Should I?

Trollbie · 03-13-12, 06:31 PM

So I just got my first ever snake, a Red Milksnake, on Saturday...

BUT when I was looking on Craigslist for snake supplies, I found that someone is selling a Columbian Rainbow for $75. Apparently she's about 3ft.

He says he wants her to go somewhere where she's gonna get more attention, because he doesn't have the time anymore. But that she's healthy and sheds regularly and that she has not shown any aggression.

I'm probably gonna look at her on Thursday or Friday... If she looks healthy, I'm not gonna be able to walk away unless someone beats me up and drags me out.

So it's up to you guys to either try and talk me out of it if you think I'm not ready and if it's a bad idea, or tell me how to properly check that she's healthy and help me get ready for her.

I know I've only had my milk for 4 days, but she's been out for more than hour every day so I'd make the time to handle the Boa too. My roommate loves snakes too so between the 2 of us, both snakes would get plenty attention.

I know I'm a noob and yall probably think I'm dumb, but I've wanted a snake since I was a kid. And now that I have one, I know she's not my last lol.

exwizard · 03-13-12, 06:42 PM

IMO I think youll do great. A Columbian is actually quite easy to take care of. That was my sons first snake.

alessia55 · 03-13-12, 06:45 PM

You should take the rainbow boa if you have the time, money, and willingness to take care of it.

Also... this concerns me:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollbie

I know I've only had my milk for 4 days, but she's been out for more than hour every day

If you've only had the snake for 4 days, you should give it some time to settle in (at least a week) before you start heavy handling sessions. It's also recommended you keep sessions short at first because handling can be stressful for the snake (even if it appears to be happy/calm).

In my honest opinion, you should wait. Get used to having one snake first before you invest in another. You have the rest of your life to build up on your collection, and you never know if another one comes by that you really like too. Do research beforehand, rather than going in to buy a new snake that you're not familiar with. You've only had your milk snake for 4 days... what's the hurry?

theapexgerman · 03-13-12, 06:48 PM

Well if he eats fine than hold him all you want

youngster · 03-13-12, 06:51 PM

Alessia gave you very sound advice mate, I would listen to her.

CK SandBoas · 03-13-12, 06:54 PM

I would honestly wait. As you've said, you have had your new Milksnake for only 4 days. Before getting any new snake, i did my research beforehand, making sure i knew the correct temps and humidity to keep them at, making sure my quarantine area was prepared for the new arrival. That is extremely important when bringing a new animal into your household, you want to keep it away from any existing snakes for at least 90 days minimum, just to make sure the new animal doesn't have any issues that could affect your current snake.

Trollbie · 03-13-12, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alessia55

You should take the rainbow boa if you have the time, money, and willingness to take care of it.

Also... this concerns me:

If you've only had the snake for 4 days, you should give it some time to settle in (at least a week) before you start heavy handling sessions. It's also recommended you keep sessions short at first because handling can be stressful for the snake (even if it appears to be happy/calm).

In my honest opinion, you should wait. Get used to having one snake first before you invest in another. You have the rest of your life to build up on your collection, and you never know if another one comes by that you really like too. Do research beforehand, rather than going in to buy a new snake that you're not familiar with. You've only had your milk snake for 4 days... what's the hurry?

I honestly intended on giving her at least a couple days, but when I went to check if she's there and alive, she got all "excited" and started reaching for my arm and trying to get out so I took her out for like 10min and tried to put her back in, but she didn't want go and just kept trying to climb at the glass wall. So I took her out again for a bit longer and when I tried to put her back in, she did the same thing.

I don't have her out for an hour at a time usually, I just added up time total in a day. The only times she was out that long at once is when she fell sleep in my sleeve or whatever it is snakes do when they find a comfortable spot.

The lady at the pet store told me how she lets everyone know that she wants to come out and her description of how she lets everyone know matches exactly what she does to me. She also said that I will know when she wants to go back to her cage, but I have yet to learn what she meant by that because Penelope never seems to want to go back in.

I laughed when someone described their snake as a "lap snake" but now I know what they meant. A lot of the time she just finds a comfy spot somewhere on me or in my pocket or sleeve and stays there.

I even told the lady at the pet store yesterday, and she laughed and said that Penelope is fine because that's her normal behavior. And that if she's showing that she wants to come out and doesn't show any sign of stress, then I can take her out.

They've had Penelope in the store since early January, so I trust what they say because they've had enough time to get to know them. And they take very good care of their animals there.

theapexgerman · 03-13-12, 07:11 PM

All of my snakes are lap snakes besides 2 my bull snake he's very mean and my coral snake and I think snakes just rest not sleep I think

KORBIN5895 · 03-13-12, 07:13 PM

Well the price is right....... if you get her now your quarantine clock will need to be reset. Honestly too many too soon is a real problem but I know several people on here that have been buying snakes in spurts. You have to start somewhere and if you feel you could handle two well by all means do it. Just don't stretch yourself too thin.

Trollbie · 03-13-12, 07:14 PM

And I'm not in a hurry. But it's only $75, set-up included!

theapexgerman · 03-13-12, 07:16 PM

Yea its already set up if the snake is healthy you pretty much set but for 75 bucks something could be wrong with the snake

Bradyloach · 03-13-12, 07:17 PM

well if you think your ready, only you can decide! i know that if i had my own place i would make another impulse buy and get another sav! 75 set up included, thats not bad at all! 2 snakes isnt as hard to care for as 2 lizards i think we can all agree there, but snakes require knowledge of the animal which you can find here, heck man i say go with it if you want the snake buy it..... just come here for help, and make sure to quartine your snake!

Trollbie · 03-13-12, 07:17 PM

I have been researching and texting the owner back and forth. And like I said, my roommate loves snakes and has had a snake before so she would gladly help me out. She even offered to snakesit whenever I need.

KORBIN5895 · 03-13-12, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theapexgerman

Yea its already set up if the snake is healthy you pretty much set but for 75 bucks something could be wrong with the snake

Its a Colombian not a Brazilian. Columbians are way cheaper.

theapexgerman · 03-13-12, 07:19 PM

Then go for it hope he's a friendly snake