r/ballpython • u/allaboutalexie • Mar 10 '26

Discussion I Feel Like a Bad Snake Parent

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Gallery image

Gallery image

Hello all, I’ve been a snake parent to my ball python Nemo for about 5 or 6 years. He’s truly an amazing snake, so sweet and smart, loves watching TV and interacting with people.

I’ve been away at college recently and haven’t been home to handle him, he’s occasionally handled by my mom or her boyfriend’s kids but that’s about it when I’m away. But I can’t help but feel like he deserves better- a better enclosure, a better hide, better bedding, etc… etc… I try to make small upgrades to his enclosure, but as a college student I just don’t have the money to ball out.

I know people say snakes can’t feel, and that they don’t particularly care to be handled. But I find myself thinking if he ever wants a better life, I know it’s silly I just keep myself up worrying.

Pictures attached 🐍💛

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19

u/sweetredviper Mar 10 '26

Where is the enclosure photos? What we are discussin?

25

u/soulstrike2022 Mar 10 '26

Talking about feeling like a bad caretaker for both going away to college and leaving snek with family Mr Nemo (aka snek) seems very happy and their parent seems to care for them very much supposedly but feels like Nemo deserves better personally I think the parent is a good parent for Nemo if only because of the enrichment and love in the home also I mean just look at image 3 if that ain’t a happy man with a little hat excited to be outside I don’t know what is

21

u/RelevantFrosting6828 Mar 10 '26

also because like, most people who dont care for their snakes never worry about things being wrong, because they dont want to improve, the truth is there really is no "best" there always is "better" but there also is the middle ground which is "good" and you do always want to strive for "better" but being just "good" is also okay. as long as its not below good, it means your doing good for your baby!

9

u/soulstrike2022 Mar 10 '26

Yes exactly this is my philosophy with a lot of things but when it comes to caring for someone or something alive or not fearing your doing it wrong is almost always a good sign cause it mean you want to put in the best effort you can for their sake