When is enough, enough? One more addition?

Yes...lack of space IS a very good "sign" that you should stop. Believe me, I sooo understand...I've been very creative about
finding space for my snakes, especially in previous years when I had way more than I do now (& also a much larger house).

Okay, final update on this thread.

I am possibly getting another snake. I will explain more below, but don't want to jinx things. Katie likes him, but hasn't given the go ahead yet and was sick today (fever). So I haven't been pushing and am nursing her instead.

The tank I would need ultimately, will fit in the reptile area, on the opposite wall where I have some movable storage bin/racks that can go next to the large Boaphile tower.

The animal I am interested in is on a hold by the breeder until tomorrow evening when I should get back to him.

I am happy to hear everyone's viewpoint here; either a go ahead/Mazel Tov, or a NO!

I know that realistically I can't get every animal I could ever want. My house would be full of tanks. My time would be even more limited, if I had free time at all!

However, I've given it much thought and I do not think one more will destroy the hobby for me. Not sure how many more times I will be able to say that, if any. However, I found a very special animal that I've never owned and I am excited for.

Frankly, the only snake left on my bucket list, is a 1/2 Dwarf Burmese, but that only happens if the Lacey act is lifted, and even then, it's a good chance it doesn't. I don't trust either the Federal Government not to bring it back, or something similar, or Connecticut, where I live, to do something stupid either, even if they do lift it.

I would never risk taking on an animal that I might have to get rid of, or worse, have to destroy.

Anyway, I digressed.

I originally thought Hognose because of their unique look, personality, and I could keep in a small tank in my office.

My major hold up with another animal was the added commitment of course, but more importantly, where to put a tank. I've solved that pretty well and am comfortable with the small change to the reptile area.

How did I get here?

First, I saw the hognose and was really keen to it. Then I thought about, with much help from people on this forum, the risk of their saliva/venom and how I would react being a kidney transplant recipient and immune suppressed. That become a quick no go.

However, I'd thought about it and had become excited about the prospect of another reptile in the collection. I realized that one more would not break the camel's back and having a unique species that I had never had before would be fun and challenging.

So, secondly, I researched many different species.

I was potentially interested in a dwarf boa species, but a quick email to Vin Russo, who breeds a lot of them, and that was quickly put to rest. Apparently, many of the dwarf species do not share their personality with their cousins, BCI's. I was told not to expect a sweetheart like Behira, but the opposite in most cases.

Temperament and eating F/T are my two biggest requirements. So those were out.

Next, I looked at milk snakes. I found a breeder with killer smaller milks, but I can't shake their general nervousness. Also, not a huge challenge given I have two corns already, who I might add, are as sweet as can be.

Then, on Phillydubs recommendation, I looked at Solomon Island tree boas. Small snake, incredibly docile, and a huge color assortment to pick from. I talked to the main seller of them in the US, DM Exotics, and unfortunately they are all imported and also eat live prey.

I didn't want to take the risk of disease with imported animals, and the breeder didn't want to offer F/T for a few meals to see if they would take it anyway. He has buyers apparently and I understand him not wanting to waste his time. Unique and cool animal, but ruled out.

So, I was thinking about something that didn't need a huge tank, didn't get huge (Behira is enough big snake for me), was a good eater, friendly, personable (for a snake), and liked the idea of an arboreal/display snake as well.

I had read about the Irian Jaya Carpet pythons and saw one I particularly liked and contacted the breeder. Apparently, she is very docile, eats like a champ, and is gorgeous. He asked what I was looking to do with the animal and I said "pet only." He asked if he could send me some pictures of a few other smaller carpet pythons that were less investment grade price, as she is a genetic powerhouse, and I said sure.

Katie/SunshineWalker and I looked at the pictures, and really liked one male he sent over. He's a cross between an Irian Jaya and a Darwin Carpet Python. He will max out 6-6.5FT like a female IJ and I have been told repeatedly that I can comfortably keep him in a 3X2X1.5' arboreal cage for life. Jeff Ronne at Boaphile makes arboreal cages now as well and can have a 2+" PVC bar running across the tank from side to side. I would go that route as I love his cages (all my others are his) and his customer service. He'd also have it to me in 7 weeks or less and in the meantime can keep the little guy (22 inches and a 2017 baby) in a small enclosure I have until that comes.

