Need Advice - Rescued neglected ball python.

[Mrs Brisby]

Okay, I was given a ball python yesterday. Her previous owner was in my opinion very neglectful of her needs. I have never kept a snake before, but have had experience with other peoples snakes, have kept my own exotic pets such as giant millipedes and pink toe tarantulas, and I've done a good deal of research on taking care of ball pythons as I've always wanted to get one, but have found no information on snakes which have not been taken good care of.

Shes ( not officially sexed, yet, will do in time ) is about 3 to 3.5 feet long from estimation.

I dont have a cam to take a picture of the "carrier" they kept her in, but I found an image of one online.



I know this is extremely inappropriate for a snake, and in the next 3-4 days as soon as I get money for it, I plan on getting everything she needs.

She has not had any heat source, though thankfully its been quite warm here in Kansas for a while, but it is starting to get cold. For now, I added a box in the cage for her to hide in, and a lamp aimed at the side of the carrier to give heat, though I dont think its enough it should be enough to give her at least about 70 degree+

I have no idea how long it was before she had water last, but knowing the owner, I guess way to long I filled her water dish last night and she went straight for it, and drank it all, about a metric cup full. A couple hours later last night I gave her about another cup and she drank some but there is still some left today. The dish isnt big enough for her to soak in, in fact its pretty small, something ill have to rectify.

Also the last time she ate from what I was told was the beginning of august, so about 6 weeks ago. They fed her a medium rat supposedly. They were only feeding her about once every 4-6 weeks, and usually a medium rat.

I had gotten a large feeder mouse today which I tried dead feeding it to her, but she didnt eat it.

In the next 3-4 days or so when I get money ill be able to get whatever she needs. Im thinking she'll need a 40 gallon, since shes adult or close to it, I want her to have room, I know she needs a couple hides, a heating element on one side of the tank, some thermometers on each side to ensure a temp balance, some good substrate and water bottle to help with humidity etc.

Honestly my main concern is the whole feeding thing. So, any advice anyone can give given the above detail, let me know, feel free to ask any questions.

I'll note that she does seem very docile, and calm, Ive handled her a little and she hasn't freaked out at all, so im very glad about that end of things.

[Simplex]

Is she thin? Have u weighed her? Imo id say get her eating first... Worry about ft later.. Try live. Might be the trick... Ur links broken btw so i cant see this carrier. But i have pictured its like a dog crate.. I do hope im wrong..

[PitOnTheProwl]

Good thing is, at that size she is probably use to be ing handled a lot so she might not stress as easily.
Dont forget you need a thermostat to regulate her heat mat.
Also to get off on the "cheap" you could just get a 28 or 41 quart tub to keep her in, just make sure you have a couple straps to lock it down.

[Jaxx]

Is she thin? Have u weighed her? Imo id say get her eating first... Worry about ft later.. Try live. Might be the trick... Ur links broken btw so i cant see this carrier. But i have pictured its like a dog crate.. I do hope im wrong..

I agree with trying to feed live.
As for the pic, you're right, it is a dog crate.

[PitOnTheProwl]

Sorry, forgot food......... go live if thats what she has been eating and offer every seven to ten days

[Mrs Brisby]

okay, ill get her a small rat as soon as I can get a chance. and yeah, its a cheap dog crate

been trying not to cry bout this but frankly its starting to get to me. this snake is lucky to be alive. Im just glad Ive got her now and that shes going to be properly taken care of from now on.

honestly id have tried live feeding the mouse earlier if I had seen that she was more active. Since I had gotten her until after I offered the mouse she had been barely moving from what I saw, I was worried a live mouse would hurt her, but after I played arround with her doing the whole "jiggle the mouse by the tail"-Im-trying-to-trick-you-into-thinking-its-alive-dance, she started moving around quite a bit. She probably smelled food, but didnt recognize what I offered as such, but it is good to know shes moving okay

[Shadows Valkyrie]

I totally understand your frustration and heartache over the whole situation. I rescued a Colombian Boa Constrictor a couple of weeks ago and I too found it to be amazing that he survived the conditions that he was in. Since she has survived thus far I'd be inclined to say that "she" is a resilient snake and will just need some time to get back on track.

I agree with everyone else that has suggested offering her live food. I have a BP that gets stubborn from time to time and when she gets that way I switch back to live for a bit. The feeding schedule that the previous owner had her on is ridiculous. I stick to a 7-10 day feeding schedule with my balls depending on their appetite which I have spent a while figuring out...

I wish you the best of luck with her. Keep us all posted and when you get a chance get us some pics

okay, ill get her a small rat as soon as I can get a chance. and yeah, its a cheap dog crate

been trying not to cry bout this but frankly its starting to get to me. this snake is lucky to be alive. Im just glad Ive got her now and that shes going to be properly taken care of from now on.

honestly id have tried live feeding the mouse earlier if I had seen that she was more active. Since I had gotten her until after I offered the mouse she had been barely moving from what I saw, I was worried a live mouse would hurt her, but after I played arround with her doing the whole "jiggle the mouse by the tail"-Im-trying-to-trick-you-into-thinking-its-alive-dance, she started moving around quite a bit. She probably smelled food, but didnt recognize what I offered as such, but it is good to know shes moving okay

[SnakeKittyFishy]

Wow.. a dog crate? For real? Some people just irk me so bad and those people would be some of them. I'm glad you rescued this snake and hope she eats for ya soon

[rperry03]

I agree with a nice tub so if money is tight you can get the proper heat, hides, substrate (or newspaper), and water dish for it.

If you can afford to pick up a 36-48" enclosure ($100-150) over a tank!

If the person kept it in a dog carrier more than likely does not even know they have frozen rats so live would be the way to go.

Advice for feeding.....

Do not drop the rat on or too close to the snake!!!! Place it in far enough to give the snake time to figure out what is going on and either stalk or wait for an ambush.

[kitedemon]

I'd suggest getting the the husbandry set up correctly and allow it a week or two to settle into the new environment before attempting a feeding. They are shy creatures and stress easily. Skillful neglect is often required giving them time to settle in by letting them be with out messing with them much.