dilema

[autumn75]

A friend of ours got a BP for his son about 1 week ago. It's about 18 inches long and 66 grams. He shed within days of getting into his new home.

We were told he's been striking like crazy, which disappointed us considering we told them numerous times to just leave the BP alone for the first week.

We went over Friday and took a live fuzzy mouse for him. The BP wouldn't eat and seemed scared of it. He struck at it 3 times, but never bit into it or coiled. We stunned the mouse, but it was still a no-go. Told our friend to freeze the mouse and try again in 3-4 days. They tried the very next day (again, to our disappointment). Supposedly the snake bit the mouse, but still wouldn't attempt to swallow it. The mouse fuzzy is small for this snake.

Now, our friend wants to get rid of the snake. He's terrified of snakes, and his son (10 yo) is losing interest fast.

I think the snake is striking because it's young, it had just gotten moved to a new home, it shed, etc. They are not leaving it alone and giving it time to adjust at all.

I want to bring this snake to our house and give it want it needs, but my hubby isn't going for it.

We have no clue if this snake has ever taken a meal or what it could be used to. I don't know how big BPs are as hatchlings either??

How long does it take hatchlings to outgrow the striking at everything phase?

What do you think we should do? Should I push the issue of taking on this snake ourselves? (If I do, it would be the second snake we've had to "rescue" from friends of ours.)

How long should they wait until they try feeding it again? Should they try a pinkie instead of a fuzzy?

They got the snake at an expo and it was in a tank full of BPs, all very young, all in full shed. They were given no info on it whatsoever from the man who sold it to them.

[brixton]

Hi
It sounds like a really sad situation and i feel for you.
First i would try rescue the snake or try find someone on this site who lives in your area to rescue it cos i think its pretty clear your mates are not gonna give the snake the love and respect it deserves they just dont realise how awesome bp's are.
ITS A SHAME
The thing with young ball pythons is that they need time to settle in and the striking response is purely because it is freaked out and thats proberly why it wouldnt eat.
It really need time to settle....................

hope this helps a bit
cheers

[FL0OD]

first, if you can, print this out and give it to them. People often get caught up in the excitement of having a new ball python and do not take care of the basics. That should help tremendously and also invite them to come on here and ask specific questions as there is usually a ton of people on here that can help. Good luck.

[autumn75]

Well I talked it over with my hubby, and he agreed we could take on this little guy. His friend said that he would gladly give it to us. So, we'll be getting a new addition either today or tomorrow.

His friend said that this baby BP is fully opening his mouth when he bites, so the plan will be to leave him alone completely until he's feeding regularly. Once he catches on to that, we'll slowly work on handling him.

[brixton]

thats GREAT
I am sure he will be fine.When i got my little one he was also snappy but i left him alone for 10 days and made sure he was eating well before i picked him up.I also made an effort just to be around him without paying attention to him purely so that he realised i wasnt a threat.He has only balled up on the first day i got him now he just chills with me without any problems.
GOOD LUCK

[starmom]

I am really glad to hear of the positive resolution for this little snake! Kudos to your husband for his open mind and open heart I totally agree with leaving the snake alone except for maintenance and feeding. I would be tempted to really give this snake very tight quarters for a while to really make it feel secure. Do you have a little 8qt tub you could put him in? If not, I'd go no larger than 16 qt with hides and crumpled paper to fill in all open spaces.
This little snakey will turn around in no time!!

[autumn75]

Great news!

Well last night I attempted to feed our new addition. We tried feeding in his tank, but had no success. I moved him to a feeding tub, but still nothing. Then I decided to turn off all lights and leave him for a half an hour. I came back to find that he took his mouse and had a nice little lump in his belly!

I'm so thrilled. I was worried this guy was going to be more difficult than this to feed. I guess he just needed a little privacy.

Also, he did not seem "strike-happy" at all, like our friend claimed. My guess is that his son had no clue how to approach him to handle him. I'm still going to give him time alone and wait for him to take in a few meals before I start getting him used to me. He seems happy.

He was active at first, exploring his new home and it didn't take him long to decide on a safe place to hide. He's there all day long and late at night will venture out to explore. I don't think it'll take long to turn this baby around.

[brixton]

sounds like you are gonna have a very happy snake
KUDOS you are clearly doing a great job

[azak323]

so glad to hear that your situation is improving! When my friends got their first BP, he was very snap-happy, but never had problems feeding. A few months into it, he grew out of it, and they have no problem handling him anymore. Also, my young male was pretty aggressive for the first few months I had him, but he grew out of it as well. I think it's a baby thing . Congrats!

[SnakieMom]

I love the stories with happy endings! Any chance we might get pics of the little guy in a few weeks, after he's all settled it?