Too many snakes?

Does anyone have a limit? Can you ever have too many, if you can still care for all of them? I've just been thinking. This is a big hobby for me, and I have always been a "collector" type person. I could easily see myself winding up with 50 snakes and wanting more. what do you do when you reaaaaaaally want a certain snake but already have all the snakes you have room for/ your wife will allow? Can't imagine most of us would sell our pets to make room, or would you?

Let's talk about it.

I have 60 balls in a 10x10 room and still have room for 30-40 more. Limit has more to do with your ability to take care of them all properly.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

Awesome! Do you breed primarily for commercial purposes, or just because you love them for yourself (selling some on the side, obviously)?

Do most people breed their own feeder mice with collections this large?

I think I'm limited because I really like the idea of "display" quality caging, not racks. I'm sure I'll have 10 or so nice setups at some point and then racks also.

I always try to stay around 20. Anymore than that becomes less satisfying (for me) and I don't feel like they get the right appreciation and become more of a chore. I wanna love the time I spend in my snake room, not think of it as a burden.

I have right under 40 now and am ALWAYS wanting more. Personally, I love it and I wish I had more I could care for and hang out with.
It never feels like a chore or a "boring job that has to get done". This is something I'm incredibly passionate about and can't see myself doing anything different.
And yes, I also breed my own rats.

I haven't hit my limit yet so I'm not sure what it is for me. To me snakes are one of the easiest pets to care for and I have a pretty good routine that I can stick to pretty easy for feeding and cleaning.

I have re-homed a male that I no longer had a use for breeding wise. He was a really pretty hypo boa, but I found a super nice hypo jungle to replace him so he went to a friend of mine who has a female boa but no male. He was also taking up room that could be used for a different snake that fit into my breeding plans, which was a driving force for re-homing him.

Yes I guess that is a good way to do it. I could even get a friend into the hobby if I had to rehome a snake. So far I only have two but I want about 20 more that I can think of.

I've actually been thinking about this lately, since I feel my collection is TOO big right now - currently at 31 snakes, with the species you see in my signature. But my reason for wanting to downsize is simply lack of space, as I live in a 700sf apartment... which I also share with a dog and 3 cats. :oops:

There's always more room and time for the snakes, but it's the rodents that are my issue! I recently started breeding my own feeders, and for both space & smell issues I can't handle more than one cage-full (1.3 rats and their offspring). Thus I'm having to supplement with bulk frozen for the f/t eaters, and about 10+ lives from the pet shop... ends up costing me a pretty penny, usually from $15-30/week. I simply can't afford to keep doing that, so I'll need to either downsize the snake collection or find a way to accommodate more feeders. There's a chance I will be moving soon, so I'm just trying to hang on until then (as I'm hoping to get a bigger place).

P.S. About 4-5 of my snakes are already "marked for sale," as they're babies I produced and haven't gotten around to listing yet... so my permanent collection is more like 26-27, and I hate to think of re-homing any of them.

I don't plan on breeding mine. I currently have 6. I would take one or two more and that would be my limit. Any more than that I might have to start breeding their food. I really don't want to do that.

It just depends on what you want. If you want all of you snakes to have display cases and not racks then you would probably tend to have a lower number of snakes since your habitats are probably gonna be more expensive. But all in all it doesn't matter at all how many snakes you have as long as you care for them properly. Which can become a hassle at times. I worked at a zoo and tending to 40+ snakes can become troublesome at times. The best advice I can give you is as you family grows start keeping a care sheet. It saves you from screw up's (not saying you would or are going too) but after those long days I would forget sometimes which habitat I cleaned. Care sheets have saved me ass many times. But really limit doesn't matter. I say go for it!!

Right now we have 22 snakes, 1 lizard, 2 cats and 2 dogs. I know I'm at my limit mammal-wise, but snakes...yeah I just dunno. There are always new morphs that I see that I want so I've had to teach myself to focus on the projects I currently have on the table...

