Acquired Over Your 1st Year?

Hey everyone,

After seeing a few posts recently about the incredible number of snakes (and other herps) people acquire when they just get into "the addiction", I am really curious as to how many YOU got within your very first year of owning snakes!

1? 5?? 50!??

:)

Feel free to share some stories, too.
Thanks for reading and voting!

"Just" four in the first year here. All of the girls that are in my signature below. I am adding two males in the next couple of months as well, bringing the total up to six overall. Once that happens, you know what's in the works for me down the road! :)

For me when I got my first snake when I was a kid so it was just 1, when I got out of the Marines and back into the hobby in the first year I kept to just 1 snake, its when I started getting lizards that the numbers grew rapidly. First was the beardie, made it 9 months then added 2 Blueys, a Tegu, and rescued a Chameleon.

My partner is kind of worried that I'm getting crazy, because I got 2 snakes over the past year (my firsts) and now I am getting a BTS also, about a year after my first snake. Then I tell him about some people who get many, MANY more within a span of a couple months, and he relaxes and says "Well, I guess I shouldn't complain then!" :P

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Originally Posted by NH93

Then I tell him about some people who get many, MANY more within a span of a couple months, and he relaxes and says "Well, I guess I shouldn't complain then!" :P

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You're lucky to get that response. All I got in the beginning was - "You're not them. :rolleyes:" She's much more enabling now. :)

I bought 2 redtails first of last month. I have a pastel, spider and het axanthic pending. I also have another morph boa possible soon and a dumerils I pick up probably tomorrow. Did I mention I started last month. Oh and my friend has a coral rtb for me soon as well as my friend who has 3 pending clutches. ... ok 10+soon for me

I got my first snake while living with my now wife and her room mate. It was the room mates house, and she didn't like snakes but was cool enough to let me have one. Six months later we got our own house and picked up one and was given another. That was in 2011. 2012 saw about 4 more, 2013 was about 6 more and 2014 was the mother load, I'm at 17 and counting so far.

I think it had to be around 11-20. Back in 98'-99' over my first year of two of actually getting a collection going. I had such an awesome collection for the time.

I had a pair of Pete Kuhn (Python Pete) 75% Diamond Jungles that were his hold backs. A female Diamond/Jungle cross from Brad Lichtenhan. A pair of Irian Jayas. A nice pair of Jungles from Python Pete and Barker lines. 1.2 White Lips. A pair of Olive Pythons from the Barkers. A 1.2 trio of Brazilian Rainbows from excellent lines. A pair of Colombian Rainbows and pair of Yellow Anacondas.

Man do I miss some of those animals

I wont answer the poll because I haven't hit a year yet since my first ball. Currently im up to 4 so far and I might hit 5 before september which is my full year. Before this I only had an iguana about 10 years ago that my mom ended up giving away so I don't count that

Almost forgot that I had a male jigsaw but decided to sell him to invest in only females for now. I guess you can count that as 5 so far possible 6 within the first year

Bought my first breeding project of 1.4, then won a bumblebee from a contest, then purchased a gravid subsaharan which laid 11 eggs.

Woooow, I had no idea how common it is for people to GO BIG (rather than to "go home") ;)

Lol it took me six years to get my 2nd snake but I was waiting for the perfect one to come along and when he did I snatched him up! But this year I'll probably end up buying a lot more. I'm already planning on buying another when I just got one in April.


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I've had my boa for over three years and I haven't gotten another. It's not that I don't want more -- I do. But I'm in my fifth year of college, and I don't know where life is going to take me, and I like to plan ahead. I could easily afford to keep several more, and one day I know I will, but I want to make sure I don't get myself into a situation I could regret.

I'm not saying this of all keepers, because there are many who do just fine acquiring multiple snakes at a fast rate, but on the whole it bothers me a little (again, this isn't true for all people , there are many people on here who bought several snakes in their first year who are awesome keepers).

I have seen more people than I can count join a forum with their new baby snake and end up with several more in a matter of weeks. And then once they have a few dozen, they lose interest in them. Or just disappear completely, and while I hope for the best, I fear the worst. Another thing that irks me (and maybe this is less true of ball pythons, but more true of boas which is where my interest lies) is that people will get lots of snakes while they are cute and tiny, but have never handled an adult and have no clue what they are getting into. Both for their size and the cost of keeping them (feeding, housing, etc). I just wish people would think more about the long term commitment of these animals.

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Originally Posted by Shann

I've had my boa for over three years and I haven't gotten another. It's not that I don't want more -- I do. But I'm in my fifth year of college, and I don't know where life is going to take me, and I like to plan ahead. I could easily afford to keep several more, and one day I know I will, but I want to make sure I don't get myself into a situation I could regret.

I'm not saying this of all keepers, because there are many who do just fine acquiring multiple snakes at a fast rate, but on the whole it bothers me a little (again, this isn't true for all people , there are many people on here who bought several snakes in their first year who are awesome keepers).

