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  1. #1
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    Possibly Adopting Out Ball Python After Struggling With Care.

    Hey everyone. [Long post incoming]

    I’ve been contemplating it for a long time now, and I think I might decide to give away (have someone adopt) my ball python Freya. Despite me trying to get her used to handling she still bites me (or clothing sometimes) like she’s trying to feed. Admittedly, and especially recently, I have not had as much time as I’ve wanted to allocate to handling her. I’m sure this is negatively affecting her sociability, and I can see that now she is more cautious of me than she has been before.
    Several months back I even started using gloves for a while because I was developing anxiety towards her latching onto me when I needed to be somewhere else soon or go to sleep. It just hasn’t been a good time, and I feel disappointed that I never developed a good relationship with her. I feel disappointed in myself for having raised her incorrectly, and I’m worried because of this she will not have as comfortable of a life with her next owner. I also don’t see myself having the time in the future I need to further invest in her care, since I’ve been swamped with work during college, and I’m graduating soon, so I’ll probably have an even more time consuming job.

    On the care side of things, I’ve still been attempting to feed her about every week or week and a half, but she seems to refuse food frequently. After about two and a half months straight of her being off feed I caved last week and bought a live mouse, which she took, thankfully. The only thing is I gave it to her fresh killed (since I was afraid of this larger prey item possibly hurting her) following a YouTube tutorial, and I’ve been a bit devastated ever since taking the life of something else like that. I’d fed her live a couple of times before when she was very young before she would take F/T, but those were pinkies and she was safe eating them and did the killing so it didn’t feel as bad. It’s probably dumb or irrelevant, but that was the final reason since I don’t know how successful I’ll be continuing to feed her F/T rodents and I don’t want to feed her live again. She’s also definitely underweight for her age (2 1/2 years) due to refusal of food, despite me offering the usual ~10% of her weight in grams.

    I think I’ll have to accept that keeping snakes just isn’t for me and maybe take a break from owning a pet for a while.

    Sorry for the pity story, but I wanted to post my reasons. I’m not sure where to go from here, or where to list an adoption thread. I want to make sure Freya can go to a home that can give her better care than I ever could and live out the rest of her days happily, so I don’t want to send her off to some crazy rando. I’m sure (or at least I hope) someone more experienced in snake care will have no problem giving her the care she needs (I also don’t want to give her to a beginner in case they have similar difficulties).

    [TL;DR] Contemplating giving Freya away to a more capable owner since I’m pretty discouraged and think someone else can take better care of her. Also, possibly afraid of snakes a bit, and unwilling to feed live anymore.


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  2. #2
    BPnet Lifer Bogertophis's Avatar
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    You might want to indicate what area you're in, to hopefully find someone closer to you that's able to adopt...otherwise, shipping by air is daunting & best avoided.

    It does sound like the wrong pet for you, especially at this time. Don't beat yourself up...ball pythons can be frustrating pets...it's too bad you chose one for your first
    snake, as they can be difficult to feed & care for no matter what, but it's worse when your schedule of school & work leaves you that much more stressed.

    Many snakes (like corn snakes, for example) are very nice pets for busy people...easier to keep & feed, & not inclined to bite. I'm mostly a colubrid person myself, but
    I've had "my share" of ball pythons in the past. I like all kinds of animals actually, but especially snakes; just remember, there are many kinds but not every kind is right
    for every owner. I know you feel discouraged & I agree that feeding live is dangerous for the snake, plus it's tricky to change some BPs to take f/t. Again, something
    like a corn snake takes f/t easily, but a break from all pets is a good idea. You aren't the only one to find yourself in over your head with a mismatched pet.
    Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.
    Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)

    The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” ~ Gandhi

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  4. #3
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    Re: Possibly Adopting Out Ball Python After Struggling With Care.

    I didn’t really think about using this site to find an adopter, but it’s as good an option as any I suppose.

    I live near Statesboro, GA.

    Thank you for the kind words of reassurance. I feel like I took too long to accept that I need to give her up, but I guess late is better than never. Really though, thank you. Your advice is always helpful.


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  5. #4
    BPnet Lifer Bogertophis's Avatar
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    Off-hand, I know we have a few members in GA...hard to say if they'd be interested but who knows? You might also check with local veterinary offices...many have
    bulletin boards to help with those needing to re-home pets; sometimes vet techs themselves may be interested, & asking any exotic animal vets might also help you
    connect with someone they know of.