I feel that when it turns into a chore, you don't enjoy it, or can't properly care for all of them, it's time to consider downsizing your collection.

I, personally, feel comfortable where I'm at, but I do have the time and space for more. I think if your collection grows slowly it doesn't seem as overwhelming as if you added 6 snakes to your smallish collection in 1 day.

Like you, I prefer display enclosures--just a personal preference for me. I think they're beautiful, and I like to watch them (although there's usually not much activity to watch!). My husband is NOT a snake person, and I had to do some serious bugging just to get him to agree to one. I think he'll get more comfortable with them as time goes on, but I know he'll never be good with 20+ snakes. Although I would like a larger collection, considering the husband and enclosure types that are "purdy" I would probably put my limit at 10 max. If I was single... ;-P But as much as I love snakes, I love my hubby more and he comes first.

Personally I'm at my max at the moment. But thats because I don't have the space to put them anywhere else not because I think I have to many. I can think of at least 4 more snakes I'd like to add to my collection 2 beardies, and 1 spider (maybee) But can't in till I get more room.
Like said before as long as you can provide for them and enjoy doing it you don't have to many. :3

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AnOceanSpirit

Like you, I prefer display enclosures--just a personal preference for me. I think they're beautiful, and I like to watch them (although there's usually not much activity to watch!). My husband is NOT a snake person, and I had to do some serious bugging just to get him to agree to one. I think he'll get more comfortable with them as time goes on, but I know he'll never be good with 20+ snakes. Although I would like a larger collection, considering the husband and enclosure types that are "purdy" I would probably put my limit at 10 max. If I was single... ;-P But as much as I love snakes, I love my hubby more and he comes first.

---

This is well said. You must consider your family. If hubby or wife says enough is enough, you should give him/her the respect of honoring their feelings. As much as you might want that outstanding morph you spotted at the last reptile expo, you can say no.

Having said that though, I do think that a person's limit is individual and mainly dependant on whether or not you can comfortably and properly care for each one you have (this means physically, emotionally, and financially). If you feel you can manage 30+ animals, go for it. If not though, you should be responsible enough to admit that and stick to what you can handle. Remember, ultimately, it is for the good of the animal.

For me right now, I'm capped out at 2 snakes (plus 1 foster and 2 that I'm pet-sitting for a couple weeks over the holiday, lol). Eventually once I have more space and a larger income I plan on expanding the collection - I want to do a little hobby breeding with some specific morphs, and there are a few species of snakes I definitely want in my collection. I don't think I'll ever go over 30 though. I also like display cages, but I think I'd only ever have a few in a nice combo display stand for my really outstanding specimens, or for personal favorites. Especially my baby coral albino red tail, she'll definitely deserve to be shown off as her colors come in!

So far the only things that feel like a chore are dealing with my friend's garter snake that I'm pet-sitting (I have never before dealt with a snake that so gleefully enjoys making me clean their cage every day), and the rats that I'm breeding for food can get frustrating, but once I get a rack system they'll be much, much more manageable.

We have well over a 100 snakes, and I'm always looking to add more to my collection. It's easier for me since I have mainly bps and a but harder for Chad since he deals mainly with burms, retics, etc., so they require more room. I don't feel we have too many, though most of our time goes to the snakes and feeders. But since this is something we've started together, I feel we get to spends time together doing something we both love. I, for one, couldn't tell him he has enough snakes or doesn't need anymore. Besides, I have more snakes than he does! Lol

Once Christmas is over I'm maxed out until we buy a house. If all goes as I think it will, I'll have 14 ball pythons, along with my 8 tarantulas, 1 boa, 1 tortoise, 1 beardie, 2 leopard geckos, and 1 crestie. I live in an apartment, my boyfriend and I both work full time jobs (with mandatory overtime) and I have a son, so to get more snakes than what I'll have would just be tough I think. When we buy a house and have a reptile room though, watch out ;) I'm lucky my boyfriend doesn't really have a limit, he said as long as there's no pets in the bathroom or bedroom he doesn't care :rolleyes:

Presently I have 6 ball pythons. Until I buy another rack, that is how many I can take care of comfortably.

