Care questions

[ChrisBailey]

A few days ago I purchased a young male ball python from a local pet store. I should have done a bit more research first but I can be a bit impulsive. Anyhow, he is approximately 25 inches long and 4.5 inches around at his thickest point. The pet store owner recommended that I feed him one "hopper" mouse per 7 days. I fed him a live one Friday, Nov 19th and it was in his terrarium for about a minute before he ate him. Later that evening he shed his entire skin, rather aggressively. I've noticed that today he seems to be attempting to "hunt" more prey. He has adopted the same pose he had when he killed the mouse and he doesn't seem interested in doing anything else. He is just watching the place where the last mouse was at with his head pulled back in an S shape. It seems like perhaps he needed a larger mouse or maybe a smaller one to go along with it. Would it hurt to attempt feeding him more than the pet store clerk suggested? I figured I could drop a mouse in and just remove it if he decided not to eat it. Another thing I noticed are a few nearly white colored scales scattered around his body. They are of normal shape and size but lack pigmentation. These appeared right after he shed and have not gone away. Anything to worry about? His skin came off in a full peice including the eye caps.

[JLC]

If you haven't already, check out our CARESHEET...there's tons of great info there that will help you feel more secure in your husbandry.

Sounds like he's plenty big enough for a small adult mouse. If I were you, I would wait until 5-7 days have passed since his last meal, even if he seems hungry in the meantime. It won't hurt him to be a little hungry and he should have a good feeding response for you when the time comes.

I'd have to see pictures of the "white scales" to know exactly what you're talking about...but it doesn't sound like anything to worry about.

[JLC]

OH...and Welcome to BP.net!!

[steveboos]

Yeah i wouldn't worry about white scales, probably just a slight mutation in the genetics. I would also recommend waiting about 5-7 days before attempting to feed, don't want to rush things.

Also read the care sheet over a couple times and you'll have everything down like a pro!!

[ChrisBailey]

Thanks for the quick replies! Here are some pictures of the white scales, hopefully they will suffice. Thanks for the link to the care sheet, I will read it later this evening. Also, thanks for the welcome!





Sorry for the quality

[JLC]

It's not uncommon for them to sometimes have little patches or spots of non-colored scales pop up after a shed. I've heard it described as something similar to us having a patch of dry skin...not the same thing, but a similar in the fact that it can pop up anywhere and it is temporary and harmless. It should clear up after the next shed, and you may or may not see a new spot next time.

[thedarkwolf25]

It's not uncommon for them to sometimes have little patches or spots of non-colored scales pop up after a shed. I've heard it described as something similar to us having a patch of dry skin...not the same thing, but a similar in the fact that it can pop up anywhere and it is temporary and harmless. It should clear up after the next shed, and you may or may not see a new spot next time.

That's good to know! I would have freaked out if that had happened to me.