Possible broke neck!!! :-(

[creole_89]

I jus purchased a 2yr. old male python from a private owner and the deal was too good to be true, i watched him move around my floor today and noticed that he has a slight bend in his neck right behind his jaws. He only turns his neck to the right which is the way that it is bent, and he is extremely head shy u cant even mist his head. What other steps should i take besides takin him to the vet??

[cinderbird]

it is possible he was born with a kink in his neck. There are many animals that are healthy and function normally, even if they are kinked.

I wouldn't immediately think "broken neck" if he's moving around. Has he eaten for you yet? (if not, you should make sure he is eating for you before handling him any more for at least 7 days).

If you post some pictures someone may be able to give you a little more info.

[rthamilton]

if its birth defect whats the chamce of this being passed on to offspring and also the snake can move around ok.

[creole_89]

the best pic i could get now imma get a better 1 when he's sleep...the previous owner said he ate a small rat days ago

[cinderbird]

if its birth defect whats the chamce of this being passed on to offspring and also the snake can move around ok.

Well, it depends on what caused it. From what i understand there are 2 causes for kinking:

1. incubation temperature spikes into dangerously hot zones during critical points in incubation.

2. genetically influenced, like what seems to happen in the caramel albino morph.

Personally, i wouldn't breed a kinked animal. I do have an animal with a small tail kink, but that was because her tail was shut in a cage door (ie i KNOW this is not genetic and its 1/4 from the end of her tail and does not impede any of her functioning in any way). If i wasn't sure of this, i wouldn't breed it. There are plenty of non-kinked animals that are breedable out there.

and OP, that picture isn't very clear, is it possible to get a clearer one when he's more awake?

[Kaorte]

Looks like a kink. Most all ball pythons are extremely head shy.