TheHermit
Senior Member
We were at Oliver Pets & Co (didn't know they sold animals until I was inside) and I've never been there before. Most on the conditions were not agreeable at all - their Chinchilla needed a cage cleaning so desperately, and the two rats the had have bad myco symptoms. But I had no way to go anywhere else in short notice for supplies for Maria(Bambina) & Christmas stockings. Anyway, I turn around and Alex is crouched in front of a glass wall cooing.
Anyway I went up to see what it was and lo-and-behold, a python (my boyfriend coos at reptiles...). He called it cute. Don't get me wrong, I like snakes, I just firmly believe that an animal who's diet must remain the same as in the wild when domesticated shouldn't be domesticated - cats, dogs, rats, parrots, etc all live on food formulated for them, and snakes can't have that so... That's what bothers me about people owning snakes. I believe that the wild and the world of domestic animals is completely different and not even related at all, except where snakes are concerned, and it's just... taboo to me I guess? I don't know how to explain it.
All I could think about was what this snake had to eat in the last little while. It bothered me, a lot.
But up to the cash desk we went and the only male employee there has a python wrapped around his shoulders (they had three total, and a corn snake).
Alex asked to hold it.
He's been looking up snake forums and pictures ever since. Obsessively so. He want's all kinds of reptiles - chameleons, frogs, geckos, etc. but the one thing he's only just told me that he's always wanted is a snake.
Of course.
I've explained to him thoroughly my conditions:
1) the obvious, NO BIG SNAKES. Anything that needs something bigger than a mouse is an absolute NO. He's told me he wants a big snake but if he wanted a big snake he shouldn't be so determined to marry a rat-lover.
2) If it needs a rodent, FROZEN. And I NEVER want to see the bag, what's in the bag, tell me where it is in the freezer so I can avoid that, etc.
3) Consider something small enough to live off crickets/goldfish.
4) It will never be in the same room as the girls. Ever. Never ever ever ever ever ever EVER.
5) Try and find a good breeder than handles them well. If he's getting a snake, it better be damn well socialized and want to stay with him and not wander around.
Not going to lie, I will welcome whatever animal he wants with open arms but it bothers me. I'm scared to have a predator and it's prey in the same apartment but he really, really wants a snake. He said his mum always said no to a snake (smart woman), but now that he's out of the house and finding a job... the only thing stopping him is this rat lover right here. If he does get one it'll be hard for me NOT to want to handle it too. I love all animals, from the tiny'n'freaky to the big'n'sleepy, but I'm IN love with rats
I want him to be happy - I want him to have what he wants. He would never get a snake that would forsake any of those conditions, but I feel bad limiting him to snakes that wouldn't be as docile as a ball python (apparently that's why they're so popular - they like to stay with their people). He loves the girls and would never let anything happen to them.
It just bothers me on principle, I guess. I have a weird feeling about it, not an omen-like feeling but more or less discomfort. I'm uncomfortable, and I've told him, but I'm willing to get over it for a smaller snake.... I guess.
Anyway I went up to see what it was and lo-and-behold, a python (my boyfriend coos at reptiles...). He called it cute. Don't get me wrong, I like snakes, I just firmly believe that an animal who's diet must remain the same as in the wild when domesticated shouldn't be domesticated - cats, dogs, rats, parrots, etc all live on food formulated for them, and snakes can't have that so... That's what bothers me about people owning snakes. I believe that the wild and the world of domestic animals is completely different and not even related at all, except where snakes are concerned, and it's just... taboo to me I guess? I don't know how to explain it.
All I could think about was what this snake had to eat in the last little while. It bothered me, a lot.
But up to the cash desk we went and the only male employee there has a python wrapped around his shoulders (they had three total, and a corn snake).
Alex asked to hold it.
He's been looking up snake forums and pictures ever since. Obsessively so. He want's all kinds of reptiles - chameleons, frogs, geckos, etc. but the one thing he's only just told me that he's always wanted is a snake.
Of course.
I've explained to him thoroughly my conditions:
1) the obvious, NO BIG SNAKES. Anything that needs something bigger than a mouse is an absolute NO. He's told me he wants a big snake but if he wanted a big snake he shouldn't be so determined to marry a rat-lover.
2) If it needs a rodent, FROZEN. And I NEVER want to see the bag, what's in the bag, tell me where it is in the freezer so I can avoid that, etc.
3) Consider something small enough to live off crickets/goldfish.
4) It will never be in the same room as the girls. Ever. Never ever ever ever ever ever EVER.
5) Try and find a good breeder than handles them well. If he's getting a snake, it better be damn well socialized and want to stay with him and not wander around.
Not going to lie, I will welcome whatever animal he wants with open arms but it bothers me. I'm scared to have a predator and it's prey in the same apartment but he really, really wants a snake. He said his mum always said no to a snake (smart woman), but now that he's out of the house and finding a job... the only thing stopping him is this rat lover right here. If he does get one it'll be hard for me NOT to want to handle it too. I love all animals, from the tiny'n'freaky to the big'n'sleepy, but I'm IN love with rats
I want him to be happy - I want him to have what he wants. He would never get a snake that would forsake any of those conditions, but I feel bad limiting him to snakes that wouldn't be as docile as a ball python (apparently that's why they're so popular - they like to stay with their people). He loves the girls and would never let anything happen to them.
It just bothers me on principle, I guess. I have a weird feeling about it, not an omen-like feeling but more or less discomfort. I'm uncomfortable, and I've told him, but I'm willing to get over it for a smaller snake.... I guess.
