When I first got Abuja, my mother made me sign a "snake agreement" which included that I would give him "humane treatment at all times". One of those "humane treatment" clauses was "give him sufficient play". I have tried time and time again to explain to her than snakes do not "need" to be held. I hold and handle him once every week or two for around an hour.

I feed him properly, change his water, clean his cage, and have proper temperatures, humidity, and hiding places, but she is CONVINCED that I am being cruel to my snake! Now she's threatening to sell him because he doesn't get sufficient "playtime". Snakes do not need "playtime". She thinks that because he doesn't get handled every other day he is "unhappy" and I cannot, for the life of me, explain to her that holding a snake and letting him out just causes stress! Someone, please tell me how to get through to her!

I explained that breeders rarely handle their pets, keep them in tubs with only bedding/newspaper and water. But then she said that breeders are only in it for the money and not the snake's happiness! I swear, I have had so much trouble taking care of my pet because of her!