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Got a hankering to adopt a pet that will hug you back — and we mean really hug? The Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA in Burlingame just might have what you’re looking for.
The shelter is awash in ball pythons, and they’re looking for experienced snake owners to adopt them.
In the past 12 months, the shelter has taken in 10 ball pythons, which is more than it has had at any time during the past decade. Right now, five of the snakes are slithering in their containers at the shelter, waiting for someone to take them home.
“Many of the snakes have been surrendered to us through no fault of their own,” said Buffy Martin Tarbox, communications manager.
Ball pythons can make ideal pets for the right family. Ball pythons in general are considered the friendliest of all snakes and among the easiest to care for. The five now in the shelter are friendly, Tarbox says, and tend to be on the smaller side — 2 to 3 feet long. Ball pythons can reach lengths of 4 to 6 feet.
Staff with the rescue group will help potential adopters understand what equipment and husbandry is required for the animals to thrive. These snakes range from 3 to 15 years old. With proper care, ball pythons can live 30 years.
Pythons live on a diet of rats and mice, which can be purchased frozen at pet supply stores. Feeding live rodents to the snakes is considered unnecessary and inhumane for both the prey and the predator, Tarbox said.
People interested in adopting can meet the snakes at the group’s Center for Compassion at 1450 Rollins Road, Burlingame.
The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.
Adoption fees for the ball pythons vary. For more information call 650-340-7022.
Pythons aren’t the only exotic animals Peninsula Humane Society is caring for. They also have a red-eared slider turtle, a bonded pair of parakeets and a number of pigeons, including a former racing pigeon, some homing pigeons and a white king pigeon.