    No one likes to feel like they've failed at something, & it's especially hard to quit on a pet we longed to have, only to feel frustrated when the choice we made doesn't
    turn out the way we expected. It takes a good heart to want what's best for the pet, even if that means changing homes. And it takes courage to admit it's not working
    out very well...late IS better than never. Sounds like you've thought this through pretty well & just need to move on...you're not not happy & neither is she, & she won't
    stay healthy forever without the right help.
    Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.
    Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)

    The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” ~ Gandhi

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  7. #5
    BPnet Lifer Bogertophis's Avatar
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    I don't use Facebook, but you might search there for snake rescuers in your area too? Try to get references if you can, like from vets, no matter which way you search.
    Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.
    Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)

    The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” ~ Gandhi

  8. #6
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    Re: Possibly Adopting Out Ball Python After Struggling With Care.

    I would be interested, I'm not to far from Georgia. Can you PM me some more info and contact info and I will reach out to you ?

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  9. #7
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    I understand where you are coming from. But I would like for you to hear me out, even if this snake is rehomed, in the event that you will eventually want another snake.

    I have an angry snake too. Not a ball python, it is a 3 foot-ish, 2 year old Children Python. He is cage aggressive and food aggressive. He was nippy as a baby, and even though I did spend a lot of time working with him (handling 2x a week every week), he went from fearful nipping to simply being... A snake who won't put up with anyone going into his tank, and he thinks food is incoming even after a meal. He is not 'broken,' he is my difficult child among the group of herps that I keep.

    If your snake is refusing meals (Not due to breeding season or natural fast - Because it looks like it is still willing to eat), and nipping, is it stressed out? Do you have speakers near your snake tank, so when you play loud music during a party or whatever, the vibrations could be scaring her? Do you have people coming in and out of your place, where foot traffic around the tank has increased?

    If it is just stressed, then you can still fix this, getting it to calm down, eat a few meals and then attempt transition to F/T.

    Sorry, but I am not a fan of the whole "I am giving up my pet because of college/graduation." This applies to any species of pets. Many of us went through that too, myself included. I went through about 5 or 6 years of school to get my BA as well as another degree, lived on my own, worked 2 jobs, and I had a cat who likes to poop on my bed and my couch if I don't come home by nightfall. I also had a personal life of going out with friends and parties, an ex boyfriend to spend time with, family, volunteer work, internships, etc. And when I was finally done with school and started a career, I was actually LESS busy because I can focus on working 1 job, slow down with the partying and be more budget focused. Snakes don't need to socialize. You can tame it by handling it once or twice a week. Maintenance care is all there is really for a snake once the husbandry is set up correctly.

    I hate the one to say, well, what did you think you signed up for when you get a ball python? Live feeding sucks, most of us including myself hates doing so. No one jumps up and down in joy when handling over a lifeless pinkie or mouse to a snake just to be killed. Having to kill your own sucks too (You can ask the pet store to pre kill for you). But a snake has got to eat. In the future, if you plan to get a snake again, there are other types who would eat fish or eggs instead, like egg eating snakes or garter snakes.

    Admittedly I tried to re home my ball python and leo, because I did believe I was failing my pets too. After speaking with many potential adopters and to my friends, it was for their best interest to stay with me, once I realized I am comparing my snake's need for 'time' from me like a cat or dog need it from people, which is not the same at all. Of course that is not to say it is okay to neglect the snake, what I am saying is, realistically, your snake will be fine if you can find out why it is not eating consistently or transition it to F/t prey.

    GL though with whatever you choose to do.

  10. #8
    Super Moderator bcr229's Avatar
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    All ads for rehoming should go in the For Sale/Trade/Adoption forum at https://ball-pythons.net/forums/foru...tion-or-Wanted; those discussions should not take place here.

    There is nothing wrong with sending an animal to a different home if you don't think that you can care for it properly and you are not comfortable dealing with it. It doesn't necessarily mean that you won't eventually get another snake or ball python as a pet, just that the particular individual you have now isn't a good fit for you.

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  12. #9
    Telling it like it is! Stewart_Reptiles's Avatar
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    I didn’t really think about using this site to find an adopter, but it’s as good an option as any I suppose.

    I live near Statesboro, GA.
    I would be interested, I'm not to far from Georgia. Can you PM me some more info and contact info and I will reach out to you ?
    I believe we already have cross the lines when it comes to TOS so this thread is now locked.
    Deborah Stewart


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