Unseen dangers of Keeping reptiles

RAD House · 12-04-16, 03:11 PM

Recent events made me think it would be interesting to start a thread of "problem" you encountered after entering the reptile hobby that no amount of research could have warned you about. First for me, as I assume is true for many, is the seemingly unending need for more. Along with this is the countless wasted hours researching and drooling over new animals. Next for me is the need to upgrade their enclosures and equipment, even though their current homes are more than sufficient.

This week I experienced a uncharted side effect of this "hobby", it is seems to more like an addiction than anything. We will start this story way back when me and my now wife moved in together years ago. She is a cat person and at that time had a cat. I had a dog whom is and was a mortal enemy to this said cat. We had the chance to give the cat to her parents and due to the impending battle and my slight cat allergies we decided it was for the better. Also I knew she would be able to visit with the cat every time we visited.

Fast forward many years and later when I got involved with keeping snakes. She was a little hesitant with the first two, but really ended up enjoying having them. Several times I have told her this was the last one, which we all know was a ridiculous statement. With each new purchase I have waited for her to take a stand with the expected demands, but she has handled each without even showing a little bit of annoyance. I very much appreciate her support in something I truly enjoy.

We recently took a trip back to her parents and she was able to spend some time with her "kittie" who is now quite a fat cat. Her parents are taking steps to fix this issue. The visit sessions, that I thought would be good for my session, have done the opposite and made me feel a bit guilty my wife can not have something she so clearly enjoys. This could be easily be explained away as being responsible as we do have two dogs. But wait a second, she has let me take up a good portion of our house and time with my snake stuff.

Her birthday is coming very soon. I was struggling to figure out a gift, and had all but given up hope that I would have to spend a night at a musical. Blah! One night sitting around I saw that an acquaintance had some sphinx kittens, and joked that they are probably hypoallergenic. She lit up and immediately starting researching hypoallergenic cat breeds. Crap, what did I just do. I started to think of any excuse I could to go back to place where we were cat less. Looking I noticed that most hypoallergenic cat breeds are expensive, but immediately realized I didn't even want to think how much I have spent on my snakes. I thought about the dogs, but they are very good with small animals. As I stated before I was in no position to take the space or adult card.

Well now I am a non cat person with a little kitten. After some research we decided Shynxs were not for us. Looking for breeders online we found a beautiful little bangle kitten. They are a pretty interesting breed for several reasons and she let me name her Freyja, so I am not entirely bummed if not a little excited. I sure won't let her know this, as now I covered for a birthday and a Christmas present.

**Minkness** · 12-04-16, 03:32 PM

That's funny about the kitten lol.

I understand the guilt thing too though. We got a house and my mom wants sooooo many things for it. I have definitely contributed but I have also spent alot on more animals and now looking at thousands for enclosures over the next year. I still feel guilty sometimes, but it is what it is I guess.

ThirteenRavens · 12-04-16, 05:46 PM

How sweet of you to do that for your wife

Bengals are a really cool breed, I've worked with a few in my old clinic. I'm not a cat person myself even though I am owned by 2 but I love other people's cats lol.

RAD House · 12-04-16, 07:21 PM

Minkness I am sure you mother knows that it makes you happy and can appreciate that.

Thanks Ravens, I can do nice things every once in awhile. I too have lived with a cat in the past. I have a hard time connecting to other people's cat but I did really like the one I lived with, so I have high hopes. Now just have to make sure the snake enclosures are cat proof.

Odynxjules · 12-04-16, 07:32 PM

There was a video that I watched a while back where there was a cat and a rather large snake, I think python that are the best of friends, and right now I am working with my cat and snake to get them to tolerate eachother and for the most part it's working. my cat won't run away or really hurt him. she has actaully laid down, relaxed around him as well as my roomates 2 cats. We have a little zoo in our house, so wirk with the cat at a young age and make sure your handling your snakes when you introduce them. it's actually rewarding.

**Minkness** · 12-04-16, 07:34 PM

Yeah, she gets it, she just wishes I didn't have so many so, so much, and willing to spend more on them than anything else lol.

Cats aren't so bad. I have 2. One is really lovey but also really annoying. Follows us around 'talking' all the time. He is also super smart and gets into everything. My othwr cat could care less about my reptiles. She can spend apl day in the room unattended. But te boy cat can't be trusted for 5 minutes alone!

ThirteenRavens · 12-04-16, 07:36 PM

I don't trust one of my cats any longer after he killed my crested gecko...I let him watch "cat tv" (when the snakes are cruising around in their vivs) but when he gets too interested he gets shooed away...when I am handling my snakes, my cats aren't allowed near them.

RAD House · 12-04-16, 07:46 PM

The less interested and separated from my snakes the cat is the better in my opinion. Less stress for me.

pet_snake_78 · 12-04-16, 11:53 PM

People generally regret what they didn't do in life, rather than what they did do. If your reptile hobby is keeping you from more things than it is providing you with, it's a problem. If it's the thing that makes you jump out of bed excited, it's adding value to your life. I switch between field herping and keeping as more important but one way or another, learning about reptiles has consistently added value to my life and given me great enthusiasim for each day I live.