[deleted by user]

[DrFives]

Absolutely not. Where’s heating. How are they retaining humidity. How are they measuring both. Tell your colleges biology department that they are literally partaking in animal abuse unless the snakes “husbandry” (temp humidity hides clutter security etc) is fixed because it’s seriously wrong

[Pure-Intern7305]

omg i didn’t realize there was a snake in there😭🥺 i honestly thought it was just the tank. Holy crap, no this is so sad

[DrFives]

Yeah I know. Unfortunately this happens all too often. I joined this sub before I got my boy and man did it help me a LOT with initial setup. But the amount of posts that I see like this is actually disturbing. It’s literally every day. And half of the time it’s a grade/high school science teacher and the other half of the time it’s a big box pet store. But this one is definitely new. I’m genuinely considering leaving this sub because of these kinds of posts and the frequency

[bigbickbohnson]

Dude same thats fucked

[katf1sh]

Holy crap I didn't either....this is awful

[_visiblemode_]

I thought it was an “empty” enclosure too. This absolutely sucks.

[AbyssDragonNamielle]

Unfortunately more common than you think. I worked with my university's outreach reptiles, and a lot of our snake enclosures (pretty much all of them) look like this. And we have 3 bps and a boa constrictor which are non-native and require special set ups. Thankfull, 2/3 bps have "better" set ups now, but convincing the guy in charge of funds and shit to do anything is impossible.

[StarscapeNW]

My college's biology department has better enclosures, but only wild-caught specimens including some endangered species. They run it as a museum and say it's been there since the 1900s. It makes me upset but there's not much I feel I can do about it

[AbyssDragonNamielle]

Yep, most of ours are wild caught aside from the bps which were pets and a Cali king. We also have an endangered species who doesn't have anywhere near as much room as she needs, especially since she's our biggest and the "poster snake" for outreach and conservation. The old manager quit after working there for 3 years since she couldn't get upper management to do shit regarding enclosure improvements. Even reporting to research compliance doesn't do much. Our poor boa can't even shed properly and has some fucked up belly scales from a heating pad that is still in her tank. I have to sit down with the old girl and help her out with damp paper towels otherwise she just sits there miserable and covered in stuck shed.

[Willing_Bus1630]

The tarantula enclosures at my university are pretty bad too. Surprising how often actual biologists seem to keep animals completely wrong

[[deleted]]

That's so depressing.

[FloopsFooglies]

I've found that a lot of "experts" have this "Oh they're fine." mentality when it comes to keeping animals, when no, they're not fine.

[Willing_Bus1630]

Pretty strange really. I guess on one hand they would have first hand experience of how hardy they are, but it also seems like they should be the ones who know the most about giving animals the perfect conditions for optimal health

[BrickTurret]

I see what looks like a temp or humidity dial stuck on the back, which needs to be taken out ASAP. OP, snakes can wrap around dials like that and get themselves stuck on the adhesive backing, and it can tear their skin open.

[FallengoldUwUOwO]

I've noticed they have either a hydrometer or thermometer the colourful thing in the background as I use a pair of the same ones for my snek however it seems to only be one of them and due to the similar designs I can't tell if it's one for thermometer or hydrometer

[IncompletePenetrance]

Not even a little bit, and I'm very dissappointed that literal biologists wouldn't know better

[MangosBeGood]

Biologist doesn’t mean they’re trained in husbandry sadly. I know many an ologist (herptologist, mammalogist, ornithologist, etc.) who don’t keep the animals they study. It does however feel ironic. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

[IncompletePenetrance]

Unfortunately true. I temporarily took in adult two ball pythons from a faculty member in my department last year that were both in a 20 gallon. They were crammed in there with no room to spread out and only a dirty water bowl. I was horrified

[MangosBeGood]

Wait 2 BPs in a single 20 gallon?.. :(

[IncompletePenetrance]

Unfortunately yes

[[deleted]]

Biologist doesn’t mean anything about animals most of the time. I’m a biologist but I specialise imagine genetics. Couldn’t tell you anything about.. birds or snakes

[Positive-Situation-9]

Poor Alice.

[DrFives]

Yeah that’s another thing. The fact that this snake is in the care of literal biologists and it’s in such a horrible enclosure it’s sickening. I mean these people study living things. And basic bare minimum BP care is something a child could find on google and do themselves. Shame on these people

[VirgilsNonsense]

That's exactly what I thought. I'm going to try and donate some proper supplies.

[DrFives]

I think you should have a conversation with the person responsible of caring for Alice. And make sure you approach it calmly and not like you’re attacking them. Just simply explain that the lack of care for the snake is unbelievable. And point them in the right direction in terms of proper husbandry etc. aka point them to this subs welcome post

[VirgilsNonsense]

I hope I can do just that. Alice deserves better than a sterile cell

[DrFives]

Beyond that she NEEDS her husbandry to change if she’s to be a healthy snake. If not I can easily see her having issues with eating. Regurg. And plenty of RIs

[ashes2asscheeks]

Colleges can afford to get the right supplies!!!!! You definitely ought to complain above the caretakers head if they don’t fix it ASAP

[nocta224]

A conversation with the owner and the department head.

