Question

Last week I purchased a baby normal ball python from a local breeder. After taking the snake home and putting him in his 10 gallon glass tank I noticed that his head would bob slightly as if he was trying to maintain his balance when he was on the glass sides.

I tried to feed him a fuzzy mouse on Tuesday and he refused to eat it. I waited until today and fed him a hopper mouse which he readily accepted. After eating the mouse I noticed that he began to twitch his head and body. He would stop and then twitch again. He even turned his head over upside down and quickly turned it over again to a normal position. I called the breeder and he inquired as to what the mice were kept on at the store. I did not know at the time I talked to the breeder but I have since learned that the mice were kept on pine.

The breeder stated that it souds like a neurological disorder caused from the mouse being kept on cedar. I have tried to reach him via telephone and cannot get an answer. I will keep trying. If the snake has a neurological disorder how much time do they have left before they die?

Also, would a good breeder replace the snake? I do know that my baby ball pythons mom is a bumble bee......not sure who the dad is.

Advice please!

I'm not too sure on how long your BP will live, and I am sorry this happened to you.

When reading before you stated about the mice being on an oily bedding, the symptoms seemed somewhat similar to IBD in a way. But I know for sure it is not IBD because that can only be passed from one another or from having mites that carry a retro virus. It's most likely your snake was poisoned from the oily toxins left on the mice from being on those beddings. I think a good breeder would definitely give you another, but would you really want another snake from this breeder if the same problem will most likely happen again?

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Originally Posted by CoolioTiffany

I'm not too sure on how long your BP will live, and I am sorry this happened to you.

When reading before you stated about the mice being on an oily bedding, the symptoms seemed somewhat similar to IBD in a way. But I know for sure it is not IBD because that can only be passed from one another or from having mites that carry a retro virus. It's most likely your snake was poisoned from the oily toxins left on the mice from being on those beddings. I think a good breeder would definitely give you another, but would you really want another snake from this breeder if the same problem will most likely happen again?

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Point taken! Is it bad to feed mice that have been kept on pine?

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Originally Posted by Reptile King

Point taken! Is it bad to feed mice that have been kept on pine?

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Well, if you plan on feeding the mice to the snake then that would be bad because the mice would have the toxins from the oil on their body and that could be easily passed in the snake once the snake has eaten it which would be even worse since the snake swallowed the oil from the pine that was once on the rodent. I'm not so sure if it's bad for the mice, but I'm guessing it would be since the mice would have the oil from the pine on it's body.

i kept pine base rodents aal lthe tiem with no problem. You said the mother was a bumble bee , that meand the genes for a spider is cared over post a pic of he snake you make have a low end spider and if that the case the wobble is part of the spider morph toss back. I picture of the snake will tell us if it a spider or a norma l that having issues. it also possible that the snake can surive the toxic effect of the cedar oils..

I also suggest possible check yout setup as it possible the uth over heating and cause the possible neor issues.. ( there can be other cause Than the rodent being kept on cedar). I hear story of people were they treated their cats/ home and almost kill their snakes due to the chemcials used..

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Originally Posted by mechnut450

i kept pine base rodents aal lthe tiem with no problem. You said the mother was a bumble bee , that meand the genes for a spider is cared over post a pic of he snake you make have a low end spider and if that the case the wobble is part of the spider morph toss back. I picture of the snake will tell us if it a spider or a norma l that having issues. it also possible that the snake can surive the toxic effect of the cedar oils..

I also suggest possible check yout setup as it possible the uth over heating and cause the possible neor issues.. ( there can be other cause Than the rodent being kept on cedar). I hear story of people were they treated their cats/ home and almost kill their snakes due to the chemcials used..

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You took the words right out of my mouth. Spiders are known for having a head wobble.

Hi,

There are normals with the same wobble as spiders - Lilyorchid on here has one called loopy.

Once he has had time to digest his meal it might be worth trying to get a video if him doing it.

In the meantime also double check the thermostats and thermometers as exposure to extreme temps can also cause neurological damage.


dr del

Okay I spoke with the breeder who stated that all his clutches were healthy and did not have any sick animals. He also stated that the momma is a bumble bee and the daddy is a spider. With all of that being said he said it is a possibility that it could be IBD? but he seriously doubts it. Everyone, including me, that handled his animals were required to use his hand sanitizer before doing so.

If it is a neurological disorder will the snake die soon from it or will he just twitch his head and body until he dies an old man? Regardless he said that he would refund my money or exchange him with another baby male normal.......whatever I wanted to do. That made me feel better as I would rather have a healthy ball python than my $20. Also, can IBD be spread though the air or is it just passed around by handling the critters? I ask because I kept both ball pythons in the same room and not the same tank. My female is thriving right now and I would kick myself if she caught this IBD crap via the air. All you experts please chime in on this stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

if i was you i would take him up on the offer to trade it out.

I would switch with him if your bp having head wobble concerns you a lot, as it may just be the genes like others stated. It's not IBD.