This little guy is apparently super friendly, has yet to get defensive, and isn't even cage defensive. He's one that the breeder can reach in and pick up with his hands. I would probably hook train anyway, given his adult size, but the more docile the better.

I'll post pictures if we decide to go that route.

Any thoughts are welcomed and I appreciate everyone letting me work things out in my mind on the forum.

I'll keep everyone in the loop!

Reminds me of the old song by the Lovin' Spoonful..."did you ever have to make up your mind? Say yes to one & leave the other behind...it's not often easy
& not often kind, did you ever have to finally decide?" :rofl: Of course, that song is about girls, not snakes, but either way it can be a tough call...I'm especially
glad you've reconsidered the hognose snake. It's a process of elimination but there's SO many awesome kinds of snakes, just not worth taking a chance when
you don't have to.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Reminds me of the old song by the Lovin' Spoonful..."did you ever have to make up your mind? Say yes to one & leave the other behind...it's not often easy
& not often kind, did you ever have to finally decide?" :rofl: Of course, that song is about girls, not snakes, but either way it can be a tough call...I'm especially
glad you've reconsidered the hognose snake. It's a process of elimination but there's SO many awesome kinds of snakes, just not worth taking a chance when
you don't have to.

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Well, luckily for me and Katie, I am a one woman guy, period. My family has a history of cheats and abusers and I broke the cycle. I just found the best woman in the world for me and my mind never wanders. Simple.

I wish it was that easy with snakes!

Getting back to snakes, what do you think of a small carpet python? He's stunning I should add!

No hoggies for me, thanks to you and reinz, and Don Soderberg, that went out the window fast!

I really appreciate you all looking out for me!

I've never kept a carpet python, so you'll have to ask others who have. They're beautiful snakes, for sure.

Here's a link to some of MY temptations- (not that you need more, lol...)
http://www.sunshineserpents.com/Capt...20Template.htm

So, as someone who is pretty new to this forum and reptile keeping I must say that I had to reign myself in, being 19 and of course having a job a 19-year-old typically gets in my area (Retail/Fast food, apprenticeship if you get lucky).
I was getting ahead of myself, in fact, I even broke my financial Breakpoint(A point I set in which could cover a said number of emergencies for either Me, current pets, or even a good portion of a hospital bill paid cash.)

The latest addition of which I have mentioned in some other posts was an albino python who would be a stunner if his old stuck shed would release(need bigger prey which is on the way).
set me back a significant number which was my wake up call, that and the lack of space the enclosure is in such a snug fit right now I can't even put a finger between it and my wall O.O.

This post and everyone's feedback to dakski is a very good way to..Hmm How do I put it? Enlighten my self and others about thinking about your limits more.

It was also nice to see how everyone is such a tight-knit group here and seems to know everyone else lol.



As for the itch, I don't think its gone away more like I applied some anti-itch cream and its just waiting...for those crested gecko's I think I have been researching too much... hehe.

Though I don't know if I should call it an itch or more like the initial excitement of owning an entirely knew type of pet my house is a rather interesting mix of a Military Macau, 2 dogs(A black lab and a mutt) and, my 2 ball pythons Regina and Regi.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

I've got some great 'Hoggie bite' photos .... somewhere!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...b5575c928a.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hoggie bite ..https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...fe94531ac4.png
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ea341cba40.png

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dakski

I was potentially interested in a dwarf boa species, but a quick email to Vin Russo, who breeds a lot of them, and that was quickly put to rest. Apparently, many of the dwarf species do not share their personality with their cousins, BCI's. I was told not to expect a sweetheart like Behira, but the opposite in most cases.

Temperament and eating F/T are my two biggest requirements. So those were out.

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As an FYI I keep Tarahumaras, which are the smallest of the dwarf localities. Mine were nippy as babies but as adults they are just as mellow and easy to handle as my other boas.

If you simply want a pet ask the breeders for a chill male neonate.

D- A carpet would make an awesome addition to your collection. Carpets are my favorite snakes to keep. There's just something about them. The IJ x Darwin shouldn't get too big but you may want to plan for a 4ft long cage as opposed to a 3 footer even though I will admit they don't use a lot of floor space. Only one of my carpets really roams his enclosure. They're usually on a perch or shelf. There are lots of cool snakes out there but you really can't go wrong with a carpet.