(Major Newbie) Help, I need advice

I don't have the snake yet, I'm giving myself some time on learning how to maintain the enclosure.
So far I have:

-50 Quart tub
-ZooMed Eco Earth Coconut Fiber subtrate
-Two ExoTerra 50 Watt heat bulbs: Day and Night
-An All Living Things heat lamp that has ceramic on it
-ZooMed Dual Gauge
(I read the dual gauge is inaccurate so I ordered the AcuRite digital thermometer)

I plan on buying:

-2 hide spots
-1 humidity box
-medium water dish
-AcuRite Thermometer
-Digital kitchen scale
-Etekcity Lasergrip 774
(I would add undertank heater but it gets pretty hot and I think the lamp and the heat here in Cali should be enough)

I'm having problems maintaining humidity and basking temps. I assume once I get the water dish and some moss it'll be a nice help with humidity but the there's not enough heat for whatever reason? I have about half of the tub's lid cut and replaced it with wire mesh, the heat lamp sits directly on the wire but it stays in the 70s and only reached the high 80s once. My only idea as to why this is happening is because I was misting the enclosure with the wire mesh still sitting on top(the lamp was off of the tub) and didn't really dry it, could the evaporating water from the wire do anything damaging to the lamp? I doubt it but that's my only guess.:confusd:

Are there products that I should eventually upgrade that'll save me time and money? Are there any tricks/useful tips? Should I add anything on the list?

Welcome! Welcome! Good on you for researching and getting things prepared a head of time! This is a good sign you are on the right track!

First thing to add is a thermostat to regulate your heat sources. So one for your lamp, and if you do get an undertank heater, one for that as well. This is something you absolutely cannot skip on, and if possible, I recommend getting a higher quality, proportional one such as a Herpstat or Vivarium Electronics! Herpstats being the creme of the crop. Worth every penny and has an incredible lifespan.

https://www.spyderrobotics.com/index...=index&cPath=1
http://www.reptilebasics.com/thermostats

If those are outside your price range, you can always start with a more budget friendly one such as Jumpstart until you can upgrade. Just keep in mind it will have more temperature flucations since it's not as accurate as Herpstats.
https://www.amazon.com/MTPRTC-Contro...art+thermostat

If you are struggling with basking temps, what you can do, is use your lamp to keep your ambient temps where it needs to be, within the 78-80 range while your UTH can provide a hotspot.

Do you plan on getting a hatchling or older bp? Depending on the tub's dimensions your 50 qt might be too big to start for a hatchling. It can work but you need to really make sure you husbandry is on point and fully stable with plenty of clutter and cover with minimal open floor space. So get a ton a bunch of fake plants, branches, hanging vines, ect. Remember ball pythons are preyed from above so you would want to make their path from point A to point B feel like a sheltered one. I'd have a smaller tub as back up just in case.

I'm pretty sure you know this, but be sure not to buy from chain pet stores. Buy from reputable breeders and research who you are buying from. What is your humidity usually hovering at? I'd probably wait until your acurite arrives so you can see what the humidity is actually reading for comparison, but yes a water dish will help. If not, coco husk is a good alternative. Reptichip and Prococo are well regarded, though I've also heard good things about Reptile Prime.

Thank you! I'm wondering how I attach a thermostat to my lamp? And I honestly don't think I can squeeze a UTH in my budget :tears: let alone another thermostat for the UTH.. Would getting a 75 watt infared basking bulb be too much of a risk, even if I were to elevate the lamp higher? Or should the jump start thermostat help make the 50 watt hotter? Would the thermostat help keep the 75 watt cooler? (Sorry I'm just trying to see my options here)

I plan on getting a juvenile, I think the reptile store I go to sells them? They're about a foot, little less.. Not sure if that's considered a hatchling or juvenile. Either way I was planning on adding a bunch of "enrichment" items and hides. It looks cuter anyways :D

The humidity likes to hang out around 30%-40% unless I mist the cage often then it likes to hang out around 40%-60% And thank you for the recommendations, I'll keep those in mind if the water dish doesnt help much. The acurite should be coming in tomorrow sometime around 5-7 pm pacific. I'll keep you posted!

