When is it too much?

[Jrich]

Right now I have 7 snakes and some say "Woah that's a lot!" but as you can see in the picture below they really don't take up that much space. All the snakes have proper heating, food, water and clean enclosures with sufficient space. Please forgive the few items I have sitting on the metal screen tops of the last two enclosures (cage clips are on their way). The set up isn't as fancy and sophisticated as I want it to be but I have been upgrading slowly. I have the funds to feed, house, take snakes to the vet when necessary and upgrade enclosures to accommodate my few growing babies. There is a reptile show coming up on Sunday and I have been thinking about purchasing another scaly family member. This would put me at 8 snakes total. I have no plans to breed the animals. I just want to hear some opinions on what reptile owners have to say about the amount of reptiles an individual may keep. Am I getting in over my head?

[eminart]

It's too much when you can't or don't want to take care of them. Otherwise, it's your time and money. Do what you like. As long as you're having fun, and taking care of the animals, knock yourself out. Just don't lead with "I have 7 snakes!" when meeting new people and you'll be fine. ;)

[millertime89]

As long as you're able to care for all of them properly and do so you're ok. It's when the quality of care starts slipping that you've got too much. For me more than 12 was too much and I was at 18 so I downsized, I'm at 10 now.

[LiL Zap]

As long as you have the finances to keep these snakes with the best possible care, then it's ok. I rather see animals set up comfortably versus a bunch of snakes crammed in rack set ups that are too small.

[Sasha2]

I have ten and thats my limit. Ive always pretty much set my limit of adults at ten.I can handle ten myself, have time to keep them clean, handle them, feed them.

[Jrich]

Thanks for the input everyone. I liked hearing about your personal experiences. So far I think taking care of 7 snakes is relatively low key and fun. I also use some to educate people that were once very frightened by snakes. I've become very attached to them as well. I'll keep your thoughts in mind before purchasing another snake.

[Jrich]

It's too much when you can't or don't want to take care of them. Otherwise, it's your time and money. Do what you like. As long as you're having fun, and taking care of the animals, knock yourself out. Just don't lead with "I have 7 snakes!" when meeting new people and you'll be fine. ;)

Haha I learned that lesson! It's like they forget your name, what you do and where you're from once they hear that you keep snakes in your home! You're no longer so and so, you're that "crazy snake person".

[pet_snake_78]

It really doesn't take me that much more time to take care of the 30 or so adults I have now than it did when I only had a few pairs. I have a routine now and the water changes are on the a schedule unless someone poos in a water bowl. Feeding I do kind of by gut somewhat because sometimes I see animals eating a lot more than other times, but I just keep a log book and review it regularly. I check every tub daily but you're talking like 3 minutes to pull a tub out, look around, check for unusual smells, glance at humidity and temps, and close it back up. It's certainly a little more work than it was 3 weeks ago because with the warmer temps virtually all are in a feeding frenzy but still doesn't take super long either.

[Minkness]

Eh...I get that about my geckos alot...let's see....I have about 20 with eggs incubating and more on the way. As for snakes....hmmm....I don't know my limit yet, but It will probably be around 10 some day in the future. I have 3 now and know for a fact that I want 3-4 more and possibly dabble into breeding in a few years like I have with my geckos. So, as eminart syated...it's inly too much if uou can't or don't want to take care of them.

=)

[Pirarucu]

As said, as long as you are properly caring for all of them (and yourself) then go for it. My collection is sitting at almost fifty animals right now, with some more day gecko eggs incubating.

[Aaron_S]

I think aslong as my life isn't revolving around my snakes then I'm okay. Number isn't as important as quality of care and ensuring I can still do what I want in my life.

[SSSSnakes]

I think aslong as my life isn't revolving around my snakes then I'm okay. Number isn't as important as quality of care and ensuring I can still do what I want in my life.

I have to agree with Aaron.

