I have a problem..
I love all my animals... maybe a little too much some would argue.
I have 4 reptiles, 2 mice,and two puppies.
I try to spend as much time and devote as much attention and care to my animals as possible (hence me never leaving this site and asking billions of questions).
To be honest its a bit crazy sometimes!
How do you guys do it.. especially those who have SO many reptiles/pets.
I try to handle mine each day.. let them know in some way that I care.
But it's hard to tend to everyone's needs.
"The baby Bearded Dragon isn't eating enough.. gosh I hope the corn is settling well... darn it the WD pooped in her dish again, and sheesh it her humidity is down again!"
These are everyday thoughts and I only have FOUR.
Do those who have many EVER sleep?
Maybe I'm just a neurotic freak

__________________
I am owned by:
2 dogs, a Hahn's macaw, 2 parrotlets, 2 parakeets, 1 bearded dragon, 1 cornsnake, 2 yellow belly sliders, 1 razorback musk, 30 gallon saltwater reef, 10 gallon planted tank, 5.5 gallon planted betta tank

I know exactly what you mean! I feel bad when I get off of work and don't get home until after lights out..i still go bug the geckos and stuff to see what they are up to and change water dishes and stuff but I really feel bad when I don't have time for them for a few days. atleast my family likes them so they give them some attention!

__________________

Those who say it can't be done should get out of the way of those who are doing it.

~*~Lacey~*~

My Photos

Hi

We don't have a big collection by some standards, 36 snakes, 16 lizards, 2 frogs, 7 T's and 2 birds, and we probably spend on average 2 hours a day tending to them. This would include cleaning feeding changing water etc. We don't handle the animals that often just mainly when we clean. Reptiles don't require handling as say a dog does going for a walk.....in fact I would say for some animals esp. the Ball pythons that they do better with minimal handling. IMO reptiles don't need to know they are loved a such as they do not feel like humans do......as long as our animals are healthy, clean, eating and not agressive why change things?

Just my two pennies worth

__________________
I'll think of something to put here soon.......

my better half and I work the zoo here in the morning before I go to work I change every ones water and make sure all the lights are working
thats at 5 am. i leave for work about 6 am and when the betterhalf wakes up she feeds the kids and our Bearded Dragon and uromastyx breakfast, when I get home at night I feed the Leopard Geckos, cwds, frogs, and tokay. i feed my snakes on my day off and all tanks are on a cleaning rotation theres 8 tanks , i do full cleanings of one tank a night and spot clean poop after dinner.
the dog eats when we eat (keeps her from begging) the cat and hamster eat before bed and every one gets out at some point during the day
honey our Bearded Dragon is usually at the kitchen table at diner time on my shoulder
libby (red tail boa) is out after kids bed time while I watch tv strider (charcoal corn) is out after libby for a run on the couch . uri (mali Uromastyx) comes out after work for some carpet time and the Leopard Geckos (9ers & Jetz) come out for a visit right before my bed time wich is usually about 11pm. ive just made them part of my day if im headed up town and its honeys turn to come out I take her with me for the truck ride. the tokay bites too hard to be handled often and my frogs eat and swim and are not much for being picked up so they come out about once a week

__________________
0.0.1 Iguana Pickle
0-1-0 Bearded Dragon Honey
1-1-0 Red Tail Boa Libby&Dogma
1-0-0 Cat Rajha
0-0-1 Charcoal Corn Snake Strider
1-1-0 Chinese Water Dragons Isis & Osiris
1-1-0 Cockitiles Hawk&Ashley
1-0-0 Tangerine Leopard Gecko 9erz
0-1-0 Leopard gecko Jets
1-0-0 Mali Uromastyx Uri
0-0-2 Betas Holly & Go (kids fish)
0-0-1 Red Eared Slider Shelly
R.I.P hamster hamtaro
R.I.P Wolf Lab Cross Kenya

amazing... soooo impressed!

__________________
I am owned by:
2 dogs, a Hahn's macaw, 2 parrotlets, 2 parakeets, 1 bearded dragon, 1 cornsnake, 2 yellow belly sliders, 1 razorback musk, 30 gallon saltwater reef, 10 gallon planted tank, 5.5 gallon planted betta tank

Heh, I solve that problem by mainly keeping critters that wouldn't really want my companionship and attentions even if I could offer it to them. Most of mine would rather I just leave them alone and keep feeding them

The rats are another story though, but I'm solving that by rehoming them. I just haven't the time nor the means to play with them all the time. It especially doesn't help that they don't live with me and I can only see them on the weekends for the most part. The only reason I even have them is because a friend couldn't keep them either, and they were originally his.

The majority of small lizards, amphibians, and inverts don't much care for human contact though

__________________
+5 bonus points to whoever finds me a job!

"Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines." - John Benfield

Joie, all I can say is, remember, you don't have HUMAN kids! It could be worse!

__________________
Amy

As you can see having a large collection doesn't have to cost you your every waking moment. And particularly with snakes it doesn't require any daily interaction. Just a quick check to see that there is fresh water, no requrges or poo. Lizards require a bit more attention such as daily feeding and in some cases, such as iguanas or Bearded Dragons, handling
You have to keep in mind that you are just starting out and are in the process of ironing out all the kinks. As you progress you add timers and thermostats that pretty much automate the basics. And eventually you develop a routine that works best for you. Granted there is some time involved in taking care of everybody but thats part of the package.

__________________
Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Yep, you just have to get a routine. I get up at 5 am every morning, get myself ready, feed the animals, get my son up and ready and I am out the door by 6:45 for work,,,then the routine starts again when I get home from work. The snakes dont get handled regularly but I try to give the lizards attention several times a week. Falcor my oldest and first Bearded Dragon gets most of the attention, he chills on my pillow while I am reading or watching tv...

You will adjust, just give it time.

__________________
MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

Yea, I guess I just went from 0 to 4 in a fast time!
lol, oh well... love is love what can you do?
I was just thinking about it though because I wake up.. turn the lights on, take puppies out.. feed puppies.. feed/water reptiles.. get some cuddle time in with teh puppies.
I usually work till about 10, I hit the gym. Come home at 11 and make teh reptile rounds. And pass out at about 2 or 3 AM.
I mean, I still want a Uro and a Leo.. and this snake thing is pretty awesome too! I guess I should settle into all this first and then add on

__________________
I am owned by:
2 dogs, a Hahn's macaw, 2 parrotlets, 2 parakeets, 1 bearded dragon, 1 cornsnake, 2 yellow belly sliders, 1 razorback musk, 30 gallon saltwater reef, 10 gallon planted tank, 5.5 gallon planted betta tank