If possible, you can return the day night lamps in exchange for the UTH and its thermostat. You really only need an ambient heat source (the ceramic bulb) and a UTH, the most ideal setup for a ball python, in terms of how you're setting up your tub so far. Some people like to add lighting for kicks, but ball pythons are nocturnal and don't need blaring lights.

You'll see how it works once you purchase the thermostat. You plug heat sources INTO the thermostat, set the thermostat to desired temp, put the probe where it belongs, and it controls your heat output so that your snake doesn't cook alive!

That humidity is definitely too low, and if you are testing with bulbs and heaters all on, I'm sure your light bulbs contribute to drying out the air. Try covering the extra mesh parts over with foil and only leaving space for the CHE.

You really intrigued me with the ceramic heater, but wouldn't I need a thermostat for the ceramic bulb too? I'm also going to take the advice of MissterDog and buy a smaller tub, maybe 10 or 15 quart to help the humidity problem and to let the snake feel secure. It also might fix the heat problem but I'm hiding my snake enclosure from my parents in my closet and the ceramic bulb will get rid of the "mysterious" glow coming from my closet. I'll most likely leave the hides, plants, and digital kitchen scale for last and just get the UTH and thermostat instead then. I'll push some money around and see what I can do... :juggle:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LittleMadSnek

I'm hiding my snake enclosure from my parents in my closet.

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Um, forget all the advice above and do this one thing...DON'T.

You sound like a smart cookie getting all the pre-work done before bringing your snake home, but this is the one HUGE mistake you're making. Don't do this without the full support of your parents. If they bust you, you may have to rehome your snake and that's added stress to a little creature that doesn't need it. Plus your parents don't deserve to be lied to.

Be open with them, prove yourself as a responsible person excited to take this on, but if they say no respect their decision and get a snake when you're out on your own. They'll still be around.

Welcome to the forum! Glad to see you're open to advice from people, there is a lot of experience here on this forum that I am really grateful for.

I can definitely relate to wanting reptiles from an early age. Just a thought though, you mentioned that you had to hide the enclosure from your parents. Are they not on board with you keeping snakes?

If that is what is happening here, I would strongly suggest waiting until they are either on board with the idea or until you have your own place where you don't need to hide it. I was not allowed to keep reptiles growing up, and I can totally relate to how you feel, but I also know how heartbroken I would be if I had to rehome any of mine.

It is also a little concerning that it sounds like you may not have the means to properly meet all the husbandry needs, and especially that you don't have a backup plan in case of emergency (assuming your parents aren't willing to help you out with vet bills etc.). I know it may be tough to hear, but waiting til the time is right may be your best option.

Perhaps try to educate your parents on reptiles, take them to an expo and show them how cool reptiles can be, and see if you can do it with their support? Honesty for me has always been the best policy, and it's not worth messing around when you accept responsibility for the life of an animal.

Anyways, just my 2 cents. And again, welcome! Glad to have you here[emoji4]



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Welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of snake keeping!!!

Nice job getting everything set up BEFORE bringing the snake home!!! You're already on the right track!!!

I saw that you mentioned "adding a bunch of enrichment items and hides". Be very careful what you put in the enclosure. Any skulls, trees, etc..that have holes in them will turn into a nightmare. There have been way too many horror stories about snakes climbing into them, getting themselves wedged inside and getting stuck in items like that. Many of them are designed for fish or smaller reptiles, and are a nightmare for snakes. Also avoid tape or anything similar inside the enclosure.


However, I have to agree with hilabeans and avsha531 on this one. PLEASE don't hide the snake from your parents. You definitely don'tneed to be lying to them and get caught and have yo give up the snake.

