Reptile & Amphibian Forums

The time has come to purchase a new house, which means the old one has to be sold.
I have a utility room which is my herp room. My wife has suggested I try to board my snakes so potential buyers dont freak out when they enter that room.
Anybody every run into this? I have at least 25 animals to board. That might end up costing more than the house.
Looking for suggestions here.
My wife is sorta right. People might freak. Especially if entering unaware of what lies on the other side of the door.
Where the heck does one board reptiles? I have a local herp shop, but every time I'm in there they seem to be treating quite a number of animals for mites.
I'll deal with the runaway crickets after I figure out how to get around the snakes.
Feel free to send your ideas this way.
I want to sell quickly...new house means bigger herp room!!

You have quite a dilemma. Boarding would most likely cost you a lot of money with that many animals (sounds like my reptile room) and you never know what kind of care they will receive unless you know them personally. Your wife is right, it will scare some people, but the shook of someone unprepared will scare people more than knowing what they are going to face. I post a signs for my reptile room (do’s, don’ts, and possibility of poisonous snakes (capture deadly snakes in the neighborhood, keep them overnight, relocate in the morning- no, I do not keep them as pets)). As a result of posting the signs, no one is shocked when they see the reptiles and if they are secured in their enclosures, it alleviates much of the fear. I have even had people terrified of snakes come into my reptile room, most of them are comfortable as long as they are in their enclosures. With 25 specimens, I am sure there are special husbandry considerations for different species (especially if you have lizards), such as temperature, humidity, and special lighting, which most any boarding facility is not equipped for and if you were able to find one that could, I am certain it would cost even more money.

Good luck,

Michael

We went through the exact same thing. Moving all of my reptiles was not an option (too much money invested in them)....so, w/out scaring away would be buyers, I simply placed sheets over all of the cages, covered the fronts of cages with cardboard and it basically looked like a lot of furniture getting ready to be "packed" for the moving trucks...it worked great and not one person visiting knew what was really inside the cages....unfortunately, but pretty funny, a young child with parents visiting the house couldn't contain himself and decided to take a closer look at the furniture. He got his little grubby claws inside the boarded fronts and peaked inside only to come face to face with one big honking burm....he screamed "there's a snake behind here" at which time the parents simply said, Oh Johnny, you have such an imagination" and that was the end of it (and I was thinking "Oh Johnny, you little $#!&, I wish the burm would eat you!). I'm sure glad I've got daughters!

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
Lake Forest, IL

>>The time has come to purchase a new house, which means the old one has to be sold.
>>I have a utility room which is my herp room. My wife has suggested I try to board my snakes so potential buyers dont freak out when they enter that room.
>>Anybody every run into this? I have at least 25 animals to board. That might end up costing more than the house.
>>Looking for suggestions here.
>>My wife is sorta right. People might freak. Especially if entering unaware of what lies on the other side of the door.
>>Where the heck does one board reptiles? I have a local herp shop, but every time I'm in there they seem to be treating quite a number of animals for mites.
>>I'll deal with the runaway crickets after I figure out how to get around the snakes.
>>Feel free to send your ideas this way.
>>I want to sell quickly...new house means bigger herp room!!
-----
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

Now that's funny! "Oh Johnny, you little $#!&, I wish the burm would eat you!)." LOL

>>We went through the exact same thing. Moving all of my reptiles was not an option (too much money invested in them)....so, w/out scaring away would be buyers, I simply placed sheets over all of the cages, covered the fronts of cages with cardboard and it basically looked like a lot of furniture getting ready to be "packed" for the moving trucks...it worked great and not one person visiting knew what was really inside the cages....unfortunately, but pretty funny, a young child with parents visiting the house couldn't contain himself and decided to take a closer look at the furniture. He got his little grubby claws inside the boarded fronts and peaked inside only to come face to face with one big honking burm....he screamed "there's a snake behind here" at which time the parents simply said, Oh Johnny, you have such an imagination" and that was the end of it (and I was thinking "Oh Johnny, you little $#!&, I wish the burm would eat you!). I'm sure glad I've got daughters!
>>
>>Rob Carmichael, Curator
>>The Wildlife Discovery Center
>>Lake Forest, IL
>>
>>>>The time has come to purchase a new house, which means the old one has to be sold.
>>>>I have a utility room which is my herp room. My wife has suggested I try to board my snakes so potential buyers dont freak out when they enter that room.
>>>>Anybody every run into this? I have at least 25 animals to board. That might end up costing more than the house.
>>>>Looking for suggestions here.
>>>>My wife is sorta right. People might freak. Especially if entering unaware of what lies on the other side of the door.
>>>>Where the heck does one board reptiles? I have a local herp shop, but every time I'm in there they seem to be treating quite a number of animals for mites.
>>>>I'll deal with the runaway crickets after I figure out how to get around the snakes.
>>>>Feel free to send your ideas this way.
>>>>I want to sell quickly...new house means bigger herp room!!
>>-----
>>Rob Carmichael, Curator
>>The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
>>Lake Forest, IL
-----
Chris Law
U.A.P.P.E.A.L. (Uniting a Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League)
Herpetoculture Element Representative

Rob...I was thinking about doing the same thing...covering the snake cages with a sheet, or a tarp or something. Adjusting the temps accordingly.
If the would be buyers are nosey enough to look underneath, oh well.
I figure the lizards and turtles would be ok to leave in view, but the snakes...doubtful
The biggest problem would be when an unsuspecting real estate agetn was showing buyers through. The agent may run out!
I will have to hire an exterminator when we leave I'm sure.
If not for all my runaway crickets, then for all the wild mice that have taken up residence in my garage.
Geez...why dont cat and dog owners have this problem??
I think the tarp thing will work though. Moving the reptiles in the cold of winter is going to take some doing though.
Anyone wanna help me move??

