Hello everyone.
I just joined this forum as something unexpected has happened. An employee of ours found a large ball python in the parking lot of a grocery store. It seems pretty docile and is okay being handled, and also appears healthy as far as weight, so definitely a pet. My husband brought it home, as we have a large tortoise tabk with light and heat to keep it warm.
The problem is that I believe it has a cold or respiratory infection. It has its mouth open slightly at all times, and has mucous in it. I have no idea how long it was outside. It has been cold at night and VERY rainy. Even flooding in many places. Our friend breeds and sells many species of snake and took a look at it. He said it looks healthy and probably has a cold. Told me to warm him up and he will be fine.
I have him in a tank with different temp gradients from 70 degrees to 85 degrees. He can also get under a basking lamp if he needs to. The humidity is around 60 percent.
Is there anything else I can do without a vet? I am keeping an eye out for any sign that an owner is looking for him. I dont have the money to spend on a big vet bill, especially if the owner resurfaces and doesnt want to reimburse me. I dont want him to die though. I dont even know if I could take him to a vet until later in the week anyway, with it being Christmas holiday.
Any advice? Does anyone have any idea of ways an owner of a lost snake would look for it, i.e. websites, forums, etc.?