Also, since you still live at home, what are your plans moving forward? If you plan to go to college, dorms and most apartments won't allow snakes. So what will happen to the snake then?? If not school, many landlords dont allow snakes. Having a snake will make it harder to find a roommate too, and most young people can't afford to live alone.

Just some food for thought. I would hate to see you get a snake just to fall in love with it and be forced to rehome it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LittleMadSnek

I'm hiding my snake enclosure from my parents in my closet.

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Whoa, whoa. Sorry but I’m going to have the hit the breaks there and echo that is a bad idea and I would highly discourage you from doing so. Let’s slow down a sec and really think about this okay?

I think we all understand your eagerness and excitement for wanting a snake, but for the sake of your future snake, do not rush to get a pet behind your parents back when you are still dependent on your parents and have limited finances. This is unfair and disrespectful to both your parents and your snake!

You have to be realistic. Do you honestly think you can hide a living creature from your parents for so many years? Sooner or later, your snake WILL be discovered and I worry to think about what consequences you and your snake will have to face. This is simply NOT a situation you want to put yourself or your snake in.

We know you are smart. We know you are capable of caring for a ball python but my friend, the time isn’t right if you go with hiding and lying. If you truly want what’s best for your snake, you need to be honest with your parents and accept the circumstances. If they say yes, then great! If they say no, then I’m sorry but you will have to accept and respect that. Being a responsible snake owner isn’t about getting a snake when you WANT to, but getting one when you are READY and in a situation that allows you to properly care for one.

Snakes are a huge,long commitment, we know you want to be dedicated, but sometimes things get complicate and you have to be prepared for the worst with steady finances at your disposal.

What will happen when your snake gets sick? Can you afford a vet? Can you afford the treatment? What will you do when you go to college and dorms/landlords don’t allow snakes? What if your roommate isn’t cool with snakes and they report you? What if your snake only east live prey? How will you go about keeping a snake AND live prey in secret? Trust us, if you are afraid of getting caught by your parents, getting caught by a dorm or landlord is worse!

You have to think about things in the long term. Not what you want now. This shouldn’t be about you but about what is the best for your future snake. I know it sucks to be told no, many of us were told no by our parents when we were your age, but waited until after we moved out, had our only place and were completely financially independent. And we were so glad we did!! Before we wouldn’t have been ready, especially when we couldn’t live by our own rules! Now we can do whatever the heck we want haha.

But please try to talk to your parents. I agree with the others and try to prove and show them you are being responsible and well researched.

As a story of encouragement, our coworker (let’s call him Roy) has a younger brother who is in Roy’s legal care, and a ground rule was no surprise pets. Little brother impulse buys a carpet python and hides it from them at his girlfriends house, but they find out pretty quickly.

However they would have been okay with keeping the snake IF the brother had just been honest from the start. Since he was not, they stuck with their guns. In the end brother and girlfriend broke up so girlfriend couldn’t take care of the snake for him anymore. LUCKILY, Roy actually really likes snakes and was kind enough to allow the brother to move the snake to their place and help look after it, they even bought a new pvc cage for it.

You may be as lucky or you may not. But the right thing to do is come clean and respect whatever answer your parents provide. Just remember, you are doing this for the best interest of your snake, even if the end result isn’t what you want.

I know this is preachy but we’ve all been in your shoes once and we are honestly looking out for you and your snake’s best interest! Good luck op, stay strong and patient!

I couldn't agree more with all of the above thoughts, advice and opinions. This is a long term decision and you really have to be able to make a real and honest commitment. Good luck, be patient and make sure that you are properly responsible with disclosure and agreement with other family members.

I know it sounds like I don't have things thought out and I'm being sort of impulsive and I'm really sorry about sounding like a stubborn brat but I do have a plan and do not intend to keep the snake in hiding forever. I wouldn't be planning to get a snake if I knew that my parents were going to make me rehouse it.

Let me give you some background and my reasoning for hiding the snake and what I plan on doing.

