A few questions. A lot has been on my mind as of late

Allison,

I'm the same place you are right now...I got my first ball pythons two years ago now...and I had a bunch of leos at the time...well I never really paid much attention to the geckos (but still fed and cleaned up after them)...but at one point I sold all of my ball pythons but one (my first, Q) just to make my mom happy (she was fine with the geckos)...however it just felt wrong doing it (even though I was assured the went to a good home).

Well, I've started giving away, selling my geckos locally to good homes...and I'm rebuilding my ball pythons collection. My mom doesn't like snakes, but I had a loooong discussion that ball pythons/snakes in general are something that I'm not quite "passionate" about and it isn't right to make me give up on a passion because of her preconceived notions of snakes.

To be honest, I LOVE most all snakes, but have a soft spot for ball pythons, blood pythons, and many of the australian pythons....Boas have never really done it for me, so I see my collection in the future being namely pythons.

Be true to your feelings, I wasn't and spent a lot of money of leos and equipment to care for them, and never truly ENJOYED taking care of them. I think geckos are very interesting, but honestly don't think they are for me.

However I have one non snakey herp that will be with me until I die... Raphael my redfooted tortoise, I love that little guy.

Good luck with your decision and future venture, you have a good head on your shoulders.:hug:

-Jason

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Originally Posted by slartibartfast

I'd wager she feels the same way I do...that animals who are strongly social, who can form bonds of attachment, affection, and trust, are owed a much greater commitment than those which are simply content to be left alone.

I have a -huge- issue with people who get cats and dogs and then get rid of them because they can't or won't accept responsibility for the commitment they made. It's incredibly stressing to many of these animals to lose their stable and loving environment.

I have no problem at all with rehoming of non-bonded animals, provided reasonable care is made to ensure they are going to someone who will take good care of them. They don't care where they live, as long as their husbandry needs are met.

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Ding Ding Ding! You are correct :)

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Originally Posted by lillyorchid

When you found that one special herp that "spoke to you", what did you do?

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Unfortunately, the only one that really ever had that effect was a rescue burmese we had for a couple short months. I still miss her.

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Originally Posted by lillyorchid

So do I keep the others I have now just as pets and just start saving up for more ball python in the future, or do I sell the other snakes I have now and just totally pursue in my snake hobby with nothing but ball pythons...

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It really depends on if you look at them as assets or pets. As much as I like my BPs, they're not pets, they're breeders, and as such I raise them for their ultimate monetary value (don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to mass produce or anything, but my intention going into this project was clear). That said, while I may not have any particular problem with divesting myself of a few here and there, Sarah and Marc would probably feel differently.

Personally, I say let someone who either wants them for breeding and/or as a pet take them, since you've already decided to move on.

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Originally Posted by joyful girl

Ding Ding Ding! You are correct :)

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so just taking this one step further... how about guinea pigs, pet rats, hamsters... they don't have the same emotional attachments... correct?

so it's just dogs and cats you have issue with?

Basically what it boils down to is keeping what you enjoy and can take care of. If you do that, everything else will take care of itself. :)

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Originally Posted by Beardo

Basically what it boils down to is keeping what you enjoy and can take care of. If you do that, everything else will take care of itself. :)

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Couldn't be said any better.
Always be true to thy self and everything will all work out.

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

so just taking this one step further... how about guinea pigs, pet rats, hamsters... they don't have the same emotional attachments... correct?

so it's just dogs and cats you have issue with?

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actually no

I think that rats/guinea pigs/hamsters can become attached to people. They can know the difference betwen people and they can become scared around others.

non-bonded animals to me means pretty much snakes and fish

really? well then you've never met an oscar. my oscar felix comes to the side of the tank to greet me every morning and if i don't feed him slowly and wait for him to chew before giving him more pellets, he pouts.

it's adorable.

I want ALL ball pythons too..but it's just not gonna happen without a lot of work. I'm in college for a reason. I don't intend on making a living off ball pythons. maybe a little extra cash here and there, but not a main source of income. trust me...we're in the same boat....some times i feel like i'd give up anything to have that one morph...but that's not practical.

Build your collection slow, take your time, don't rush, everything will be alright in the end :gj: :D

You can take my ball, my boa, my corn and my burm...

FROM MY COLD DEAD FINGERS.




*MY* snakes, dangit...I loves them all. :D