The Royal Python Forum
The Royal Python Forum
Home | Profile | Register | Active Topics | Members | Search | FAQ
Username:
Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

 All Forums
 Royal Python Posts
 Royal Python - General Keeping information
 Can I have a python?
 New Topic  Reply to Topic
 Printer Friendly
Author Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  

Loopyloo
Snake Mite

United Kingdom
2 Posts

Posted - 18/03/2013 :  23:43:19  Show Profile  Reply with Quote

Hey :)
I've wanted a snake for some time now, and we have several at the college I'm currently attending as it is an animal college. I know that Ball Pythons are excellent for beginners, despite a few problems with feeding, as they rarely bite and are quite, as I would put it, 'chilled out' over all.

The problem I have is that I live at college through the week (I come to college for Monday then come home on Friday), I want to know if three days at home is enough for me to get a pet python and be able to look after it ok? Many web pages and books that I have read suggest that the water only needs changing two-three times a week (I can ask my parents to change the water through the week, although they want nothing else to do with it), and I will be cleaning most weekends, with a full clean around every 3 weeks to keep it hygienic; do you think it is acceptable for me to get a snake with only three days at home? I'm guessing many people are going to say no, but I would love to have one of these beautiful creatures!

Sorry for the long question, I ramble a lot. Thanks :)

herriotfan
Sub Adult

United Kingdom
812 Posts

Posted - 18/03/2013 :  23:59:15  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I'd say that's ok if you make sure your parents would check that the snake is ok each day and check for dirty substrate and water each day.
Make sure you handle before you leave on Monday and again when you return on Friday as well as weekends.
If you feed on Monday, after handling, then you would need to leave for 48 hours to digest so that takes you to Thursday anyway.
Personally I don't see a problem as long as your parents are willing to look out for any problems that might arise.


Husband....Very Understanding!!! (Phil)
Son & Daughter (Kevin & Carol)
Granddaughter (Eva)
3.4.0 Cornsnakes Amel (Sidney) Caramel Stripe (Sultan) Amber (Cleo) Carolina (Phoebe) Anery Motley Stripe (Penny) Snow (Lily) Caramel (Holmes)
1.2.0 Royal Pythons (Peeps, Pandora & Pepsi)
1.0.0 Hognose (Hudson)
2.1.0 Dogs (Dillon, Alfie, Ellie)
0.1.0 Senegal Parrot (Peanut)
1.1.0 Bearded Dragons (Bonnie & Clyde)
1.0.0 Crested Gecko (Echo)
0.2.1 Hermanns Tortoises (Ebbie, Rosie & Twiglet)
0.1.0 Guinea Pig (Dolly-Pipsqueak)
0.1.9 Tarantulas (Poppy, Gypsy, Bumble, Insey Winsey, Sonic, Cookie, Fudge, Sox, Raven & Titch)
??? Foster animals
Location: Near Saffron Walden, Essex
Go to Top of Page

Loopyloo
Snake Mite

United Kingdom
2 Posts

Posted - 19/03/2013 :  00:07:49  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Thanks! I don't want to jump straight into things, then finding that there is a problem as it happens; it will cause unnecessary suffering to the poor snake, so I want to get as much advice as possible for starting up. Any great tips would be amazingly helpful! :D
Go to Top of Page

boomslang
Old Royal - I Post too much!

United Kingdom
2025 Posts

Posted - 19/03/2013 :  00:17:33  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
beginners snake Not really such a thing,If you're willing to put in the time and research Most things are an ok first snake.

ofc there's snakes that need a higher lvl of care,and setup etc etc etc

On to your questions,what if said snake poo's on a the monday,will it be left with the poo all week?also what about keeping an overall eye on the setup.Say if a bulb blows,and it's left without heat all week etc.

sure there's other things,I'd keep backup gear,incase you get home on the friday and find something not working.that way,you don't need to order things or go out on a mad rush to find replacements.

