The hidden factory farms fueling America's pet snake boom
By
Kenny Torrella
Summary
The article investigates the dark side of America's growing pet snake industry. While snake ownership has surged from 810,000 to 1.3 million households between 2018 and 2024, fueled by social media influencers and demand for "designer" morphs, this boom has led to the proliferation of large-scale breeding operations that function like factory farms. These facilities mass-produce snakes in cramped, unsanitary conditions, prioritizing profit over animal welfare. The investigation reveals that millions of snakes suffer from neglect, disease, and inhumane treatment, challenging the perception that reptile breeding is a harmless hobby.
Source
bskyThe hidden factory farms fueling America's pet snake boomvox.comKey quotes
· 4 pulledFrom 2018 to 2024, the number of households that own a pet snake rose from about 810,000 to 1.3 million.
The share of snake-owning households with more than three snakes doubled over that time period.
Social media could have something to do with this, as snake influencers with millions of followers have proliferated across platforms.
Some have even turned their passion for reptiles into a business, breeding 'designer' versions.
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