Concerned Ball Python Mom

I have a Ball Python that is approximately 21/22 years old. I have had him/her for 18 of these years. He was having a few respiratory issues lately since I was having much trouble keeping humidity up. I have since fixed the humidity and his respiratory noises seemed to have subsided.

Here is where my concern lies, he is always coiled and ready to eat (I do feed him live rats since that is what he ate when I got him). When I feed him, he strikes all over the place. It is as though he is disoriented and has no sense of what he is trying to get. It still doesn't take him to long to get the prey, but he will even strike out at himself before getting the rat. After he is done coiling, he will reposition to begin eating, but then he has trouble relocating his kill. He always finishes his task, but the way it goes down is very unnerving. Does this have anything to do with his age, or do I need to look deeper? I fear that he is going to hurt himself.

Sounds neurological. Almost what the "spider morph" does, but if the snake is that old, he probably is a "normal", since morphs were far more rare back then, and quite expensive.

Has he always exhibited those symptoms, or is it a new thing?
Has it started when he got sick and the husbandry wasn't ideal ?

Have you had your house treated for "pests" ? Any other fumes, like painting, glue-ing, renovating ?

Has the heat possibly gone up to high at any time ?

I would want to get him 100% healthy before feeding him again. Just keep the husbandry perfect and wait a couple of weeks. If he has any more signs or symptoms, perhaps its time for a vet visit. It would be worth it to have him checked out.

If he continues with the neurological symptoms I would be very carefully observing live feedings, so he doesn't get hurt by the rat. Or possibly go to "pre killed" feedings.

Good luck, I'm sure you got quite attached to him after all these years :)

Could it simply be 'old age' ??

He's probably in his 80's in human years :)


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I believe he is just a normal, every day ball. The way he is feeding now has only been going on for about 3 months. It is almost as if he can't really see anymore (heat or actual sight).
I have even got to the point that I can't handle him due to his instability. When I change his water, or clean out the cage, I barricade him to one area.

The heat has gone up a little bit, but there hasn't been really any major changes.

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

Could it simply be 'old age' ??

He's probably in his 80's in human years :)


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Since there have been some that were confirmed 40+ years old, it may not be "terribly" old yet at 23 ? But then again, there probably aren't very many people that have experience with BP's that old..

I think its cool to have one that long !!

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Originally Posted by Mannytheball

I believe he is just a normal, every day ball. The way he is feeding now has only been going on for about 3 months. It is almost as if he can't really see anymore (heat or actual sight).
I have even got to the point that I can't handle him due to his instability. When I change his water, or clean out the cage, I barricade him to one area.

The heat has gone up a little bit, but there hasn't been really any major changes.

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Aw...that is just sad :(

I would double check that temps and humidity is just right. If he still has symptoms of RI after a few days, I would take him to a vet. Just to rule out that this may be what is causing his issues. At this point, there may be nothing you can do, but to me, it would be worth finding out.

He definitely has neurological issues. There is so much that can cause that, and most things you could never find out :( Could have been caused by environmental issues, but could also be a brain tumor or just any neuro disease that other animals and even humans can get.

I guess at this point you can just keep on going with him and see if he improves. I would definitely watch out with "live" feedings though, so that he doesn't get hurt. If things get worse..well, you will have to decide if quality of life is there. As long as he CAN eat and seems content, I guess I would give it time.

i just want to chime in and say that it is so awesome you've been keeping your snake for so long. there's not many people on here with a snake that old!!! i'd love to see photos of him. :)

i don't think i can help answer your questions, but i would trust zina10. she's more than proven herself to be very knowledgeable.