Is it cruel and should I sell her?

serius007 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-19-2005, 10:49 PM

I have a rtb or bci she's 6 ft or so about 5 almost 6 years old. I don't take her out as often as I used to. I have cats and a wife now. Now that my snake has grown my wife is scared of it. I still feed the snake and keep the water filled change and clean the cage spot clean but I take her out a lot less. Should I just sell her to someone? Any reccomendations about doing that. I don't need to make much money but supplies alone such as the cage is worth something.

Where would I find a buyer wanting a common rtb or bci that's already 6-7ft long? I hate to have to get rid of her. When I bought her I imagined keeping her 20 years, but I guess stuff changes. I feel bad because you don't get rid of a child because they get bigger or whatever.

Anyway hope to hear from you soon,

Thanks
James

mhsrunner · #2 (**permalink**) 12-19-2005, 11:03 PM

if you love your snake i dont see any reason to sell her. if you can keep temperatures set, keep it fed and watered and such, keep her if you enjoy her. by the way, if you want to hold her, just do it, your wife cant be in the same room as you 24/7 (smile face), or just hold the snake with her and get her used to it. plus it can be hard for an average pet owner to sell a snake, and a large snake for that matter.

Miket20 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-19-2005, 11:21 PM

i would keep hold of her if you truly want to, don't worry about handling her all the time they don't need it or enjoy it that much. but that being said i do like to let mine out for a bit of exercise twice and week and she is also in a 6x2x2 viv so plenty of room. once there a year old and tamed down they seem to remain calm however often you handle them. mines 3 years old now and 6 foot and i handle her twice a week just to keep a level of familiarity. as long as you can get her out for 10 mins twice a week i don't think you'll have any problems.

Jem_Scout · #4 (**permalink**) 12-19-2005, 11:35 PM

Snakes like to be alone. You won't be hurting it's feelings to not pet it as often as you used to. But don't expect the snake to be as calm or easy to handle as it once was either. Keep her and take her out in a safe room away from the wife, cat and the baby. There's no reason you can't still enjoy your snake. If you get rid of it now, you won't forgive yourself later....there will be too many "what if's" in your mind. You promised that snake a happy life with you, I think it's only fair that you give it another chance.

Pork Chops N' Corn Bread · #5 (**permalink**) 12-20-2005, 12:41 AM

My sister was at a point so scared that she would lock herself in a room to get away from a snake. I started showing her pictures of baby snakes with brite colors and soon I got her to look at a shed skin up close, then she held a baby ball python, from there on she will hold anything thats tame up to about 4 feet or so. If you get your wife to see the beauty in snakes and how interesting they are she will listen and eventually get to love them. I still haven't got my dad to touch the boa but he thinks shes interesting to watch. As long as you meet the animals needs then there are no reasons not to keep him. As long as you provide the snake with the 3 needed elements which are food, water, housing/shelter the snake will live a happy life. Handling a snake is not a needed part of there life. Some snakes will "like to be held" while it is really them being tolerent while some snakes HATE to be held like some blood pythons. Either way when your wife sees how gentle and interesting your snake is you may have a few more joining the family

Hope all goes well and hope she warms up to the most ammazing creature on earth, the SNAKE!!!!

mouseboy · #6 (**permalink**) 12-20-2005, 12:50 AM

I really think that if you make an effort to get your wife used to it it would work out with them in the end. This reminds me of a situation with me and my stepmom. She was actually a snake killer before I introduced her to my snakes now after some time with the snakes she is even considering getting one for herself! Instead of running and screaming when she see's them. So just make an effort a little bit at a time with her and I think it will work out fine. And like it was stated earlier as long as you get it out 1 or 2 time a week she will remain tame and quite happy. Let me know how it goes.

Youd be surprised how snakes especially big ones tend to grow on people and they tend to grow a loving relationship.

wreckwriter · #7 (**permalink**) 12-20-2005, 02:17 PM

I'd get rid of the cats instead.

serius007 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-20-2005, 04:52 PM

ok thanks for the input. It is a relief to know that Its ok not to take her out that much. I would feel sad as I do now even thinking of getting rid of her. My wife wasn't afraid of her from the beggining when she was littler, then she grew bigger fast. My wife is only 5 ft. tall so seeing a 6-7ft long boa is a little scary and some movements and actions that the snake takes are a little scary. snakes are different than most pets.

so the suggestion is keep her. Go in a room by myself when I have her out. Sometimes I would just have a waterbottle to spray the cats to go away from her when I have her out. I am more concerned about the cats claws than the snake biting the cats.

