make bad pets. It's all because of the owners. Same way a 10lbs puppy can turn into a 140 lbs Rottie, and a Burm 15'' long... well you know.
I just think that people (parents) should think forward and find out about size and care for their pets before the purchase.
I just think that it's a dangerous thing to say... too many people say the same thing about your RTB's Burms and what not...
Again, it's all up to the owners. That, and us educating store owners when we see/hear things like that. I believe most pet/reptile buisness owners are ignorant, not mean/decieving.
my 2 cents.
[addsig]

slaponte · #5 (**permalink**) 06-21-2002, 10:07 PM

I admit (and apologize) for my lack of "balls", for not speaking up. I guess I am at his place of business and I don't feel it was my place. They (buyers) obviously know NOTHING about Iguanas. The attendant was "setting them up" as it were with everything they will need.

The one I am most in disagreemtn with is the parent. (A) just because Johny wants that green lizard on display does NOT mean he can have it. (B) If I decide he can have it, wouldn't a little research be good for us all (me as parent, Johny to learn, good for the animal)?

Of parenting I can talk because my kids (now teenagers) grew up with a respect and understanding of animals as pets and understand the commitment. My son actually turned down the chance to have his own BCI, explaining he is too busy with school and does not feel he has the time to properly attend to it.

Is it a coincidence that I see those young iguanas going out with 12 to 14 year old boys most of the time?

[addsig]

slaponte · #6 (**permalink**) 06-21-2002, 10:19 PM

Hi Seany.

You are right. Bad parenting is mostly at fault. But even after research, I have found that the Iguana needs as an adult (space, diet, attention) do not make for a good pet. Most of the ones I have known are very temperamental and basically "tolerate" you as a human companion.

What I see at shows are large cages with hundreds of them inside. The attempt is to make them a "pet for all kids". "All you need is a small glass tank ($6.99), lamp and light and some newspaper...". I had a large adult iguana, good temperament, large cage, etc, and I still would not consider it a great "pet". It was great to have it and provide for it, and I enjoyed having her and spending time with her, but would not call it a good "pet".

Good point/question on the Burmese. I don't have/never had one. To those who have one, I know we love our snakes, and care for them, etc, etc, but would you call an adult Burmese a "pet"?? My largest snake is "Chica", BCI about 5 feet. I named her, feed her, provide her environment. But I sometimes see the relationship more like that of a "keeper".

Am I making any sense?? [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
[addsig]

eddie · #7 (**permalink**) 06-21-2002, 10:30 PM

Seany, check out this site JeanSwoffords Iggy Pages.

Iguanas don't make really good pets and I see it reinterated in a LOT of places, such as that link, Reptiles Magazine and many other publications I have read in the past.
Iguanas, especially males can become rather aggressive during their orange (breeding) phase and quite a few have evil reactions to human female menstrual cycles.
They need a lot more attention than most are willing to give them along with specific diets and plenty of sun light. They can be bitey and tail whippy, which discourages new owners and leads to neglect and some pretty autracious abuses, such as breaking tails off intentionally along with sometimes cauterizing it so it can not regrow. Many people are so into the cool that they think they know everything WITHOUT having done any research.

In my opinion, iggys need to be left in the wild in their natural habitat and eliminated from the pet trade due to their inherrant weaknesses, which allows them to become not so hardy as other species in the trade.
[addsig]

XzyluM · #8 (**permalink**) 06-21-2002, 10:36 PM

Anybody serious in being a herper will most likely research as much as they can before buying anything. I've learned that it's something we have to deal with. Petstores are not educated enough to own reptiles or really any other animal. Out of all the petstores I have seen, I have yet to find one that cares for their animals correctly.
[addsig]

Stormyva · #9 (**permalink**) 06-21-2002, 11:32 PM

I really think that the key at a pet shop is dealing with the right person.

There are a couple of places around here in Va Beach that are pretty good.
I always play stupid when it come to shopping for anything.... then after the fact I let the salesman in on the fact that I knew all along that he was trying to feed me a line. I did a fair amount of research and hunting before I purchased my BCI a couple of weeks ago. I made at least a couple of visits to each of the stores here talking to different sales people here. They all gave me different stories about the length and care of a BCI. One F&%$*#$ idiot actually told me that the BCI I was looking at might get to be about 4' at the longest [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] Boy am I glad that I knew differently! However you do it.... before you buy anything whether it be a computer, stereo equipment, pets, or a car........ DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE YOU BUY!!! Know what you should be paying, what type of commitment you are making, and most of all know what is involved the care, upkeep, or maintenance of you potential acquisition.
[addsig]

Advertisement