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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To rehome DS's snake?

20 replies

Codsworth · 11/02/2011 07:26

A few years ago DS's dad was going through an obsessive reptile phase and bought a load of snakes and lizards. He then asked me if he could send DS home with a Royal Python one weekend. I said no at first but caved. So we've had Slithery for around 3 years. DS2 then decided it wasn't fair that his brother had a snake and he didn't so his dad sent him home with a corn snake.
We now have two snakes, neither of which get bothered with, the python is stuck in a tank that is too small for it but I can't afford another one and tbh, I can't really afford the electric anymore keeping the tanks heated. I've told DS's that we must rehome the snakes. DS1 doesn't care but DS2 is a bit upset about Slithery as we've had him 3 years. Is it mean of me to get rid anyway?? We just don't have the money, time or space for stuff like this.

OP posts:

amberleaf · 11/02/2011 07:28

Send them back to dads?!

Original poster

Codsworth · 11/02/2011 07:28

His dad won't take them back either as he's just had to get rid of all but 1 of his snakes for the same reasons.

OP posts:

HecateQueenOfWitches · 11/02/2011 07:30

What about getting rid of the one and saying that you will keep the other as long as ds2 commits to daily and if he fails to do this for even one day - the snake goes.

That way, he can't say you didn't give him a chance.

And let's face it - in a month the snake will be gone!

onceamai · 11/02/2011 07:40

yanbu but yabu. If the ds is upset would he accept a bigger tank as next birthday present? Nevertheless I think you deserve a medal for the last three years - my skin is crawling just thinking about it.

kreecherlivesupstairs · 11/02/2011 07:52

YANBU at all. Are there any rehoming organisations for reptiles.
It really isn't fair to keep animals in poor environments. I know that snakes aren't sociable (although waiting for someone to come along and post about how theirs watches telly with them), but it just isn't right.

Callisto · 11/02/2011 08:21

Please rehome the snakes. Just because they are not fluffy and cuddly does not mean they don't need to be cared for properly. I think keeping any animal at all in a cage or tank that is too small is very cruel.

Also, royal pythons can live for up to 30 years. 30 years in a tiny tank being 'cared' for by people that can't really be arsed. Nice.

ellenjames · 11/02/2011 08:27

i have a royal and a corn and i love them! I also have 2 bearded dragons a dog and 2 cats, oh and a giant snail baby!
Rehome them if they are not being cared for as its not fair on them or you.
If u do decide to keep one, you can get cheap second hand vivs on ebay,preloved etc xx

DeidreBarlow · 11/02/2011 08:28

No YANBU i actually feel quite for poor 'ol Slithery in his tank. I imagine he's quite long so he must need plenty of roam to roam.

How old are your boys? Would they get that is not fair on the snakes?

ZombiePlan · 11/02/2011 08:37

YABU for keeping poor old Slithery in a tank that's too small. Either buy a new tank or rehome him, but please please do something soon. It's not fair on him to make him live in a tank that's too small.

If you do keep one of the snakes and get a tank for a birthday present (good idea onceamai), please don't make him wait for your DS' birthday - make them have their pressie early this year.

BabyDubsEverywhere · 11/02/2011 08:45

TBH i think its quite shitty that you have allowed this to happen to the poor thing in the first place. If it were a dog being kept in a cage all the time people would be in uproar, spose its okay though as snakes cant show how unhappy they are so youre guilt free.

Rehome the snakes, and dont get anything else, you obviously dont take pet ownership seriously enough.

Original poster

Codsworth · 11/02/2011 08:46

I know, I do like snakes but I have that much on my mind at the moment (Don't even know where I will be living next month) the snakes are just an added pressure. I feel really sorry for Slithery and did say to DS that Sliths would be much happier living with owners who could provide for him better. He said a bit later "maybe Slithery WOULD be happier in a new home?" so I think he understands.
The other snake has quite a nice tank, big enough etc but still, he doesn't get any kind of interaction because nobody has the time here anymore
I know there is a reptile rescue place around here somewhere, I'll have to give them a call.

OP posts:

BabyDubsEverywhere · 11/02/2011 08:46

And before anyone says I'm being too harsh - OP has had three years to get a bigger tank...you knew it would grow!

Original poster

Codsworth · 11/02/2011 08:49

It's not a really small tank babydubs, the tank is 4ft long, Slithery is just over 4ft long so it's only just too small.

OP posts:

BabyDubsEverywhere · 11/02/2011 08:59

Sorry, but you were the one who said it was too small, i mearly commented on that

However, a 4ft viv is not too small for a royal, they are happier in smaller spaces, large vivs can lead to them feeing stressed and vunerable and not eating. Personally i would aim for slightly larger and out of tank 3 times a week in the evening for a mooch about. But the tank you have would actually be fine, if the snake was 'played' with (assuming the humidity/heat/decor were also suitable)

Where are you. I am in the West Midlands, and happy to offer your python a home if you are near.

ellenjames · 11/02/2011 09:03

a 4 ft viv is not too small for a royal, mine is in a 3ft tank and is plenty big enough,but i have him out everyday.

Original poster

Codsworth · 11/02/2011 09:03

I'm in East Yorkshire. Thing is, when we first got him we used to "play" with him all the time, he would always be slithering around, sometimes even had the free run of the living room for half an hour for exercise (under strict supervision of course!) but then life hitched a ride on a downward roller coaster and poor Slithery ended up shut away in a theoretical cupboard whilst everyone was too wrapped up in worrying about other things. I went in DS's room a couple of nights ago and Slithery was just sat looking out of the glass. I know they don't have expressions but it was like he was "fed up" kind of thing, or maybe that's just me knowing he needs a new home.

OP posts:

Eleison · 11/02/2011 09:09

Please rehome him, unless you really think you can turn things around at home. It isn't fair on him. And you will be happier not to have this responsibility anymore.

BabyDubsEverywhere · 11/02/2011 09:10

That does sound very sad. I dont have any transport at the moment, if you could get him to me he would have a very happy home i can assure you, but i know its far. Good luck rehoming him, i agree he needs to go to someone else.

midori1999 · 11/02/2011 10:17

A 4ft tank is in no way too small for a Royal Python. Breeders keep them in purpose built snake racks that are much smaller than that. I breed them and keep them in smaller spaces than a 4ft viv would be, as they are happiest and feed better that way. In the wild they would spend virtually their entire life in rodent burrows and like small, confined spaces. I have more than a few that would never feed again if they were kept in something as big as a 4ft viv!

Two snakes do not cost much to keep. Couple of heat mats will cost less to run than a light bulb and if they are adult they both only need feeding every 10-14 days, so maybe a tenner a month to feed both, absolute tops.

However, if you don't really want them an no-one can be bothered with them, it's not fair to keep them, but please do nto appraoch rescue, they are over run with cornsnakes and normal royals. Instead, advertise them on a reptile specific forum or ask you rlocal reptile shop if they are willing to take them and rehome them for you.

midori1999 · 11/02/2011 10:19

Also, snakes don't care less about you picking them up or handling them, especially Royals. They tolerate it, that is all.

They need food, appropriate heat, water and to be kept clean, that is all.

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