>>Rob...I was thinking about doing the same thing...covering the snake cages with a sheet, or a tarp or something. Adjusting the temps accordingly.
>>If the would be buyers are nosey enough to look underneath, oh well.
>>I figure the lizards and turtles would be ok to leave in view, but the snakes...doubtful
>>The biggest problem would be when an unsuspecting real estate agetn was showing buyers through. The agent may run out!
>>I will have to hire an exterminator when we leave I'm sure.
>>If not for all my runaway crickets, then for all the wild mice that have taken up residence in my garage.
>>Geez...why dont cat and dog owners have this problem??
>>I think the tarp thing will work though. Moving the reptiles in the cold of winter is going to take some doing though.
>>Anyone wanna help me move??
-----
Chris Law
U.A.P.P.E.A.L. (Uniting a Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League)
Herpetoculture Element Representative

"I'm sure glad I've got daughters!"

Sorry Rob, but I have to disagree with you on that. My oldest is 14 and I am SO glad that I don't have to worry about a teenage daughter! While my experience with hots is almost nonexistant, I would have to say I would rather freehand a cobra that had spent the last few hours drug around by its tail by some child that thought it was a play toy than have to worry about a daughter that was out on a date. God knew I couldn't handle it!
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Rescued Ball Python - Apep
0-1-0 Rescued Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
0-0-1 Rescued Aggressive Bearded Dragon - Zeus
0-0-1 Rescued Non-Alpha Green Iguana - Bud
1-1-0 Rescued Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
0-0-1 Rescued Dieting Panda Hamster - Mr. Fluffy
0-1-0 Rescued Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

I hear ya on that....my daughters are still in that late "innocent" stage (11 and 12); I know my time will come and when it does, I feel real sorry for that boyfriend.

>>"I'm sure glad I've got daughters!"
>>
>>Sorry Rob, but I have to disagree with you on that. My oldest is 14 and I am SO glad that I don't have to worry about a teenage daughter! While my experience with hots is almost nonexistant, I would have to say I would rather freehand a cobra that had spent the last few hours drug around by its tail by some child that thought it was a play toy than have to worry about a daughter that was out on a date. God knew I couldn't handle it!
>>-----
>>Bryan, Atlanta GA
>>
>>1-0-0 Rescued Ball Python - Apep
>>0-1-0 Rescued Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
>>0-0-1 Rescued Aggressive Bearded Dragon - Zeus
>>0-0-1 Rescued Non-Alpha Green Iguana - Bud
>>1-1-0 Rescued Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
>>0-0-1 Rescued Dieting Panda Hamster - Mr. Fluffy
>>0-1-0 Rescued Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
>>1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
>>0-1-0 Wife
>>2-0-0 Kids
-----
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

I'm in the same boat you are now. I'm going to move soon with a room of herps. I think I'm going to cover some of the smaller cages and move the bigger ones to a local "climate control" storage facility. I can still check up on them during the day and not have them in the house.

I also cover cages that contain "feared animals" with sheets. My family is looking to move and when people come to see the house I just cover the snakes cages. About the crickets...I have the same problem. I am not sure what I will do about the hundreds of crickets that make residence in my home after escaping...lol. As for mice and actually even the crickets that come into the open, my Jack Russel Terrier takes care of that kinda stuff.

Good luck,
Corbin
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Corbin

Is it just me or do you seem really stupid?!

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The snakes dont come with the house...i dont see what everyone is worried about. Tell them what you have and that its in cages and everyone is safe. Its not like they are loose on the floor and you have to swim your way through them to look at the house.
People need to grow up..(especially adults) they act more like babies than babies do. They go to zoo's and look at all kinds of stuff including snakes..but when you show them one in your house they go omg a snake....

I wish changing people's attitudes were that easy.
Someone that is afraid of snakes is'nt going to change their ways just because I told them there is a snake in the room.
I did talk to the real estate agent tonight, and she said to put a sign on the door to th effect of...enter if you care to...and explain why. Then the client can choose to enter or not.
We will also be showing the house by appt only...so we can warn everyone in advance.
I still may cover the big boys.
And no my snakes dont go with the house...but it would be cool if I met someone that felt that way.
Makes for a smooth sale.
I'm already visualizing my new herp room. Got burms, now maybe I'll have room for retics? Another burm? Racks to be able to breed my milks and kings??
I feel like a 47 year old kid at Christmas.

Its one of those things that people fear. Heck long ago when I first got married I was leaving for work and was passed by our upstairs neighbor who was sporting a couple of snakes at the time. We moved out less than a month later and I couldn't sleep inbetween. Things run through your head... What if they got loose? What if some he had in the past are still loose or breed while they were loose and he didn't know it? Is the pest control company really that good or is there another reason that we don't have any mice or rats around here?!? It didn't help matters any that he was also the maintainence person and my wife knew of one time that he wore one when he was working on our sink. Needless to say, she forgot to inform me of that one because she knew when I saw he had them we would be moving!
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Rescued Ball Python - Apep
0-1-0 Rescued Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
0-0-1 Rescued Aggressive Bearded Dragon - Zeus
0-0-1 Rescued Non-Alpha Green Iguana - Bud
1-1-0 Rescued Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
0-0-1 Rescued Dieting Panda Hamster - Mr. Fluffy
0-1-0 Rescued Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids