Indiana Reptile Stuff

[DogVsRaptor]

The vast nothingness of Indiana holds next to zero decent reptile retailers. There is a show this sunday in
Indy, which I may go to, just haven't decided. I consider my first reptile purchase, my iguana Chino, an adoption
where money was involved. Got him from a crappy little pet store, same with my snake I bought about 2 months ago,
I can't seem to find anyone with knowledge, except for sites like this one. I'm located in
Bloomington, IN, we have a Petsmart, but they suck. Don't know a #$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^& thing, they don't sell
snakes or iguanas, which is sad, because iguanas are really most people's first interaction
with owning their own reptile. Anyone that is in the area that knows of good pet stores with
actual knowledge post something.

Nick Nacrelli

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	Iguana Iguana

[Mandy]

You are very right about that. Petsmart employees in Bloomington know very little when it comes to reptiles or much else for that matter. I worked there up until about two years ago.
To my knowledge there has only been two stores in Bloomington that even had reptiles besides Petsmart. One closed down this last spring. (I was told due to lack of sales) They did not know much but at least they did have some decent reptiles. The other is in the mall. If you have not been there yet, I would say don't even bother. They do have some animals but they are way to overpriced in my opinion. To be honest your best bet is the reptile show in Indy. It may not be as big or as good as in some other areas but I have never been disapointed. They have some great animals at some great prices. My advice....get there early. They open at 10:00am I believe. My husband and I are planning on going.
Other than that. I do know there are some better petstores in Terre Haute. A Petco...some ok animals, no knowledge....I think the other one is called The Pet Spot? They have some good snakes usually..a bit pricey..don't know much though. And one other one. (these two are both right by the mall) Also some good animals..a little better in the knowledge dept.
Not much of a help I know. This area is not really a big reptile area.
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[DogVsRaptor]

Actually I bought my ball python from the store in the mall. It was the smallest
they had, but looked to be in the best condition. I had been looking at him for
close to a month when I bought him. Since he is wild caught, they wouldn't feed him,
so he went on a tear for a while. Now that I have been thinking about his, there is a
home run rescue/good people who have numerous snakes. They are the only ones with
any knowledge. I may be in Indy this Sunday.

Thanks,
Nick Nacrelli
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[Mandy]

Would that be Doug? And I think his wifes name is Wendy? If so...Yes they are great people I have been to their house a couple of times. We are going tomorrow also.
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[JackDanielsBABY]

I'm from Indy but living in NY now and when I was home (Carmel), I went to a Petco on Keystone (where the old Target use to be) and it was there I first learned about RTBs. Gail, one of the managers, had a 5.5-6 ft RTB over his shoulder and had 2 others at home. They sold babies there as well, both RTBs and ball pythons. Seemed in great shape as far as your commercial petstores go and he knew quite a bit about what to do and stats and anything I asked. His wife/girlfriend - not sure which - works at the Petco in Fishers off of 96th street.

Also, I understand that there is a new place opening up soon at like 106th and Michigan Rd. I hear it is a new exotic pet store. Let me know it you go and what it is like. I know all of these places are far from Bloomington but I thought you might want to know.

Let me know how the Indy reptile show was as I just went to the one here in White Plains.
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[Mandy]

Hello..another local person...if only at heart at the moment! lol
The Indy show was ok...by far not the best one I have been to but ok...maybe just personal opinion since they didn't really have what I was looking for this time.
Saw baby boas for as cheap as $35 and baby burms for $25... It seemed a lot of the regulars were not there? Should be a good one next month though at the big show.

I have not been to the stores in Indy yet although I keep saying I am going to go check them out one of these days. I will take a look and see if I can't find the new one you mentioned when I go. I almost stopped at one on 38th st on the way home from the show sunday.

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