roommate with reptiles :(

**Elmanie** · #1 03-28-06, 09:39 am

I love my roommate. We share a 4 bedroom apt with my boyfriend and another friend. Josh and I got mammals before she got a ball python(Josh has rats, and I am a cavy slave) It was close to September when she got the snake, and nothing was a real problem. This winter, however, we have had to keep the apartment at above 75 to keep her snake okay. What gets me is two things. I know that guinea pigs can't take much heat above that temperature, and even with my fan it is still a bit warm in my room. But she gets so irate when we set the apartment to cool, because the temp drops to 74 and she freaks. It's 'too cold' for her and too cold for the snake. When it was almost 80 yesterday she said she liked it, it was finally not cold. This pisses me off, because now that it is startign to get warmer outside, what in the world will I do for my guinea pigs? Short of keeping my fan on high all the time, closing blinds and such? I will ask her today if we can set the apt temp to 65-70 in the next week, considering how hot it will be outside. But she will probably freak then.

Also, when I asked her to watch over my pigs when I am gone for a week, she said she has too many pets to look after(the snake, and 5 tarantulas)...animals she openly admits to being so very easy to take care of and not time consuming. Apparently in her busy schedule of being online and not doing crap over the summer, she can't peek in once a day in my room and see if my pets are still effing alive and fill their water tube

I swear. If I could afford it, I would move downstairs to a tw obedroom. But this girl has been my friend for 7 years, and I don't want to leave her without any roommates. Suggestions on how to keep my piggies comfy?

**Elmanie** · #2 03-28-06, 10:14 am

Also, I talked to my mom and am, when I am out of classes, suggest to her that she buy a space heater, because the majority of the apartment should now have to be hot just for her room to be the correct temp. Also, I called the landlord about limits on heating in the summer, and he said that if there are any problems they will step in. But hopefully this will be solved soon.

Suggestion?

**daftscotslass** · #3 03-28-06, 10:18 am

Rather than you worrying about your piggies I think you should follow your mom's suggestion.

Reptiles need constant and consistent heat provided by a heat lamp in their living environment. Central heating and summer warmth doesn't provide the right kind of heat for them. This is what she needs, not to make the rest of you miserable. Perhaps buy her a book and suggest that it's for the welfare of her pet?

**Slap Maxwell** · #4 03-28-06, 10:24 am

I would buy a heater for the cage to keep the cage area warm. Maybe a heat rock, too?

**Elmanie** · #5 03-29-06, 11:29 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slap Maxwell

I would buy a heater for the cage to keep the cage area warm. Maybe a heat rock, too?

I think heat rocks are not recommended for snakes, as they can burn themselves on it.

Anywho. My boyfriend figured out something with the thermostat, and we think we got it fixed. It's remained warm but comfortable the last 24 hours, so hopefully it stays that way

**C&K** · #6 03-29-06, 12:18 pm

It seems ridiculous to me to heat an entire apartment to a certain temperature to keep 1 animal in its optimum climate zone, and also rather ineffective. I highly suggest a heat lamp that is programed to go on and off to a set temperature, and if she really needs some auxillary heat around the enclosure, then get a space heater, they can be picked up for very little!

It sounds like she is very selfish, and not really a good friend. I don't know you or her, but it sounds like you are always the one giving and never getting anything back. You are right, poking your head in and checking on an animal and filling a water bottle a couple times a day should be nothing for someone who is supposed to be a really good friend.

I would highly suggest giving her advanced warning, maybe 3 months that you are leaving if you don't want to leave her in a lurch, but she has no right to dictate all the terms in your relationship or living environment!

**Elmanie** · #7 03-29-06, 12:45 pm

We fixed the heating problem. Plus since it's getting warmer outside we don't have to worry about her complaining. This 4 bedroom apt is convenient in that it is somewhat cheap (300/month per person), and it is right near campus so we can walk there. It's also cheaper than living in the dorms.

Heh. Like my mom said to me last night. You never really know hoe someone works until you live with them :/. I'm going to see how the next month or so plays out, since we have about 4 months left on the lease, and see if switching places is in order

**PiggieMom** · #8 03-29-06, 01:45 pm

It is really up to you and what you want to do. But don't stay in the apartment just for her sake. If putting up with her attitude (or whatever the problem may be) is worth the cheap rent and proximity to campus (as a college student I can fully appreciate this) then stay. If not, then get the hell out of dodge. She is her own person and is responsible for finding her own shelter. Although, advance warning is the nice thing to do if possible (but since you have a lease, notice would be given when you don't resign).

Anyway, good luck. I know what it's like to have not-so-perfect roomies. I've lived with a lot of people the last two years. And I'm living with four next year.

(Oh and if her snake doesn't have a heat lamp, she really needs to get it one. It's best for the snake.)

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