New at snakes, need help with emaciated BP

[Orion8]

Hello all, I have been tasked with caring for my uncle's ball python for the next 3 weeks as he is away on vacation. It is about 18 inches long, and he has had it about 2 months. In that time it has only eaten once, right after he got it. He gave me no instructions to care for it, other than that it doesn't eat. I did about an hour of research about the care of BPs before he brought it over and was absolutely appalled when he dropped the cage off. The cage was about 20 gallons and filled with mulch of some sort which was filthy and stinky, with a terra cotta pot to hide in and a deep glass bowl with about 1/2 inch of scummy water in the bottom. The whole thing was bone dry and there was a heat pad underneath but the mulch was too thick for the heat to reach the snake. I took out the snake, which at first I thought was dead it was so listless. There were pieces of stuck shed all over it's body in patches and it has wrinkles in it's skin all over it's body. I can see and feel it's ribs and spine and the bottom of it is almost concave. I nearly cried when I saw it first. I looked up what to do and gave it a good soak in lukewarm water for the stuck shed, and was able to remove it quite easily with my fingers after a little while. It seemed much more lively afterwards. I also went to the pet store and got another hide and a reptile carpet. I took out all the mulch and the deep glass bowl, scrubbed out the tank with water and a sponge, and put down the carpet. I also used two plastic bowls about an inch deep for water (all I have at the moment, 16 and broke so I prioritized the carpet and another hide). I also put some aluminum foil over the top under the screen to keep in humidity, maybe covering about 3/4 of the top. I also bought 3 small frozen mice, one of which I thawed and dangled in front of it at night, it took it immediately and ate it quickly. The snake arrived on Thursday, fed it that night, and changed the cage today. I plan on feeding it again Sunday night and going to the pet store again Monday as I will have money to get it a heat lamp with infrared bulb and water bowls. I'm trying my best, and I went out and got all of those things because even though it isn't mine I can't stand seeing it in such a nasty environment, hopefully my uncle will take better care of it after I talk to him about it. I'm also going to ask him if I can keep it since I'm afraid it will die if it stays with him ( he had it for 2 month and never looked up how to get it to eat or take proper care of it). Please tell me what else I can do for it in the time being and so sorry for the marathon post, I'm just really worried about the little guy and want to give it the best chance!

[bcr229]

If there's a heat pad already don't get a heat heat lamp, get a thermostat for the heat pad so the snake doesn't end up burned. Lamps just clobber humidity and I've found bulbs are expensive and don't last very long anyway.

The carpet was likely a waste as it's a pain to clean and disinfect it after your snake potties on it. Newspaper or paper towels work fine for substrate - out with the old, in with the new...

If you do end up keeping the snake then when the time comes that it outgrows the 20-gallon tank, these 100 quart tubs from Hefty (see link) are inexpensive, a good size if you're just keeping one adult BP, have a secure locking lid, and they retain humidity well. You'll just need to get a bigger heat pad and move over the thermostat, and you'll be set.
http://www.lowes.com/pd/Hefty-100-Qu...g-Lid/50150118

[Orion8]

Thanks, I will see if the local pet store has a thermostat, if not I will order one. Good to know I won't need the heat lamp, that way I can spend the money on a good thermostat instead.

[Willowy]

Pet store rarely have thermostats. If you can order online, you can find a better selection. The least expensive one you can get is a Hydrofarm/JumpStart from Amazon (sold for seedlings but works for reptiles!). Around $30. It's just a basic on/off but that's usually good enough.

They might let you return the repticarpet. Paper towels will work fine and are definitely cheaper . You don't need fancy water bowls either---anything that holds the water works fine! Anything else is just for looks.

Sadly, I suspect this is what happens to most BPs sold in pet stores . Little guy is lucky you were able to help. It's good that he's eating for you; sometimes that's the biggest struggle with these guys.

[m1lkhoney]

If your uncle doesn't listen to you, it sounds like you need a new pet.