Is anyone else anal with their snakes?

I have 4 snakes and a roommate. His girlfriend has been over before and just got my snakes out without even asking me "I wasn't home". But this made me kinda mad. I'm really anal about my snakes, handling and husbandry. Does anyone else prefer other people to not handle and mess with their snakes? I think the one part is that they are still in QT and I dont know if she washed her hands before handling them.

Absolutely, keep your hands off. PERIOD. Unless I let you.

I would be furious.. my current roommate doesn't bother any of the snakes, and I don't worry too much about new roommate at place I'm moving to, but bf and I have decided to put a lock on the snake room door.

I have no problem with people handling them while I'm there, or depending on the person handling them if they ask while I'm not there, but just taking them out is a no-no.

Yeah, that is not cool. No one handles the serpents unless I hand him/her to them and after they wash/disinfect their hands.

That isn't anal, that's simple courtesy and respect. Does she borrow your toothbrush if she think's it's "neat" also? I had roommates in college that were permitted to get my boa out without me around, but that was only after I was comfortable with their level of knowledge, and they knew to never let someone that wasn't pre-approved by me to handle him.

Next time say it's venomous >:D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TheWinWizard

Absolutely, keep your hands off. PERIOD. Unless I let you.

---

X2! :gj:

I don't mind if my boyfriend holds them (we live together), but if someone shouldn't be held or is being bratty that day - I put a marker on their tank. He knows better than to mess with them.

My friends (and siblings), and his friends, on the other hand - are not allowed to touch them unless I'm home, and if I say yes. I don't trust anyone other than Sam with them.
One of Sams friends was over once, and asked to hold one of the two I was breeding, and I said no - gave him obvious (and what I considered, good reason) reasons as to no, and that the next time he came over - he possibly could hold him then, they weren't going anywhere. I went to take a shower, came out and who did this guy have? Icky. The male, that was with my female, wrapped around his arm. I pretty much threw him out of my house, and he isn't allowed over here period.

Yup, I don't feel comfortable with anyone but me reaching into the racks and pulling out snakes. If someone were to get my snakes out while I'm not there, especially someone who is a friend of a friend or something like that, I'd go off...

For me it's not so much risking transmitting anything between snakes. I'm confident that mine are all healthy (knock on wood). I would worry that:

a.) the person wouldn't know how to handle snakes properly and could potentially hurt my animal.
b.) the snake could bite the person, causing them to freak out and possibly injure my animal.
c.) if I'm not the one putting them back in the rack, I don't know that the tubs are slid back in properly and would worry about my snakes escaping.

but most importantly,

d.) that's MY stuff and you have no right to touch my stuff without asking me first. If you're going to be disrespectful enough to get into my snakes while I'm not around, what else might you be getting into? No thanks, you can just find the door and don't bother coming back because you won't be welcome...

Everyone knows to ask before taking any of my animals out. I know each and every one of my snakes and sometimes I don't want a certain one bothered. I am the only one that knows which ones have eaten or are about to shed. And as the op mentioned, they were in QT and that just makes my head hurt. I really hope that they will respect your wishes to leave them alone in the future, I would say get a lock for their enclosure if they already had been asked to not handle it.

That's not anal that's just disrespectful to touch peoples things especially messing with their pets when not home. Not to mention the needs and requirements that comes with herps compared to a dog or cat. I think everyone here would respond negatively to such disrespect. Even if they had herp knowledge or not. No one should go through your stuff ever and double when your not present.

I am too I actually have locks on all the enclosures and rack I have keys and my partner she also has keys. No visitor gets them one of us is around if anyone is around the snakes.

That's a NO! NO! They wouldn't like me anymore when I got done running my mouth. I guess nobody taught her not to mess with other peoples stuff.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TheWinWizard

Absolutely, keep your hands off. PERIOD. Unless I let you.

---

EXACTLY! Iv had people come over and just start pulling their tubs out looking at them. It always pisses me off.

They don't touch my snakes though cause they will bite the crap out of them :gj:

I have my snakes on special handling/feeding schedules so i don't let ANYONE touch my snakes.

Don't touch my precious unless I am around :mad::. My main concern is injury to my snakes so :colbert::colbert::colbert:.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ktint

My main concern is injury to my snakes so :colbert::colbert::colbert:.

---

That's my main fear with people handling my colubrids. I could totally see some dbag getting bit by one of my colubrids and then just freaking out and drop them or throw them.

Nobody gets to touch my babies unless I am standing right there and I have handed said baby to them. Happily I do not know anybody personally who would be so disrespectful as to take them out without my knowledge/permission (knock on wood).

Although Kaa is the only snake I have thus far, I am the exact same way. I knew I would be this way from the start, so my tank has a sliding top with a padlock that only I know the combination to.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TheWinWizard

Absolutely, keep your hands off. PERIOD. Unless I let you.

---

I have an issue with anyone (even my wife) handleing my snakes with out at least letting me know. Handeling and then not letting my know has led to issues such as not eating or injury and even a bite from one of the moody ones. So the rule is always ask before handeling

I agree that's not being anal at all. I would have a fit if anyone took one of my snakes out without asking or, gulp, if I'm not home. My reasoning is the same as everyone's else's.

