Ball python jaw too short?

[Eceukool]

So I recieved an Albino Phantom ball python in November, last weekend I had looked under her chin and noticed that her jaw look's weird. Im New to the whole snake keeping so I researched and think that her lower jaw is deformed? Looking for advice and opinions. And can that cause her to not eat? Since I have had her she has eaten only 3 time's. 1 alone and two times I assisted her (used the mouse nose to push her mouth open and then she bit and coiled did everything on her own) if I don't assist her in that manner she refuses she only weighs 100g and was born in September 2016. I have contacted the breeder but she tries her best to ignore me or put the blame on me for her not eating. I should have noticed the jaw earlier I feel bad for not but if it is a deformed jaw then I will contact her again. Of course I will be keeping the little one but as a breeder she should have informed me.
Thanks for any help! If anyone can tell me how I uploads pics I can upload a picture of her jaw. Otherwise the jaw just looks too short and the gap between lower and upper is very spaced.
Eceukool

[Eceukool]

Her jaw.

[zina10]

Yes, this is a deformity. A "birth defect" if you will.

And the breeder had to have known about it. I've heard that some people think its due to temperature problems during incubation, other people think its a genetic defect.

Either way, this Ball Python should have NEVER been sold that way. If anything, it should have been GIVEN away with full disclosure. I don't believe for one half of a second that the breeder did not know about it. To sell this snake, and to someone new to the hobby as well, is highly un-ethical.

Call her out on it. IF she still ignores you, I would expose her and her selling practices. There are several places that have a "Board of Inquiry" (including one on this forum) where you can review a seller and their practices, and this is certainly a case where I would do this, because this is truly un-acceptable.

Of course its not the poor snakes fault and it deserves a good life, but you don't sell one like this to an unsuspecting buyer.

About the eating..well, I have heard that some Ball Pythons with an overbite eat normal. So I'm not sure if this could be a factor. Does she ever flick her tongue ? I would double check the husbandry. Are all the temps and the humidity "spot on" ? Does the snake have enough hides and privacy ?

I'm sorry you were introduced into this hobby this way.

[PitOnTheProwl]

That is an under developed lower jaw.
If she is eating then I wouldn't worry about it other than the fact that the breeder should have made it known to you.
It will not prevent her from eating.

[Eceukool]

Thanks for the replys. I really do love her but i am also afraid of her dying. The temps and everything is correct i got into contact with Brian Barczyk about her not eating and he said i was doing everything right so far. So i am guessing it is because of her jaw. Like i said i once got into contact with breeder about her not eating, and she said she ate really well with them and tried to tell me i was doing something wrong. I just wrote her again 20 min ago and confronted her she read the message but she isnt replying. The thing is she lives 3 hours from me and i cant drive so there is no way i could drop by her house. im so worried about the little one. She wont eat on her own only if i assist, Which i have no problem with, if thats what i have to do to keep her going i will gladly do it, but i am worried if she will let me do it once she gets older and stronger.

Thanks for helping me out. It helps to know i have someone to call on when i have problems since my breeder wont help.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Under bites happen however this type of things if a breeder chose to sell the animal should be disclosed prior to the purchase.

Now in some cases it is severe enough to prevent the animal to eat on it's own but this is obviously not one of those cases considering it is not that severe and considering the weight of the animal that shows that the animal was eating.

So there are two issue one is the one of a breeder with poor ethics selling an animal with a birth defect the second is you having issues getting your animal to eat which is common with new owners.

Here is what you need to do to a T https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-hatchling-101

Now when it comes to the breeder it's a whole other issue, yes it should have been disclosed but you should have inspect the animal upon reception as well and with 2 months that have gone by I am afraid that you will have very little recourse but you can always try.

[CALM Pythons]

You got the right attitude, she has a little problem but it sounds like nothing you cant handle thank god. Obviously i dont know why she isnt eating on her own but id make her my little buddy like you have and just help her out. Grab yourself some tongs like Brian does when he feeds some of the aggressive feeders and once a week git er dun
If she ate for you 3 times she is ok at this point, no sense in worrying when this is something you have to take week by week.. I hope since she already took from you your all set. You might have a week here or there she wont eat but so do most Balls..
She is lucky you got her at this point, some peeps would discard her. Best of luck and keep us all posted. Im intersted to see how things go.

[zina10]

Like Deborah said, since so much time passed, there is probably little recourse at this point.

However...

This is obviously not a problem caused by you, nor is it a problem that could have popped up recently. The snake was born that way. The breeder had to have known about it.

If you breed and sell Ball Pythons you can see a obvious birth defect such as this. Esp. if you handle and sex the snake.
This is highly un-ethical and while I'm glad you are keeping the little one and giving it its best shot, it doesn't change the fact that the breeder did you wrong.

They should refund your money. That is in my humble opinion. IF I had a hatchling such as this I would consider myself lucky just to find someone willing to take it for free and give it a chance.
I could never sell it, esp. hiding the fact that it has a birth defect.

Since the breeder is ignoring you at this point just shows she knows she did wrong, and has no intention to do right.

What I would do is keep the snake, continue to do my best to see it thrive. I probably would expose the seller, though. Not because I like to stir up drama, but simply to warn others.

But this is just in my humble opinion

[PitOnTheProwl]

Just an FYI, there are forums you can post on to let others know about unethical breeders.
I know people don't like to hear it but this animal should have been:
1 kept
2 free
3 food

It sucks but I myself would NEVER sell that animal.

[Eceukool]

she got back to me and said she didn't see that she had that defect (yeah right) i tried to have her at least give me half of my money back, but she keeps on trying to push the blame on me as to why the little one is not eating (telling me my temps must be off even though they are not, or saying that they often are stubborn and refuse foods). I will def add her to the list though that was mentioned. Feeding day is on Wednesday so hope all will go good and she takes it on her own this time. When i recieved her she weighed in at 87g on the 18 of November 2016 and the last time i weight her on the 3of January this year she weighed in at 111g I dont know if thats about average for a 4 month old. My concern is if she doesnt decide to eat on her own and she is full grown, what if i cant continue to assist feed her that way, what if she puts up of a fight. Stupid i know but fears are usually stupid and irrational
I guess time will tell. Corn snakes and red tail boas seem to be much more uncomplicated

Thank you all so much for your kindness and Answers!