What's your favortie thing about the hobby?

Besides the animals of course. To me it's the change of pace from everyday life. Everything seems so hectic nowadays, I find it relaxing to keep snakes that do everything on their own time. It's a Zen thing for me, like growing a bonsai or something like that.

i get so satisfied when i clean their enclosures; i really enjoy the daily husbandry checks and routine of it all. i like husbandry upkeep.

oh, and the feeding. DEFINITELY the feeding. my own collection feeding video! (:

EDIT:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MD_Pythons

...I find it relaxing to keep snakes that do everything on their own time. It's a Zen thing for me, like growing a bonsai or something like that.

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totally agree with this mindset. handling a snake is like a form of meditation: sitting still, somewhere calm, completely focused on something outside of yourself. there's nothing like it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

i get so satisfied when i clean their enclosures; i really enjoy the daily husbandry checks and routine of it all. i like husbandry upkeep.

oh, and the feeding. DEFINITELY the feeding. my own collection feeding video! (:

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I really enjoyed your video. The picture quality is so sharp and clear. I loved that tug of war going on when the Corn had the rat/mouse by the tail. :)

Two things honestly, the feedings, and just the general feel of keeping the snake. It seems that, atleast around where I live, no one really keeps any pythons, so having something a little different compared to the cats, dogs, and birds all around here (not that I dont love them too!) makes my day just that more interesting. A lot of my neighbors seem to enjoy the difference too, he got quite the attention during our last yard sale.

Crowley is my therapy snake, I love how he gives me hugs sometimes, he helps me calm down my nerves at the end of the day when I take him out and caring for my little one gives me a sense of fulfillment, and I just love how darn cute he is. :)

The newness, education and growth.

As someone new to this hobby after years and years of the aquarium hobby I am enjoying a new outlook on animals I never thought I would own.

Being an aquarist since I was 7-8 I’ve been obsessed with the hobby and so focused there and so time consumed that I never gave myself the opportunity to look elsewhere. Other than my dogs I haven’t kept much else in many years.

Due to some major life changes and a lot of boring drama I won’t bother you with I became locked in on this sector of the animal hobby and I am so glad I did. Every day is an adventure and I’m loving the community and freshness of it all.

So that’s where I am right now with the hobby. The hardest part is pacing myself and trying to go slow and not let it Consume me or become a chore and not fun. So right now I have placed myself on reptile probation! I’m enjoying the animals I have now and focused on them their health and growth. Once I move in the next year or so I’m already planning a nice reptile room and to expand the collection.

For me, this time around, it's about serenity and responsibility.

The serenity is the peace of mind I feel while handling the snakes or watching them roam their enclosures. I'm able to forget about life for a while and just enjoy them. They slow life down for me and simplify it. It's nice to just be able to relax and enjoy some of Earth's most fascinating creatures.

The responsibility for me is the pride I take in caring for them. After having to rehome all my animals years ago because I was in no shape to care for them, it feels good to know that this time around I know I'm providing a good home for my snakes. It's the proud Poppa feeling I still get when they have a beautiful, one piece shed. It's the successful feedings and it's even the enclosure cleanings and water bowl changes.

It feels good to take good care of my animals... 6 years ago I couldn't even take care of myself.

For me, it's the nurturing, watching a tiny creature grow into a perfect predator, the pinnacle of reptile evolution, is truly amazing.

And the breeding, the creation of morphs and combos more beautiful than any art that man could ever create, that enthralls me.