In danger of becoming a collector?

[Flatheadhunter33]

Man...I got the BP itch really bad! When I decided to get a BP, I just figured on getting another pet and enjoying the fact I have a pet snake again...Im finding however that for me, owning a BP is a bit different from having other types. Suddenly the two that I have dont seem to be enough! I want to get another one...I have more than enough space and Im thinking of doing a DYI rack system...what the heck am I thinking?!

Anyhow, is this pretty much the same way that you all started your collections? How long did it take you before you decided to invest a good chunk of cash in a morph?

[Oxylepy]

It took me finding a fire at a show to get me to invest a "good bit" of money (it was actually 700 at the time, not much but still).

Because BPs dont require a lot of space, dont need much attention, and are pretty easy to care for, the hobby is very very easy. Regular maintenance, feeding, etc is about all they need, the food becomes cheaper when you order it online... It's like getting into model trains, yeah the circle is cool, but wouldnt you rather have the oval? Yeah the oval was cool, but come on, they have tunnels... and on and on... It just keeps getting worse.

My suggestion is that instead of you running out and getting another snake: Start breeding rats for food. Kill and freeze them at different sizes, etc. Rats are really awesome animals when you actually get to know them, they're extremely rewarding, and when you start breeding them you will have your own food supply for your BPs, you will be able to offer frozen or live (for those pesky eaters), and you get used to it so you can easily expand as you get more snakes (with the knowledge you gain from a few rats, instead of a dozen).

From there you should then think "huh, I have an excess of rats, it's about time to get some snakes to balance this out" then you can get snakes. Once you get your rat and snake collection going, try your hand at breeding. Once you breed you will need more rats, thus keep more rats. Then you can trade and sell snakes, it will help pay for everything... And just keep going.

[iCandiBallPythons]

Make sure its something your still dedicated to after the "new" factor has worn off. One thing many never consider when getting into this hobby is money for vet bills if the "what if's" occur.

[stratus_020202]

Yep. I have the itch. I've had it for 2 yrs now. Just because you scratch it, doesn't mean it's going away. But, it feels so good!!!

[Flatheadhunter33]

Make sure its something your still dedicated to after the "new" factor has worn off. One thing many never consider when getting into this hobby is money for vet bills if the "what if's" occur.

Yep...gotcha. I have been a herper since I was a kid. Always catching and bringing home something. Garter snakes, frogs, turtles, salamanders...heck in Iraq, I was the guy always catching camel spiders and scorpions. Once when I caught a rattler on my back patio and decided to keep it as a pet, my wife thought that I was off my rocker...but we had it for a few years. Watching it kill and eat was always weekly entertainment for me and my kids.

I always knew that I was going to own all the reptiles I could afford when I got old enough to have my own house (as per my mother's stipulation). I just never figured on BPs quite like this...

[t6venom]

i know the feeling mine were birthday gifts and i love them both just added a new one to my reptile "family" rescued from craigslist. and i cant wait to get a albino

[SquamishSerpents]

It took me finding a fire at a show to get me to invest a "good bit" of money (it was actually 700 at the time, not much but still).

Because BPs dont require a lot of space, dont need much attention, and are pretty easy to care for, the hobby is very very easy. Regular maintenance, feeding, etc is about all they need, the food becomes cheaper when you order it online... It's like getting into model trains, yeah the circle is cool, but wouldnt you rather have the oval? Yeah the oval was cool, but come on, they have tunnels... and on and on... It just keeps getting worse.

My suggestion is that instead of you running out and getting another snake: Start breeding rats for food. Kill and freeze them at different sizes, etc. Rats are really awesome animals when you actually get to know them, they're extremely rewarding, and when you start breeding them you will have your own food supply for your BPs, you will be able to offer frozen or live (for those pesky eaters), and you get used to it so you can easily expand as you get more snakes (with the knowledge you gain from a few rats, instead of a dozen).

From there you should then think "huh, I have an excess of rats, it's about time to get some snakes to balance this out" then you can get snakes. Once you get your rat and snake collection going, try your hand at breeding. Once you breed you will need more rats, thus keep more rats. Then you can trade and sell snakes, it will help pay for everything... And just keep going.

lol, is THAT how you justify it?

it's true, though. breeding rats is quite fun and rewarding. i LOVE my ASF's, even though they want to eat my hand off when they have babies around.

and as for snakes, they may be a bit more obscure to collect than, say, pocket watches or stamps, but they're WAY BETTER!!!

[iCandiBallPythons]

Yep...gotcha. I have been a herper since I was a kid. Always catching and bringing home something. Garter snakes, frogs, turtles, salamanders...heck in Iraq, I was the guy always catching camel spiders and scorpions. Once when I caught a rattler on my back patio and decided to keep it as a pet, my wife thought that I was off my rocker...but we had it for a few years. Watching it kill and eat was always weekly entertainment for me and my kids.

I always knew that I was going to own all the reptiles I could afford when I got old enough to have my own house (as per my mother's stipulation). I just never figured on BPs quite like this...

Personally there are tons of different snakes that I like but my true passion has always been BP's are my passion and they are very rewarding animals in many aspects.

[Lolo76]

Anyhow, is this pretty much the same way that you all started your collections?

Yep. I just got my first BP as a pet, and never imagined having a whole collection - let alone breeding. But they are super easy to care for, fun to interact with, and come in such a wide array of colors and patterns... so understandably, some of us become quickly addicted!

How long did it take you before you decided to invest a good chunk of cash in a morph?

I got my second BP and first morph, a baby male pastel, about 3 months after the first snake... but he only cost $125, so it was hardly a "chunk" of cash. To date (about a year & a half of keeping them) the most I've spent was $240 + shipping on a mojave, but I am currently paying off a $500 girl - hope to have her by the end of summer. Unfortunately or luckily, depending on how you look at it, that's about as much as I can spend at this time. If I were loaded, you can bet I'd already have some high-end morphs in my collection!