How long to wait..

blakkangell · 09-01-16, 02:39 PM

I got my first snake in March and have been very quickly plague with snake fever haha. I got another snake in July and now I am wanting yet another snake. All my friends are saying I should wait, which is probably true, but I literally just want to buy every snake I see. So I was wondering how long every one else has waited before adding more snakes to their collection?

SnakeyJay · 09-01-16, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blakkangell

I got my first snake in March and have been very quickly plague with snake fever haha. I got another snake in July and now I am wanting yet another snake. All my friends are saying I should wait, which is probably true, but I literally just want to buy every snake I see. So I was wondering how long every one else has waited before adding more snakes to their collection?

I'd say get to grips with the species that you have atm, perfect every aspect of their care while you consider where you want to go with what you buy.... I find the slower you decide what to get, the more you realise that is actually out there.

There's some fascinating species around and plenty of time to own them, just take your time so you know what your buying is what you actually want.

Everyone has their own way, nobody can say when someone is ready, it all comes down to what you can afford, what you can house and what you can realistically look after for life. Goodluck

**Andy_G** · 09-01-16, 03:16 PM

Definitely what Jamie said. Slow and steady, perfect what you have, and take the time to figure out your next purchase. Avoid impulsive buying.

**Minkness** · 09-01-16, 03:47 PM

I am nooooot a good person to answer this question as my own collection exploded fron 1 to 18 in not even 2 whole years, and I already have more on the way and others I'm waiting to be born!

That being said, do what is RIGHT. Don't impulse buy. Research what it is you are thinking of getting, and look at adult care before getting a baby.

Reptiles are an adiction and can be a pretty serious one. So keep yourself in check and have a plan and information before moving forward.

Good luck!

blakkangell · 09-01-16, 03:56 PM

I've done a ton of research and have determined I want at least 3 more snakes: a MBK, a tessera corn snake, and a banana butter bee ball python. My two snakes I have now are doing great, Lily had some issues about a month ago, but I resolved them and now she is going strong. I'm doing my best to wait, but with all the cute faces I just want my 3 other babies already! It's so hard to say no

blakkangell · 09-01-16, 04:05 PM

Also I've read that spider breed can have neurological problems like wobble. Is that true for EVERY spider snake or do just a few have it?

**Andy_G** · 09-01-16, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blakkangell

Also I've read that spider breed can have neurological problems like wobble. Is that true for EVERY spider snake or do just a few have it?

It's linked to the spider gene and all of them have it. The degree of which it is exhibited varies though...from constantly corkscrewing and not being able to right themselves to a slight wobble when under stress. They can still make great pets though.

Do you have an area to quarantine your new addition(s) away from your regular collection?

**Minkness** · 09-01-16, 04:24 PM

I had a bad experience with the spider gene myself and will NEVER get another again. Broke my heart....

REM955 · 09-01-16, 04:31 PM

I am new to keeping snakes and I have my own plan for slow progression:
Wait until the latest addition reaches a year in age, researching the next in the mean time. It is something I am comfortable with and perhaps the best considering the path I am looking at.

Granted, I do have a bit of patience (or mis-labelled anxiety) when it comes to interacting with anything alive. I ended up browsing on here for a year and a half before getting my first snake.

Also, as I have realistically only two places for them, I have one as a quarantine which somewhat enforces the rate of progression.

Echoing Andy's concern, one sick animal is expensive enough without worrying about two.

blakkangell · 09-01-16, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy_G

It's linked to the spider gene and all of them have it. The degree of which it is exhibited varies though...from constantly corkscrewing and not being able to right themselves to a slight wobble when under stress. They can still make great pets though.

Do you have an area to quarantine your new addition(s) away from your regular collection?

I wonder why it's linked to that specific gene? I'll have to keep that under consideration when looking into getting a ball python because I think seeing that would break my heart like Mink said. And yea, I have a quarantine area.

bigsnakegirl785 · 09-01-16, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blakkangell

I wonder why it's linked to that specific gene? I'll have to keep that under consideration when looking into getting a ball python because I think seeing that would break my heart like Mink said. And yea, I have a quarantine area.

