Why you shouldn't get into reptiles

[Leonbp]

My cousin is a gun lover and someone tagged him in this video on facebook.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3htdn...NCXzNV&index=2

When I watched it is couldn't help but compare it to a reptile hobby. So here's mine:

It started with one lizard. I see him at the pet store for dirt cheap and think "this will be a cool, cheap, and easy to manage pet". So I buy him and get to doing the research. I spend over $100 in the first few days to try and meet my new pets husbandry needs.

2 weeks later I pass by the pet store and decide to walk in, just to look and compare with what i've got. Next thing I know, I'm at the front counter filling out the adoption paperwork for my lizards "new friend".
"It's an investment". After all, I could breed them and make my money back and then some!

Then I saw a a snake. Another investment! Speaking of investments, let's talk about starting a breeding colony of superworms and roaches for those lizards to cut down on cost of food. Now I'm keeping inverts. Oh and a couple tarantulas can't hurt. They're so cheap!

5 months and 6 reptiles later, I'm modifying my one bedroom apartment into a veritable zoo. I'm spending more on accessories and temperature/humidity controls than I did on the reptiles
Spending all my time on morphmarket looking at new cool morph combinations.

Getting new reptiles is like an addiction. A drug addiction would be cheaper than a reptile hobby. And with alot of reptiles at " crackhead" prices, it's difficult to pass up. Then i realize i need even more space and equipment to accommodate my collection.

Then there's the judgement. Every family gathering is like a subtle intervention:

"Your hoarding dangerous animals"
"What if they get out? Aren't you afraid they'll eat each other? Aren't you afraid they'll eat you??"
"They're all gross"
"Those are the Devils minions!"

These gatherings never happen at my house either, no one wants to come over.

I had a lady ask me about my interests. When I told her, she actually prayed for me, as if the keeping of reptiles has sealed my fate in hell.

Sure, reptiles are fascinating both aesthetically and scientifically. They make excellent, long-lived pets, and help with alot of anxiety and depression disorder like any therapy pet. But it's just another addiction.

[Zincubus]

Very interesting take on things ... I kinda agree about the addiction theory as well ... My life is basically ruled by routines and obsessions and one of my worst is the snake addiction .

I keep a wide range though , so rather than fixating on one type like Royals I have Boas , Burms , Retics , Kings , Corns and Garter snakes ( do have five Royals though !) . Currently on 20 with number 21 incoming on Monday ....

Now mine are all in lovely Viv setups as I simply can't abide RUBS as they seem so limiting - visually . So mine were all handpicked as display snakes as breeding them doesn't appeal at all .





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[Dumdum333]

just like guns, drugs, food or anything, it's only an addiction if you let it become one. It's possible to collect reptiles and still have it as a hobby rather than an issue, as long as you're able to live a normal life.

[Meerna]

I also have a one bedroom apartment, and my sister has already refereed to it as a zoo. I only have 2 cats, 2 axolotls, and 3 snakes (with one more snake on the way). Luckily my family is just a tad more understanding, probably at least a little because I was always the odd one. Some of them say eew when they see the snakes and don't want to be near them, but others are somewhat interested and actually ask to hold or at least touch one. My grandmother is especially funny in regards to my animals, because she's afraid of snakes but still wants to take a peek at them every time she comes over. And she refuses to call my axolotls amphibians, preferring to call them "fish with legs".

[rock]

Funny, because it's all true. I'm sure I will re-read this many times. Reminds me of my last 6 months! Family and friends react the exact same way. Our office is now the "snake den". I spent a lot of time on morphmarket until I found my way into carpet pythons but now they are starting to carry them there too. Add in the kids who want to adopt every animal they see and it's a full family issue with my wife being the only voice of reason. Cheers!

[OhhWatALoser]

Some people have an addictive personality, so it doesn't matter what your poison is you are just prone to it. Reptiles, guns, drugs, booze doesn't matter. The theory is you are addicted to the chemicals your brain makes when, let's say you bring a new animal home, happy chemicals yay. If you can't control it, this hobby might be extremely tough for you.

The judgement will vary from family to family and person to person. A lot of times it's just poor education about snakes. I have select few relatives that won't go in my reptile room due to their irrational fear that has been formed over time in our society. Not everyone is going to like them and that is expected. However I have had quite a few be that way before and now they hold them and find them fascinating.

My mom wouldn't let me bring my first snake into her house when I lived at home, had to keep it else where. Fast forward 10 years and now she's yelling at me for selling the ones she likes. Amazing what a little education and experience with them can do.

As for the religious folk.... Well I'm about as atheist as it gets and once you use religion to justify something, I have no problem pointing out how ridiculous I find the entire concept of religion. At least for me the conversation will not be about snakes for very long. I'm not going to say any more than that outside the quarantine room.

