Recently Adopted my first Ball Python

[Meadow910]

Hello All!
I'm new to this forum business so please bear with me. This past Tuesday I adopted what I was told is a 1 1/2 year old, female Ball Python. I've always wanted a ball python and this will be our first snake. The previous owner stated that the snake belonged to her daughter who has gone off to college and can no longer keep it. I was told she would come with all the necessary supplies for her proper care. She was supposed to come with a 20 gallon long tank with proper heat available. Needless to say that is not what I found when I went to pick her up. What I did get was a 10 gallon tank with two small hiding places, a far too small water dish and a tiny heat lamp with only one working bulb. (I figured I'd go this weekend and buy all the actual supplies I need.) Yesterday I noticed a few small yellowish/white bugs crawling on her hiding rock. I immediately called my vet and we've got an appointment for tomorrow morning. (He's a reptile specialist.) Now tonight I noticed what look to me like mealworms in the cage. We haven't really handled her a whole lot yet so as not to stress her. Upon even closer investigation, after removing the hollow rock she's been hiding under I found a significant amount of feces, some of which was moldy and a pungent smell of ammonia. (The previous owner stated that she cleaned the cage weekly.) I removed the old feces and soiled substrate and left the rest to show to the vet in the am. Any ideas on what's going on here? I have two small children and a Great Dane in the house that I'm concerned about in addition to the well being of our new family member. I'm eager to learn! Thanks so much.

[RestlessRobie]

Well congrats on the pic up and good work asking the right questions
First off Read the caresheet as for a new enclosure a 20Long should be ok for the size but without a pic it is hard to tell.
The mites you saw I would think the are probally wood mites or something like that Snake mites are very small and black. As for the worms no idea with out a pic but I bet is was somehting like magots or the like. I would definately clean very well and actually throw everything out and start over. You will need an Under Tank Heater and a thermostat for your belly heat and a nice digital thermometer with humidity guage similar to this one to monitor your temps and humidity correctly. Also get 2 identical hides for your snake as snakes may use one hide over the other and not thermoregulate themsleves. I use all kids of things for hides but like small plastic flower pots for price and easy to make. Please fell free to ask as many questions as needed we have a lot of great people on this forum with a ton of really good knowledge.

[Meadow910]

Thanks so much! I'm anxious to get her to the vet tomorrow so I can figure out what's going on and immediately get rid of her tank and it's furnishings. Thanks for the links. I have a feeling that caresheet is going to get a lot of use.

[heathers*bps]

Congrats on your new snake and welcome to the forum! As soon as you can, I know all of us would love to see your new family member. Pics are essential when posting about new babies

Since you said the small bugs were whitish looking, I'm going to say they are wood mites. As Robie stated above me, snake mites are super small and black. And the worms you said you saw could possibly be magots, since you said the feces was moldy. I'm almost sure you have nothing to worry about when it comes to your kids and furry buddies.

I hope all is well at the vets tomorrow. Please keep us posted, and remember.....pictures please!