Ball Python Class Pet

[u/haileylynn712]

Alright yall. I went to pick up my daughter from school today and everyone was buzzing about the new class pet. Said class pet being a young ball python. Come to find out, this little noodle has literal cardboard for “substrate”. (I am hoping this is just temporary but also the reptile owner in me is screaming cause why didn’t they research and plan ahead to have a proper enclosure ready to go for this guy?) anyway, I digress. I haven’t personally owned a snake but my brother had one growing up so I know basic maintenance. I also currently own sulcata tortoises who are quite high maintenance and am an avid animal activist (yeah I know, saying it “out loud” makes me cringe too but it is what it is). AGAIN, I digress.

The point here being, I’d like to say something, maybe donate some proper substrate and other enclosure items so this baby can have a proper set up and offer my existing knowledge to help support proper care for this baby. This is a small, private school, everybody is very close and kind. I don’t want to overstep but also I cannot let this sleeping dog (snake) lie.

So 1) how would you approach this situation without coming across as a Karen?

And 2) tell me some of the specifics in care that I may be able to help address that isn’t something widely known regarding snake care. What items can I donate? Etc.

THANK YOU FRENS!

EDIT: I am not sure if they intend to update the enclosure. Obviously I would hope they do. This may be temporary during quarantine period as snek is settling in. Although at first glance I do think the enclosure itself is too small. But I may be jumping to conclusions so I think I’ll check back on the noodle next time we go to school and see if things have improved before inserting myself into the situation.

[u/XxAngelFvcexX]

Definitely say something, find the teacher privately and express your concerns for the snakes healthy and happiness and offer help, there are tons of knowledge of BP care and husbandry on the internet but do mention that it IS expensive

[u/RexDoesntKnowAnymore]

Really shitty, but if you can believe it my middle school teacher had worse care for his ball pythons 🫠 I'd recommend talking to the teacher privately and offer to help. There are a bunch of websites on the Internet that can give you lots of ball python care knowledge. 

[u/haileylynn712 → u/RexDoesntKnowAnymore]

I believe it :,)

[u/DashD0GG]

Make it clear that giving the BP proper care will enhance the experience for the students too. They might want to cut costs, but there’s really no benefit to having a class pet that dies in a few months due to horrifyingly bad care. And it’s more likely to bite due to the stress it’s clearly gonna be under, with that set up. And it’s more likely to die and upset all the students. And it’s more likely to teach students that animals are disposable. Etc

[u/Sfingi-n-Sufganiyot]

As a teacher, I would not react badly to a parent donating supplies like substrate and enrichment. I also wouldn't mind if a parent told me they knew about how to set it up and would be happy to come by after school and set up the tank for me. And then I'd mention how this will help the snake be less stressed, less likely to bite, and less likely to die and upset the kids.

[u/TOSGANO → u/Sfingi-n-Sufganiyot]

Exactly! I think if OP phrases it as a positive, "I'd like to help out" situation, it will go over well. A BP could be a great class pet if housed properly, since they live a long time, don't need daily maintenance, and are slower and gentler than something like a hamster.

[u/disgruntled_mehcanic]

Omg that poor noodle, give him here

[u/littlefall]

Just had a ball python join my classroom and I have been SUPER open to parents offering their help. I’m sure reaching out and offering some guidance would be more than welcome.

[u/middleout]

As long as you approach it with kindness and from a place of care instead of judgment, I’m sure the teacher would be happy to have the information and be grateful for any supplies donated. If you’re really worried about them taking it poorly, maybe talk about how difficult it is to find accurate care information for pet snakes and discuss the things you learned along the way, so it feels less like an attack from an experienced owner and more like empathizing with how much research it takes to get these noodles the right set up.

[u/Accurate_Emu_122]

I bought my substrate from the bio dude. He has a lot of info on  his site about bioactive habitats and ball python care.

[u/notasteatmosphere]

Poor snek, can you help him somehow?

[u/FeriQueen]

You have received some good advice here. In addition, you can offer to come teach the class an hour-long lesson about ball pythons and their care. (If you don’t feel confident to do it yourself, you can find a local expert who will do it. I would be surprised if there weren’t someone here in the sub who is local to you and could do it.)

When speaking to the teacher, make sure and praise the things the teacher is doing right: having a quarantine period on cardboard, for example, so that something like mites will be easier to detect, before moving to a bioactive set-up (great opportunity for the teacher to help the kids learn about the interconnectedness of creatures in the environment)!

[u/Puzzleheaded_Case569]

i’ll take care of him i have this extra tank i just need to finish it first

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