It's linked to the way the baby develops in the egg. From my understanding the pattern mutation disrupts the way the cells develop while the embryo is forming, causing inevitable neurological problems. It cannot be bred out because of this, and individuals who started out with little to no wobble could at any time develop a very serious wobble later in life. Reducing any and all stressors seems to help to some degree from what I've been told by a few owners of spider gene animals, but I've also heard of a few cases where it was so bad the snake could barely eat and best course was to euthanize it. This is rare but doesn't mean an animal with lesser wobble isn't suffering. I find it unethical to breed and knowingly buy any snake with a morph linked to wobble of any sort, not just with spider ball pythons.

**Andy_G** · 09-01-16, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsnakegirl785

I find it unethical to breed and knowingly buy any snake with a morph linked to wobble of any sort, not just with spider ball pythons.

I agree with this. It's why I never got into jag carpets (same gene involved). It's funny how ethics can get thrown out of the window when something new comes along.

**Minkness** · 09-01-16, 05:54 PM

It's rare that I agree with BSG. But this...so much this....

I was sold a lesserbee at a show by a guy who was just a good salesman...and not much else. I was mildly aware of wobble at the time but didn't know how severe it could be. He was honest that the dnake had a slight 'barely noticeable' wobble only when feeding, but he was fine. And in honesty, I didn't notice it for several months. Then he stares going upside down and swaying. He was always grumpy and stressed easily so he was pretty much ahands off snake after a year and a half of me having him. Eventually he stopped eating. I tried everything I could and no matter what he wasn't interested and when he was, he'd miss once, then completely give up on it.

I ended up giving him to the people at the reptile store I frequent because they had someone there experienced with severe wobble cases. Since being with that person he had taken a few meals and is doing better, but still randomly goes upside down and falls over and scares himself andothwr such behaviors.

I'm happy he isn't get euthanized, but it still sucks because he was my 1st BP and grumpiness aside, I really liked him.

Because of this though. I REFUSE to buy any morph that so much as has a WIFF of spider in it.

Now, my situation is probably not the norm for this morph. But it is still something to consider and be aware of if you choose to go with a spider.

Also, Jag carpets apparently are knkwn to have wobble so while I really want one, I don't think I ever will get one. ._.

macandchz · 09-01-16, 06:50 PM

i had a feeling something like wobble would happen with all the interbreeding that has been happening. it happens in people, too. the Amish in Ohio have a specific neurological disorder that strikes some children as do the mormons in utah.

bigsnakegirl785 · 09-01-16, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minkness

It's rare that I agree with BSG. But this...so much this....

I was sold a lesserbee at a show by a guy who was just a good salesman...and not much else. I was mildly aware of wobble at the time but didn't know how severe it could be. He was honest that the dnake had a slight 'barely noticeable' wobble only when feeding, but he was fine. And in honesty, I didn't notice it for several months. Then he stares going upside down and swaying. He was always grumpy and stressed easily so he was pretty much ahands off snake after a year and a half of me having him. Eventually he stopped eating. I tried everything I could and no matter what he wasn't interested and when he was, he'd miss once, then completely give up on it.

I ended up giving him to the people at the reptile store I frequent because they had someone there experienced with severe wobble cases. Since being with that person he had taken a few meals and is doing better, but still randomly goes upside down and falls over and scares himself andothwr such behaviors.

I'm happy he isn't get euthanized, but it still sucks because he was my 1st BP and grumpiness aside, I really liked him.

Because of this though. I REFUSE to buy any morph that so much as has a WIFF of spider in it.

Now, my situation is probably not the norm for this morph. But it is still something to consider and be aware of if you choose to go with a spider.

Also, Jag carpets apparently are knkwn to have wobble so while I really want one, I don't think I ever will get one. ._.

At least we can be civil.

Quote:

Originally Posted by macandchz

i had a feeling something like wobble would happen with all the interbreeding that has been happening. it happens in people, too. the Amish in Ohio have a specific neurological disorder that strikes some children as do the mormons in utah.

It has absolutely nothing to do with inbreeding whatsoever. This is linked to the gene itself, and is not a cause of inbreeding. It doesn't matter how much you outcross the animals every single spider is always going to have a wobble.