Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My parents won't let me have a bp. Even though i really want one, it's no go. Does anyone have any good convincing ideas? Any convincing things I can say? It's not that they don't think I'm responsible, but they just hate snakes. Snakes are the one thing they hate. No matter how much I try to tell them bp's will not bite, they are not slimy, they will not kill you, or they are not disgusting, the answer's always the same... lol
So if anyone's got anythign to say or suggest I'd appreciate it. Thnx

geez this one may be a lil hard

experience.....with a pair of lizards....parents think they are cute.........even though they are a pain and need looked at and or fed everyday.............

then later tell them snakes are easier....with look at twice a week and a cleaning once a week.........

...get a pair of designer/morph leopard geckos or bearded dragons...breed them for a couple years.......and show parents you are responsable..........

........if you are not responsable enough and lizards die.....

parents were correct....and we pity the lizzzes........

...have fun.........

JYohe
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"I still hate snakes"
...........................KNOW

I 've already had reptile experience with leopard geckos and a red eared slider (turtle). And as for your advice: Continue this for a few years. Unfortunatley I don't have a few years as I will go off to college in about three years. Again, responsibility really isn't an issue. My parents just hate snakes. LOL

Thanks for your help tho

We must have posted at the same time. If you are leaving in a few years, why get a snake? Unless you are living off campus I don't *think* you can have pets?
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1.1 Ball Python, 0.1 motley amel corn, 1.0 western hognose, 1.0 red blood

late but.......

IF you are going to college...and need to hurry....????

a damn ball is the least of your worries.......

they live 30--40 years........?........

and also.......IF you are going to take it to college and all(and get it drunk and stupid too).......

you can buy it when mom and dad aren't looking ...while at the dorm...........

??

......now..the origional post ...REALLY makes no damn sence at all............

so.....grow up and study....graduate ....get your doctorate in something good...$$$$$$$44.......

and then buy balls...........

taaaadaaaaaa.......
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"I still hate snakes"
...........................KNOW

first of all, how old are you, if you are under 18 (assuming you are in the states, and if you are considered a "Minor" where you live) then you are just outta luck.

try to get them somewhere where you can handle snakes and show them that they don't instintively try to kill you.

Hate to tell you this, but if it has a mouth, it CAN and POSSIBLY WILL bite. So NEVER say the snake won't bite, because the next thing you know your mother is running around with a bp latched onto her arm. lol

Do RESEARCH. Show your parents that you are putting effort into this. Do chores around the house to earn money to care for the snake.

Get EVERYTHING YOU NEED except the snake and the food yourself. It's not alive, so they shouldn't really stop you.

caging (rubbermaid or glass tank, glass tanks suck at holding humidity though. Just make sure it is SECURE)
heat pad
lamp dimmer
digi thermometer
some kind of hide (soda box, cereal box, it can be free)
news paper as substrate.

Get a job, so they don't have to support it. If you have a room of your own, put a stopper on the bottom (it goes all the way across the bottom of the door and touches the floor) so if there is an escape the snake can't get out.
If you have vents put 1/4inch mesh over the vent so they can't get out there (make it look NICE for your parents sake).

Make sure any holes into a room outside your own are covered! So if the snake is loose, the only way it can get out of your room, is if you leave the door open.

if nesecary put a padlock on caging with a key, keep the key on a piece of leather around your neck or keychain.

Litterly make a written agreement that you will take care of the snake (VET visits, feeding, etc..etc..) and that if you can't you will get rid of it, and that you agree NOT to show the snake to your parents unless specificly asked to see the snake.

Make witnesses sign it and everything.

EDUCATE THEM on the snake, it's natural history, husbandry issues, morphs, prices, impress them with knowledge and maturity.
Don't shove it in their faces.

Leave printed pieces of paper or books about ball pythons laying around the house. They may surprise you and start reading it.

Good luck!
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1.1 Ball Python, 0.1 motley amel corn, 1.0 western hognose, 1.0 red blood

ok ...first of all you need to reasearch all the positives to owning a snake. Then research the reasons your mom dont like snakes and find info that counters this. Ie....if shes afraid of the snake biting get info on domestic pets such as dogs and stats on how often they bite and attack. do this with each issue. Write down a good speach and present it. Worst she can say is still no. and if she does than its wait till college.
I used this method on a speach in one of my college public speaking classes and over half of class did not like snkaes after my speach almost all were looking at them differently and I even had 2 or 3 come up to me and ask me what kind of snake I thought they should start with and were now interested in having one.
So first key research second key presentation...GOOD LUCK!
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0.1 Leos
1.1 Corn snakes (1 Lav & 1 Ghost)
0.1 Banan California King
0.0.1 Childrens python
1.1 Brazilian Rainbow boa
1.0 Rat (as pet not food)
1.2 Ball pythons (1pastel 2 normals)
"whats with you and all those dang reptiles?"

You've got a rat as a pet? no offense but that's like owning a beloved golden retriever and feeding puppies to your retic. Must be difficult(even traumatic) to feed your pet snakes?

I need to update that signature. Our pet rat or my sons pet rat rather died of natural causes recently. Yeah it was kinda funny owning both. He was one of the pest warm blooded pets we ever had
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0.1 Leos
1.1 Corn snakes (1 Lav & 1 Ghost)
0.1 Banan California King
0.0.1 Childrens python
1.1 Brazilian Rainbow boa
1.0 Rat (as pet not food)
1.2 Ball pythons (1pastel 2 normals)
"whats with you and all those dang reptiles?"

Do your parents go in your room much?

Go today and buy a ball. Set up the cage in your closet and when your parents find out tell them they have been living with a snake for weeks - lol!

You have the snake; it did not eat them. If still a no go tell them to kiss it and put a dead bolt on your bedroom door

Well, that is what I would do, but I am not the best role model.

ToddG
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1.1 Balls - Male het/albino, Female 66% het/albino
***Fingers crossed for next season!!!***

JUST KIDDING!!!

Seriously, the response about research and comparison is noteworthy. Funny, I did a similar speech in college where the class had many positive questions. One thing you may want to point out is BPs can not bite them when IN the cage. I have had many snakes escape through the years. NEVER had one attack me in my sleep or go for the neighbors dog. Hell, they only get 4 - 5 feet and a big female may hit six. So tell your parents you will get a small male.

Positive:
1) wont use the hardwood floor as a restroom.

2) Will not eat the livingroom furniture

3) Do not need to board the animal for small vacations ( they can take care of themselves for a week )

4) They make ZERO noise - If you got a bird you know what I mean

5) initial expense is the worst - then only the cost of a rat per week. My adult male I feed every 10 - 14 days and he is just fine.

6) EASY to maintain - even for lazy people ( teenagers )

These are just a few reasons why Balls make awesome pets.

Good Luck to ya!

ToddG
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1.1 Balls - Male het/albino, Female 66% het/albino
***Fingers crossed for next season!!!***

1.) Figure out which of your parents wears the pants (is the REAL boss).

2.) Call you local zoo and see if they do any herp shows and find out if they have any BPs or similar snakes.

3.) Take your 'rents to the zoo to experience the snakes in their adult nature. It will all fall into place then.

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All of my friends think a 6ft snake could kill me and terrorize the neighborhood. Education is the key...
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-Iman
1.1 Sugar Gliders (Gizmo and Nema)
2.0 Ball Pythons (Spot and Speck)
0.1 Colombian BCI (Belle)
1.0 Colombian Rainbow (Rex)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow (Just arrived!!!)

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Imans House of Herps