1.0.0 pinstripe Royal Python
1.0.0 Bumblebee Royal Python
1.0.0 Normal corn
1.0.0 Extreme red Hognose
0.1.0 Extreme red tiger Hognose
1.1.0 yemen chameleons
1.0.0 Piebald yemen
1.0.0 Tamatave panther
1.0.0 Quadricornis
Go to Top of Page

chrisc
Old Royal - I Post too much!

United Kingdom
3326 Posts

Posted - 19/03/2013 :  05:29:19  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
to be honest im going to say no unless your parent's are willing to spot clean/check the snake every day and to learn how to change an bulb, thermostat ect.

if the snake has a pee/crap for instance on the monday an they don't remove the snake an clean it could lead to scale rot "if" the snake was to sit in it.

a much better option would be to ask if you could keep a royal at college where it would be checked over by whoever is checking the other's over the weekend.

also are you planning on going on to uni after college?
if you are then you would need to make sure the snake can come with you to where you will be living ect

1.0.0 burmese python,giblet. 1.0.0 BCI, william. 0.1.0 blue tongue skink, 0.1.0 green iguana, jasmin, 1.0.0 cape house snake, 0.1.0 checkered garter snake

my youtube. http://www.youtube.com/user/pegrocks
incubate 2 campaign
https://www.facebook.com/incubate2
Go to Top of Page

Fezza
Fully Grown Royal

United Kingdom
1063 Posts

Posted - 19/03/2013 :  08:25:59  Show Profile  Visit Fezza's Homepage  Reply with Quote
I'm with Chris on this one

4days away from a snake is more than ample time for something to to wrong. Snakes have an ability to mess things up and get themselves into all kinds of trouble, just when you're not looking

Also, theres scope for something to go wrong with the physical setup that potentially wouldn't go noticed for 4 days. Blown bulb, escaped animal etc.

I'd make the most of the animals at the college for now. Then go crazy when your situation is right

1.0.0 normal royal
1.0.0 mojave royal
1.0.0 pastel enchi royal
0.1.0 cinnamon royal
0.1.0 pewter royal
0.1.0 genetic stripe royal
0.1.0 lesser goblin royal
0.1.0 phantom royal
0.1.0 Columbian rainbow boa
0.0.1 aru x jaya GTP
0.1.0 bredli
1.0.0 trans pecos rat snake
1.0.0 fat black cat
Go to Top of Page

Baobab
Fully Grown Royal

United Kingdom
1393 Posts

Posted - 19/03/2013 :  09:07:55  Show Profile  Send Baobab an AOL message  Reply with Quote
I would go with the not yet argument, unless you can persuade your parents to be more proactive. Try and drag them to your reptile shop and experience handling one, it may help them come around to the idea of helping with the husbandry.


Royal 8.0 - Piebald (Dipstick), Calico (Flake), Pinstripe (Copper), Kingpin het Hypo (Gabriel), Soulsucker (Morgoth), Clown (Ziggy), Phantom (Spook), Enchi( Stenchi) .................Royal 0.12 - Pastel (Elanor), Spider (Willow), Normal het pied (Loki),, Pastel Sterling Orange Hypo (Misty), Normal (WC parents) (Cinders), Pewter (Tinuviel), Yellowbelly (Kaiko), Mojave (Milly), Champagne (Bubbles), Fire (Flame), Karma paradox (Smudge), Amoretti (Rita).Boa's 2.2.1- Eowyn (common), Snuggles (BCC), Bonnie (BCC), Bear (BCL) & Baileys (Kahl strain)..........Western Hognose 0.0.2 - Timmy & Henry.
Coastal*diamond carpet python 0.0.1- Pippin.........Brazilian Rainbow Boa 0.0.1 - Badger..........Granite Burmese 0.1 - Sally
Reticulated python 2.2 - Saru (purple albino), Cheesy (Sunfire albino white), Titan (Platinum Titanium) & Gala (Sunfiretiger het albino)......Rat snake 1.0 Remmy.
Go to Top of Page
  Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  
 New Topic  Reply to Topic
 Printer Friendly
Jump To:
The Royal Python Forum © THEROYALPYTHON.co.uk Go To Top Of Page
Snitz Forums 2000