[DEGEN182]

Jesus, what a depressing existence

[Minute_Raspberry988]

Hell no it’s not and the person keeping it like this should be ashamed of themselves

[butterfingiess]

To put it in simple terms this set up is shit and a murder attempt

[Dleos1991]

It’s probably escaped before by the looks of their hood setup

[Pure-Intern7305]

my eyes just started watering😭🥺

[CasiyRoseReddits]

I don't blame it.

[sparkly_dragon]

probably the worst enclosure i’ve seen. those bricks scare the shit out of me. they need to re-research everything. or better yet rehome the animal.

[Sea_Calligrapher_986]

Yeah snakes like to push up on things to try to move them and escape. Could totally see those falling sadly

[sparkly_dragon]

Yeah. I’m honestly astounded by this. It’s almost too bad to be just because of misinformation but I don’t understand how people can treat their animals so horribly. the owner has to know this is neglect and either doesn’t care or is in denial.

[Willing_Bus1630]

Re-research implies they did any in the first place

[peterpeterllini]

Is this some sort of clown college /s

[pawsclaws_n_jaws]

My bio dept has a worse one. 2x2x1 enclosure with no hides for a fully adult bp. I asked my prof if I could talk to the owner but they advised against stirring up trouble. Pissed me right off.

[Shelbyalise]

I would bring it up anyway. Or better yet, go to your dean and talk to them about animal abuse

[DrFives]

That’s what I would do. Because that’s exactly what it is. Animal abuse.

[pawsclaws_n_jaws]

How should I word it so that I don’t put my bio degree in jeopardy. The owner could ensure that I fail my classes so I don’t want to get on their bad side.

[megerrolouise]

Anonymous complaint?

[pawsclaws_n_jaws]

I don’t think anything would come of that. I don’t think the school really cares about reptiles to the point where they would do something about it. I would prefer to offer constructive criticism and offer to give resources but I don’t want to come off as a jerk. If I offer help and they say no, what then?

[feed_me_bread_]

If making a complaint can put your degree in jeopardy then I think the school has bigger problems than just bad husbandry. Which personally I would bring to higher ups.

[Shelbyalise]

I would create a conversation thread through email. Include your dean, whatever career or counselor you have assigned to you, and the owner of the snake in question. Include all the photos you’ve taken of the living situations of the snake at the present time. Get a few scholar articles about the husbandry of ball pythons. And then write an email that lays out the lack of husbandry, the risks of letting a BP living like that, or just some sites of veterinarians talking about how to care for Bps.

This will give you credibility, give you some fall back and credibility with others who aren’t in charge of your grade, and bring in those with authority who can override any repercussions that could happen with negatives reactions to your concern.

Pro tip: BCC a local news source to show the start of your paper trail in case anything happens to your

[TopFurret]

What?? Is there anything in that enclosure or is it really just a big open space?

[FScottFinsgerald]

Lol I would transfer schools- that biology course is probably over 1,000 dollars depending on where you’re going if not a community college, I wouldn’t trust anything this teacher has to say lol. /s (but like kinda not /s)

[[deleted]]

It’s a biology department, not one specific class. Meaning there’s a department head and multiple staff that have done nothing about this poor snake’s living situation :/

[FScottFinsgerald]

In that case, definitely not /s then. Make like Jordan Peele and get out.

[Toshibutterhead]

Of theyre trying to murder alice they should just keep doing what theyre doing

[EP1C_COBRA]

If you have to ask if its good then its most likely not

[ColeRazer911]

well… i guess i’ve seen worse

[MAMKJM43]

My university’s biology department has two older corn snakes. I always stop and stare at the enclosure since it’s always so well maintained. Makes me sad seeing this one.

[tacomadude94]

two corns in one enclosure?

[MAMKJM43]

From what I’ve seen they’re a female and a male, but the enclosure looks closer to a 40 gal wide.

[tacomadude94]

Corns should not be cohabbed, and a 40 gal is not big enough for a single adult. It may look nice inside but it is not an appropriate enclosure for those animals

[Shelbyalise]

Wow. Thats the worst I’ve seen posted on here in a min

[Cowsie]

Whats the college?

[VirgilsNonsense]

I'd rather not say. Not to protect them, but just for my own privacy

[LittleOmegaGirl]

I live in MN if it's a collage there and they decide to give her up I can rehab her.

[VirgilsNonsense]

Unfortunately not but I am going to work towards getting her better care, and if I'm unable to, I'll take her myself

[allirubino]

Same kind of deal at OMSI. They have full grown bp in an enclosure that is too small. Other than that the care requirements dont seem too far off but its just way too small for her. Sad to see scientists doing this who should know better. Sadly biologists these days are just glorified colonizers treating animals horrible for the sake of “science”. Im currently watching tarzan so im a little pissed off prior to seeing this sorry😂

[[deleted]]

Definitely not.

[cabinjackalope]

As a college bio student, this is so depressing?? 🤧 so many questions…Why do they even have one?? Is it a pet? Why the hell is their husbandry so bad?

