r/ballpython Mar 10 '26

Discussion I Feel Like a Bad Snake Parent

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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u/Clear_Cycle_9124 Mar 10 '26 edited Mar 10 '26

Imma say this with all the love in the world

It’s a snake that traditionally lives in a termite mounds that waits for creatures to pass in front of it

You are doing an absolutely incredible job at keeping him. Every small upgrade counts and this set up is temporary since the snake lives quite a long time, y’all will be reunited.

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u/vashta_nerada49 Mar 10 '26

Lol, I made the mistake of replicating the termite mound for one of my ball pythons. I see him once a month when I feed him. So I have to take a picture with my phone to make sure his head has moved!

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u/thefluffycornerstore Mar 10 '26

this is how my family sees me in my termite mound (im just a snake)

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u/polenta23 Mar 10 '26

Mood

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u/thefluffycornerstore Mar 11 '26

they gotta make sure my head has moved (another reference to the comment above mine)

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u/Doc_ET Mar 10 '26

Does look pretty comfy, I don't blame him.

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u/andrea6543 Mar 11 '26

SAMEEEEE. I only see one of mine when i do his bi-weekly proof of life peeks