So ever since I was 4 I had a fascination with all animals big and small, my life dream at the ages between 4-15 years was to be a vet But that changed and now I want to study biology. I would bring home injured and/or lost animals to my house unannounced so we could surrender these animals to a shelter. My parents are well accustomed to unexpected guests in the house so the shock factor of having a pet snake won't be too bad. There will definitely be disappointment and some anger but I've honestly done much worse than hiding this enclosure..let's just say my highschool years were troubling.. But I know my parents and they won't make me rehouse a snake once they see how much I care about it and how interesting they are. And if push comes to shove I know 2 snake owners who would take wonderful care of the snake.

Now I know snakes are a big commitment, 20-30 years? It's a commitment that last longer than most marriages(no shade lol). And I'm fully up for it, I'd love to see how the snake changes and developes over time. And just to have a friend that won't be able to judge my character is a nice thought. I'll be able to support the snake on my own very soon, I was recently called in for an interview at a pizza shop. So income for necessities will be no issue. I do not plan on hiding the snake for as long as I can, I will confront my parents (preferably at a family party while drunk, it's easier that way with Hispanic parents) and tell them that this is something I put a lot of time and thought into, and I know it's unfair that I lied to them but it's also unfair that a snake can't be kept here just because my mom doesn't like them and won't give any other reason why.
I'm planning on going to a community college that's 45 minutes to an hour away from here. So I will be staying home and I've mentioned I know a couple snake keepers that could care for it when I transfer to a UC.. I know my family's dynamic and my mom seems very set on me not having a snake until I move out.

The reason I'm so adamant about keeping the snake in secrecy for a while is because it will be a good chunk of time before I move out. I'm 18 and live and California, it is crazy expensive to even rent an apartment here. I have 2 friends and I won't be able to rent an apartment with either of them because my friend is leaving to LA (8 hrs away) and my boyfriend plans on moving in with his group of friends.

I will take your guy's advice though and try to convince my parents and wait a bit longer, considering I still need a lot of supplies anyway. I like Avsha531's advice, my parents are much more intrigued when I educate them on animals, I think it will really help them see that this isnt just some snake but a practice for a future major in college.
I hope you guys understand and as usual thank you for input and advice :) :bow:

Kiddo (and I'm not being condescending, I'm old enough to be your mom...'s best friend ;)) there are just so many red flags in your statements above, if i listed them all I'd basically be rewriting your whole statement.

You are just starting out in life. Just starting a job, just starting college, just turned legal age for stuff...why don't you slow it down a bit and get yourself in order. It's not a question of "being fair" to you. Nowhere does it say a parent's job is unequivocal fairness. Their house, their rules. Period. They don't have to be fair.

I think you show great wisdom by heeding Avsha's advice on including your parents in the decision, because ultimately they have the right to make the call one way or the other. You would show great foolishness to blow them off and do what you want to do.

There is no downside to patience. But many when you act impulsively.

Hm, me talking about fairness sounded really immature because they're my parents not my sibling or friend. I just wanted to prove that I can do stuff on my own and that I don't need to "babied" as much, but the rule of "My house, my rules" still stands I guess.

But for the time being can you guys give advice on how to convince someone who's anti-snake to at least be okay with one being kept in a room? And continue to help me with heating and humidity just incase I get a yes? You guys also don't have to worry about me buying a snake anytime soon because I'm really broke and can barely afford a UTH and thermostat. Let alone a $25-$30 ceramic bulb and $16 for a heatlamp with a dimmer and a possible other thermostat for the ceramic bulb? The question didn't get answered because I got bombarded with scolding ;-;

Point is I'm broke and have a long ways to go and want my parents approval around the time of completing the tub

Look at it less like scolding and more like a good healthy dose of reality and tough love. We ultimately have you and your future pet's best interests at heart.

What my oldest did to convince me to get a snake is TONS of research, a power point presentation, months of extra chores around the house (she's a minor, so she doesn't have external income coming in - she basically earned credit by carrying more than her fair share in household duties) and involving me in all her learnings. She was 110% committed and backed it up by making it a personal project that spanned half a year.