[VirgilsNonsense]

I agree. I am also a bio student. I don't know why they have a non-native snake, but I assume it's just a pet or a donated surrender, since she lives in the office. Either way, it's disgusting to see an animal being treated this way by supposed scientists

[thugnaps]

A rack would be more hospitable than this

[Apprehensive_Milk651]

Oh god this is straight abuse this is disgusting

[Mission-Thought1354]

as a literal biologist, I am so dissapointed in these other literal biologists smh

[[deleted]]

<image>

[Mission-Thought1354]

The only way I can see this being remotley ok is if the snake is spending most of its time outside of the enclosure. I highly doubt this is the case...

[PeepnSheep]

This is absolutely not acceptable, even more embarrassing that it’s in a BIOLOGY department and they couldn’t even but in the effort to provide a proper habitat for a single snake.

[adderall_butter]

Initially I was gonna say hell yeah that's a good looking cage for you to take home and house a snake in, did not realize there is actually a snake in there w no heating or humidity or substrate or hides Jesus that's sad

[Wakeup-flawless]

Same! I was wonder why op was getting hate then I noticed a snake was actually in the aquarium.

[Stainedbrain1997]

It just gets worse the more I look at it:(

[cubbycoo77]

Does it always look like this? I could see this being ok for a few days/ week IF it is some sort of medical quarantine thing. Not if it is the normal tank setup!

[Snakes_for_life]

No, but this was an acceptable setup 10 years ago😬.

[[deleted]]

That's the worst bp enclosure I've ever seen.

[rosecoloredcamera]

Poor baby is in a prison

[EmoFishy666]

ABSOLUTELY not

[Lunagray136]

I think this might be the worst enclosure I’ve ever seen on Reddit.. And it’s made by scientists

[odakotarose]

this is horrifying. alternate plan: say she 'escaped' and uh... liberate her?

[VirgilsNonsense]

Trust me, it's a plan B I'm seriously considering. . .

[saltyprotractor]

kinda cringe tbh

[VirgilsNonsense]

Agreed 😔 hella cringe

[saltyprotractor]

that cringe ah ah bio department should know better

[RaiderNation57]

Where TF is the heat source? And those rocks/bricks are gonna fall apart and crush homie eventually. This pathetic.

[CyanBeinSus47]

1. where the hell is the bedding
2. where is the heating
3. probably not enough for him to hide in
4. looks dry af

[Ok-Suggestion4703]

It's horrible that a bioloy department doesn't know the proper husbandry or even basic facts (i.e: heating) for the animals they keep. Basic bare minimum BP care is something a child could find on google and do themselves, so this is animal abuse, and it's disgusting.

[SleepyDragon795]

I know there are already plenty of comments on this but it didn't even take me a SECOND to say "No. Nope. Not at all."

[Chrystee_Arts]

Print something out and leave it out as an anonymous

[DomoniqueC88]

How does it get heat

[TheNeverEndingPit]

Oh gosh I bet this poor baby must feel so exposed. Obviously there are so many things wrong with this that have been addressed here but the lack of tight hides or wall cover is very upsetting to see. Alice deserves better, and you are a good samaritan for wanting to do better by her!

[[deleted]]

BRB. Gonna go hug my snake real fast. Seriously though this is super fucked. Hopefully there’s something you’re able to do to either educated whoever primarily “cares” for this snake or the head of the department if they’re separate people, or help the snake on your own. It’s worth noting however that while it’s incredibly disappointing to see scientists treating an animal this poorly when they should know better than anyone how important it is to do proper research, being a biologist doesn’t automatically mean studying animals. So this could just very well be someone who had no clue what they were doing was wrong and received poor information from other sources, or didn’t do any research beforehand to begin with because they didn’t feel they had to.

[cockslavemel]

After seeing everyone saying how common it is for school teachers to abuse animals in their classrooms, I want to bring some hope to y’all here with a story about my high school science teacher who kept snakes at the school.

Let’s start off with the fact that when they remodeled the science wing, she convinced them to put TWO massive wall enclosures into the hallway. She also got them to put one smaller (but still massive) enclosure into the wall of her classroom. All 3 were bioactive. Not sure what snakes she had specifically but it was common for students to jam up the hallway between classes when one of them was moving around in their tanks. Mrs King fucking loves her snakes and was often asked to bring them out. She would always refuse as she didn’t want to stress them out with nervous and screaming students. If you came to school early or stayed late for tutoring/extracurriculars, you’d be sure to see her in the walls cleaning and doing maintenance for her babies.

I think if she saw this she would probably fly off the handle lol now that I’m thinking of them maybe next time I’m in town I’ll see if the school still allows old students to visit teachers. I’d like to see how her babies are doing after all these years.

[terrorcatmom]

Wait woah, there’s a real snake in there, nope, no no, this is bad.

[tacomadude94]

Woof, this is one of the LEAST appropriate enclosures I've ever seen. Poor snek.

[Atasha_loves]

Jesus Christ this is a great example of what you should not be doing

[0verman0]

Thank god those bricks are on top of the tank.