As for more reasons. The deeper you dive in the hobby the more tied down your are to where you keep them. Right now I'm stuck at home tending a generator since the power is out. The rodents need fans running and I don't want the reptile room getting too cold. Also the fish tank can't be out for too long (add fish as another hobby to not get into lol) so I'm getting up every few hours to fill up the gas tank.

normally I'd just throw the dogs some blankets and go do stuff, occasionally coming back to the house to let the dogs out and fire up the generator for an hour to warm the house back up. Continue on with my day afterwards. Not with reptiles and rodents. Just play on my phone a bunch I guess.

Vacations need extra planning, can't go away for work without extra planning.

Also I moved last year, after moving I plan on never moving again. Moving sucks for normal people, but adding a reptile room on top it, spent an extra day just moving them. Finding someone to take the rodents also. Location changes are not easy with a collection.

[Neal]

Some people have an addictive personality, so it doesn't matter what your poison is you are just prone to it. Reptiles, guns, drugs, booze doesn't matter. The theory is you are addicted to the chemicals your brain makes when, let's say you bring a new animal home, happy chemicals yay. If you can't control it, this hobby might be extremely tough for you.

The judgement will vary from family to family and person to person. A lot of times it's just poor education about snakes. I have select few relatives that won't go in my reptile room due to their irrational fear that has been formed over time in our society. Not everyone is going to like them and that is expected. However I have had quite a few be that way before and now they hold them and find them fascinating.

My mom wouldn't let me bring my first snake into her house when I lived at home, had to keep it else where. Fast forward 10 years and now she's yelling at me for selling the ones she likes. Amazing what a little education and experience with them can do.

As for the religious folk.... Well I'm about as atheist as it gets and once you use religion to justify something, I have no problem pointing out how ridiculous I find the entire concept of religion. At least for me the conversation will not be about snakes for very long. I'm not going to say any more than that outside the quarantine room.

As for more reasons. The deeper you dive in the hobby the more tied down your are to where you keep them. Right now I'm stuck at home tending a generator since the power is out. The rodents need fans running and I don't want the reptile room getting too cold. Also the fish tank can't be out for too long (add fish as another hobby to not get into lol) so I'm getting up every few hours to fill up the gas tank.

normally I'd just throw the dogs some blankets and go do stuff, occasionally coming back to the house to let the dogs out and fire up the generator for an hour to warm the house back up. Continue on with my day afterwards. Not with reptiles and rodents. Just play on my phone a bunch I guess.

Vacations need extra planning, can't go away for work without extra planning.

Also I moved last year, after moving I plan on never moving again. Moving sucks for normal people, but adding a reptile room on top it, spent an extra day just moving them. Finding someone to take the rodents also. Location changes are not easy with a collection.

Yea, that sucks OWAL. lol.

In some peoples case like mine you go into the hot phase of snakes. Then now that I'm actually keeping venomous, I'm finding that I prefer them versus non-venomous, however you can't hold them. They're definitely unique to watch though, and they have some amazing looking ones.

[Leonbp]

Very interesting take on things ... I kinda agree about the addiction theory as well ... My life is basically ruled by routines and obsessions and one of my worst is the snake addiction .

I keep a wide range though , so rather than fixating on one type like Royals I have Boas , Burms , Retics , Kings , Corns and Garter snakes ( do have five Royals though !) . Currently on 20 with number 21 incoming on Monday ....

Now mine are all in lovely Viv setups as I simply can't abide RUBS as they seem so limiting - visually . So mine were all handpicked as display snakes as breeding them doesn't appeal at all .

Snakes are my biggest obsession, with balls being my favorite. Haven't had much experience with larger snakes yet though. I feel like the routine is what keeps me sane sometimes. Life is hectic and crazy and my reptile routine gives me an anchor to hold on to and helps me focus. Really helps reduce anxiety.

As for the rubs, I use clear sterilite so that I have perfect vision of my babies. Not as clear as acrylic or glass but it works for me

[Leonbp]

These are some really good points, guys. It's great that we are discussing the "potato chip problem" with reptiles. More often than not, we want more! And it can easily turn into an addiction, as was mentioned, just like anything else can. It really comes down to discipline. Making sure thathat everything you already have is doing perfect and making improvements there first. There is an excellent post somewhere on here about this and if I get around to finding it after work today I'll post it here.

I did want to clarify that this thread was meant to be amusing rather than serious. But it's anot important subject nonetheless!

[EL-Ziggy]

I agree with so much of what's been said. I went into a Petsmart in February 2013 looking for a blue lizard that my then almost 4 y/o son wanted for a first pet. I / we saw a little California Kingsnake in the reptile department and a whole new world opened up . Four years and eight snakes later I think I've finally found my happy place in this hobby. It's tough sometimes because I'd love to have many many more critters. Snakes, lizards, birds of prey, dogs, and big cats included. BUT I know and respect my limits. What's the old saying about all things in moderation? My current collection keeps me challenged, engaged, and entertained but I don't want my passion to become more work than play.
We all keep reptiles for a myriad of reasons but the one tie that binds us all to these fascinating creatures, and by extension to each other, is love.