That said, after the new wore off, the snake basically became my responsibility. That is mostly my fault however because I became obsessed with them once we got one and I sort of took over. But at least I let him live in her room. I'm not a monster. ;)

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Originally Posted by LittleMadSnek

Hm, me talking about fairness sounded really immature because they're my parents not my sibling or friend. I just wanted to prove that I can do stuff on my own and that I don't need to "babied" as much, but the rule of "My house, my rules" still stands I guess.

But for the time being can you guys give advice on how to convince someone who's anti-snake to at least be okay with one being kept in a room? And continue to help me with heating and humidity just incase I get a yes? You guys also don't have to worry about me buying a snake anytime soon because I'm really broke and can barely afford a UTH and thermostat. Let alone a $25-$30 ceramic bulb and $16 for a heatlamp with a dimmer and a possible other thermostat for the ceramic bulb? The question didn't get answered because I got bombarded with scolding ;-;

Point is I'm broke and have a long ways to go and want my parents approval around the time of completing the tub

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hi friend! i own snakes in a home that's not entirely well-receptive to them but we make due.

i moved back home after i changed jobs, and i had already had my first ball python. but i have 7 snakes now and am independent, and i take care of my home as my parents aren't normally home. i clean, buy groceries, and tend the pool and garden. i don't do this for fun.

the thing is: you have no weight to sling here. you're broke, don't provide any monetary support to the home and likely don't support anyone else in the home. you have no right to sneak something in without giving back to your home. period. you don't get to force an "independent" decision on a house you provide nothing towards. that's purely selfish and, again, unfair.

it's not us being harsh, it's reality. if you can't accept the stakes of what can happen if this goes wrong, and would rather throw a tantrum, then the long-term decision of owning a 20yr+ commitment pet when there are obstacles to it may not be best for you.

we're very happy to have you, but to force this into a home you don't support is just not fair.

I’m with everyone on waiting until you move out. That’s the smartest thing you can do right now.

But to answer your questions,

Avsha531 already mentioned reptile show expos, and I honestly think that would be the best place to take them if you have any near by. That would be a good opportunity to talk to breeders and handle some snakes, and possibly even your parents! I find non-snake people don’t even realize like actually like snakes, they just haven’t found the right one :p ball pythons especially have that special charm about them haha.

As for heating, YES you’d need a thermostat for a ceramic bulb. So if you use a ceramic bulb and UTH you’d need either two thermostats or a thermostat with two outlets.

As for humidity, if you’re having problems with it in a tub set up, it kinda defeats the purpose of a tub set up. It might be worth considering a do over and using your current as a test. Maybe less ventilation next time. What does the humidity become when you put a bowl of water in it? You could use any plastic container or soup bowl in the meantime just to see how it effects the tub.

That being said being broke and wanting a snake do not go hand in hand. Even if you do get a yes, it would be wise to wait and save as much money for as you can so you have your own “snake funds” for the future. Wait until you can afford everything you need, including emergency vet money. You never know what might happen and you do not want to scrape by when things go wrong.

Waiting will also give you more time to research and learn as well as educate your parents and have them warm up to snake keeping, which as far as they are concerned, this may be their snake too.

Personally I feel it’s better you wait until you have a place of your own and are more financially stable, without needing to rely on friends to pick up the slack if you find you are unable to keep your snake. It’s simply not fair to your snake otherwise.

I'll not speak to the hiding-the-snake-from-your-parents-thing because everyone else has stated my same opinion on the matter.

I'll talk money and time and care, and this is coming from someone who did EVERYTHING the wrong way. When I got my first snake, I was twenty years old and literally sleeping on two blankets on the floor of a rented room in a multi-room apartment. I had no furniture of my own, I was still trying to find an apartment of my own, I was broke as **** while going to college full time and working part-time. I could barely afford food for myself let alone my cat or a snake, as all my money went to gas for my car, or bills. The snake was an impulse buy, an I'm-out-of-the-dorms-and-out-from-under-my-parents impulse buy. I'd always wanted a snake and thought what the heck? Petco was running a deal on ball pythons and I bought one. My roommate had an old 10 gallon aquarium, and on the recommendation of the dude at Petco, I bought a heat lamp, a half-log hide, and one of those stupid sticky thermometers.

