New with Questions

[jesse0319]

I am a college student currently living on campus - I will be moving off-campus next year. I have my heart set on eventually owning a BP, but unfortunately it looks like I'll have to wait. My mom is absolutely terrified of snakes - she can't even look at a still picture of one, even from a distance. I've tried talking to her about it, but she clams up and doesn't want to say anything - she hates even saying or hearing the word "snake". And since I live with my parents during Christmas, and perhaps the summer too, I've never been allowed to own any kind of reptile, especially snakes.

Has anyone had a phobic parent, and successfully convinced them to let you have a snake? And are pet stores a SUPER bad place to get a BP, even if the corn looks healthy?

Also, I might be getting some PET rats soon (I'm an animal lover, but I only take in what I can handle space, time, and $ wise!) Is it ok to have rats and a snake in the same house together, as long as they aren't out at the same time and I wash up when handling each? Or should I just wait for the BP until after the rats have passed on (hate to say it, but they DO only live around 3 years...)

Any general tips?

[Kaorte]

WELCOME!!!

This situation sounds pretty familiar. I got my first snake my second year of college without my parents permission. They were not pleased. Too bad!

Since I didn't live at home and living off my own money, it really wasn't an issue. I did bring her back with me once for winter vacation, but from then on I just had a friend check on them when I was gone.

My parents still don't really approve of my hobby, but they have accepted it for what it is.

As for keeping rats and snakes, its totally cool. A lot of us keep our live feeder rats in the same room as the snakes (I know I do) and there are no issues. Just do a hand wash when you go from handling the rat to the snake to prevent a bite.

[Artemisace]

My mom started out hating snakes, partially because my dad had a nine foot burmese when she was pregnant with me, but she is okay being around my ball python and my california kingsnake. The best advice I have for helping them get over it is to not push the subject, if you bring it up and they clam up then drop it. I feel once they see you won't force the subject on them they may warm up to the idea. That being said everyone is different I know some people that no matter how much I try are absolutely terrified of snakes. I wish you luck on that aspect.

As far as pet store snakes are concerned I advise against buying ANY animal from the big pet chains, pet .co and petsmart mainly, I got my ball python from a specialty store and he is doing just fine. Hits rats like it's cool and has shed four times for me since I got him. The kingsnake is wild caught so can't give pointers on him... If you are going to buy a snake from a pet store like petsmart then I suggest you familiarize yourself with what a healthy snake looks and acts like. You can't be to careful with pet stores like that. I'm going to stop there before I rant about it.

Now for rats and snakes in the same house, that's fine go for it, just make sure you wash your hands VERY WELL in between the two. I always make sure to wash my hands after handling my ball python and the cal king and visa versa. I don't want to get bit by the cal king and I don't want to spread possible illness. As long as you don't do that you should be good, I also would consider different rooms for the two, but that's just me. Hope this helped, I'm no expert and there are people on this site who know WAY more than I do. I'm sure they'll chime in if they feel the need.

[dxpx]

My parents were always super cool with me and my reptile fascination. They really didnt have a choice since I was bringing frogs in pockets in the house at the age of four and keeping them in a jar. a few days later mom would find them and make me let them go. Got my first wild-caught garter when I was 8, they BOUGHT me my first herp (an Iguana) at 9, and by the time I was 15 I had over 32 reptiles in my bedroom. It was always funny to see my new friends faces when they came over for the first time. Most all of them were sold or given away when I went to college. But during/after college I got into breeding corns. The day I got married (well a few weeks before) I had to cut loose of my snake collection because the wife was terrified. She loved animals, but not snakes. Well 10 years later the way I convinced her into letting me bring a BP in was letting her know that her fears and comfort were more important to me then a snake (and they really are), but snakes are something I would enjoy to have. I told her that it would be in it's own room with not one, but 3 locks on the cage. If it showed absolutely ANY signs of aggression I would find it a new home. So we agreed on ONE. For the first few nights, I would show her the cage was locked so she could sleep peacefully. I would come get her when she would come out of her hide to show her how she explored her cage in a calm non-menacing manner. And when I started holding her around my wife, I would do so very gently so it wouldnt cause the snake to make any sudden movements. Quick movements trigger fear in people that are afraid of snakes. Well thankfully, my 4 year old daughter fell in love with the BP... I mean LOVE with it. and watching my daughter hold it with me standing right there and the snake npt trying to consume my daughter helped my wife as well. 10 months later, the BP's are now in the living room. I'll come home and my wife will be chilling on the couch with one of the 9 BPs. She helps me clean and do water, and has even picked out what she thinks needs to be the next addition to the collection. She still refuses to see them eat or even look at there food because she has such a soft spot for furry things, but other then that, totally cool. It's funny, she even argues with her mom that snakes are not demon-infested people killers.

But that was my situation. In all honesty, it may be easier just to wait til you have your own place. Respecting mom (or dad) and her house is pretty important. I didnt think so as much until I had my own kids. I would want them to respect me and my house, but more importantly my wife... it makes my life a whole lot easier, lol.

[Reinz]

Howdy Jesse, welcome to the forum.

As as a parent, I would think you could convince them of a BP with some education and reasoning.
Explain about them being constrictors and being gentle. And that they don't get big like Boa's. (4 -4 1/2 ft usually ).
Promise you will keep your door closed at all times. That way they don't have to look at it. Keep it in your room during play time. Don't try to show it off to them. Let them come to you.

As as far as the rat and snake at the same time. As long as your enclosures are secure that is fine. Just keep in mind both of them are escape artists And break in artists.

Good Luck

[dxpx]

sorry about the short book

[Neal]

Welcome to the forums and I hope everything works out for you eventually.