How many snakes is too many snakes?

[Annarose15]

OK, so I am 14 years old, hope to go to a really good college, which will mean I would move out of my parents house at 18. The problem is, my parents like my reptiles, but would not want to take care of them. I could probably persuade them to keep an animal or two that I really liked, but most would have to be sold or given away. I am still sorely addicted to these fascinating creatures, especially BP's. I go on kingsnake almost every day and pester my parents about how "that bee would make a perfect pairing with my pastel."What I am asking is should I build my collection more if they are only going to be gone in a few years, and at what point would it be too many snakes to keep for a kid like me.

It sounds like you answered your own question. You already have a pastel. Have an adult conversation with your parents on whether they will be willing to take care of a second one in four years when you go away to college, and then choose wisely if they say yes. Then, over the next 3-4 years, you may even meet someone that you are comfortable asking to take in your BPs for that time frame, so they don't have to (if it's a female, that's about the right timeline for a breeder loan, for example). In theory, you can get a shared apartment with friends after your freshman year, so they would only be caring for them for Aug-May of the first year (if a dorm stay is required). There is a chance you could go to a local school, so they might not need to take care of them at all if you still lived at home (not that I'm suggesting you limit your options for this reason). Right now, your parents are paying the heating bills and likely the food bills, so it would be inconsiderate for your to grow your collection on their dime, anyway.