Re: Ball Python bites itself
Quote:
Originally Posted by
kitedemon
NO that is wayyy not normal!
My first thought is are you sure it is a ball python? It sounds like something a kingsnake would do when extremely hungry.
Check your husbandry your cool end should be around 80 and a hot spot around 90ºF there are excellent care sheets here...
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/forum...107-CARESHEETS
look up ball pythons in google images just to be sure it actually is one they are very distinctive.
yes im very sure it is and the temps seem to be fine
1 thing i forgot to mention is i left the light on all night last night and the tank is in a room that is well lit in the day. dont know if this could be a cause of anything
Re: Ball Python bites itself
This behavior is not normal, snakes don’t self mutilate by biting themselves (they rub their noses on the cage until a bump forms and they look like a unicorn). What you are describing sounds like neurologic symptoms from being too cold. I have seen this recently, a person brought their BP in to the clinic I work at and it was having the same inverting and almost seizure like activity. She was keeping it at room temperature and it has been cold here lately. We warmed it up and it was fine, printed off the care sheet from here and gave it to her, I just spoke to her yesterday and the snake is doing much better with the appropriate husbandry adjustments.
I would watch the snake and if it starts doing this again you should go to the vet (provided this is not a spider ball python because if it is that behavior could be normal and associated with the spider wobble) make sure to watch for any upper respiratory symptoms such as wheezing, labored breathing, and bubbles forming in the mouth. If any of these symtoms occur go to the vet.
Also Bp’s don’t need a light, they are nocturnal and don’t benefit at all from one. If you are using a light to boost your ambient temps you should use a red bulb or a ceramic bulb neither puts off any light that would disturb a BP.
And Maia you are brave I don’t know if I would put my credintials in my signature, may get too many questions.
Edward A. Balint LVT, MS, VTS (ECC)
Re: Ball Python bites itself
Please keep us posted. I hope it pulls through, and gets better for you.
Re: Ball Python bites itself
Quote:
Originally Posted by
WingedWolfPsion
Sounds kind of like cold shock syndrome. Ball pythons do not tolerate being cold. The trip home may have caused this, if it was allowed to get too cold.
The snake may recover if it makes it past 48 hours, or it may die. If it does survive, long-term impairment is possible.
Never allow ball pythons to be exposed to temperatures under 70F.
That’s what it is called I have never heard of it and I was looking in all sorts of text books, do you have any info on it, because I would like to know in case I see it again. There just isn’t much veterinary material available on herp’s( especially emergency protocols) and they just don’t teach much in school about them.
Re: Ball Python bites itself
Thank you all for the usefull imformation I will keep a close watch over it and if things do not improve i will be going to the vet
Re: Ball Python bites itself
Years ago I had a BP that did the exact same thing, usually during feeding. He would basically freak out and attack himself and then it started turning into seizures. I would hold him down to keep him from hurting himself (yes, I got LOTS of teeth marks on me, but otherwise he would actually rip off scales) Then, out of nowhere, he would be back to normal. Unfortunately he didn't live very long, but a breeder friend of mine said maybe he had struck at the glass tank and given himself brain damage.