College student looking to get a garter(need advice)

[Jorjor]

Hey guys, so I'm currently attending college/university in Massachussetts(I live in California) and I'm toying with the idea of getting a garter snake for my dorm(which allows small-non-furry pets that can live in a tank). I have almost everything mapped out in my head. However there's one thing I'm stuck on that I need to get straightened out before I do anything, and that is what to do during breaks...

We have 3 breaks: Winter(2 weeks) Spring(1 week) and Summer(3 months). As far as winter and spring go, how long would you personally feel safe leaving a garter alone? I doubt spring would be a problem, but 2 weeks(for winter) sounds a bit iffy to me.

And in terms of summer. I'm split on what to do here. I don't personally know anyone on the east coast who'd be willing to take care of a snake. Right now I'm thinking perhaps I could overnight ship him home when summer starts, and have him shipped back when fall semester begins. But would that be too much stress on the snake to ship it that often(twice a year?). If so, any ideas for places that might be willing to board snakes for a reasonable price?

(PS if you feel this just wouldn't work out, feel free to let me know that too, haha)

Thanks in advance ;)

Jordan

[chris-uk]

During the shorter breaks is there anyone that could change a water bowl (someone you'd trust to do it without forgetting and without leaving the lid loose)? A one week break you could get away with leaving for a week if the water bowl is big enough, two weeks is a stretch though as you wouldn't want to be leaving water standing for 14 days when the little bugger craps in the water the minute you close the door.
Water is your issue.

Three months in the summer is llikely to be the killer. Shipping twice a year can't be a good thing. Is there anywhere locally that would take a snake as a lodger for the summer. Failing that you need to make some local friends.

If you don't have an option other than shipping at the start and end of summer vacation then I'd suggest you put the plan on ice for a year or two until you have someone you trust with your snake in the vacations.

[d_virginiana]

It doesn't really sound like a situation where you should get a snake... If you could drive it back and forth with you that'd be different, but shipping can be dangerous for reptiles. You probably wouldn't be able to ship him across country in a timely manner for such a short time period, since the temp has to be within an appropriate range at every point along the way.

Also, for an adult two weeks isn't too long to go without food, but it's not good to leave them that long without someone to check in. If they messed in or tipped the water dish two minutes after you left, you'd come back to a severely dehydrated and sick snake. Also, the heating devices you'd need to leave on wouldn't really be safe to leave on in a building where no one is going to be for weeks at a time (if it fails, the snake would not do well in Massachusetts winter temps, and if it overheats it could easily start a fire).

[Jorjor]

Thanks for the feedback so far, now that I think about it, I definitely agree shipping that often would probably be impractical. I'm stressing myself out just thinking about it and I haven't even gotten the snake

I've been looking around on craigslist and I found a couple sitters in western mass who say they take reptiles, I'm going to shoot them both an email and see if either of them are willing to keep a snake for that period of time.

[slipknot711]

im in rhode island if that helps

[Jorjor]

im in rhode island if that helps

Hmm, which part of rhode island? I'm in Amherst. I don't know the east coast that well yet so I'm not sure how close that would be

[slipknot711]

im just north of Providence. your like an hr and 45 min away from me.

[Jorjor]

im just north of Providence. your like an hr and 45 min away from me.

Oh OK, I guess that's no worse than driving to Boston. Perhaps I could PM you and we could exchange emails for future reference :)

[slipknot711]

yeah thats fine with me

[Mommy2many]

I'm in Connecticut, also if you need another "snake sitter". I am already snake sitting for someone and would be willing to help out as well. PM me also. Ashley may be closer to you though.

[Jorjor]

I'm in Connecticut, also if you need another "snake sitter". I am already snake sitting for someone and would be willing to help out as well. PM me also. Ashley may be closer to you though.

Looks like the drive to Danbury is only 10 minutes longer(and no tolls according to my phone at least), so I'll definitely PM you as well. Thanks to you both for giving me some options. FYI I'll probably be getting the snake in the fall since I only have 5 more weeks till summer break at this point.

[NancyG]

Firstly. I'd like to compliment you on being responsible and having the foresight to anticipate these problems. (cheers)
Having skimmed the thread, it sounds like you may have some options already set. And it mostly seems like that is the way to deal with it.. Finding people willing to reach into a snake cage even to just to refill a water bowl, even when the snakes are docile and harmless, can be difficult.

I ran into this issue too when I go on vacation out of town: A weekend is not a big deal, but longer can be a problem, I solved it the same way you are now, I have a couple local friends who have had snakes before and were willing to take them. (the lady who took care of my cat is seriously wiggy about "SnaeKS' (grin))
I did find that the vet I take my snakes to will also kennel them, but at the price of 10$/Day/cage it was prohibitive. You might also look for a reptile rescue group that might be able to temporarily house them, or know of local herpers who would. My brief inquiries into a few pet sitting services revealed that they are mostly cat and dog and fish. (at least here)

I semi-seriously joked with a friend who was job hunting that he should turn one of his spare bedrooms into a reptile room for pet sitting.. He'd had snakes before so he knew how to handle them. It seems like a niche market that could be very helpful to reptile owners.

[d_virginiana]

I just happened to re-notice this thread, and I thought of one thing you might want to keep in mind when you buy the snake. I'm pretty sure California has laws prohibiting owning certain native species (Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis is the only one I'm aware of that's commonly sold). But since you may be flying/shipping the snake at some point, thought I'd bring it up. :)

[Jorjor]

I just happened to re-notice this thread, and I thought of one thing you might want to keep in mind when you buy the snake. I'm pretty sure California has laws prohibiting owning certain native species (Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis is the only one I'm aware of that's commonly sold). But since you may be flying/shipping the snake at some point, thought I'd bring it up. :)

I know, it's kind of a bummer because I really love the Santa Cruz garters :( good thing scott felzer doesn't breed them anymore, because I would so take advantage of the fact that I'm living in Mass :p(bad me)