I have seen more people than I can count join a forum with their new baby snake and end up with several more in a matter of weeks. And then once they have a few dozen, they lose interest in them. Or just disappear completely, and while I hope for the best, I fear the worst. Another thing that irks me (and maybe this is less true of ball pythons, but more true of boas which is where my interest lies) is that people will get lots of snakes while they are cute and tiny, but have never handled an adult and have no clue what they are getting into. Both for their size and the cost of keeping them (feeding, housing, etc). I just wish people would think more about the long term commitment of these animals.

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I agree with this 100%. I think a lot of people get sucked into the addiction and buy snakes impulsively instead of really thinking things through. I remember one member on another post said "There's a big difference between feeding 1 mouth and 5 mouths" or even more than that. I got my second snake when I knew I was ready and comfortable with getting him. Once my second snake had become well established in the home and was eating well, and was on a nice schedule i got my third snake a year later. She got comfy in her new home very fast and has never missed a meal so I know she is A-okay in her home so I feel I can take on my 4th snake. I only get knew animals when I know I can care for them 100% and all of my other animals are already taken care of & happy. Not saying that this is what all people do but I know of some that acquired them too fast and became overwhelmed. Then all the fun of caring for them is gone and that's when people start to disappear from the hobby. I honestly couldn't imagine going from 1 snake to 5-12 snakes in an instant like that. But if you can care for them all then that's great! Keep up the good work :) because I know it's a lot of it lol.

Edit: By the way I'm not saying if you acquire many snakes at once your a bad keeper or anything like that because I know everyone here cares for their animals while heartedly but there are always not so caring people that treat pets as toys and once they are bored with them they leave it behind and move on to the next thing.

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Got my first one January of 2013. I wasn't allowed to have another one while living at home (even though I had purchased a T8 and had it divided and all set up for two). As soon as the plan to move out with my boyfriend's best friends (the three of us all needed to be moved out due to home situations) was set in motion, I pulled the trigger on a leopard female. Since then it seems like I've gotten a snake about every month/every two months since I've been moved out. :P I'm on number nine right now with definite plans for two more males this season and probably a few more females (pinstripe het clown female, pastel het pied female, etc). This year should be my first breeding year. I should have two females coming of age and breeding size. I really can't do more than 2-3 clutches until my boyfriend and I get our house next year. Then I get a reptile room and my expansion really begins. :D

Every time I get another one my boyfriend just asks what I got and says cool. I usually show him the snake when I'm still in the "crushing over it faze". I live by the "One" principal with snakes. I never want to think of "the one that got away". If I see it and the quality of it says I have to have it, I make it happen. :P

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Originally Posted by Marrissa

I never want to think of "the one that got away". If I see it and the quality of it says I have to have it, I make it happen. :P

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Interesting perspective! (*Ahem* See my signature *Ahem*) I definitely can't afford every animal I want, and I make damn sure I know my own limits as an owner/keeper/etc... but. I can see where you're coming from!

;)

600....


:cool:


Nah, I had 7 by the end of my first year, 28 by the end of my third.

Just one so far. May get a enchi or fire het pied in the future to pair to my pied male but not until next year. I wish I could add to the addiction.


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Just one and hadn't planned on buying him. Took me about eight years to add a second, added a third this year and hopefully one more soon. Have limited plans for additions in the future. Maybe three more snakes max. I wonder how many people still have their first snake...

Bought my first which was my Normal girl and then a couple of months later bought my Albino boy. Year after that bought three more.

Probably will buy one more girl and call it a day. I might also have one or two holdbacks once I start breeding so I'll probably end up with more. 8 is my max for sure.

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I got my first snake/reptile in 2006, Bud, and I still have him. It wasn't until about 5 years later, and 3 years ago, that I started thinking about getting another snake and got Cloud. After that I was hooked, and although I couldn't get any more at the time I've been hanging around on forums and such researching various animals since then. Then, last August I got my checkered garter Draco when I was offered a baby eastern garter by an e-friend. She's been raising him up a bit for me until he was on whole pinkies, and hopefully he'll be coming in soon. Whenever she can get together the supplies and ship him off. I don't think I'll be able to get anymore for awhile after that, though.

I got 11 this year

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50 plus+ :D

Think i have 32 snakes 28 are ball pythons 1 carpet python 1 hognose 1 col rainbow boa amd 1 bci. Also have 5 lizardss 4 leos and 1 bearded dragon. My 1 year herp anniversary just past last month. On another not ive only been keeping tarantulas for 4 months or so and i have 12 of those

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Originally Posted by bigt0006

Think i have 32 snakes 28 are ball pythons 1 carpet python 1 hognose 1 col rainbow boa amd 1 bci. Also have 5 lizardss 4 leos and 1 bearded dragon. My 1 year herp anniversary just past last month. On another not ive only been keeping tarantulas for 4 months or so and i have 12 of those

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Man the addiction bug didn't bite you it swallowed you whole!! Haha that's a nice diverse collection though [emoji4]


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5 so far... my "first year anniversary" coincides with the July Atlanta repticon, so we'll see if the number increases. :p
So far (and in order of purchase) I have: male western het hypo hognose, female anery kenyan sand boa, female nuclear sandboa, male south Brazilian BCA, and female pastave ball python.

