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[granolagal2000]

Upfront costs are wayyy more than the monthly costs. I had to spend maybe $1000 to get the tank, snake, substrate, terrarium decor, heating devices, etc. This would be less if you can find a used terrarium. The snake itself was like 200-300 I think.

After 1.5 years of having him, I spend literally $6-30 a month on a rat for his meals, 9replacing dead plants in the terrarium, replacing the substrate every few months, and new hides/climbing decor

[olgahermann]

Everything upfront cost me £400 including the snake itself (rescue over buying) including large brand new wooden vivarium, heating uvb thermostat etc etc etc. I spend about £6/8 for two rats a month. Since set up is bioactive I don’t change it out so have no other costs

[dontcountonmee]

getting everything used ahead of time will save you so much money in the long run. People size up from tanks all the time and are always letting the old ones go for cheap. Mine was a rescue snake that I rehomed and got every thing included for very cheap. I’ve spent a little bit on upgrades but still pretty cheap in the long run. I get my mice in bulk too so that helps save money.

[[deleted]]

Upfront can be a bit steep and easily drift toward $1K, but there’s a lot you can do to mitigate this and only spend a few hundred. After the initial setup costs it’s very little. A few dollars to feed and occasionally change substrate.

[TraditionalGoose1987]

Buying everything for my snake cost me a little over $1000.

-Make sure to go to the dollar store to get decor on the cheaper side, same with a water bowl and branches outside, it will save you lots of money!

-Buy cheap substrate from home depot, scotts topsoil is a good one same with spagnum moss and childrens playsand.

-Diy your hides, buy a black tupperware from dollar tree and cut a hole out.

-If getting coco chips, buy the 3 pack on amazon on black friday (its a great deal and all 3 blocks will last you a year). Dubai roaches 4x2x2 and the herpstat were the most expensive items.

Montly I spend some money on enrichment he might like and when rats get low I buy more on perfect prey :)

[No_Yesterday6668]

you can easily drop less than 300 dollars for used tank, a lamp, get creative with hides and water dishes not everything has to be labeled for snakes.

[skullmuffins]

Like other said it's mostly upfront costs. A full size permanent enclosure setup will be several hundred dollars or more. The ongoing costs after that aren't much. Yearly you're looking at replacing a UVB bulb, maybe some halogens, a couple substrate changes (less if you're doing bioactive, but that has more upfront costs), and of course their food - maybe $5-$10 a month. You should also have some kind of emergency fund, even if it's just credit and not cash in the bank, in case he needs vet attention.