New Owner

[dmcfarland]

I was just recently given a pet Ball Python from a friend of mine. She was horribly neglected, she had not been fed in two months, and she had spots of old unshed skin all over her. He had her for two years and had never cleaned her aquarium out, and she had no water "dish" in with her. I have had her about 3 weeks now. I think she is getting ready to shed. (I did read one of the forums on here and got some good advise...with pics...to prepare me for the event. I figured I would sign on and see if anyone else on here had any practical tips towards keeping her healthy. (I named her "Caress". I do not know how old she is, but she is about 3ft long and almost as round as a pop can.)
Thanks
Dennis

[JLC]

Wow....first off, welcome to the forum! : I am always inspired by those who take in neglected snakes and give them a good, loving home! It's truly amazing how much neglect these animals can survive and come back from!

It sounds like you're pretty much "on the ball" so to speak. So I'm gonna assume you found your way to our caresheet and have her set up in a proper environment now. The only advice I have to offer doesn't come from practical experience of rescuing snakes (yet!) but from a whole lotta reading and listening to others who have.

If I were in your shoes at this point, I'd make sure she has plenty to drink and a dish big enough to soak in if she wants...and be sure the humidity is bumped up fairly high (about 70%), given all the retained shed she has to deal with. I'd let her get through the shed and have at least a full week afterward to completely settle into her new home. Then offer her a fairly small prey item to get her started eating again. If she slams it, then I'd feel comfortable increasing the prey size the following week.

[Ginevive]

Wow; not cleaned out for years!? How can someone allow that to happen.. glad you could take the poor thing out of that situation though And welcome to the forum; any questions, just ask away.

[Shaun J]

Check this out, the best ball python care sheet on the web!!


http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=59

[Freakie_frog]

Welcome to the sight. Glad to hear that you gave the little girl and good home. Sounds like you did your homework before taking on a snake which is great, good job on that. Feel free to ask questions and keep us up to date we love to hear how rescues are doing after being taken in to a new careing home.