so I decided to take some pictures of my balls for you guys... (Pic Heavy-ish)

[Bluebonnet Herp]

I just want to point out that for MANY animals, it is neither pleasurable nor enjoyable. For many (especially females) it is quite painful. But it's a harddrive instinct that can't be helped. I'm not saying this is the situation for ball pythons whatsoever.....but mr naturalist have you ever heard that male cats have barbed penises? Or that a male dog grows a knot so large that they are "stuck" together no matter if it hurts or they want to get away? Don't breed JUST to breed. That to me is disgusting and your thoughts are an idealization people create to make it okay

I'm not against spay or neutering. (in any vertebrate) Safety isn't about just dying either, and excessive pain or damage is a consideration one should think about when going over the safety of breeding an animal. That said, ball pythons, as far as we know, don't have barbed penises. And although I have yet to breed ball pythons, I haven't heard of a female thrashing away from a male. (For all I know, it may have happened before and I would like to hear about it.)
Also, breeding is a natural part of life and is as much instinct as eating is. I find that animals should be allowed to exhibit natural behaviors, provided it isn't detrimental. If a snake is prone to being egg-bound, it should be spayed, thus not only preventing the passing of weak reproductive genes into the population, but also it won't kill the animal in the process.