I have no desire to keep 30+ ball pythons. Well, OK, I'd love 30+ ball pythons but I don't care to clean up that much snake doo doo. Nor do I care to breed that many rodents, and I've ended up doing so because the rodent supply in these parts is pretty unreliable. Some of mine won't eat ratsicles, I really hate cleaning up after rodents so that is another limiting factor.

Ideally, if I didn't have to raise rodents for them, I could see myself keeping 20-25 adult ball pythons without it becoming a chore. I'm 56 years old and a lot lazier than I used to be so I can't see myself keeping any more unless I hit the lottery big time and can hire servants to clean the tubs out. :D

IT all about personal ablity to care and feed your snakes. I had to stop takingin rescued snakes until I can make/find a local rodent supplier.

right now I am at a limit ( actually over some ) cause I not been able to aquire enough rats too feed everyone on a weekely bases since my rats are not keeping up wiht the needs.( this is cause I have been caring for my girlfriend's 11 snakes too) and as a result I went way over and it way too much money for a rat in de ( from closest source ) as a small going for about 4-6 bucks each ( so figure I gor 33 snakes right now so 5 bucks each for the small rats times 25 ( since some are small enough to take only pinkies ) I am looking at 125 bucks minium for ratsa week. and that way out of my budget ( since I spent most my snake money $##%^@*$^ around in New Jeseryand I not have it any other way ) I have gone ot a rotating feeding right now until my rat pups grow up enough to feed snakes. lucky I had some good sized forzen rats in freezer lol..

I say my max number of snakes with out a sde income would be personally about 25 snakes.

I kinda have an idea of where I want to stay size wise in my reptile adventures......I know that I dont want more than 60 female balls..... that would mean breeding half of those every year I would need to keep around 10 males ( there will always be growth when I hit my limit start keeping more powerful animals to replace the ones that are here)

I dont think I want more than 6 female boas... I love boas but dont want to do to many just based on the messes they make, and quarantine issues when we bring a new boa in..2-3 males

SD retics I wanna stay within a dozen females.....

Beardies I dont want to mess with anymore, my wife limits herself to around 6 4 females 2 males

Crested geckos I dont know if we will ever breed them..... Right now just enjoying them But i dont wanna go large with them either...

I beleive I dont have to be uber big, but selecting projects instead of trying to do everything lets me produce more awesome animals in the projects I enjoy.... i guess the idea is quality over quantity.... and keeping it fun and enjoyable......

If it becomes my full time job I could always do more

I have around 300 right now.

I am reaching my limit as I am the only one who takes care of them.

I also work full time, and have other obligations.

Should I work only at this, I'm sure I could manage more.

It's really a matter of having the time, the resources, and the energy.
It depends on the person!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LadyOhh

I have around 300 right now.

I am reaching my limit as I am the only one who takes care of them.

I also work full time, and have other obligations.

Should I work only at this, I'm sure I could manage more.

It's really a matter of having the time, the resources, and the energy.
It depends on the person!

---

holy poop! how much time do you spend maintaining the collection? do you dedicate your weekend to it?

I currently have a collection of around 65 balls but also have another 200 reptiles in the house. I maintain my collection as a whole pretty much by myself. I also breed the rats to feed everyone as well as roaches to feed the geckos/ lizards. I have a high school kid that comes to do the dirty work (cleaning rat cages) bc arg I hate to do those. But the rats are necessary. I've also got a dog, ferrets, cats. So ya I'm a busy girl. But I love what I do on a daily basis. I love spending my day taking care of them and then I work a full time job at night. I think my max out for balls would be 100. I'm consistently trying to update my collection and consolidate genes: animals. I think having a smaller collection means everyone gets individual attention. I like that better.


Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by h00blah

holy poop! how much time do you spend maintaining the collection? do you dedicate your weekend to it?

---

I get home from a 8+ hour day, and spend at least 2-3 hours a day working on e-mails, phone calls, and husbandry.