Somebody asked where I'm from?
concord California 45min from san francisco without traffic.

serius007 · #9 (**permalink**) 12-20-2005, 05:04 PM

What do you think about selling the boa and getting a smaller breed such as a kingsnake or corn snake rat snake collubred or whatever? Can you think of how much a rtb bci or columbian rtb female 5-6 years 6-7ft probably breedable would go for? I know when I bought her it was columbian rtb listed on the cage but the people I bought from aren't the best. When I install my camera I'll take some pics for you guys. Thanks

serius007 · #10 (**permalink**) 12-20-2005, 05:05 PM

What's the best medium size snake to get. Friendly colorfull.

serius007 · #11 (**permalink**) 12-20-2005, 09:35 PM

sounds good. I was thinking smaller than a python boa. More like corn king rat, collubred, type. any suggestions. and sizes.

mouseboy · #12 (**permalink**) 12-20-2005, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by serius007

sounds good. I was thinking smaller than a python boa. More like corn king rat, collubred, type. any suggestions. and sizes.

I would go for an albino okkatee corn snake those are my personal favorites.

Heidi · #13 (**permalink**) 12-21-2005, 03:22 PM

I can say from personal experience that I am sorry that I gave up one of my baby boy because of my family. My whole family freaked out because "snakes carried disease". We have learned a lot since "those days" and I realize I made a big mistake. Once I felt safe that the kids were old enough to wash hands and practice good hygine we got another pet snake and the whole family loves them to pieces.

Winding back a little bit when my husband first got these we were seperated for a short time. I came back and he had these (ugh!!!) snakes!!!!! I did not like them and had no interest in touching them. My curiosity got the best of me and they quickly became MY pets.

I think the idea of letting your wife choose a smaller, more "handlable" snake may get her more confidence when it comes to having a larger snake in the house. I personally do not feel comfortable with colubrids, especially when it comes to the kids. They are FAST and I'm afraid my kids hands can't keep up with them. Ball pythons are great (IMO) when it comes to being handled. Best bet is to bring up the subject to her and let her help decide.

bcfos1 · #14 (**permalink**) 01-07-2006, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wreckwriter

I'd get rid of the cats instead.

That I agree with.

tmfleo1 · #15 (**permalink**) 01-07-2006, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lethargiic

has your wife ever entertained the idea of having her "own" snake to play with? say like a ball python? they are a great "medium" sized snake without the aggression.. they get at the max 4-5ft, and they are even awesome with kids that are smaller than them.. my youngest niece is an 8yr old shortie, and she plays with the adult ball pythons all the time when she's here.. and I never had a ball pythons strike or bite her.

I agree there are a few small pythons my last g/f did not like reptiles until she was able to see and hold mine

Well anyways if for some reason you still need to sell or adopt your boa let me now I'm not to far from you I'm currently in El Sobrante Ca,about 20 min. away

louise · #16 (**permalink**) 01-07-2006, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcfos1

That I agree with.

the snake could take care of that for him

louise · #17 (**permalink**) 01-07-2006, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wreckwriter

I'd get rid of the cats instead.

you know me...the wife/husband and cat would go first.

ball python chick · #18 (**permalink**) 01-07-2006, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by louise

you know me...the wife/husband and cat would go first.

agreed

TammyJamaica · #19 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by serius007

I have a rtb or bci she's 6 ft or so about 5 almost 6 years old. I don't take her out as often as I used to. I have cats and a wife now. Now that my snake has grown my wife is scared of it. I still feed the snake and keep the water filled change and clean the cage spot clean but I take her out a lot less. Should I just sell her to someone? Any reccomendations about doing that. I don't need to make much money but supplies alone such as the cage is worth something.
Where would I find a buyer wanting a common rtb or bci that's already 6-7ft long? I hate to have to get rid of her. When I bought her I imagined keeping her 20 years, but I guess stuff changes. I feel bad because you don't get rid of a child because they get bigger or whatever.
Anyway hope to hear from you soon,
Thanks
James

Well, James, it's up to you whether you sell her or not. Seems to me that she was there before you got the wife and the cats? If you sell her you may resent your wife and cats for making you do that to your snake which you love? Try to reach some compromise like keeping your snake away from your wife and cats. I think you can have all of them, if they just avoid each other.

Lady_Ms_Diva · #20 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 03:35 PM

I think you should try your best to find a home for her. I went through a similar situation with my rtb who had grown to about 6 ft or so and my mother was deathly afraid of her. It took several months but I finally found someone who gave her a really good home. I cried for days leading up to giving her away. I cried for a week after, but I knew it was the best thing to do because it had gotten to the point where she was cooped up in her enclosure more than she was out of it. I still have all of my photos of her and they bring me fond memories. I feel better knowing she is somewhere where she can get the love that she deserves.

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