When is enough, enough? One more addition?

[dakski]

I am contemplating getting "one more snake."

I feel I am getting close to or at my limit, but still want another one.

I am ambivalent.

My local reptile shop owner/breeder, had a litter of Western Hognose snakes.

There is a male I have my eye on, and I admit, even have a name picked out. He's a red phase, so nothing crazy, but he's adorable and friendly.

He's already had about ten meals and is about 7G. He's happily eating F/T small pinkies 2X weekly.

I would put him in a 21"X12"X12" that is escape proof and acrylic and that I already have (with thermostat and heating elements also).

I would either put him in my office to keep me company (I work from home), or would put him downstairs, where the other reptiles are, but separate in the reptile area. Yes, he would be quarantined.

Here's my dilemma.

I have 8 reptiles in 7 tanks currently. I have a full 5 level Boaphile tank setup and it's perfect. I have a bunch of cool critters, and frankly, really couldn't ask for better reptiles.

Yet, this guy interests me.

My question is, when does it stop? I had already cut myself off after Solana, and Katie was on board with that.

Part of me feels that if I scratch this itch, there will be another, and another, and another, and I can't scratch all of them. I can't have every species and every cool critter I see.

My time and health are limited and right now, I really enjoy this hobby; it's not a job and I like that. Also, for those who read my posts, I am very passionate about this hobby and my animals. It's important that I continue to be and don't burn myself out, which is inevitable if I keep collecting.

I feel like I am betraying myself and, to a some extent, Katie, if I get another animal. For what's worth, Katie met him today and held him. I am in no way being secretive about this.

However, I still want him. If I choose to go that route, I will be devoted to him, just like my other animals (canine and reptilian). I don't know how to go 50% with animals. I give the best care or I don't take on the animal.

I am writing out loud here, but would be interested in feedback from others.

When did you know it was enough? How do you stop scratching the itch? Maybe you can't?

Ultimately, this is my decision and Katie's decision, but any feedback is welcomed.

I love this community and appreciate any and all opinions.

[Dianne]

I’ve had fewer snakes than I have now (currently 12), and I’ve had up to 42 at one time. When I had 42, I had a lot more free time than I do now...my job at that time was much less stressful or demanding. I had to significantly downsize when I went through some life changes and could no longer care for my pets like they needed, financially or time-wise. The first to go were my breeding projects (Colombian redtails, Cuban boas, and corns). I slowly worked down to those I just couldn’t bear to part with (10 at that time). There are a few animals that I truly regret giving up...and that has been over 17 years ago.

These days I’m looking for a balance between what I can afford to cage, heat, feed, and care for properly without it seeming like a chore. I don’t handle all of them frequently...some would be happy if I left them alone entirely, others seem to enjoy handling more. Usually I handle during cage cleaning or when I’m changing their water though I do pull some out randomly between feedings. There’s a couple more animals I’d like to get, particularly a couple of bp morphs and another Cuban boa, but I wouldn’t add many more or it would become a chore just to feed and clean cages. I’m getting to a point where I have a bit more “me” time after work, but am aware that the poop can hit the fan at any time, so am planning accordingly.

This year I added 4 bp’s...two planned (pied and BEL), one a total impulse (lemonblast), and one that I got a second shot at after I thought she’d previously sold (dragonfly). All of my other snakes I’ve had for years, most of them over 15 years, except one corn and my albino ball, both less than 5 years old. I think I will always see different animals and think, “that would be cool to add to my collection”. Shoot, I found a beautiful corn on CL tonight that is tempting, only to later read about the same corn on this site. Decisions, decisions.

[EL-Ziggy]

I've been there too D. I think I've found my happy place now. My "itches" hit after snakes 2, 4, 7, and 8. Snakes 1 and 2 were kings then I wanted something bigger. Snakes 3 and 4 were bulls then I fell for carpets. After rehoming the kings and adding 5 carpets I had to have the Olive. I was stuck on 8 snakes for about 2 years and really thought I was maxed out. Then we moved into a house with more room. I was supposed to get 2 final snakes for a total of 10 which is a perfect number of completion. Things got mixed up and I couldn't find the snake I wanted most, a scrub python. My 2nd choice, the Argentine boa, was taking longer than expected, and in my impatience I bought a BI but was still verbally committed to the BO. I figured that was a wrap and I'd have my 10 critters. While I'm waiting for the BO to get a few more meals in at the breeders before she's ready to ship out to me one night my little voice says check back with Dan Mulleary at DM Exotics. I'd almost bought a scrub from him a while back but passed. It was too hot to ship at the time and I was still on the fence and torn between a scrub and SD retic. He was also heading to an expo and figured the scrub would sell there. As fate would have it when I called Dan the Scrub was still available. I didn't hesitate for a second and told him to put a bow on that one. In the end I thought I came out ahead. I ended up with one more snake than I'd planned for but I still came in under budget from what I was prepared to spend on one BHP. I've since realized that's not really the case once I factor in the additional cages I'll need. I felt a sense of finality and closure after my 3 latest additions. Now I'm looking forward to enclosure upgrades and just watching them grow. I don't even want anymore critters even though every day I see more critters that I want . I've found the perfect place of contentment and serenity in the hobby. I'm in my zen zone.
Ultimately you're a smart guy and a great keeper. You know exactly how much you can and want to take on. If you see something you really love and you know there's still room for one more then go for it. At least you're only talking about a hoggie and not a burm or retic so space and food aren't a major factor. When your collection is truly complete you'll feel it. At least I did. For now. That could change. JK. I think.

