Salutations everyone!!

Quick warning, I tend to rant and go on and on when I get typing, so I don't blame you if you just do a quick skim of my post

I live in southern California and am currently entering my second year of college to become a herpetologist. Reptiles are my true passion, but I love all animals! Currently I have one Brazilian Rainbow Boa about 1.5 years old named (not my given name, this was given by my best friend who my boa lives with lol) Snakey G Serpent. Original right? Anywho, I plan on moving out into my own studio apartment in the coming months and when I do so I am planning on expanding my collection asap. As a matter of fact next weekend I will hopefully be picking up a baby Jungle Carpet Python who I will name Jacket (as in Yellow Jacket, or Straight Jacket whichever works).

When I am on my own, I will be purchasing a Bismark Ringed Python who I will name October (My birthday month and Halloween, perfect for a black and orange snake), a Yellow Anaconda who I will name Chipper (another best friend who's nickname is Chipper, loves the color yellow, and is deathly afraid of snakes ), two Yellow Ackie Monitors who will be Pyra and Roxanne (really hoping I get two young females, but it's nearly impossible to sex juveniles safely), and a Black and White Tegu who I will name Shadow (after a Golden Retriever/Chow mix we had when I was younger, best dog ever).

I have endless fascination for exotic animals. My problem is for the next 5-6 years I will be living in a studio apartment, working 40 hrs a week, and going to college semi-full time. The time constraints really limit my pet choices to my reptiles. This is fine, but I would really love a furry friend too!

So I have a general question for the board here. What furry exotics might do well with me and my schedule? I know of course to never have my reptiles out at the same time as a mammalian pet, and always wash my hands when going from one animal to the next. Owning reptiles really teaches the importance of cleanliness. I would like something around the size of a guinea pig or larger. But I know most larger animals need more room and exercise than I might be able to provide. For a long time I've been considering Chinchillas, I would get 2 so they have someone to play with when I am gone.

Another question, would furry pets be distressed by the scent of reptiles in the room? I know I must be aware that my reptiles might go nuts in constant hunting mode in the cages. But with proper feeding schedules and cleanliness to control smells, the reptiles should be fine.

To be perfectly honest, I don't absolutely NEED to have an exotic mammal. A domestic cat would suit me just fine as well. But cats don't do well in cages, and I would need a cage available for when I have my reptiles out and need to keep my pets separated.

Above all, if my situation means there is no mammal pet I would be able to properly provide a happy and healthy life for, I will not get one! The animal ALWAYS comes first, no matter what.

Thanks everyone for reading this far! I hope to talk to you all and learn more about these wonderful exotics we all love

p.s. Almost forgot, obligatory pics! I will post another pic of him as he looks now, soon as he's done shedding and isn't so.... in blue

Just realized I forgot a bit of information, and the edit button seems to have disappeared on me.

Anyways, my name is Zack and I will be 20 years old this October 12th

Will you be staying in California? This will limit what people suggest as really no exotics are legal there, including ferrets and gerbils. If you are moving then that may open some doors.

Ah yes I will be staying here. That's a great point I hadn't thought much about that. I know Ferrets are illegal, but I haven't looked into legality for much else. Are there permits available for other possible pets? I really don't know much at all about exotic pets and legal issues. I know a fair bit with reptiles, and restrictions regarding venomous snakes and recent political action against large constrictors. Perhaps I need to spend some time in the legal section of this forum :)

hi nocold,

welcome to sybils message board.

sounds like you are very wise when it comes to animals.

I was almost going to suggest a sugar glider, because they are nocternal animals but, I forgot about california laws

now, I am concerned about your snakes, if they are legal?
those you might want to keep "under your hat" around your neighbors and people you don't know..

but, I don't really know for sure. I am sure some of the members here might know..

glad you joined us..

Thanks for the welcome :)

Yes I am 100% sure everything I plan to purchase is legal. I bought my Boa from a reptile store here called Prehistoric Pets and I have seen in person each of the other animals I want to get at the annual Reptile Super Show in San Diego. What is illegal here are non-native venomous snakes and I believe there are further restrictions if they come from outside the US. But I have actually exchanged emails and talked with the breeders where I will purchase the Ringed Python, Jungle Carpet, Yellow 'Conda, and the Ackies, and they are all US breeders. Tegu's are relatively common in the trade, so that will not be a problem.

Well i just took a gander at a thread about CA Law regarding exotics. Seems Chinchilla is as exotic as I can get without official experience with a licensed facility. I would love to do that, I would just need to look into time requirements and things like that. That of course is assuming something other than a chinchilla or domestic animal would even be a good choice.

Chinchillas are legal and don't need lots of attention from you plus being nocturnal you can enjoy them in the evenings after work/school for a bit. Rats are okay too but don't handle the rats before handling the snakes. I don't think it works the other way around, rodents getting upset by reptile odors. and chinchillas are one of the few exotics legal there.

You can pretty much assume anything you don't see at a pet store is going to be illegal in CA when it comes to exotic mammals. So I don't think there is much else to suggest besides rats and

Guinea pigs are good simi-exotic pets. They wont stress if you don't pay them attention but can be quite friendly and fun if you do. My male would head bump my hand as I pet him. They bounce around when you let them out to play and they are happy and they talk to you especially when they know you might have food.

PS cats can be caged. They sell cat cages. Just don't leave them caged for long periods of time.

Thanks for the replies. Well it looks like I may have to learn more about chins and guinea pigs if I do end up going that route. I would want to stay away from rats and mice as they have a very particular smell and they are exactly what my reptiles would look for. I know the cages I plan on purchasing are top of the line and completely escape proof, but I still don't want that smell to be in the room 24/7.

This will be some time down the road anyways. Once I move out, get settled into a routine money-wise and have the reptiles I want, then I will see exactly what will be possible in terms of a warm-blooded pet lol.

Thanks again everyone, I will certainly be sticking around to learn as much as possible about everything I possibly can :)

Some dogs do react odd to people with snakes, but I'm sure you can train a pup to accept that as the "part of the family" smell. And if you like cats' personalities why rule out a cat? I'm sure a small dog or a cat can handle being in a cage for a while when you attend to your other critters. Rats make good pets too - but in your case there might be a little conflict of interest happening...
Welcome anyway!

I would love to have a cat. My only issue is leaving the cat alone for so long, with reptile cages in the room. With an animal that would be caged or at least kept in one corner of the room, I can at least manage a way to keep them out of sight of the reptiles. With a cat, there are no places inaccessible to a motivated feline lol. A chinchilla I can keep corralled in a "play-pen" during the day. A cat would have run of the place, and would undoubtedly spend much time right in the faces of the reptiles. No doubt harassing them and enjoying watching them squirm as they try to get out. I know no harm would come as the cages would be secure, but a cat in the room would cause a great deal of stress to the reptiles. Also most apartment places have separate rules for "caged" and "non-caged" animals. Where my snake is now, caged animals are free to keep and welcome. Non-caged pets like cats and dogs, come with a $600 pet deposit and an extra $25 added on the monthly rent.

I guess I could build a cage to quarantine the reptiles, but at that point it would be much easier to just get a 1-bedroom apartment instead of a studio and put the reptiles in the room. That would also mean about 25% more in rent in my town.

Thanks for the welcome!! I will certainly keep a cat in my considerations, only time will tell what my situation will allow!