Do colleges let you keep snakes?

[Rbraczyk]

I'm wondering if I can bring my adult male bp to college with me. I know I'm going to have to sell my bearded dragon, due to energy and light danger concerns, but would most colleges have a problem with a python?

Would it be worth it to send an email to administrative offices at schools I hope to attend to find out?

[JetWrangler]

Where do you live on or off campus? If on campus what type of room arrangement is it dorm/appartment/frat. Youd have to check with housing. Most probably would if you asked if you could bring in a small pet. But dont get your hopesd up. In there eyes its not some fish that if gets lose it dies. There looking at it as moreless threat.

[HkWagner]

Funny story. When I went to college a long time ago I had Burmese Pythons. I had a 5 foot long male that I kept in my dorm room. One time when I was out probably drinking remembering what I was like back then the RA's came and did a surprise inspection on everyone's room. Well then went in and found my snake and they thought that it was poisonous. I came home and found Harzard tape outside my dorm room door. They then asked what kind of snake it was and if it was dangerous. He then had to leave and go live with one of my friends for the rest of the year. Not cool! The things that I have been through in my life for keeping snakes is unbelievable. I will have to write a book someday!

Brock Wagner

[Hennek]

The vast majority of dorms do not allow any pets other than a small fish tank (less than 20 gal)...and yes, the fish tank must only have fish (i've tried that one).

Off campus in an appartment is probably your best bet.

Matt

[Liquidity X]

Just keep it out of sight, I knew RAs who had cats in their rooms, and a buddy who had a small dog that he brought in and out in his bag to walk it and no one ever found out, you just ned to be smart when moving in not to show off any pet supplies nd have a cool room mate.

[tbone13]

Honestly, as someone who's a recent graduate, if you're going to live in a dorm I would suggest you at least what a semester or longer to feel out your school, dorm, and RA. Even if you keep it hidden, you will more than likely have a roommate and it will be NEARLY impossible to keep the fact that you have a BP a secret. Once one person finds out and wants to see it feed or whatever... you're screwed.

You'd be surprised how much trouble that kinda stuff can get you into. I bet even having a heat lamp is against the rules. Of campus, no worries. And if you have a single I'd consider it, but otherwise it's gonna be tough.

Oh yeah, I would not try and contact the college offices unless you are not going to bring it if they say no. Cause if you were "warned" ahead of time and still brought it and got caught... not good.

Having said all that, if you wanna be a badass and you don't care then go for it.

[Sherry Howell]

I work at a university and pets are not allowed. I do know students who have kept snakes in their rooms, though. One of the students did get caught and I kept his snake for him for about a year. If you do bring a snake into your room, try to keep quiet about it but have a backup plan in case you are caught.

[conscript]

most colleges have the mind set of, 'out of sight out of mind'. The RA's, and campus security, and real cops don't want to search each room, and more importantly don't have the right to search your room until there is a reason to. So if you don't go parading around for your RA to find out you'll be fine. pets that can survive in certain size tanks usually get okayed for dorm access. remember there are a lot of worse things passing through colleges that the RA's keep an eye out for (drugs, underage drinking, etc.).

you should probably ask first, smuggle it in second ( after you got the ok from your roommate or mates ).

best of luck

[bawlpythonboy]

i live in a dorm right now and basically it is the whole out of sight out of mind thing. i keep my bearded dragon in my closet. no RA's are allowed to search without good reason. i know at my dorms they arent even allowed to open the fridge. if they need to do maintainence on my air conditioner or whatever they have to give a 2 day warning before they can enter. but yeah most colleges dont allow pets, especially herps. best bet is to get a room by yourself and just hide it. make sure your roommate is ok with it tho bacause if you ever screw with him he will have something to get you in trouble, like blackmail you or something. good luck

[BPYTHON]

i currently keep 12 snakes in my room. last semester i had a 6 foot boa in my room. this is my third year and i have had no problems. i have had snakes in my dorm room since i started college. i actually helped 2 of my RA's purchase ball pythons. i have mine in racks that are easily hidden. tanks are harder to hide but it can be done. just dont advertise the fact that you have anything. one of my roomates was petrified of this corn snake i had freshman year but everything was fine. just be careful. good luck.

[r0ck3rgUrL1992]

I've heard of people who've kept pets in their dorms when they weren't allowed with no problems. Just be careful though. Once word gets out, you're pretty much screwed. IMO, you should try to find a one-person apartment in the area (there's usually apartments for college students nearby the campuses) and keep your bp there. That's what I'm going to do. Considering I want to go to college far from home. (Japan is far, right? lol) If you DO keep your bp in the dorm, try to get a rack instead of a tank and use an uth for it. They can be kept out of sight more easily than a 40-50 gallon tank. But still be careful, rack or no rack.

[Dawagner]

I go to college and had my adult IJ carpet with me, anyways i had it on a stand in the corner of the room and hid it with the fridge so when they walked in for fire checks(usually the only time a RA will be comin in your room unless your doin some other shit like smoking or being loud past quiet hours) you couldnt see it unless you walked all the way in the room. when they come in for fire checks there just lookin to see that every one is out so just keep it out of the way and kind of hidden and you will be fine

[Lurv]

keep it concealed dont tell everyone and you shouold be fine. Clean no smell no problems

[ChrisGilbert]

I'm a college freshman right now. What schools are you looking at? Some are okay with it, others aren't. Research universities usually have labs where they keep reptiles, and you may be able to contact some professors. Likewise, such universities often have housing options that would allow you to keep pets. Here at Cornell they have the Ecology House, it is a program house/dorm and you can keep caged pets. They still didn't let me keep my boas though, because they were "constrictors" the macklot's python and numerous ball pythons don't seem to bother them though. Oh well, long story.

I am keeping my boas with a friend at his apartment this semester. I may be moving next semester, but I am not sure. Next year I will be joining a fraternity and will take my boas with me.