This fearless influencer baffled her friends and family when she decided to adopt a juvenile ball python as a pet in the Philippines.

Despite the dissuasion and criticism from her relatives, Chichay Dizon, 20, bought the young serpent named Hitter from a breeder and began taking care of it at home in Koronadal city, South Cotabato province.

The pair have since been inseparable, with Hitter regularly featuring in Chichay's videos which she posts on social media.

Footage shows Chichay cuddling with her scaly friend and using it as a makeshift hair ornament as the reptile coils around her head.

Chichay even sometimes sleeps with Hitter lying next to her on the bed.

She said: 'I started taking care of Hitter this July 28. I don't have a lot of friends because I don't like befriending people, so I thought of adopting a snake to keep me company when I get bored.

'They told me I was crazy. Of all the pets to buy, why a snake, they asked me. I just told them I wanted to.

'I feel Hitter's love more compared to humans. It feels good taking care of him because he is more candid than people.'

Chichay added that her family once tried to dispose of Hitter by 'kidnapping' him.

She shared: 'My family took him while I was asleep. They stole the plastic box he was staying in, planning to set him free in the mountains. I cried so desperately that time. I refused to eat for two days until they returned him to me.

'It hurt even more than a breakup.'