Pet at University?

I've been keeping exotic animals since I was 12 (wanted a snake since I was 9, actually, but not allowed ), my aunt practically runs a zoo with snakes and tarantulas and various weird and wonderful things, look after other people's pets etc. (I'm the only person who will), done various courses and it wasn't just 1 day course. EEEK that sounded really defensive sorry! I'm not trying to compete with your 4 years of specific snake keeping, I can't. It's just that (without meaning to sound stroppy) I understand the issues, and I completely understand where you're coming from. They can be easier and cheaper than other pets- my main concern is that so often people think "oooh, nice cheap easy pet to look after, it's unusual and will give me street cred" type thing, and rush into it without thinking seriously. I think my comment refered, whilst specifically to snakes, more generally to every animal, so I wasn't getting at you as such or meaning that you didn't know your stuff (again, I sound defensive, sorry!). I just didn't want her to take it the wrong way and rush out to buy a snake (or tarantula, or kitten, or hamster...). As you said, any animal does need a devoted keeper.

Yeh, sorry. My post was a bit stroppy, but hey, I had only just got up.

But anyways, we both agree: no pet should be got because its easy/cheap/street cred etc, those are just bonuses. And no pet should be got on a wim, or without the intention of providing proper care for its entire life (which can be decades with snakes).

Completely agree! I also have 4 scorpions. No tarantulas though, as my flatmate is arachnophobic. I am too, but I want one to cure my fear. She doesn't see it that way.

Either red knee of a chile rose I would like, as a nice starter.

Don't worry, I'm not talking about hiding a pet in halls...what I want to ask is, if I am in a private flat and the landlord is ok with pets, is it a really bad idea to get one whilst at uni? (Cost, time.....cost!) My parents would never let me have one at home, now I've moved out I'm dying to get one!!