Should I get a pet snake??

[BIGBUD98]

Hello, I have done a lot of research and I think I'm ready for a pet snake (a ball python in particular but I'm still not sure) but I'm going into the 10th grade and I plan on going to college when I graduate. I'm not sure if I should get one or not though because of going to college. I'm not sure if I should wait till after college or get one and bring it with me. It's kind of early to be thinking about this and all but I don't want to get a snake and have to give it away when I graduate. So would it be bad idea to get a snake? Thanks in advance!


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[TheSnakeGeek]

Just make sure wherever you're going to live in college allows them and you should be good to go. Snakes are pretty low maintenance, so they don't demand the time a dog or cat would of you have a busy schedule. I work almost 40 hours a week and go to college. Have 26 snakes in all, and between my girlfriend and I (who also works and goes to school) we maintain all of them just fine.

[NH93]

If you aren't sure, then that's pretty much a "No"... for right now! I think snakes are excellent pets and of all the pets one could have while in college -- so long as you have respectful roommates, and can afford the start up equipment and food, and perhaps put some money aside for any health issues that may arise -- I think they are the best. Even better than fish, because you can go away for a week or two without having someone come in to feed them.

Not only that, they don't require any interaction! So if you have a busy semester, all is not lost.

On that note, a pet is a responsibility and requires your attention, even if not in an affectionate way. It's something I think you should be discussing with your guardians at the moment.

In the mean time, do a TONNE of research! Read articles and forums (like this wonderful one!), watch videos, check out some books, etc. Also look into a few other species or whatnot, and see if it's something you are really interested in and want.

All the best!

[bcr229]

1) What do your parents think of the idea?
2) While some college dorms permit animals that can be kept in a tank, most do not. So, is there someone who can care for the snake for you in a few years?

[Skiploder]

Are you ready for a pet snake?

No.

[Marrissa]

If your not going to a community college, then no. Wait on the snake. If you know you'll be going away to college it makes no sense to get a pet when someone else will have to take care of it for you.

[BIGBUD98]

1) What do your parents think of the idea?
2) While some college dorms permit animals that can be kept in a tank, most do not. So, is there someone who can care for the snake for you in a few years?

1. My parents are fine with the snake but I know they wouldn't watch it.
2. I have cousins that live in another state and my sister possibly. That's about it


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[bcr229]

1. My parents are fine with the snake but I know they wouldn't watch it.
2. I have cousins that live in another state and my sister possibly. That's about it

You will want to change possibly to definitely before you get the critter. Otherwise if it's lucky it will end up with someone decent (like me), who has taken in more than a few free snakes whose owners were off to college, or the snake got bigger than expected, or the owner no longer had time for it, or...

And yes, I know nothing is definite in life except death and taxes.

[xFenrir]

Others have definitely gone over the "going to college" factor, so I won't rehash what they said.

Will you be able to afford the set up? Most people end up getting aquariums/glass tanks, and while those work they are a PITA to keep correct temps and humidity in, so you will possibly have to pay more simply for things to keep your husbandry correct. Enclosure, UTH/possible extra heat source (along with the housing for it, which would probably be dome lights), bedding, hides, water bowl, good humidity/temp reader, thermostat, and fancy clutter stuff (fake plants, etc.) and of course the snake can run you a good couple hundred right off the bat. Sure you could look around on CL and such for deals, but some of the more pricey items (t-stat, humidity/temp readers, heat sources) probably either won't be found as "deals" or are not worth risking buying them second-hand.

Also what if your snake gets sick or injured? Exotic vets are not cheap (or easy to find ones that are worth going to): my boa got a mild upper respiratory infection and it was a $50 exam fee and a $60 injection fee, twice. It's possible you might have to go back 2, 3 or 4 times for injections. Or if your snake injures itself (t-stat malfunctions and a heat burn happens, lacerations, etc) you could be looking at lengthy recovery and medication schedules, which might require more of your time devoted to its care and not extracurricular things (being in high school, there's tons of stuff you'll want to do either at school or with your friends, so can you say you are willing to put your pet over say, going to Senior Week if no one is willing to share the responsibility of having to directly interact with a snake? It sounds like your parents are okay with you HAVING a snake but they don't want to have to TOUCH it.)

Another big thing: feeding. Snakes gotta eat, and they eat rodents. Are your parents willing to have dead rodents in their freezer, or buy another separate freezer for them? Or (on the off chance this happens) you have to feed live, that can get expensive (and some people do NOT like the idea of feeding a living animal to another animal even if they understand that's what they eat). Plus, feeding live can put your snake at risk for getting bitten by their dinner.



The odds of these things happening are low when kept in correct husbandry and good care, and I know I'm seeming like I'm exaggerating a lot, but these things happen even to the best of us and it's better to consider everything. Perhaps you should wait until you are graduating high school and know a little more about what's going to happen: you might end up going away to college but getting off-campus housing, which will afford you a better chance at owning a pet. The best thing to do is discuss it with your parents or guardians.