[Minkness]

Meh...My life is all about my pets. So I'm ok with that lol

[trailblazer295]

Meh...My life is all about my pets. So I'm ok with that lol
LOL

My life actions are dictated by feeding my pushy cat wet food. Snakes are easy by comparison.

[Minkness]

Lol. I'm considering adding a bird to my life.....talk about demanding much?

[trailblazer295]

Lol. I'm considering adding a bird to my life.....talk about demanding much?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO stay away from the dark side. I hate pet birds, A they never shut the hell up and B I just think it's cruel keeping a flying animal in such a small space. It's like putting a person in a closet, one stride and you bounce off the other side. They can't "fly" anywhere because bird cages are always tall and birds obviously fly horizontally.

[Minkness]

Lol. You're cute.

Depends on the bird though. Also, cages should be more like kennels. A place they go when you are not at home. Also, I am looking into things like harness training so that it can safely fly out doors. Also, you'd be surprised about the sall cage thing. Because many birds have been domesticated for so long (like certain reptiles) some will actually stress out in a larger enclosure. I'm still learning much, and in the end may just stick with getting a new snake, but it's on my radar lol.

[trailblazer295]

Lol. You're cute.

Depends on the bird though. Also, cages should be more like kennels. A place they go when you are not at home. Also, I am looking into things like harness training so that it can safely fly out doors. Also, you'd be surprised about the sall cage thing. Because many birds have been domesticated for so long (like certain reptiles) some will actually stress out in a larger enclosure. I'm still learning much, and in the end may just stick with getting a new snake, but it's on my radar lol.

Aww shucks


Nothing like toxic presents on the new sofa lol. I admit I haven't done any bird research but just say seeing them flap their wings twice and hit the other side of the cage. Also the wing clipping so they can't fly is cruel. It's in a similar league as declawing cats. Cutting parts of the animal to fit the owners wants. I support plan B ;) I vote a boa like bci and such so I can live vicariously through you.

[pet_snake_78]

I raise birds to feed my egg eating snakes and smaller snakes. They are actually not that bad, finches at least. I vacationed in ecuador and saw many birds that would make excellent pets too like aracaris.

[Minkness]

Trailblazer, while I won't try to sway you by telling you that birds are the best thing ever, I'd like you to be open to the idea that all bird owners are not equal. How many people keep snakes in a tank too small? Or a dog on a chain their whole lives? A big part of owning any pet is first to own the rigt one, and second to take care of it. Not all pers are rigt for all people and vice versa.

Also, wing clipping can be done in different ways (learning as I go) and one is to clip the feathers not the actual wing. This would be like clipponga cats nails instead of declawing. Just some food for thought.

Ironically, if I get a snake for my house warming gift to myself, it will be a bia. Either BCC/BCI or a rainbow lol.

[trailblazer295]

I have yet to see a bird cage that isn't really tall butnot very wide which is poor for birds. Like keeping fish in tall tanks they swim horizontally. I know people keep all animals in spaces to small. Some go crazy and make huge places which is great just never seen a large bird cage in a home setting.

I've just read about wing clipping without reading every detail. As birds weren't something that interests me as a pet I didn't read the ins and outs of keeping them. Still a difference though, trimming a cats nails is preventing damage to the cat as in nature their claws would wear down naturally but as a pet they generally don't so you have to keep them in check. Where as a bird doesn't. I get the idea it's a not hurtful permanent trimming though but still different purpose.

I'm glad I can help enable :P

[fainche]

There is no certain number for as long as you can finance and take good care all you like animals. I don't see "too much" of that.

[Moreau]

I think that everyone has that magic number where if you go over it, it becomes more of a burden to look after your snakes rather than fun. Unless you are a breeder, then I'm sure the more the better.

My magic number is eight. I am at full capacity with eight snakes. 5 is perfect in my opinion.

[pet_snake_78]

Most of my animals are small to medium sizes. 8 Anacondas could be a handfull lol