I came onto BP.net very soon after as the snake wasn't eating (shocker). And thus my education - and my journey - began. I needed to ditch the light and get more humidity, but I couldn't afford a thermostat for a UTH. So I bought a cheapo rheostat. Okay... still couldn't really tell the temp because I couldn't afford a temp gun (this was fourteen years ago). I saved and bought a digital thermometer. I'm keeping the light and the UTH, and spraying as I can for the humidity. I make a second hide out of a plastic container because I can't afford anything else while I'm trying to save for a better enclosure.

Now I think things are going pretty good and the little guy has finally started eating. I learn about keeping snakes in tubs, so I get a couple plastic tubs and take a plastic shelving unit off a friend who is moving away and didn't want to take it. I get the little baby set up in his new tub, he's still eating, life is good. I love this little snake and I'm starting to become obsessed with BPs and the different morphs out there - and it comes up that someone is trying to rehome an adult. I'm young, confident (dumb) and so I get ANOTHER snake, before I even have the first take care of.

This one comes in fighting mad and with a burn on his belly. I hadn't been made aware of it, and I have no money for a vet (and I still have a cat :rolleyes: ). So I get some advice from a few people, put the snake on some dry paper towel, try to keep the temps steady, rub him down with bacitracin, etc. He gets better.

By this time, I've found an apartment for my roommate and myself, but it's expensive to live near campus and I still have to finish college. I can't afford all this stuff so I make the difficult decision to sell the baby snake. I keep the older one because I've bonded to him through the whole healing process.

However, I'm still young and "confident" so a couple months after moving into my new apartment, I take on ANOTHER snake that needs a home. See, I don't have money, but people know I like snakes and take care of them - and you wouldn't believe how many college students purchase animals only to dispose of them when they get real lives and real jobs. I get a second part time job - still taking classes too - and scrape together what I can to get a snake rack, thermostat, heat tape, etc. I get a decent little set up going... I don't even remember how many animals I ended up with, but I got completely overwhelmed. Six or seven snakes (including a boa who was completely deformed), eight geckos, etc etc. It was ridiculous.

You know how many of those animals I have today? None. Because when I graduated, I had to get a THIRD job. I was working a full time job, and two part time jobs, and I was still sinking. I couldn't afford food, I couldn't afford a vet. I had NO time.

Long story short, I found good homes for all the animals (minus the boa) and moved back in with my parents to reset. I didn't get another reptile for a couple years. I got a single good job, got a nice apartment with a second room, got all my materials beforehand, and then I started back into the hobby.

Life is tumultuous when you're young. It's tumultuous anyway, but it's easier to get a handle on things when you have a steady income and a steady place to live. Did I make it work? I guess that's debatable. It was HARD. I went without a lot. I didn't go out with friends because I couldn't afford it, I barely ate, I couldn't even go home to see my family because I couldn't afford the fuel. I remember breaking down and crying because I couldn't pay my bills. It was HARD. The animals never suffered and I - thank goodness - never had an emergency vet situation. But at what cost? I couldn't provide a stable situation for more than a few years.

I've since had to sell off my collection for a second time because I lost my stable income. That sucked. That really hurt. It's been years and to this day I only have a couple animals because I'm afraid of getting in too deep and not being able to provide. I want a boa. I will get a boa. I'm NOT getting one until I can get an AP cage with proper heat and equipment. I just built a house and I'm still adding things to it - a deck, a driveway. So I'm waiting on the boa. I've finally, finally learned patience.


I tell this looooong story because I was you. I did everything wrong. Maybe it worked out okay for me, but not really for the animals. I don't really know where any of them are now. I hope they're still alive and being cared for. But I don't know for sure. I regret that.

