Rescuing a girl...Only JUST found out how bad her situation is =[

So I like to peruse Craigslist for racks, equipment, and all that. What did I find instead? Someone was selling their Gravid Female Ball Python (a normal who has bred with a Butter). She looked healthy enough in the pictures, and I sent him a message. Turns out he's not asking a lot - just 100 as a re-homing fee. Okay, cool. I've no problem with that.

I do have a problem with several other things. Such as the fact that he's selling her while GRAVID. I mean really?! Talk about a time to NOT stress this girl out. The stress alone could cause problems with the eggs. So I started asking questions to make her transition as painless as possible - such as what substrate he's using, what type of hides, seeing if I can take some of her old substrate and maybe the hides with me so she has something familiar, etc. I also asked what he's been feeding her, so that I can have food on hand and stocked for her - if she's Gravid, she should be a lot bigger than even my biggest girl. What he has told me has enraged me and made me feel positive that I must get this girl away from him. He doesn't know anything about the substrate other than that she is living in a 40 gallon tank (which I exasperatedly tried to explain has nothing to do with the bedding - to no avail). She hasn't had two hides, EVER. And he is feeding her small or medium mice. I almost flipped. I have another female ball python who I rescued who is far too small to be breeding, but is absolutely eating Large Mice, and will soon be going to Small Rats, as she is rather round. So either he is drastically underfeeding this female of his, or she is WAY too small to be breeding, both of which are going to be huge problems I'll have to be dealing with.

Take all of this and add that I'm currently 20 weeks pregnant and hormonal and protective? I would like to stab this man in the face and then take both the gravid female, and the male she bred with (I don't have enough moneys right now to take both of them since he's asking quite a bit more for the male, and my hormones say to save the mama and her babies).

ANYWAYS...any advice on how to make this girl's transfer to her new home the least stressful as possible? I'm asking for old substrate to bring her home in, but I don't know if that will be enough to make her not terribly stressed. Also, if she is indeed gravid (I've no way to prove or disprove this as of yet) any advice on best care for a gravid female would be appreciated. I've been doing my research, but it's always nice to hear from people who are actually caring for Ball Pythons and have dealt with similar scenarios. =] Thanks everyone for reading my rant and for any/all help and advice given!

Make sure she stays a constant temperature during transfer and she should adapt fast to the new substrate . I would not bother her as much as possible for a decent amount of time . I haven't started breeding yet but I asked my friend who breeds boas and this is what he told me when I told him your situation

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Originally Posted by ZacharyPoller

Make sure she stays a constant temperature during transfer and she should adapt fast to the new substrate . I would not bother her as much as possible for a decent amount of time . I haven't started breeding yet but I asked my friend who breeds boas and this is what he told me when I told him your situation

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I'll do my best to keep her at a constant temperature. Maybe I can buy some heat packs to keep her warm while I bring her home...

And yeah, I had a feeling that she shouldn't be handled much (if at all) because she's gravid, so I'm worried the transfer will upset her. But I'll definitely leave her to her own devices once she is here. Thank you so much for asking your friend =] I definitely want to go about this poor situation the best way that I can and make it the best experience I can for this girl.

Heck if someone is going above and beyond to rescue a snake then I will go to the same length to help .. Calling was as easy as picking up a phone . I will try and find the link when I get to my computer where you can order reptile heat packs because normal ones get to hot

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Be prepared to get there and find out the pictures you were shown weren't of her. A lot of people on Craigslist do that. They show you a picture of one snake and you get there and they are trying to pass off another to you. She might not be gravid, and she might not be a she at all. In either case she needs out of that home before that idiot kills her.

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Originally Posted by ZacharyPoller

Heck if someone is going above and beyond to rescue a snake then I will go to the same length to help .. Calling was as easy as picking up a phone . I will try and find the link when I get to my computer where you can order reptile heat packs because normal ones get to hot

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I appreciate this so much! Hopefully I can get everything together real fast to get her - I'm supposed to pick her up on Monday, so I'm grabbing another tub for her tomorrow from Target. I'll get it all set up, purchase some more hides (I have an extra water bowl already, thankfully) and hopefully all will go well for this poor girl.

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Originally Posted by TexanLady

Be prepared to get there and find out the pictures you were shown weren't of her. A lot of people on Craigslist do that. They show you a picture of one snake and you get there and they are trying to pass off another to you. She might not be gravid, and she might not be a she at all. In either case she needs out of that home before that idiot kills her.

