Reptile Keeping vs. Reptile Hoarding

True hording is, indeed, a mental disorder. But even 'lesser hording' can exist with people who have too many animals and not enough space or money to keep them healthy and happy. There is a huge difference between a person in a small house keeping 2 cats, 2 dogs, a rack of 10 snakes, a colony of rats, and a guinea pig that has proper space and food for each of them, cleans up regularly and interacts with each to their specifications, and a person in the same size house keeping 6 guinea pigs, 3 racks of 10 snakes each, and a large rat colony who has minimal, improper food (because it's cheapest), 3 or more animals in each tiny enclosure/tub, hardly ever cleans up for the animals or them, and ignores the animals completely except to occasionally throw some bad food at them.

The second person has animals that have less space needs than the first person's animals, but the level of care is horrid in comparison. That is where the line is for hording and having a large collection, in my humble opinion. :)

And the assessment on care levels for mammals vs reptiles is very accurate. :) Taking proper care of 2 cats or dogs takes lots more time, space, food, and overall attention then taking proper care of 10 snakes. Currently, I have 2 snakes, 1 BTS and a dwarf rabbit. My bunny alone takes more of my time, money, and attention than all 3 of the reptiles together. :) And I live in a relatively small 1 bedroom apartment with my beloved. I know I could personally handle more critters, but I don't get any now due to lack of good space and money. Once I get a job again, and build the skink and snakes better caging...that may change. ;)

Just my :2cent:

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Originally Posted by tfpets

wow! I read through this entire thread and did'nt even notice the dates! I usually pick up on that! :rofl:

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x2~!!!

Wow, old thread, but a good one!

I am very new to keeping a reptile (all of two weeks!) and did a LOT of research and careful thinking before getting one. Years ago I worked in animal welfare, so I have some very real concerns about keeping an exotic as a pet. Honestly, if it weren't for my son's allergies preventing us from having a dog or cat, I wouldn't have brought home our baby ball.

For me, part of the difference is that cats and dogs are domesticated animals that require the same environment as we humans do. An indifferent owner can make an impulse purchase of a puppy or a kitten and pick up a bag of food or some litter at the grocery store, and with basic socialization and veterinary care, the animal may thrive without much effort on the owner's part.

Exotics require specialized equipment and knowledge to keep them healthy, but don't have the same needs for socialization. While these beautiful snakes can certainly be tame, they are not companion animals. At the risk of offending some of the forum members who take the time to share their expertise (and have helped me immensely in caring for our baby), I would describe the difference as being that of a hobbyist versus a pet owner. Apologies in advance for any toes I just stepped on!

So someone giving excellent care to a rack of 30 snakes is far different than someone living in filth with 30 half feral cats. I would say that there is a far greater problem with poor husbandry of individual snakes that are being frozen and starved in fish tanks by uneducated or uncaring owners, than that of actual reptile hoarding.