Weekends are for serious cleaning and feeding the feeders.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LadyOhh

I get home from a 8+ hour day, and spend at least 2-3 hours a day working on e-mails, phone calls, and husbandry.

Weekends are for serious cleaning and feeding the feeders.

---

In this or your previous post I did not see any mention of you actually handling and spending real time with any of those snakes, so you basicly have a collection and not pets? I know it is to each there own, but I wonder how you get to enjoy 300 snakes other then as a collectible object. I am not judging you or anyone else with excessive numbers of snakes, I am just curious if you actually consider them "Pets" or not, so do not take offense to this.

My limit is 4. I used to have more, but I realized I was spending more time cleaning cages than spending time with each individual animal. So I kept my two boas, my first ball python, and my Borneo short tail and put lots of time and money into finding good homes for the rest of them. It was difficult (I definitely understand the 'collection' mentality, it's amazing to have so many animals, especially a variety in species), but I am so grateful I did. I now have time and space to spoil them silly with big, elaborate cages and lots of time spent outside in the summers. They're my babies and I'll never see it any other way.

I'm not against collecting snakes, and I know everyone here takes excellent care of their animals. All I'm saying is that I think most of you would be surprised at how liberating it is to keep a smaller number of very special animals. Just something to think about, that's all.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jaxx

In this or your previous post I did not see any mention of you actually handling and spending real time with any of those snakes, so you basicly have a collection and not pets? I know it is to each there own, but I wonder how you get to enjoy 300 snakes other then as a collectible object. I am not judging you or anyone else with excessive numbers of snakes, I am just curious if you actually consider them "Pets" or not, so do not take offense to this.

---

I enjoy them all. I don't have to play with them to enjoy them.

Depends on your definition of "pet", but I consider them all Pets.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LadyOhh

I enjoy them all. I don't have to play with them to enjoy them.

Depends on your definition of "pet", but I consider them all Pets.

---

Ok thanks, I was just curious if you though of them as Pets or collectibles, that's all. Like I said there was no disrespect meant by the question.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jaxx

Ok thanks, I was just curious if you though of them as Pets or collectibles, that's all. Like I said there was no disrespect meant by the question.

---

None taken!

I know all of my snakes personalities... And some just don't even like to be held.

I enjoy observing them as much as handling them. This is why I can see myself keeping venomous in the future (completely legal where I am). I see snakes as being somewhere between "pets" and "specimen." It just depends on the individual animal as to which way they lean on that scale. My ball is my baby, but an animal without the capacity for emotion will never quite be a "pet" for me. My dog is my pet, she loves me as much as I love her and would die for me.

Once everything is in the new room when the construction is complete i will have room for about 100 snakes,the incubator,deep freezer. Currently I have 25 bps(21 females 4 males). Doesnt matter the number of animals you have its if you can afford\have the time to properly take care of all the animals.

Lol, I was wondering this the other day. But I've noticed I kinda go overboard and then step back with most every hobby I've ever had....

Had 4 cars..
now have 2.

Had 10 guitars...
now have 3.

Had 9 fish tanks..
now have 2.

Had 5 computers...
now have 2.

I'm up to 4 snakes but I realize now that I'm only going to purchase the makings of the 3 morphs I really want ( queen bee, super blk pastel, lucy).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RaltsXIV

Lol, I was wondering this the other day. But I've noticed I kinda go overboard and then step back with most every hobby I've ever had....

Had 4 cars..
now have 2.

Had 10 guitars...
now have 3.

Had 9 fish tanks..
now have 2.

Had 5 computers...
now have 2.

I'm up to 4 snakes but I realize now that I'm only going to purchase the makings of the 3 morphs I really want ( queen bee, super blk pastel, lucy).

---

I do the same thing. I always get OBSESSED and then lose most interest. It gets super expensive. I'm concentrating this time, and sticking with snakes FOREVER. No more style swings, no new collections, etc. I'm tired of not deciding who the hell I want to be and staying put.