[Bogertophis]

News flash: for many of us, that itch never stops, as long as you're breathing & able to see a beautiful reptile that you could possibly maybe take home.

We don't all have the same ability (time, money, energy, space) to care for lots of animals, so the actual number is an individual thing, but it helps to remind
ourselves now & then what it looks like when someone gets in over their heads and burns-out. It's not fair to the animals, and sometimes life isn't fair to us
either...heath issues can intervene with no warning, for example, making even a modest number of pets "too many". And time itself can change things.

I think we all need to do a little "soul-searching" every now & then...when you love animals, there's always another one that needs rescued or bought. As with
all things unique, it's easy to give in to the impulse-buys ("this is a chance of a lifetime! I can't pass this up")...it's not only pets but most other collectibles etc.

Maybe keeping a list on hand of all the negatives to getting yet another one would help...but sometimes the best thing is to just wait a while, a few days or so,
to see if you really can't live without it. (You probably can.) "Negatives" include feeling guilty for not spending more time with "XYZ"... One way to talk
yourself OUT of something is to really imagine its flaws. ("I'm pretty sure it's inbred & has mites...")

But it's all up to you, & I look forward to pictures of your new little one...

[dakski]

Thank you guys.

My biggest fear is that I take on too much and then do not honor and care for my existing animals properly.

Not sure if this is the straw that would break the camel's back, but I don't ever want to get there.

I also tend to collect things. Ask Katie/SunshineWalker about her storage closet that is now liquor closet for my 17 year and counting collection of fine whiskeys. Or the person tall chest humidor that I age my 700+ cigars in.

I do not want to do this with reptiles. As stated, I really do enjoy them and want to care for them properly and give them the time and energy necessary so they have wonderful lives.

Again, writing out loud, but I don't want to feed that same acquisition mentality with my pets. I am not sure if that's what this is, or as we have all discussed, just a love for reptiles that's hard to slow down or stop.

Food for thought.

For what's worth, I met this little guy a week ago and have been thinking hard on it. I also have been reading as much as I can on Western Hognose snakes to learn what I can and maybe find a reason not to get him .

I really appreciate everyone's feedback and please, keep it coming. I am taking it all to heart.

[Phillydubs]

Says it all.....




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bogertophis]

....For what's worth, I met this little guy a week ago and have been thinking hard on it. I also have been reading as much as I can on
Western Hognose snakes to learn what I can and maybe find a reason not to get him ....

I've never used it specifically for this purpose, but I can vouch for the fact that guided imagery* works really well...so practice "seeing him" with flaws (& btw, the
males typically go off-feed in winter...you can put that 'hassle' on your list). (*years ago I was part of a study that used a guided imagery cd prior to a surgery to
reduce bleeding, pain & other complications- it seriously worked well, with just listening several times prior) By now it wouldn't surprise me if there's even a cd
available to reduce the impulse to "collect things", as I know there's been cd's (available for years) to lose weight, quit smoking, reduce stress, fight depression, etc.

[SunshineWalker]

Downside to being on this Forum is now dakski will get to hear my 2 cents, and you guys will get to hear from me my opinion.

When dakski first moved in, the tanks took up a considerable amount of the basement. I was happy to have him there, but very overwhelmed. Almost immediately he started in about getting a scaleless corn, which quickly turned into a Boa. I was NOT on board for Behira. Firstly, in addition to the 3 gecko's, skink and 2 snakes we already had... we have 5 dogs. Luckily they all get along, but I did NOT want to have 12 animals.

Dakski wore me down, and I do have some regrets on caving for Behira at times because she can be very food aggressive, and I did not have in my head a realistic understanding of how large she would be. However, one of the compromises was that we could get the boaphile tanks, and that this would ABSOLUTELY be the last animal that he would even bring into the house and he would not even ask me again. I also understood that he had made a lot of sacrifices for me in moving to my home v.s. us moving to his home which was substantially larger.

