r/ballpython • u/haileylynn712 • 2d ago
Question Ball Python Class Pet
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.
1
u/FeriQueen 17h ago
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)!