Need some help with Triton

[triton]

I'm new to the forums, so hello to all !

I've had Triton for over a year now (he's 2) and I really don't know what kind of ball he is.

<< His pic is to the left

Does anyone know how to tell what kind of snake he is? I'd like to find a website that has all that info, about different types of BPs and see if I can figure it out. Anyone know of any great websites? (searched but found scattered info)

Also having trouble... he's got a resp. infection - he's popping sometimes, raising up in the tank alot lately, and just had a bad shed (some left on his head) so I'm worried. Think it's because we moved.

Any suggestions? Is a popping sound the beginning or later stages of a resp. infection?

Last question (at least for today). I'm having trouble finding out what kind of plants to get for him - I want him to have natural plants that are easy to manage and allow him to climb, etc. Does anyone know where to find a list of plants that I can get and where to get them?

thanks!

[_BoidFinatic_]

Welcome. Adam Wysocki logged off not to long ago. Tommorow, I am sure that he will be able to identify what kind of BP you have.

once again.

[triton]

Hope so! I noticed his name throughout the forums - bp guru/breeder?

[_BoidFinatic_]

Hope so! I noticed his name throughout the forums - bp guru/breeder?

have a look: www.8ballpythons.com

[triton]

WOW!!! This is great! I cracked up soon as I got there and read the slogan...

Nice collection - I'm wondering if Triton's an Axanthic. Cinnamons look similar, but it's hard to tell. Triton has a really cool opalescent effect on his head though - wonder if that helps to tell the difference, or if all balls have that...
Thanks for the link!!!

[Adam_Wysocki]

Hi,

Here's some quick answers for you ...

1. Your ball python is a normal or "wild type" ... these are the types of ball pythons sold in the pet trade and available at pet stores. The different "types" of ball pythons are "mutations" bought from breeders as such for big $$$.

2. A popping sound is not good ... your snake needs to be seen by an experienced reptile vet ASAP ... it will need a full course of anti-biotics to fight off the infection and recover ... failing to treat the respiratory infection can result in bad things.

3. Your snake doesn't need plants ... ball pythons are ground dwelling animals that prefer to spend their days and nights in small tight "burrows" ... multiple small tight "hides" would be much better for your snake than plants.

Hope this helps.

-adam

[triton]

Hi Adam,

Thanks for responding to my questions. I'm taking him to the vet today to get antibiotics.

As far as environment, what is their natural environment like? I can't find any info on that - seems like most people just put them in racks, which I don't want to do. I'm trying to make his life as comfortable as possible. Right now, he's got DesertSnow substrate - seems to like it, but what would you suggest? What about humidity? So many resources confuse me with the humidity levels... I don't mist the tank or anything, so I'm thinking that my boa's setup is too close to his, which probably caused a problem because I mist her tank often.

He has a hide in there now, but it's just a resin log. How can I make a burrow for him?

Is there a difference between the normal BP and a morph as far as health goes?

Love your site btw - very helpful information. And very nice snakes too!

Thanks again~

[Adam_Wysocki]

The most important thing you can do for your BP is to keep the enclosure clean ... for that reason, I like paper ... it's very easy to change out and when it gets dirty, you can replace all of it and not miss a thing. I promise you that as long as the basic husbandry is in place and you have small tight places for your snake to hide, it does not care if you have a "natural" environment or not ... Now if a cage is something that you'd like to decorate for your own enjoyment ... go nuts ... the sky is the limit ... use your imagination and come up with whatever.

Humidity should be 50% - 60%

No, there are no health differences between morphs and normals ... a snake is a snake is a snake ... the paint job doesn't matter.

-adam

[triton]

point taken - i don't use paper because the tank is in my living room, so aesthetics would be nice. I don't know what 'husbandry' is - forgive me, I've been too busy to look into it with 2 kids, but I'm starting to research more now. Was looking it up last night and couldn't find any definitions, just mentions of the term everywhere.

Glad to know there is no difference in health. I thought there might be because so many people mention higher prices with morphs.

Thanks for all your help~

[Adam_Wysocki]

I don't know what 'husbandry' is - forgive me, I've been too busy to look into it with 2 kids, but I'm starting to research more now.

I'm not here to judge ... only to help.

http://www.answers.com/topic/animal-husbandry

Good luck with your animal.

-adam