Come forward now to a few months ago... he confessed that he was still having feelings for a scaleless corn. He showed me Solana and reported that even though all the reptile tanks are full, he could split one to make 2 enclosures. Solana was very special, and I could tell that right away. I don't have any regrets in us getting her.

Then, I got Ezzy for a variety of reasons Mostly because she is super cute, and doesn't eat bugs. I'd also never seen anything like her. On another note, I got Ezzy because my dogs are 10, 10, 10, 8 and 6, but the youngest is a large dog and likely to have a shorter lifespan. It would be nice to have another animal that has a longer lifespan that will be with me when the dogs are no longer. As it goes, the dogs will likely start passing around about the time I hit 40... and that's gonna be sad for me. Ezzy will be a pet I can keep into my 70s should I be blessed that she live that long.

The thing is, the hognose is reallllly cute. I like the name that Dakski has picked out, and he is a very sweet animal. However, I do have some nerves about the fact that he would be animal number 15. I also worry about Dakski's health because god forbid something were to happen to him, I honestly don't know that I could care for all of the reptiles on my own. I never want to put an animal into a bad situation, so that would be very difficult for me. We have 5 dogs because I commited to all of my dogs to care for them for their entire lives. I also understand that Dakski would want to have a little reptile-y to keep in his office.

And...

have you seen the noses on those things... they are seriously the cutest...

So advise us reptile friends... it seems like it is not uncommon for reptile people to have many many animals... so am I getting caught up on a number?

[Phillydubs]

Downside to being on this Forum is now dakski will get to hear my 2 cents, and you guys will get to hear from me my opinion.

When dakski first moved in, the tanks took up a considerable amount of the basement. I was happy to have him there, but very overwhelmed. Almost immediately he started in about getting a scaleless corn, which quickly turned into a Boa. I was NOT on board for Behira. Firstly, in addition to the 3 gecko's, skink and 2 snakes we already had... we have 5 dogs. Luckily they all get along, but I did NOT want to have 12 animals.

Dakski wore me down, and I do have some regrets on caving for Behira at times because she can be very food aggressive, and I did not have in my head a realistic understanding of how large she would be. However, one of the compromises was that we could get the boaphile tanks, and that this would ABSOLUTELY be the last animal that he would even bring into the house and he would not even ask me again. I also understood that he had made a lot of sacrifices for me in moving to my home v.s. us moving to his home which was substantially larger.

Come forward now to a few months ago... he confessed that he was still having feelings for a scaleless corn. He showed me Solana and reported that even though all the reptile tanks are full, he could split one to make 2 enclosures. Solana was very special, and I could tell that right away. I don't have any regrets in us getting her.

Then, I got Ezzy for a variety of reasons Mostly because she is super cute, and doesn't eat bugs. I'd also never seen anything like her. On another note, I got Ezzy because my dogs are 10, 10, 10, 8 and 6, but the youngest is a large dog and likely to have a shorter lifespan. It would be nice to have another animal that has a longer lifespan that will be with me when the dogs are no longer. As it goes, the dogs will likely start passing around about the time I hit 40... and that's gonna be sad for me. Ezzy will be a pet I can keep into my 70s should I be blessed that she live that long.

The thing is, the hognose is reallllly cute. I like the name that Dakski has picked out, and he is a very sweet animal. However, I do have some nerves about the fact that he would be animal number 15. I also worry about Dakski's health because god forbid something were to happen to him, I honestly don't know that I could care for all of the reptiles on my own. I never want to put an animal into a bad situation, so that would be very difficult for me. We have 5 dogs because I commited to all of my dogs to care for them for their entire lives. I also understand that Dakski would want to have a little reptile-y to keep in his office.

And...

have you seen the noses on those things... they are seriously the cutest...

So advise us reptile friends... it seems like it is not uncommon for reptile people to have many many animals... so am I getting caught up on a number?

Short and sweet ... YES!!!!

Numbers Schmumbers....

dude did a killer job w that nice clean office too!!!

you both are talking so sweetly about this hoggie... GO GET HIM... tomorrow! Lol
...or a bull snake or king snake or GTP... or indigo... get them all. A cute smaller sized tortoise would be fun too!!!!

[Bogertophis]

If it will make you feel any better, I have 16 snakes and that is a low number for me...I had WAAAAAYYYY more than this for many wonderful but tiring
years. None of us knows what's around the corner in life, but if it makes you smile & it's legal, how bad can it be? Those sad unfortunate souls that
have never kept reptiles may look at you 'sideways' when you tell them how many pets you have, but reptiles are nowhere NEAR as "needy" as dogs & cats,
the pets that most people automatically try to compare them to. No one gets excited if someone has 100 tropical fish, now do they? And yes, I've seen
those cute little turned-up noses...you're both "toast"!