Motels and snakes??

[Argentra]

Serious question here - for those of you who have traveled (for a move or to shows) with your snakes. Which motels/hotels are snake friendly??

I know that Motel 6 allows pets, but of the furry kind. We planned on staying at Motel 6s, but it makes me nervous. Since most folks don't take kindly to reptiles, how would you go about traveling with 8 snakes and a BTS on a VERY tight budget? We're leaving Friday morning, and some reassurance would be nice.

[rabernet]

I stay at Laquinta which is pet friendly as well (I always bring my dog when I travel). Every show that I've gone to - I bag the snakes that I'm bringing and then put them into a duffel bag. I have a 40 quart Sterilite and a human heat pad with no auto off feature on it.

I plug that in, and put the tub under the sink with the heat pad on the lowest setting and then put the snakes (still in their bags) sort of 1/2 on and 1/2 off the heat.

Keeping them under the sink keeps them out of the direct air flow of the A/C as well.

We put up our do not disturb sign for the entire visit so that we don't have maids entering the room. When we stay for more than 2 nights, the 2nd day they hang fresh towels and toiletries on the door.

Hope that helps!

[zackw419]

Hide Them, if your careful they won't notice...

I don't know of many snake friendly motels let alone apts.

[rabernet]

Or you could be like Sean Bradley and load your display cases (inside their carrying cases) onto the trolly and then yell at Tim Bailey to be careful not to knock the snakes over as you're rolling it past the front desk - that was a classic. Especially the look Tim shot Sean!

[Denial]

Or you could be like Sean Bradley and load your display cases (inside their carrying cases) onto the trolly and then yell at Tim Bailey to be careful not to knock the snakes over as you're rolling it past the front desk - that was a classic. Especially the look Tim shot Sean!

hahaha

[Argentra]

Cool, thanks for the advice Robin. I'll look up Laquinta along the route.

Yeah, we were just going to put up the Do Not Disturb sign to make sure no nosy maids came in, but the under the sink idea is a good one. I know the AC at motels is usually quite strong. I was thinking of placing their tubs under the bed if there was room, but under the sink works better.

And that IS a classic! And funny as heck to boot. I can just see it.

Any other words of advice or wisdom?

[rabernet]

Yeah, just basically don't tell them that you have snakes. They don't need to know that. The LaQuinta in Daytona was pretty good, they knew that a lot of their folks were there for the show and knew one couple had a huge bearded dragon (because they set it by the sliding glass door to look out with its heat lamp). They knew I was there for the show, but I didn't tell them I brought snakes with me. But a few vendors have stayed there too.

Since so many people don't understand or are afraid of snakes, it's just best to be discreet as possible. I did drape a big towel over the tub too, even though it was empty when I was rolling it in on the trolley.

[h00blah]

the motel 6 that i stayed at were find about the snakes.

i bought some snakes and had to leave them in the motel. i told the people at the front that they were there, they werent venemous, and they are perfectly secure. and they said thats fine

[Swingline0.0.1]

When we had the big ice storm in Jan. of 07', we were out of power for 9 days. We snuck our whole snake setup in the side entrance because every hotel/motel we asked said we couldn't!

[Argentra]

Yeah, if you ask them (unless there's a show going on nearby) they will say no. Simply because of liability issues and reactions of other guests. Sigh.

But most places just don't notice, or even care at times, as long as they're secure and not dangerous (i.e. no full grown retics or rattlers or anything like that). I do NOT intend to let them know that I have 8 snakes in tubs... the only possible problem will come from the cat carrier containing my BTS. I'll have it covered, since he's going into brumation for the winter, but still...

Any thoughts about that?