“There are a number of people who are genuinely interested in keeping snakes – but lately there have been more people coming in, and if they say they are doing it for the Year of the Snake, we discourage them.
“A snake can live up to 20 years and it takes dedication to keep one. Some are sold online when their owners get bored or they die from neglect.”
Animal protection groups also warn against buying a snake on a whim.
“There are many species of snake and all require unique habitats, including the right temperature and humidity to accomplish various physiological and behavioural processes. There are huge commitments behind keeping snakes and the SPCA does not recommend it to be a suitable household pet,” said the organisation’s Dr. Fiona Woodhouse.
Bad diet and poor care often leave pet snakes dehydrated and with bone deformities, while keeping them in small containers leaves them stressed and prone to disease.
The reality may also be more gruesome than buyers realise.
“Many snakes require the feeding of live mice and although some can be trained to eat dead food, many can’t”, the SPCA said, adding that it feared that unwanted snakes would end up abandoned.
Turtle Park’s Chan says he’ll make sure his customers know the nitty gritty before snapping up a snake.
“As a pet enthusiast myself, I feel that I have a responsibility to tell them it isn’t right to buy on impulse.”