Adopting a neglected BP.

[Quacking-Terror]

Hi everyone, again! I changed my mind about adopting the 1.5 year old BP I was looking at in favor of a 7 year old that has been kind of neglected because the owners got bored with it. I was told by my father in law that only one person can handle it for the first month so it can "de-stress", but from what I've seen and heard from the owners, the snake is very friendly. What do you folks think? Is the normal 24-48 hour waiting period okay for a couple people to start handling it once in awhile?

[bsash]

With all of my new snakes I leave them completely alone for two weeks except for cleaning and giving new water. Other than that, I do not handle them except when I first get them to really look them over real good, checking nose, mouth, vent, etc. to make sure there is nothing that needs urgent care.

Good luck to you and your new ball python!

[iCandiBallPythons]

I would give it a few days to settle in and once it starts eating then I would start handling in short intervals. Just remember to give the animal about 48 hrs after a meal before you handle it.

[llovelace]

It all depends on the snake, I have several adoptees that I handled right off the bat, and they settlted in nicely, but that's just me, I expect all my reptiles to get used to being handled almost daily, and fortunately I have had no problems, although I have adopted problem feeders, but they have come around(knock on wood).

[wolfy-hound]

Generally I leave them alone to destress after a move or shipping for at least one week. Sometimes two if it's a hatchling. During this time I only open the cage to check on them, give water, etc.

Even if the snake has been "friendly", is it friendly because it's cold and lethargic? Has it not been fed enough so perhaps it's not friendly but weak? Even if it's had the best of care(but you said neglected), after a big move, the snake will be stressed because it's in a new place, and giving it time to relax and settle in will help to give it a sense of security. Then you can begin handling it as any other pet snake.

The 24-48 hour no-handling after feeding always should be in place, stressed or no stress.

[Quacking-Terror]

They said they feed it a medium sized rat every 14 days, and I've got pictures that look like it is shedding properly (I'm not sure when the last shed was, I'll find that out tomorrow.) Its enclosure is empty, though, with nothing but a water bowl and an empty coke box for a hide. We picked up some supplies today though, and when it gets here tomorrow I hope the snake will be better off. As I said before, they said the novelty of having a snake has worn off and they really can't be bothered with it anymore. I could be wrong, but to me, that is neglecting a pet. Adopting a snake is obviously a big undertaking, and since they can live so long, shouldn't a person be in the right frame of mind and willing to care for the creature for the next couple of decades or more?

[wolfy-hound]

Well neglecting it normally involves not feeding it, not heating it, not giving it proper water/humidity, at least in my mind. After all, snakes don't feel left out of life if the owner doesn't "play" with them, like a dog.

I think it will be far better off with you though, because at this point they were probably beginning to neglect it, and without them deciding to rehome it, things might have slid into a poor state for him. A single hide isn't as good as a properly set up enclosure, but it's far better than I feared at first. I'm so glad to read that you won't bet recieving a skinny, RI-infected, mite-covered snake! You'll have a good animal that will indeed hopefully live that couple decades since he's in decent shape already.

Of course, no one has stated the obvious.. we'll need PICS as soon as possible to see your new pet!

[Quacking-Terror]

wolfy-hound, thanks for your response! I considered it neglect because the tank has no substrate, just a coke box for a hide, water that looked like it hasn't been changed in a week, it was so bad it looked like skim milk. The only heat was a lamp above the cage.

We picked up most of what we need today. Got a "starter kit" that has a spray bottle, a clamp for a light should we need one, a small UTH, a stick-on thermometer and a stick-on hygrometer. I also picked up a hide and a water dish that seemed to be suitable. I will be getting a thermostat and a larger tank (a 20gallon long I think), as well as a few other things when I get the money. I estimate the rest of the supplies I need to get will cost around 200.00, which to me is well worth the investment for saving a beautiful animal from a life of ..maybe not neglect, but a life of ignorance.

I knew absolutely nothing about snakes when I first decided I wanted one. Then I found this forum and a few other sites. Over the past several days, I've been reading, and so has my girlfriend, about how to take care of this snake. I feel that while I'm not the smartest or most knowledgeable snake owner, I have done enough research to be a responsible snake owner. Besides, if I learn something new every day, then visiting these forums and other websites will do more good than harm, as long as I filter the smart stuff from the ignorant stuff.

I have even taken to educating friends, with the little info I do have, and pointing them to this site, about snakes. I've had people ask me "Do they bite? Are they slimy?" To which I can answer "Not normally", and "no!" now, where a few days ago, I would say "Uhh, I don't know but I want one anyway!"

[WingedWolfPsion]

Yep, that is neglect all right. I would leave him alone until he's eating for you, because you don't want to add stress if he turns out to have a medical problem due to the unsanitary conditions he was kept in.

[steveboos]

Please start him or her off in the smallest enclosure you can so they adjust well and quickly.

I enjoy rescuing animals and especially BP's, the feeling you get is great to see them eating well and shedding well!