What would you do

[I<3Dreamsicles]

I really want to start getting a collection of reptiles going but im a senior on highschool and I have to leave for college pretty soon.... (soon as in within like a year or two) I plan on staying in state almost for sure, and the college im most interested in is about an hour away. What would you do in my place? I already have my female ball python, and planned on getting a turtle or multiple turtles in two weeks, and a female pastel around christmas time.
I also want to get a female boa too... (with a male later)

I wonder if they would care about keeping snakes in the dorms.... (but seriously. lol) - or if they would know about them...

The other problem would be my turtles but my brother would probably watch over them for me since he still has four more years of highschool to do... and by then I should be out of college maybe?? Probably?

I think that the college requires students to stay on campus for the first two years or something...

[Jason Bowden]

I'd keep the collection small while in college. Maybe just the ball python you have already. Unless you could rent a house close to school. Go to college and make the best grades you can and get er done.
On the other hand you could keep a small collection of ball pythons in a rack system without taking up too much space. Ball pythons won't get big like the boa you mentioned. Bp's are also pretty low maintenance. I would check there enclosures everyday to make sure everything is in order, but it would be relatively safe to leave them for a weekend while you go home for some of mom's cooking.
Some turtles and lizards require daily feedings etc.

[Iris]

Most colleges won't allow you to keeps pets in a dorm unless its something like a beta. I would check with the school first because I know of cases where if you are caught with a snake they take it and will rehome or do away with the animal and you wouldn't want that to happen to your collection.

[gmcclurelssu]

Just also keep in mind the feelings of potential roommates- some may not be fans of snakes, or just don't want pets in the rooms. If it were me, I would leave your current snake at home temporarily until those issues are sorted out, then setup a rack somewhere. In my experience, most people will be pretty chill about the whole thing as long as they know about it in advance, rather than you just showing up with a pet. just my 2 cents

[I<3Dreamsicles]

I'd keep the collection small while in college. Maybe just the ball python you have already. Unless you could rent a house close to school. Go to college and make the best grades you can and get er done.
On the other hand you could keep a small collection of ball pythons in a rack system without taking up too much space. Ball pythons won't get big like the boa you mentioned. Bp's are also pretty low maintenance. I would check there enclosures everyday to make sure everything is in order, but it would be relatively safe to leave them for a weekend while you go home for some of mom's cooking.
Some turtles and lizards require daily feedings etc.

yeah that was my main thoughts with the turtles as if I were to have to leave my animals at home. But I wouldnt want to leave my snakes alone for a whole week with little to no attention from my parents or brother. But its not like I plan on getting rid of my girl...

I also was thinking that a rack or tubs would be good for college and probably wouldnt even be noticed.

[I<3Dreamsicles]

Most colleges won't allow you to keeps pets in a dorm unless its something like a beta. I would check with the school first because I know of cases where if you are caught with a snake they take it and will rehome or do away with the animal and you wouldn't want that to happen to your collection.

A beta... well... a ball isnt much different.... right?
lol. beta.... Why cant you keep pets though? I cant think of any good reasons besides that people could be allergic but.... that doesnt happen with reptiles does it?

WTF. "Do away" with my animal??? Like what?? Kill it.
I dont think they have any authority to rehome my pets with out me knowing...

Just also keep in mind the feelings of potential roommates- some may not be fans of snakes, or just don't want pets in the rooms. If it were me, I would leave your current snake at home temporarily until those issues are sorted out, then setup a rack somewhere. In my experience, most people will be pretty chill about the whole thing as long as they know about it in advance, rather than you just showing up with a pet. just my 2 cents

I would deffiantley check with them first... A rack, or a tub might not even be noticed since it could be hidden pretty easily under a bed or something.
I would hope that people are chill....
Arrrr....

[Iris]

A ball is much different that is the point. The point is if they find it in you room doing an inspection or whatever your school may do they could have it removed from the campus and there isn't much you can do unless you can get them to allow you to take it back to your parents house.

Because you broke their rules for living in a dorm. I don't mean to sound mean but I know a guy the worked as security for a college and got a lot of snakes from room inspections that were done by housing.

[CoolioTiffany]

Well, what you could do is just keep your one Ball python and take her only to your college. After you finish up with college and move out of the dorm you could build up your collection then, since you'd have more time and space for the snakes and turtles.

[JLC]

Waiting to do something we really want to do can be VERY hard....but just because it's hard doesn't mean it isn't the right thing to do. A snake or two might not be too hard to figure out how to care for during your college years, but turtles take a lot of space and time and specialized enclosures. I would seriously consider putting off acquiring ANY new animals until you're absolutely sure what your living quarters will be like and have a very specific plan in place for handling current and future animals.

You won't ever regret waiting for a little while....but you might very well come to regret the early satisfaction of buying animals now.

[p3titexburial]

Or get a place off campus? They give more leeway. I wouldn't keep it in your dorm unless you had absolutely no choice--I do know in state/city colleges the room inspections can only be in open space and visible areas i.e. they can't look under things/in things but I don't know about private colleges.

People are afraid of reptiles, not to mention ball poop/pee usually stinks--things like fish don't affect your roommates, but anything bigger can. Good luck!