I want to get a cornsake, and everyone says to get one online. and not petco?

Question

I hear places like petco don't treat their reptiles good or something.

Online, the corn snakes I want are around 15-30$ Plus another 30-50 for shipping. Is that reasonable?

How much are they at petco?
But if you really recommend online, give me some sites.

Answer 1

Price should never be your target while buying any animal--the health of the animal itself should be. That said, I have trouble recommending mail-order pets. You just don't get the chance to look them over before they show up to you.

Let's say you find a corn snake online for $15. Petco has one for $45, but it's healthy and alert. Spend the extra on the snake you can see. If the online snake has health problems, you'll either blow the rest of the money--plus some--on vet bills or trying to doctor him up on your own (something that's rarely sucessful even among those who truly know what they're doing). Look at it this way: You only have to buy the animal once. Surprises are expensive! If your online vendor has any sort of guarantee (many only guarantee live arrival), you can of course negotiate a bit more... but I'd still just go with the snake you yourself can examine.

As far as Petco taking care of their animals... it depends on many factors--and this is true of any pet shop. The knowledge of the people working there; whether there is a vet on staff--or at least a vet who handles that store's animals; the health of the animals the vendor sends them; and of course, the living conditions that animal was kept in. The Petco in my town excells in all areas--but I've also heard rumors. You really do have to take things in a case-by-case basis. Shop around, too! Many "mom and pop" pet shops will surprise you if you bump into any. But only make your purchase if the animal shines good health. Hard-luck cases tend to make good lawn fertilizer: You may mean well, but reptiles are especially tough fixes when things go wrong. The money you save may well be going for buying the shovel you'll need to bury them later.

Good luck to you!

Answer 2

I have to agree against Petco. The stores really vary depending on staff. But I have only seen mite infested baby corns with no hides all slammed together in one tiny aquarium. Add to this the fact that they charge an awful lot of money for a plain old amel or snow.

Here are some sellers who will take good care of you..
Kathy Love (get her book too while your there and she'll sign it.) Her site is cornutopia.com
Don Soderberg at South Mountain Reptiles (cornsnakes.net) who also wrote a great book on caring for them which you can get at either of their sites..
I also got a great bloodred from Mark at moreptiles.com
Another good one is bayoureptiles.com, though I have bought Milk Snakes from them- I hear great things about their corns.

Most people who ship reptiles will guarantee their live arrival and health if you are there to receive the package on the first attempt so this is not a concern. Plus if you have questions, you can send them an email or in some cases a phone call and get advice..

Spend some time looking at these and more.. and if in doubt check the FaunaClassifieds BOI (Board of Inquiry) about any particular breeder. Positive and negative comments can be made and read about such experiences.

I can personally vouch for the above named sites, and I don't know them personally, I have just had great experiences. Hit me up if you have questions..

Answer 3

I got one at Petco--you just don't always know how they've been handled or how they've been fed. Have it vet checked if you do. Wait for a reptile expo in your area and you can get them much cheaper and no shipping. Here is a link to the SE reptile expos. They are also listed in the back of Reptile Magazine. Check out the corn snake forums for breeders and more info as well.

http://www.repticon.com/southeastern/

http://www.animalnetwork.com/reptiles/home.aspx

http://cornsnakes.com/forums/

Answer 4

Go to petfinder.com

These are all rescue animals and there are HUNDREDS of snakes that need homes. They generally range from 10-25 dollars and you can find local rescues. The animals at rescues are not only fairly inexpensive but they also are vet-checked and the rescuers can tell you the individual attitude of each snake. There's no guarenttee petco doesn't have wild-caught snakes or that their snakes have seen a vet.

Answer 5

You should never buy a snake sight unseen (on line). Most areas have monthly reptile shows where you can see the snakes first hand, talk to the breeders & compare each breeders stock before you buy. Contact your nearest zoo/ museum & ask for the address/phone # etc of the nearest reptile society or herpitological society. They should be able to put you in touch with the reptile shows in your area.

Answer 6

Get it at petco. The animal doesnt always make it home safe when you buy them online. If you see that the one at petco is lively and doing well GET IT! Price should never be top priority so, get the healthiest animal. Local pet shops are also a great option. They usually take very good care of their animals.

Do what you think is right.

Answer 7

this is one time I would say buy from petco.
You can see what your geting and know that its in good shape.
the only thing I say dont buy from petco is fish because there always full uf ich and there employees dont know jack about fish.
I have never asked anyone there about retiles so they may not know much about retiles as well.

Answer 8

if you live in arizona i now a good shop were i got mone at custum creacer 19 th ave and desert cove between peoria and cactus talk to jordan

Answer 9

they treat them fine. get it at petco