Owning a rodent as a pet?

[katiehouston]

Hi!

Does anyone have any experience with owning a hamster as a pet while also having a bp? My partner has a ball python at his place, but I am at his 3-4 days a week and handle her very regularly, and also help feed and clean. I would like to get a pet hamster to keep at my house (we don't live together) but am wondering if this will affect the bp? She is very responsive to any slight smell of rodent, and I am wondering if she will be able to smell the hamster on my clothes/ belongings. I would wash my hands thoroughly after handling the hamster and before handling the bp but would this be enough?

If me owning a hamster would negatively affect the bp in any way I won't be getting one because our snake is my biggest priority and wouldn't want to harm her. If anyone has any experience with this I would love some info/tips!

Thanks

[Bogertophis]

You might get some accidental feeding bites when you handle the BP- yes, it will surely smell the hamster on you & on your clothing, possibly even after washing your hands (or will just smell it in the air -IF the hamster lived at the same location- & decide your "warm & wiggling hands" are what's making that enticing scent).

BPs "love" hamsters- and I don't mean as "pets". I used to raise hamsters, btw, & I've had many snakes (including some BPs in the past). You could always try this, it won't "harm the BP"-that's for sure- but the hamster may also smell "snake" on YOU. That would frighten the hamster & it may bite in self-defense.

On the other hand, both may fine IF you change clothes & wash your hands like you just shook hands with a very sick COVID patient, then use a bit of hand sanitizer or something else with a bit of scent, like a dab of hand lotion, before handling either one. Remember your hair will also carry "scents" if either pet is in contact- especially if you have long hair like I do. Good question- at least they won't be at the same location- if you pay attention, this will probably work okay. If you don't, the snake may "remind" you.

[Armiyana]

I actually keep pet rats and for a while hamsters as well... used to have them housed in the same room for a while with snakes. Small apartment. =_=;

Definitely what was mentioned above. I would try to avoid handling my rodents when I knew I would need to do work with the snakes. That way I wouldn't have that scent. I've been tagged once because I wiped my hands on my jeans after handling rodents. But that was the only time.

The most important thing is understanding body language for the snake. Some days they can definitely be more food responsive than others. Knowing when they're fired up helps immensely.

All snakes can be different in how they handle the prey smells. Mine are definitely on the more mellow side I think. But knowing how the posture will shift for a strike vs curiosity is helpful because you can diffuse that situation with ball pythons pretty easily.

[Jamiekerk]

I own a degu, I keep him in my office away from reptiles, wash hands and change of cloths after handling.

Been struck at by my balls a few times quickly learned my lesson.

I only let the degu out in my office or my bedroom.


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