A shady man, a rescue story, and normal ball python head wobble.

[TheDragonSteps]

I went on to craigslist today and saw that someone was selling ALL of their ball pythons and supplies. It looked like a yard sale post but with snakes. What caught my eye was that there was one listed as a 2011 male, normal het albino with neurological problems. I was curious so I emailed the guy about the price for that one and what was wrong with him. He said he had really bad head wobble, worse than most spider morphs, and that he was a biter. The way that the guy was acting in the emails made me believe that I shouldn't exactly trust him. I suspected that he was mistreating the snakes he had when he got defensive over me asking if I could meet him at his house to see the snakes. I knew I had to rescue that snake with the neurological problems. He was the only snake that didn't have a price attached to him and I figured no one would want him considering his issues. So I agreed to meet this guy at a local store, pay the $20 he was asking for the snake, and leave. By the end of the transaction, he still refused to give me a name or a phone number. All I had was email contact (which he used an anonymous craigslist email to communicate with). Talk about shady. He also told me that the snake was very aggressive, that he would bite you even while he was balled up. He said that he wouldn't bite now because he had recently eaten 2 mice and was full. This poor snake was all balled up tight and flinched at the slightest touch. I knew I had my work cut out for me. But within 15 minutes of holding him he was out and about and extremely friendly. He stunk so bad of urine, smoke, and other things, that I even gave him a bath, with no complaints (although he did poop while I soaked him >.>). He does have a slight head wobble but not as bad as some I've seen in Youtube videos. I emailed the guy back and told him that I didn't see how he was a biter at all and that his head wobble was slight. He assured me that he bit him several times, was very aggressive, and that he would get aggressive when he wasn't full. This snake is one of the sweetest I've had. I find it hard to believe that his personality would change that much. That's what makes me believe that this guy was mistreating the snake. What surprises me is that a normal has head wobble. Isn't that only common with spider morphs? Is there any cure for? Is he in pain? Can he live as long as ball pythons without it? Any help is appreciated. Also, do you think my suspicions of mistreatment are justified? I don't want to overreact on it but it just sounded too shady to me. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks.

[JLC]

Bravo to you for stepping up to take a snake that would be considered by many as "not worth the trouble". It's encouraging to know that there are always people in the world that see and value the worth of all living creatures and not just the pretty, easy, or valuable ones.

It does indeed sound like the poor snake has been through a lot. Poor husbandry and neglect, if not outright abuse.

The "wobble" is common in spiders, yes, but it can be seen in other ball pythons and may have a cause that is not genetic. In this case, it sounds very likely that some environmental issue caused some neurological damage. Too much smoke in the environment, perhaps. Or maybe the guy was not particularly careful about where he used household chemicals for cleaning or pest control or whatever. Or maybe he was cooking other...less savory...things in the area. There's no way to know.

All that said...I believe your new snake can live a perfectly happy and comfortable life if given the chance with a caring keeper, a safe and proper environment, and regular food. Sounds to me like he is in just the right place!

I wouldn't bother trying to follow up with this guy. He does sound like a scary piece of work...or maybe he's just mortally embarrassed at how badly he's cared for his animals. At least he's trying to find new homes for them and we can only hope the guy doesn't get any more. Badgering him for information he doesn't want to give, or trying to explain the error of his ways won't accomplish anything...and if he's as shady and scary as he presents himself, could put you at risk for trouble you don't need.

[Drake Moonslayer]

Congrats on the rescue. I agree with JLC on following up with the guy.

[LooptyLoo]

I am SO GLAD that you rescued him!! That guy definitely sounds shady. Poor baby, I'm so glad he's with you now

[TheDragonSteps]

Thanks so much everyone for responding. I have not heard a word from the guy and I won't contact him. He does seem completely scary, and someone that is suspect of abusing an animal isn't worth the time of day in my opinion. I have named the sweet new addition, Viper and boy is he a lot happier now. A new home with clean substrate, hides, a heating pad, and lots of other supplies; he's definitely living it big now Viper even comes out on his own when I open the lid to his home. I'm just glad I trusted my instincts for once ^__^. Thank you so much guys, you've given me such hope for him. And thank you for the compliments, tho I would hope that others would try to do the same to help animals <3

[Saber402]

Great job on taking in this snake. My son and I were involved in a similar situation two weeks ago. Answered a Craigslist ad for a baby BP with a tank and all accessories for $30. This seemed rather low so sent him a message. Met the guy at a local shopping center. The poor thing was very dehydrated and hardly moving. I mentioned he was really dry and the guy told me he got it a month ago and really didn't know how to take care of it. He also said he was really a "fish guy" and didn't know why he got it in the first place. He then got out the accessories - a 10 gallon tank with a screen top, a small salad plate for a water bowl, and a 100 watt red bulb. No wonder he was dehydrated!

I felt we needed to take him regardless in order to save him. Had a long talk with my 11 year old son on the way home about being a responsible pet owner and how we were going to try and get the little guy healthy again. I wasn't sure how we was going to respond, but he has made great improvement in the last two weeks. He is about to shed and feels much stronger. He hasn't eaten yet but we are being patient.

It's too bad people can be either uncaring like it sounds yours' may have been, or uninformed like ours.

Congrats on being part of the "2nd Chance" Club and good luck!

[rigan1990]

You have had the snake for a day, its hard to assume anything yet. when I read this thread I see alot of things wrong I dont care how nice you sound I am not meeting anyone I met online at their house, public places only protect the buyer and seller (craigslistkiller), People saying you rescued it how is that justified? you have no reasonable proof of the conditions it was kept in.

[Archimedes]

My beardie was a Craigslist rescue as well. Hers was a case of the previous owner meaning well, but not knowing any better. Both of her light sources were nonfunctional, she was freezing cold and lethargic the first time I held her, and largely nonresponsive. She was more thirsty than I've ever seen a lizard, and her appetite was ravenous. I don't know if she'll ever get full-size, but she's much more healthy and energetic now, if a bit antisocial.

Sometimes they just need a tender touch and some TLC to come back around.

[kameo37]

Agreed! CL always has a rescue waiting to happen. Like Ava said, it's usually just people that are misinformed, not necessarily people that are purposefully abusing animals. Our beardie was 17 inches and something around 420g and in a 10 gallon. He was free (which also says a lot). He is now a little over 19 inches, 637g and in a custom 4x2x18! I know I talk about him on here a LOT, but he was our most extreme CL rescue. He is the sweetest thing and captures the hearts of everyone that meets him! We also rescued 2 leos. The guy didn't bother to look up how to determine their sex. Luckily, they were both girls and no eggs resulted in them living together. They were very skinny and wild!
What I'm trying to say is...THANKS for joining the ranks of CL rescuers!! You did good!

[Saber402]

There's always someone who can't resist disputing another persons intentions or claims. I don't understand the need to do this. You know none of us or our animals.

Bravo to anyone who is willing to take an animal of any kind and improve it's living conditions and give it a good home with proper care!