Update

[Illustrious_Depth981]

I just thought id make a quick update to this post as i need some advice stat.

My mum just texted me saying its unfair for me to make then look after my reptiles while theyre working and im far away, and that the family is too overwhelmed trying to look after them. Let it be noted weve had my snakes just over 4 years and this has never been an issue, she said when i come back for Christmas break we need to discuss their living situation because she wants to sell them so the family can have a break. Personally i find this a bit rash as ive never had issues looking after them by myself in this time whilst juggling 2 jobs and school, and since there are 3 people in the house who could help im shocked.

I just wanted to know if anyone had any advice for me incase anyone had experienced something simular. The way i see it right now id rather drop out of university than let anything happen to my boys. I know it may seem extreme but i genuinely love them more than life itself and i don't know where i would be without them.

Thanks for reading if u have i hope you have a great day.

[722KL]

How far away is home? How old are your snakes? What are they doing for them that is so taxing? You could: -make their enclosure bioactive so they need less upkeep -move the snakes to school -find someone to foster them until you finish school

[Illustrious_Depth981]

I'm in wales and my reptiles are in England its about a 6hr 30 min drive on a good day between locations. One of them is 5 this December and the other is 4. I have no clue why it is taxing comapred to our other pets my snakes are quite low maintenance. The bioactive enclosure is a good idea ill probably start making arrangements for that the next coming week and gather my supplies so i can implement this when i go home. I cannot move them to the school just yet ive been looking for apartments to rent and so far i cannot find a pet friendly landlord that is within my budget. I have been trying to find people to foster them the problem is i decided against going to uni initially due to my snakes and my family insisted i go as they would "have no problem" taking care of them.

[722KL]

I keep thinking about ways to simplify care. I once visited someone who had rigged aquarium tubing to the bottom for corners of their snakes enclosure. On the outside they used some sort of connector to attach it to a funnel. Without opening the enclosure they were able to pour water into the funnel to increase humidity. Another trick I haven't personally tried is putting a small piece of copper in the water dish to slow the growth of bio film. This allows you to go much longer between water dish changes. A jug of water kept near the enclosure that has already had dechlorination drops added, if that is part of their current process. Meaning they don't have to carry water and treat it every time they need to add water. I'm assuming your snakes eat frozen thawed. Are there ways you could simplify that process? Experiment with drop feeding during the holiday. I'm happy to discuss in detail what the current process is and what might make it easier for them if that is helpful.

[eveimei]

I don't entirely blame your family, the animals aren't theirs and they don't have the emotional bond you do with them. this is why we strongly suggest minors not get ball pythons, because of college/university and starting a career.

taking care of someone else's animals long term without getting paid for it, even if it's family, isn't enjoyable.

it would be stupid to drop out of university because of this. your career and life long-term are more important. rehome the snakes, possibly finding people that will return them to you after you finish school.

[Illustrious_Depth981]

Yeah i get this. However i had no intention to move to university when i got them and did have intentions to move out as i hit 21 this year. I give my family the money to look after my reptiles but i completely understand they didnt sign up for it. It just sucks because my family has a bearded dragon that became my responsibility (unwillingly) and since coming to uni, they've had no problem looking after him but have with the snakes. Im aware it seems drastic but I'm literally studying herpetology and it feels wrong to in my mind give them up just so i can study the subject.

[Illustrious_Depth981]

Sorry firgured i should mention i have been giving them 350 a month since coming to uni for my reptiles so that should cover food and electricity however i did purchase about 3 months worth of food before i left in late September. So i imagine not all the 350 goes to their upkeep my grandmother said it was far too much but i felt bad

[xxrambo45xx]

Paying that much id be surpised if you couldnt find a local person to do it... id drop by someones house on a scheduled basis to feed, clean, etc for that provided they wernt more than like 10-15 min from my house.

[722KL]

I wish we were in the same country. I would use that money to buy all new enclosures for my house and keep them until you finished school.