how to get over fear of letting people watch my snakes?

[Vonnie]

I just got home from being away for a few days. This my first time being away from any of my snakes for a long period of time. My sister was suppose to be watching my snakes🙄But it seemed like my grandma who is by the way terrified of them been doing most of the watching. Anyways I checked on my little babies and they were fine very active curious the usual. Then I go to my big one I have in a separate room because I just recently got the babies and I see that his log in his tank had fallen on him. He seems fine after I moved it & he snapped at me. Just posting this because I really don't trust anyone with my snakes. And this kind of just showed me why. Even though my grandma said he was fine earlier. And I've been on FaceTime with them everyday since I left. I just keep thinking he could've been or could be hurt😩

[PitOnTheProwl]

I don't trust anyone with mine.

[Hannahshissyfix]

You facetimed with your snakes?? Haha that's more intense than my paranoia. If it was only a few days I wouldn't even have anyone mess with them. Then again, I don't have branches or anything that could fall on them. Was it actually pinned? Glad everyone is ok.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

What do you mean by a few days? I leave for a few days (weekends) all the time and no one watches my snakes, even during longer trips no one does.

If you prepare well no feeding at least 5 days prior to departure, large water dish filled up to the top, absorbent bedding such as Aspen or Cypress mulch you can leave without the need for someone to check on your snakes.

[Vonnie]

You facetimed with your snakes?? Haha that's more intense than my paranoia. If it was only a few days I wouldn't even have anyone mess with them. Then again, I don't have branches or anything that could fall on them. Was it actually pinned? Glad everyone is ok.

Lol yes I FaceTimed them. And yea his tail was pinned but idk how that could of happened that's the first time it ever did.

[Vonnie]

What do you mean by a few days? I leave for a few days (weekends) all the time and no one watches my snakes, even during longer trips no one does.

If you prepare well no feeding at least 5 days prior to departure, large water dish filled up to the top, absorbent bedding such as Aspen or Cypress mulch you can leave without the need for someone to check on your snakes.

Left the first right after feeding them & came back last night around 12. I did fill the water I have my babies on paper towel because I just got them so I had my sister switching it out other then that they should have been fine. Except the accident with my big ball & his log

[Darkbird]

I go on vacation, at least once if not twice a year, for an entire week at a time, and I never have anyone watch them. There is some risk to that, but I have lost animals from someone trying to take care of them for me and making mistakes or not following instructions properly. It takes careful planning and attention to the details before you go, but it has worked well for me so far.

[bcr229]

Between the snakes, the dogs, and the home-based biz not only do we not go on vacation, there's usually someone home most of the time. The house is rarely vacant for more than a few hours.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Left the first right after feeding them & came back last night around 12. I did fill the water I have my babies on paper towel because I just got them so I had my sister switching it out other then that they should have been fine. Except the accident with my big ball & his log

Next time you want to consider not feeding right before you leave, and give them a few days to digest before heading out.

While rare there are always possibilities of regurgitation and if it happened while gone not only would it not be a pleasant experience for you once you return but could have severe consequences depending on how bad the regurgitation was.

[D_ONE]

I also don't feed about a week or so before I leave for vacation. I have mine on paper, so I have someone check on them daily to change it if necessary. I also have larger water bowls that I fill right before I leave.

I did need someone to come by a couple times per day recently while on vacation because I had a clutch in the process of hatching and had to give them a crash course on what to do. I must admit that was a little stressful! All went well and the hatchlings all turned out OK. I do think I will maybe switch to something similar to reptichip the next time I'm gone for a week or more just to lessen the work for the person keeping an eye on the collection.