If you really want a critter you can love and care for and KEEP for the next 20-30 years... have patience. Get the funds together, get the job, get a place to live, get stability for yourself (which is FAR different than the stability your parents are currently providing for you). I promise you won't regret the wait in the end, even if it sucks now.

I always feel the need to chime in.

You're a teen. You live with your parents, you work at a pizza shop.

Over the next few years, your life is going to change dramatically. That's a good thing.

The best thing you can do, for yourself and your eventual snake(s) is to give yourself the freedom to allow your life to change in whatever way it needs. It'll probably change several times over and in three years you'll look back and be amazed how far you've come.

Not only don't get a snake, don't get any pet, don't get married, don't take any loans (except maybe student loans), don't let anything tie you to anything or anyone. Ride your life and see where it takes you.

Anything that ties you down now is only going to retard and prevent your development.

You'll never be more free than in the coming few years. Embrace that freedom and ride it for all its worth.

When its over, you've found your niche, and you're settled, fill your home with snakes.

As stated many times above, I'm not even going to touch on the not telling your parents thing. Said far too much already. Normally with all this info dumped down already, I wouldn't really respond, because i'd just be repeating info, but I felt maybe hearing some advice from someone who's the same age may help a bit, as well.

I'm going to start this off simply - I am NOT nearly as experienced as any of the people who commented above. As I said before, I'm 18 too, living at home. I only got my little guy a couple months back. But, in that time, I have at least learned a few things from this forum, and from the snake and breeders themselves, that I can share with you.

I think the biggest thing here, other than the parents thing, is the fact of you mentioning that you are currently broke. If anything, I could never agree to anyone buying any pet when they don't have any money; for obvious reasons. Initial setup costs a fair bit, even with a tub (though, i'm sure you've already discovered this), as well as the snake depending on the morph, who's shipping, etc etc. Not only that, vets are expensive. Just a checkup alone for Paarthurnax costs me between $80-120, not counting the gas it takes for me to drive to one of the very few exotic vets in my area of New Jersey. Don't forget, that doesn't even include any medication the snake might need in case of a (god forbid) emergency. Keeping pets is like keeping kids: tiring, and expensive, but also can be enjoyable.

I can't lie, i'm a bit of a rapid spender. Luckily, I was able to get a part time job, as well as the ability through word of mouth to fix computers and electronics on the side, to get the cash I need to pay for my animals. Any purchase, for any animal, I sink AT LEAST 2-3 hours of research into what supplies they would need to survive properly, and a good few hours more comparing prices online and in store. Setting up is always going to be the first, large expense, but planning for sudden expenses is always needed with any type of pet. I actually keep a stash in my room with about $350 specifically for if something goes wrong with a pet, electronic, etc.

Honestly, the one thing I can say is, if you're like me, and you don't have the money, be careful how much you research. I usually end up wanting something so much that I go out of my way to get it any way I can.

Other than just money, I also had to think of my future, as everyone else has said. Where was I going to live after I finish High School (man, I really shouldn't be typing this during class again)? Is there any places nearby that allow me to care for my pet like shops, vets, etc? Would I be stable financially throughout college? If crap hits the fan, do i have the ability to get my pets cared for properly while i'm not around? With these reasons, I almost didn't get a snake. In fact, I was even almost planning to get rid of my fish tank in the process. It wasn't until I started fixing computers and such that I was aware that I could get what I needed and care for my animals. My dad told me not to move out, he wanted me to live at home to save money. If anything, with my pets, i'm pretty sure he wants to keep them for himself if I ever do have to move, he's always asking on how he can help with them. I know I have my situation set, for now, and that i'm prepared for the worst if need be. If something happens, I know I have the funds to help commit to it, and the people to help take care of it if I need some help.

If you can't answer every single one of those questions truthfully with a 'yes', then it's probably in you're best interest to wait. Don't worry, i'm impatient too, but I've learned that the longer the wait, the better it feels in the end when you finally have what you want sitting in your hands.