My first ball python, "Norbert", died. She had always had problems since she was a hatchling last August. For the first month of her life, she refused everything offered to her. She had to be force fed until after a couple of months she slowly began eating on her own. Through the remaining months of the year she ate every time and doubled in size. She was doing so well until Sometime in January she stopped again. Even though it was late I thought it could be that she was fasting for the cold months but I never dropped her temps and she was always kept well heated. Then one day she gagged up a ton of mucus and was treated for an RI and had her temps raised. She seemed to recover but she never got back her appetite. She showed no other signs of illness or parasites and supposedly had a clean bill of health. I tried everything to get her eating again and all methods failed. Even force feeding her was no use because she regurged every time. I started to fear the worst after six months, and was prepared to find her gone one of these days. But my spirits lifted when just a week ago she finally took the mouse she was offered. I had high hopes for her future and was sure that this was a sign things would start looking up. But I was wrong. Because a few days ago, Norbert was found in her cage curled up and not breathing.
Norbert was the sweetest snake I ever owned. She never tried to strike or even hissed at me, even when I had to mess with her mouth. Shes the one who inspired to expand my reptile collection and interest in snakes and reptiles in general. I will miss her and always remember the times she spent curled up asleep on my belly while I watched tv or the warm days spent outdoors.
As a hatchling
finally eating
after doubling in size(Christmas morning)
me and norberts last pictures taken together..
Goodbye Norbert and RIP little girl</3
Melody
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