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I'm well aware of this, and it's why I debated with myself for a long time whether or not to even get her - but then his answers about how he was taking care of her...I just wish I had the funds right now to take both the snakes home and save them both. Whether she is gravid or not, I can't leave her with him =[ I just feel so bad that I can't take the boy too =[ I don't know if he'll find a home at all, and I'm scared of him ending up being killed by this guy who clearly can't take care of snakes. So if anyone has a couple extra hundred dollars and wants a Butter Male...He's in North Hollywood.

How much is the male? And where is the location

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Just so you feel a little better, wild caught females are shipped over from Africa on a regular basis. So I don't think she will mind being moved across town.

Good luck with her!

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Originally Posted by ZacharyPoller

How much is the male? And where is the location

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He's $300 and the owner is located in North Hollywood. I'm picking up the girl near Valley College.

- - - Updated - - -

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Originally Posted by aldebono

Just so you feel a little better, wild caught females are shipped over from Africa on a regular basis. So I don't think she will mind being moved across town.

Good luck with her!

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Thank you! Crossing my fingers that everything goes well =]

Wow I'm in NJ the 300 is a little much for a male butter but this dude sounds careless so the money in the situation is worth it however who knows about shipping with this guy

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Originally Posted by ZacharyPoller

Wow I'm in NJ the 300 is a little much for a male butter but this dude sounds careless so the money in the situation is worth it however who knows about shipping with this guy

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Yeah, I don't know if he'd do shipping. And if he did, I'd bet that he wouldn't ship the poor thing properly at all and you'd probably get a deceased snake =/

Ugh, I wish I had more money =[ But by the time I get more money, he probably won't have the male, since it'll probably have died or something along those lines. =[ I'm going to be worrying about the male nonstop. Maybe I can convince him to sell me the male too at a lesser price...especially if the female is merely ovulating and not gravid...I plan to inspect her before I take her, and if I disagree with his conclusion, I'm going to haggle price (he did say OBO).

I wish I was in that area I don't know why people get snakes and mistreat them.

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Originally Posted by ZacharyPoller

I wish I was in that area I don't know why people get snakes and mistreat them.

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Seriously! I cant understand why people abuse any animal =[ Makes me so mad! Lol maybe I'll find a way to start some kind of fund to rescue this Ball Python...xD I'll run laps or something and people can donate hahaha (watch the pregnant lady run - it'll be hilarious!)

I would donate to see that :)

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Originally Posted by ZacharyPoller

I would donate to see that :)

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Hahaha xD I should find a way to get the news out there - the pregnant lady will run to save a snake! xD Or maybe I'll sell cookies or something - I'm really good at baking! Or I'll sell something...I don't even know =[

I will run shirtless is that helps that will bring a lot of people out ;)

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Originally Posted by ZacharyPoller

I will run shirtless is that helps that will bring a lot of people out ;)

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Haha sweet! The pregnant lady, the shirtless guy, and cookies! This snake will be rescued in no time!

But in all seriousness...I wish I had a way to rescue him =[

Me two

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Originally Posted by ZacharyPoller

Me two

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Grumble grumble...I'm seriously looking around my room right now, trying to figure out what I have that I can sell to get the money. I have a book worth a few thousand dollars, but you have to have a buyer, and I have no idea how I would find a buyer for this so fast =[ Other than that, I really don't own a lot that's worth much. Ugh. Bake sale to save the snakes it is!!!

I realize that reptiles don't usually get equal treatment from animal welfare groups. (Yes, I know what a can of worms that is, but hear me out!) If the conditions the snakes are being kept in are deplorable, then report him to animal control. I know you just want to rescue these animals and I think that it's absolutely wonderful that you are going to the effort, especially when you are pregnant yourself. I just hate the idea of giving money to these kinds of people, and get so frustrated when I hear about people paying money to bad breeders or pet stores to "save" an animal by buying it. If you go to see a purebred puppy and find a puppy mill, don't get out your wallet, get your phone and report them!

Oh, and I almost never look at the reptiles section of Craigslist anymore. It just tears me up.

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Originally Posted by Libby

I realize that reptiles don't usually get equal treatment from animal welfare groups. (Yes, I know what a can of worms that is, but hear me out!) If the conditions the snakes are being kept in are deplorable, then report him to animal control. I know you just want to rescue these animals and I think that it's absolutely wonderful that you are going to the effort, especially when you are pregnant yourself. I just hate the idea of giving money to these kinds of people, and get so frustrated when I hear about people paying money to bad breeders or pet stores to "save" an animal by buying it. If you go to see a purebred puppy and find a puppy mill, don't get out your wallet, get your phone and report them!

