I'm thinking of buying a BP

[jrosen123]

Hey everyone, I apologize in advanced for this thread being kind of lengthy.

I currently work at a privately owned pet store that sells reptiles, I specifically focus on the reptiles as I know the most and I am most interested in them, also I am the youngest employee, yet I know far more about all the reptiles than any of the other employees. For the last year and a bit I have been researching different types of snakes that I may want to buy. After debating between Kingsnakes, Cornsnakes and Ball Pythons, I finally decided on a BP. I have been researching and gathering as much information on these snakes for almost a year now, and feel I would be ready to buy a BP. We have a baby a the store, which I specifically have been taking care of so I can truly get firsthand experience. The only roadblock (temporary roadblock) is my mom. She does not like snakes, but she knows I am very responsible and would completely pay for eveyrthing and take care of it completely. I have proven how responsible I am by taking care of my leopard geckos, which after a season of breeding has turned into 9 leopard geckos. She also knows that I have taken initiative at work to care for this python, aswell as spending my own earnings to take a leopard gecko with no sight home to give it specific care.

So now you have heard my side of the story, here is my mom's argument.
All of her points are valid points and for some of them I would like some help perhaps coming up with a compromise or solution that I could suggest.

She says that if we go on vacation no one will look after the snake if they know they will have to feed it mice (which are thawed, dead mice).
I feel that since I work at a pet store which I bought the snake from, I could talk to other employees to see if they would take my setup(snake included) while I am on vacation.

The argument she always brings up, which catches me everytime is "What happens when you move out, or move into a dorm, you won't be able to bring the snake with you"

I really need some help with coming up for a solution for this. It is peticularily difficult to figure out because I do not know when I will move out, or which university I will go to, which will determine residence or private house/appartment.

Again I apologize for the length of this post

Thank you

[Sebrina]

Easy you take the snake with you, my friend has an entire rack of snakes (6) in his dorm room.

[jrosen123]

Did he let anyone from the campus know? Like profs or whoever runs the campuses and dorms?

[JohnNJ]

I'm sure everyone here could give you dozens of reasons your Mom's argument holds no water. But sorry to say, your Mom doesn't need a reason to say no.

Now you'll have something to look forward to when you have your own place.

[Sebrina]

Did he let anyone from the campus know? Like profs or whoever runs the campuses and dorms?

He was allowed to bring a reptile. No cats, no dogs or generally anything that is kept outside of a cage environment is prohibited. Dorm rules vary from school to school, now if your going to rent off campus things might get even easier as landlords typically don't care about reptiles since they are usually caged and controlled unlike dogs and cats. My advice is once you pick a school research their policies and/or shop around for a off campus apartment if your going that route.

[Exotic Ectotherms]

She says that if we go on vacation no one will look after the snake if they know they will have to feed it mice (which are thawed, dead mice).
I feel that since I work at a pet store which I bought the snake from, I could talk to other employees to see if they would take my setup(snake included) while I am on vacation.

As long as you don't go on a month long tour of Europe the snake will be fine. Just get someone to come over and change his water bowl for you and keep an eye on the temps. You can feed him before you leave and he'll be fine for a week to 10 days.

[hoax]

I'm sure everyone here could give you dozens of reasons your Mom's argument holds no water. But sorry to say, your Mom doesn't need a reason to say no.

Now you'll have something to look forward to when you have your own place.

X2 I agree, I am a parent and we have no need for a reason for no. Other than because it is not what we think is best at this time. It sounds like your mom is pretty cool and letting you breed geckos. Be happy with what you have now and expand later.