I do trust my hubby to take them out, but he knows their feeding schedule and knows what to look for if someone's being pissy. And I would trust one of my very best friends who watches my dogs for me (I'm just as "anal" about them) when we're on vacation to open their cages/tubs to check and change water. But she knows not to handle them (and wouldn't want to anyhow, lol) and she knows how to make sure each cage is locked. Those are the only 2 exceptions, period.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by drama x

That's my main fear with people handling my colubrids. I could totally see some dbag getting bit by one of my colubrids and then just freaking out and drop them or throw them.

---

Most of our snakes are highly predictable and trustworthy.. but the one colubrid species I have, and also one of our smallest snakes, is precisely why I would not want anybody messing with my snakes without my knowledge. My female hognose is not aggressive, but very much opportunistic with feeding. If she smells rats on/near you or figures the end of your finger seems similar enough to be a rat pink, she will try to eat it. She moves kind of strangely anyway for those used to the balls or my carpet, and if you're not paying attention, she will open her mouth slowly, turn her head, and try to eat you.

I've seen her chew and chew on a meal before.. if somebody messed with my snakes without asking, and made the mistake of picking her up, I know hognose venom doesn't do much, but it's enough to cause problems with somebody not planning on their hang swelling up and turning purple for a day.

Then what do I do if their stupidity caused the snake to get hurt as a result?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by VEXER19

That's not anal that's just disrespectful to touch peoples things especially messing with their pets when not home. Not to mention the needs and requirements that comes with herps compared to a dog or cat. I think everyone here would respond negatively to such disrespect. Even if they had herp knowledge or not. No one should go through your stuff ever and double when your not present.

---

I agree with this 100% Vexer. It would be like going into my room and touching any of my stuff...To the OP no thats not being anal at all. My brother is the only other one I trust to get my snakes out. Period. If Im home and someone asks me to see/hold them, then Im more than willing to because I think its important to educate people about them.

On another note I would compare this to if you were walking along the side walk and just went up and started petting someones dog. Even if the dog is friendly, asking the owner if you can pet it is always the right thing to do.

This is why you need a Gaboon Viper in your collection. :rolleyes: Maybe with a little sign that says "I love to be handled :)"

If you can't get a Gaboon Viper, then get a Eastern Diamondback. ;)

I also wouldn't call that anal, that's just common courtesy and respect. You don't help yourself to things that aren't yours. No matter what is.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by zeion97

This is why you need a Gaboon Viper in your collection. :rolleyes: Maybe with a little sign that says "I love to be handled :)"

If you can't get a Gaboon Viper, then get a Eastern Diamondback. ;)

---

YES lol! Put a sticker on the tub that says "I love to be tickled"! lololol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mike41793

YES lol! Put a sticker on the tub that says "I love to be tickled"! lololol

---

EXACTLY! :D Then you're problem is solved! ;)

Oh wait.. The OP asked if we were anal about them being touched.. Not how to prevent it... Oppps. :rolleyes: lol.

Nice add btw dude!

Chad and two of my friends are the only people I would trust to handle any of my snakes while I'm not around. My two friends have numerous snakes as well, so I know they know what they are doing. I think its extremely disrespectful and rude. KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF MY GOODIES!! lol

to fix this, just buy an aggressive snake, tell her to reach righ tin, and hope she gets bit and learns her lesson (partially joking)

on a more serious note, lock the door, and make sure your the only one with a key

and yes, im the same way, if anyone even goes to look at my snakes, i follow and watch everything they do, if they go to get them out, i push them aside and do it myself, and i hold it for 4-5 minutes, while explaining the attitude and personality of the snake before handing it to them

haha, or you could put up a sign that says "if you touch, you get punched in the face" lol, that might make them think twice about reaching their hands in there

I don't have that problem, but I can see why you'd be mad. I'd rather someone not handle my snakes, get bit, and pull their hand away, ripping out a few teeth in the process.

I'm glad I'm not the only one! I mean, what if I had just fed them? One I JUST got and am leaving her be to get settled in. I'll get a nasty GTP and tell her it will kiss her, no more picking my snakes up! I told them to not handle them unless I tell them so.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oh, I would be LIVID. No one has touched my snake without me supervising, and NO ONE get's her out of the enclosure but me. What your roommate's girlfriend did is blatant disrespect and I would make that VERY clear.

Nah.. I don't get into the kinky stuff with my snakes.. ;)

Of course I wouldn't want anyone handling one of my herps with me not around. Luckily my house is my own and I don't like having people over so I don't have that problem. If I do have someone over and they want to see a snake I just take it out for them to hold. Either a BP, the Boa, or the African House. Never the Retic. Anyone who isn't experience could be trusted to handle her. She's a flighty handful who only trusts me.

