College = no Ball Python. Help!

I want a BP, and I've done all the research and stuff, but my parents won't let me have one unless I can figure out what to do with it while I'm in college. Keep in mind this is YEARS away.
My little brother can take care of it for the first two years until he leaves, but I'll be gone for at least four years- most likely more. My parents refuse to take care of it while I'm gone. So far, my best option is my cousin who will be out of college by the time I'm in. But she might say no, and she lives across the country. I also refuse to put it or myself in danger by sneaking it in- I would sell it before that happens. I know that sounds totally terrible, but bad things can happen to people(and snakes) who do that. I would LOVE to find someone who could care for it for a few years, but I have no clue who.
I've read multiple threads already, and a lot of people suggest taking it to college anyway or leaving it with the parents. That won't work for me. Like I said, someone who could take care of it for a few years(science teacher, herp boarder, whatever) would be amazing. Any ideas?
Please help!
P.S. What is this about living off-campus? If I get a scholarship, I might be able to afford that after my brother goes to college. I'm not sure how it all works, though. I mean, I told you already that college is years away. My parents haven't told me what happens, yet.

:confusd::please::(:tears::bow::snake:

Simple. Just don't go to college.

Seriously though, just find an apartment that's lenient on small animals. I've managed to find out that some apartments are quite lenient on snakes even, just so long as you present yourself properly.

Hey I'm an incoming high school sophomore and I'll be facing this situation in a few years! If you can have a family member take care of it for a couple years then that's great. My older sister and her husband are going to take mine in for the first year or two, and by then I'm hoping to transition to an off-campus place.
Spend the first two years studying hard and saving up money, then find a snake-friendly apartment - with a roommate if you want to save money.

So wait..... In four years IF you still want one then you can get one.
The biggest part of animal ownership is putting their needs BEFORE our own.;)
If you know you cannot care for an animal before you purchase it then you are already set up to neglect that animal.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

So wait..... In four years IF you still want one then you can get one.
The biggest part of animal ownership is putting their needs BEFORE our own.;)
If you know you cannot care for an animal before you purchase it then you are already set up to neglect that animal.

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Exactly why I never went to school :rolleye2:

Then you dont get a snake until you're done with college. Simple as that.

Pit and Sauzo are right. It would be best to wait until you KNOW you can responsibly keep the animal 100% on your own.

Unfortunately, it is best to wait. If you want one so badly now, you'll still want one in a few years when the time is right.

Thanks for all the advice! :D I'll take it under consideration.

I'm sure my case isn't typical... I wanted a snake while in HS, had to wait until I was in my own place. Did college and worked, got a teaching job and worked summer USCustoms, got married to someone afraid of snakes, got divorced, single mother, ill mother moved in with me.... finally at age 53, I can indulge my passion. Life circumstances made me wait 35 years.
Right now, you don't know what life is going to require of you. But snakes are a 2 decade commitment and not as accepted as a dog, cat, guinea pig... if you can't leave it at home, or responsibly rehome it, with good care, it's better to wait until you control your situation.
As for long-term boarding... both sides start with best of intentions, but $10-20 a month gets tedious for the owner, and the boardee may get tired of dedicating a space to an animal that isn't theirs... or the snake could require vet care, or die... lots of issues.
I took in two boarders. Neither owner lasted more than 4 months before telling me to "just keep it"... and they aren't snakes I would choose for myself.
It's much better to wait.

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Originally Posted by DLena

I took in two boarders. Neither owner lasted more than 4 months before telling me to "just keep it"... and they aren't snakes I would choose for myself.
It's much better to wait.

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This is how I got my super pastel and my albino. Neither morphs are ones I would have picked personally, but I love them all the same. I'm actually pretty possessive over the albino. He had a lot of health issues when he came to me and I don't let anyone but myself handle him.

But in the case of waiting, I agree. I worked at an animal shelter for a while and a good majority of the reptiles that had been dropped off were due to someone going to college, or the parents/relatives/friends of a college student didn't want to deal with bugs or mice. Lots of turtles and snakes. Heck, when I was 18 and worked at the local zoo most of the turtles in their pond exhibits were college student donations or confiscated, and their RTB's and two of the other pythons were college student donations.

