I am a victim of sudden snake addiction

[spaceturtle]

Granted, I've been needing a hobby for a while now. Got dumped by the only girl I ever really loved about 3 months ago. Lots of drama, lots of depression. Keeping snakes has been a good way to get my mind off all that stuff.

HOWEVER! I am getting too addicted. I bought my first snake after researching online for a while, then actually bought a SECOND SNAKE before the first snake had even shed for the first time. And now I'm wanting to get a boa constrictor and it's only been like a month and a half since I got the first two.

Keeping them comfortable and caring for them isn't really a problem for me. I live alone and don't really have a social circle anymore now that "she" is not in my life. However, I have been getting sloppy in some ways. I have no quarantine practices yet. I regularly handle both snakes back to back without washing up. I also haven't found whether my town has a good herp vep yet, and I really don't even have a single friend that shares this interest. And yet I already want more snakes? Sigh. I'm just afraid that I'm getting ahead of myself and that it come back to haunt me.

This is a fun hobby though and so far has been very rewarding. My ball python and western hognose are both just awesome to handle and care for.

Anyways, just thought I'd share.

I NEED SELF CONTROL

[rrupp1179]

I can't say that I am ready to get another snake...However, my addiction to caring for the BP that I have now has kicked in.

I have other non-reptile pets. NEVER have I spent so much time learning and trying to maintain a PERFECT environment for them.

I have been sucked into the HERP world lol!!!

[Bruce Whitehead]

Snakes are the best... and having a good setup and a nice routine does mean that having additional snakes becomes easy enough to assimilate into your collection.

But I could not caution you enough about getting a strong QT in place, especially if you know where your weaknesses are.

Some of the concerns with a BP (or any snake) can take months to appear... so bringing together two healthy looking snakes can be disastrous. And if you are planning on increasing your collection especially (emphasis!) if you have a mixed collection.

I keep mine apart for a minimum of 60 days, 90 preferred, even with established snakes I do not cross contaminate, and follow universal precautions between handlings, during cage cleaning, etc.

The only time my snakes even see another snake is during breeding. Even then they have the water dish removed to prevent the spread of RIs VIA a shared water dish.

RIs and other problems can occur individually and spontaneously for the animal, so being out of QT does not mean that you do not follow the same precautions.

Sorry for the changes in your life, but changes are good, keeps us evolving, and therapy snakes are the best. My first snake was a `therapy snake`and he was the best!

Take care,
Bruce

[FIEND_FO_LYFE]

im not addicted
i only have 10 snakes...

getting 4 more in a few days...

then one in the mail....
and a few from a show...


and any good deals..


oh...
i think...
im addicted.
lol