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Originally Posted by AlexisFitzy

Man the addiction bug didn't bite you it swallowed you whole!! Haha that's a nice diverse collection though [emoji4]


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Yeah thats how i am with hobbys. Ive been into firearms for a couple years and havent gotten any new ones in a year or so. But within the first year or so i aquired about 30 firearms

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cant just be dumb and aquire a bunch of live animals without the practice one....like kids...1st baby is practice baby.

if you can handle it then hell yea good up. but start small boys and girls

I had 1 for a few years, then I got 1 more. I had the pair for roughly a decade before I got another.

got 4 the first year. when i graduate college next year and move to a perm place ill go up to about 10

I had 7 within my first year of keeping BP's. 5 were normals (2 males, 3 females). Also got a male Spider and a male Pastel that first year. Eight years later I have a grand total of 14, and the only one I've kept this whole time is my Spider "Floyd"...

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...220/floyd2.jpg

Thanks everyone for contributing!
I am a bit surprised at the numbers, actually. :cool: As of today (June 18th, 2014) the most, with 11 votes, is 4-6 snakes in one's first year.
Awesome! I've got 2 months to catch up. :snake:

I had 6 within a year. One in August 2012, 3 more added in September. Following April got another, and then July one more.

I am up to 8 snakes now (and 3 lizards of various types!). I am totally happy with that we have now. I have 2 corns, 2 Cal kings, 2 milks (Pueblan and black) and 2 boa constrictors (1 pastel and 1 coral albino).

I am aware most people IRL think I'm nuts. My husband is probably included in that at times; however, they are all well cared for and everyone has to have a hobby, right? My 4 kids LOVE our reptile pets, and I am happy we can share the fun together.

I definitely had between 7-10 my first year. I remember I started out with my normal male Julius, thinking I wanted a male because they "stay smaller" and I "only wanted one". LOL.

15 later :rolleyes: I'm actually surprised at my self control this past year! I haven't gotten ANY new additions since....August or September of 2012?! Wow....I'm due...all that doesn't include the miscellaneous other creatures I've acquired! Tarantulas are my weakness :D

I'd be lying if I said I WASN'T looking at pieds and hoggies today. Anyone have any offers? ;)

If I recall correctly I had 6 within 6 months and 9 or 10 at the year mark.

Out of the 14 I have right now, 9 were produced by me, 4 were acquired in trades, and only one was purchased, and that's the Spider I posted above. Weird. I can't even remember the last time I bought one? I really need to fix that...

It's really crazy how close the numbers are though!

Started at 1. Then another the next year. Then 2 years later 6 more. Then the year after 11 more. Then I bred. Sold a bunch. Have 25 currently.

I got all my snakes except for the albino within my first year. Add 2 other balls and my first clutch of 6 to my SIG, minus the albino bci.

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I currently have 11 reptilian members of my family, I have acquired one or more every month since December when I acquired my first. Good to see the addiction is widespread. Nice poll on a very interesting topic.

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Originally Posted by Painted

I currently have 11 reptilian members of my family, I have acquired one or more every month since December when I acquired my first. Good to see the addiction is widespread. Nice poll on a very interesting topic.

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P.S I accidentally clicked 20+ instead of the 11-20 poll. My bad. Incorrect stat!

Great thread and perfect timing! Snake #2 is coming to my doorstep tomorrow morning, and snake #1 was brought home only a little over 5 months ago. So after swearing up and down that I'll only have one snake at a time, I have 2 within less than half a year. Is this how the addiction starts? ;)

Hoping to finally have my Ball Python soon, too, so we'll see if I get a 3rd within the year!!

Addiction hit me hard in the beggining i havent bought a ball or any snake for that matter in a while. My most recent purchase os a cinny female. My togo imports dont count because im getting rid of 5 out of the 9 i have

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i acquired 32 snakes my first year. craziness!!!

Just one ball python for now. If one day i get the space for another, I hopefully will get one. I would love to get an Albino ball python next.

Ok so I officially voted for 4-6. Just put a deposit down for another girl which will technically be my 6th in the first year:D

Voted 7 to 10 as I'm currently at 7 in my family but unless I build another rack I only have room for 1 more.

At 6 so far in 4 months and have at least 4 in the next 39 days.... waiting for feed and shed..... have space for 7 more currently....

I kept one snake for 3-4 years before getting my next one. Once I decided to start breeding it exploded, I now have a couple of hundred :D.. And I still don't have a Banana :please: