How many snakes is too many snakes?

OK, so I am 14 years old, hope to go to a really good college, which will mean I would move out of my parents house at 18. The problem is, my parents like my reptiles, but would not want to take care of them. I could probably persuade them to keep an animal or two that I really liked, but most would have to be sold or given away. I am still sorely addicted to these fascinating creatures, especially BP's. I go on kingsnake almost every day and pester my parents about how "that bee would make a perfect pairing with my pastel."What I am asking is should I build my collection more if they are only going to be gone in a few years, and at what point would it be too many snakes to keep for a kid like me.

Why would you buy snakes knowing your going to have to rehome them? Why not find a way to bring them along with you? They don't take up much room, and he'll racks look like end tables I'm sure you could pull it off. Or convince your parents to care for them while you are away. It wouldn't make sense for them to allow you to get the snakes only to get rid of them. They are a pet, one that can live a long time. I don't see why so many people consider them items they can just give away and re home over and over again. You made a commitment when you bought them, my advice is hold up your end of the bargain to the snakes.

Too many snakes to me is one more than I can afford to house or feed...

But it sounds like there are other things to consider in your situation. Before you think about expanding your collection, you should have a plan in place for who is going to care for them when you go away to college or wherever life takes you. Are you going to get out of the hobby for the time you're in school then get back in when you can? I just would advise against growing your collection unless and until you have a plan.

Too many is more than you have the time, energy and means to PROPERLY care for.

"What I am asking is should I build my collection more if they are only going to be gone in a few years"

Probably not, I don't get the point anyways.

"At what point would it be too many snakes to keep for a kid like me."

Unless your making a job out of it (and even that is debatable), you have too many when it's a burden to properly look after them.

I don't know why you'd have to get rid of them just because your going to collage though. I'm sure you'd be able to find a place to live that would allow you to bring your snakes with you......

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Originally Posted by jinx667

Too many is more than you have the time, energy and means to PROPERLY care for.

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I would say this as well. And at your age - I would say 1. MAYBE 2. My sister is in the same boat as you, shes 14, wants to go to college, but she wants a python. I would be willing to take care of it while she's at school, but she obviously can't take it with her.

In your situation I would stay where you are, enjoy the one you have, and move to bigger, brighter things when you have the time, money and energy to do so.

thank you everybody, these are very helpful responses! I really would love to take animals to college, but most schools I like don't allow any pets. You all bring up very good points, and this has convinced me to keep my collection at 5 for my high school years.

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Originally Posted by brobertson

OK, so I am 14 years old, hope to go to a really good college, which will mean I would move out of my parents house at 18. The problem is, my parents like my reptiles, but would not want to take care of them. I could probably persuade them to keep an animal or two that I really liked, but most would have to be sold or given away. I am still sorely addicted to these fascinating creatures, especially BP's. I go on kingsnake almost every day and pester my parents about how "that bee would make a perfect pairing with my pastel."What I am asking is should I build my collection more if they are only going to be gone in a few years, and at what point would it be too many snakes to keep for a kid like me.

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It sounds like you answered your own question. You already have a pastel. Have an adult conversation with your parents on whether they will be willing to take care of a second one in four years when you go away to college, and then choose wisely if they say yes. Then, over the next 3-4 years, you may even meet someone that you are comfortable asking to take in your BPs for that time frame, so they don't have to (if it's a female, that's about the right timeline for a breeder loan, for example). In theory, you can get a shared apartment with friends after your freshman year, so they would only be caring for them for Aug-May of the first year (if a dorm stay is required). There is a chance you could go to a local school, so they might not need to take care of them at all if you still lived at home (not that I'm suggesting you limit your options for this reason). Right now, your parents are paying the heating bills and likely the food bills, so it would be inconsiderate for your to grow your collection on their dime, anyway.

If you want to keep your hobby of herping alive long term its easy. Live off campus. Dorms suck anyways

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Originally Posted by brobertson

thank you everybody, these are very helpful responses! I really would love to take animals to college, but most schools I like don't allow any pets. You all bring up very good points, and this has convinced me to keep my collection at 5 for my high school years.

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Just so you know most college dorms and apartments only mean dogs and cats when they say "pets." Typically, if it's caged, they don't care.

Snake Lab hit it on the head, Dorms suck, so live off campus. I'm getting my first snake when I finish this last semester of my freshman year in a few weeks. Next year I found an apartment complex that it is ok to keep snakes in and the apartments are quite large so I could definitely house snakes in it. I probably won't build up a huge collection while I'm at college because I wil have to bring the snakes back and forth for certain holiday breaks. But make sure if you bring your snakes to college that you can bring them home over the longer breaks.

yea but if you have a rack of snakes in your room your gonna have a problem...

I gave some kid some advice the other day - wanted to get a Sav - build an enclosure in his room. Until you have your own place I would really keep it way down...

Buy a rack and keep them in that. Live off campus or just keep them in your dorm room. Most schools just say pets are ok if they fit in a 10 gallon tank. A 28qt tub is technically under 10gallons. Most schools dont have special pet rules that say no snakes. Plus theres no way they would find out about them unless your roomate tells on you. So if you were worried about that you could just get a single room. Just get a black sheet and put it over your rack. If an RA ever does a room inspection they arent allowed to touch anything, you can only get busted for stuff thats in plain sight, so if somethings under a sheet they cant lift it up and look. And if all else fails and you get caught just remember: Its easier to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission ;)

Im currently 17 years old and graduating 2013. I have 24 snakes.

I am going to college but Im living in an apartment 3 minutes from campus so I can keep all my snakes lol. My older sister/friends/cousins also will go this college and we will most likely live together.

I wouldn't give up my snakes to move into a dorm, why not live off campus?

Some schools actually require freshman to live in the dorms. I know mine did before 2011. And after freshman year, they kick everyone out.
My school has a rule of no pets allowed except fish in the dorms. (And its ironic because we are the number one vet school in the country. Everyone wants pets!)

When the time comes, I would look into the student housing rules and regulations of your school.
If you want to just take your snake regardless of the rules, I too agree with putting your snake in a rack. To the average person, its just another storage cabinet.


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I don't know what dorms y'all lived in but the ones I'm in are great! Co Ed as well so that's always a plus. But I keep both of my snakes in tubs and put them in a rack system inside my closet, so there really isn't any problem. Plus girls love guys with snakes so keep em.


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Thanks a bunch folks, but from what I have been reading, the type of schools I am after (harvard, princeton, stanford, etc- gotta dream big) are lumped in the "10 gallon with fish only" category. Time to start saving for that apartment!