Personally, if someone were to start taking care of my bp's if I went away for an extended period of time, the amount of anxiety and worry I'd have over their quality of care in my absence would curdle my insides or stop my heart.

Get your own space or wait until you're out of school. It'll be easier for both you and the snake, you'd not have to worry about the stress of finding alternate care or boarding, and the option of possibly selling your pet isn't one you'd even have to consider.

And your parents are right, go to college settle and than get a BP, if you want one now you will in 4, 10 or even 20 years.

You should not get an animal if this animal become a burden for someone else, just like you should not get a snake and take the risk to be kick out of your dorm and god forbid be another news headline portraying how irresponsible snake owners are.

You are young you have plenty of time enjoy your life, go to college, travel and one day everything will fall into place.

+1 to wait until you're settled enough to know that you can responsibly care for your animal on your own for potentially its lifetime. :D

Also, there really is no point in getting an animal "early" if you will need to have someone else take care of it for a few years anyway. You aren't doing any work, not gaining any care experience, and you don't live with the animal. What's the point? These animals live for 20~30+ years. You'll have it until your kids have kids. Just wait and get one responsibly.

Take online classes

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Again, thanks. :)
I really do appreciate all the comments and advice. I asked the same question on another website a few days ago and no one has responded yet. :P
Not getting the snake until after college is really good advice, I just worry that if I do not even make a plan now that I will recklessly get a snake that I cannot care for three years down the line. I'm not a patient person- :l
I will definitely look into other housing options, though. And I promise I will think about waiting. Y'all are wonderful.
:D;):)

Go work at a good, reputable exotic pet shop while you're in high school and college. That way you can fool with snakes, get paid to do it, and learn about their husbandry. Then when you graduate you'll be in a great position to get one for yourself.

I'm going into my third year of college this fall. I currently have 2 BPs, a kingsnake, and an Indian ringneck parrot all in my room! It's a full house at the moment, but I live off campus in a co-op (cooperative living, kind of like a big shared apartment, google them!) that thankfully allows pets. I didn't buy my first BP until I moved there; my first year of college when I stayed in the dorms my bird lived with my mom. Point of all of that info is that if you do your research, there is plenty of affordable off-campus housing that is lenient about pets.

Beyond that though, I've heard plenty of stories of people successfully keeping (and even breeding) BPs, geckos, chameleons, etc. in dorms - I knew people that even had cats and small dogs in their dorm rooms. I know it might sound scary, but as little space as BPs need, they can easily be kept in a tub in a closet, on/under a desk, etc. RA's or whatever dorm authority is around will often only check your room at move-in and move-out, and with plenty of notice. Of all pets to be kept secretly in a dorm, I think BP's are your best bet!!


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Originally Posted by kenthebird

I'm going into my third year of college this fall. I currently have 2 BPs, a kingsnake, and an Indian ringneck parrot all in my room! It's a full house at the moment, but I live off campus in a co-op (cooperative living, kind of like a big shared apartment, google them!) that thankfully allows pets. I didn't buy my first BP until I moved there; my first year of college when I stayed in the dorms my bird lived with my mom. Point of all of that info is that if you do your research, there is plenty of affordable off-campus housing that is lenient about pets.

Beyond that though, I've heard plenty of stories of people successfully keeping (and even breeding) BPs, geckos, chameleons, etc. in dorms - I knew people that even had cats and small dogs in their dorm rooms. I know it might sound scary, but as little space as BPs need, they can easily be kept in a tub in a closet, on/under a desk, etc. RA's or whatever dorm authority is around will often only check your room at move-in and move-out, and with plenty of notice. Of all pets to be kept secretly in a dorm, I think BP's are your best bet!!


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Thanks :D I'm going to talk to my parents about it.

I agree with the "wait" or "take it with you" crowd.

I personally wouldn't try sneaking it in. You could get the snake confiscated. And it's kinda pointless to own an animal if you can't openly appreciate it. If you don't have a good plan set in stone, I agree with everyone else that you should wait.
In terms of putting it under someone else's care, I'd say to find an adult you trust rather than your younger brother. You might find a keeper that would be willing to foster.
For me, personally I only have my snake because I was certain I could provide him with proper care no matter what. If you can't ensure the same, wait. There will still be plenty of snakes waiting for you in the future :)


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