I'd probably have to lock myself away for a while to cool off if I knew someone was getting into my snakes, and it would be a -very- real possibility that I'd make it clear that they were not welcome in my home anymore. Admittedly, I'm very protective of my snakes, it's hard for me to let some people hold them who don't have respect for the animals as my pets (rather than a novelty item, as they are to some). I've given permission to one other person in my house to get a particular snake out, and that's only after he checks to see when the last feeding day was. He's an ex of mine so he has the general idea of how to handle the snakes, and the one snake I've given permission for is a doll. Other than my current boyfriend, I just don't trust anyone else to not hurt, lose, scare, or otherwise compromise my animals. -I- alone am responsible for their care and well being, and it's a serious matter for me personally (as it is to many keepers here, I'm sure).

In the end, you're not being "anal," you're being totally reasonable. It would be totally unacceptable for people to go through your personal things, why would getting your pets out without permission be ok?

I DO NOT let anyone handle my snakes besides myself and my boyfriend. My snakes were in a particularly bad mood today so I was the only one doing the handling and even then it was only because I had to clean their tubs. I do not want some random person to just come here and put their hands on my animals, I mean what if my snakes were pissy like they were today and took a strike at someone? Then they will claim that my snakes are blood thirsty killers. I don't even let starngers or anyone in my house ever, period.

My rules for guests, no matter who they are:

1. Ask me first.
2. Wash your hands, preferably use some Purel.
3. I take it out of the tank and hand it to you.
4. You handle it the way I tell you to handle it.
5. You only handle it while I'm watching.
6. When I say it's time to put it back, it's time to put it back.

Most of my friends and relatives are respectful of this, but I've had some trouble with younger kids.

That's why you tell them you have one that is cage aggressive and bites you EVERY time you open the tank! Don't tell them which one....they'll not mess with them! My son would take mine out. So, I laughed when the one I told him is mean bit him! Now he ONLY messes with his BP!

Besides the problem of animals getting hurt, or sick, or out, or bitting someone (and causing legal issues)...

My question is Who Does That? Seriously? Who does crap like that? How about I go down the street and go into my neighbors house and rummage through the frigidair and check out her shoes....Its ok, because I met her kid once getting the mail. Doesn't fly does it?! I must come from a very rural area because if some one did that to me I would go ape $&!% on them. Buy a good lock and give that roommate a solid piece of your mind. He's responsible for bringing her in- therefore responsible for her actions.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by shorty54

That's why you tell them you have one that is cage aggressive and bites you EVERY time you open the tank! Don't tell them which one....they'll not mess with them! My son would take mine out. So, I laughed when the one I told him is mean bit him! Now he ONLY messes with his BP!

---

While it serves the purpose, if the people don't really understand snakes, it only spreads the "snakes are nasty, aggressive animals that will automatically try to kill you" stigma. So I don't recommend that XD

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SpartaDog

While it serves the purpose, if the people don't really understand snakes, it only spreads the "snakes are nasty, aggressive animals that will automatically try to kill you" stigma. So I don't recommend that XD

---

Ok....tell them your snakes are REALLY EXPENSIVE and if they hurt them or lose them. They could't afford to replace them!

**Shudders**

Lord. My worst nightmare. I mess with my snakes. No one else? GOT IT? I know when everyone eats, I know when someone's stressed, I know when someone just needs some time alone. Not that I never let anyone hold my snakes. :P But I'd better be there. And you'd better listen.

My dad will occasionally check on my snakes, but he never holds any unless I've given my express permission. He's paid for most of them, so I suppose he's entitled...:rolleyes:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by xcrafter

Next time say it's venomous >:D

---

This

Uh. Yeah. Telling someone your snake is venomous isn't a very smart thing to do. It's quite honestly a great way to get yourself some unwanted visitors.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Raptor

Uh. Yeah. Telling someone your snake is venomous isn't a very smart thing to do. It's quite honestly a great way to get yourself some unwanted visitors.

---

....Someone taking a BP saying it's venomous..? :confused: That completely looses me... I highly doubt that would happen..

I wouldn't trust ANYONE going through anything in my room, let alone helping themselves to my pets. That's RUDE. :rage: Plain and simple. Adults aren't children, they don't have the excuse of 'I didn't know any better,' and therefore, if I caught someone in my room without permission, let alone handling my pets, they would never come over ever again. :colbert:

Great. Now I'm mad for you. :P Tell her, "HANDS OFF!" Especially because she did it without your consent.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by zeion97

....Someone taking a BP saying it's venomous..? :confused: That completely looses me... I highly doubt that would happen..

---

Might want to look back a page or two. People are suggesting telling people that the snakes are venomous (and on that note, not everyone here keeps just ball pythons).

Simple, put locks on the cages or room. That's what I do and we don't have roommates or parties at our house.

I agree with everyone else, hands off. NO one can touch my snakes without me being here or my ok. There are to many what if's to consider and I would rather be on the safe side. No one knows the snake like the owner.

totally hate it when people touch my baby without asking or having the courtesy of at least washing their hands first. It's not only rude and inconsiderate to me, it's inconsiderate to Salazar. Sometimes I just wish that he'd bite someone. He's just too docile for that though.