Oh, and I almost never look at the reptiles section of Craigslist anymore. It just tears me up.

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Don't smack me, but I totally hadn't even thought of that...(Which is funny because I'm an avid follower of the SoCal Herp Society that just recently rescued 184 Ball Pythons...) I don't have any evidence of deplorable conditions yet, unfortunately. But as of Monday, depending on what I see...I'll be able to make a judgement call. I do know a healthy Ball Python when I see one. So I'll definitely have to look into my animal control center and see what their rules and regulations are, and how I would go forward with this if indeed the animals are being kept in as awful conditions as I'm afraid they are...Thank you =]

And I totally agree that I hate the idea of giving money to people who can't care for animals, but I figure it's better that I give them some money and give the animal a loving home than that I ignore it because I don't want to give them money and never know what happens to the animal (I'm totally the person to stay up all night worrying.) So if I can't haggle him for the boy, I'll see what else I can do to help him.

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Originally Posted by RockNRollProcelain

Don't smack me, but I totally hadn't even thought of that...(Which is funny because I'm an avid follower of the SoCal Herp Society that just recently rescued 184 Ball Pythons...) I don't have any evidence of deplorable conditions yet, unfortunately. But as of Monday, depending on what I see...I'll be able to make a judgement call. I do know a healthy Ball Python when I see one. So I'll definitely have to look into my animal control center and see what their rules and regulations are, and how I would go forward with this if indeed the animals are being kept in as awful conditions as I'm afraid they are...Thank you =]

And I totally agree that I hate the idea of giving money to people who can't care for animals, but I figure it's better that I give them some money and give the animal a loving home than that I ignore it because I don't want to give them money and never know what happens to the animal (I'm totally the person to stay up all night worrying.) So if I can't haggle him for the boy, I'll see what else I can do to help him.

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That's right, I'd forgotten that the big bp rescue was in CA, so maybe you do have some good local resources. It's a tough call. If this were a breeder with lots of animals, then the only thing you could do would be just walk away and report him. When it's just a couple snakes...then maybe the best thing to do is grit your teeth and just get them out of there. You definitely are capable of assessing the snakes and their husbandry, and I trust your judgement to make the best decision on how to help them. As far as not letting the hormones get the best of you, well, even if his face needs punching, your baby needs you out of jail!

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Originally Posted by Libby

That's right, I'd forgotten that the big bp rescue was in CA, so maybe you do have some good local resources. It's a tough call. If this were a breeder with lots of animals, then the only thing you could do would be just walk away and report him. When it's just a couple snakes...then maybe the best thing to do is grit your teeth and just get them out of there. You definitely are capable of assessing the snakes and their husbandry, and I trust your judgement to make the best decision on how to help them. As far as not letting the hormones get the best of you, well, even if his face needs punching, your baby needs you out of jail!

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I'm hoping so! It was a little farther south than I am, but they might know a more local group that could help out. I would absolutely just grit my teeth and take both snakes, but I can only pay the amount he asked for one. =/ So unless something seems wrong and I can haggle...I'll only be able to take the girlie. Or maybe he'll want to get rid of them so badly, he'll give me both for 100! Haha (I wish). And I shall do my best not to punch him =] I'll tell the hormones to keep their cool haha

Seems to me like a lot of very negative assumptions are being made based on nothing more than the fact that the guy doesn't "speak the language" that we usually use in our little reptile cliques.

One of our admins here has fully grown, breeding ball pythons that eat nothing but mice. They're perfectly healthy and plenty big enough to breed safely.

I'm not defending negligent practices, just suggesting that folks relax until there's actual evidence that such practices are taking place.

Also keep in mind that she may not be gravid at all. The seller may be assuming she's gravid just because he's seen her locked with the male, or even just because they've lived together for a time.

Don't fret too much about the transfer. They're not THAT delicate. Find an insulated container to carry her in such as a small cooler. Even a cheapo styrofoam cooler from the corner market would be fine. Put some padding at the bottom, bagged snake in the middle, and some padding on top. If it's really cold (seems unlikely in southern Cali) you might tape a heat pack to the inside of the lid...but if the container is insulated, she should be just fine on the short trips from house to car to house again. Keep the temps in the car on the warm side, but don't leave the container right beside a heat vent, and don't leave it in the direct sunlight if it's a warm, sunny day.

Get your enclosure at your own place set up for her and ready to go. Don't worry about her substrate, just use what you use. Use whatever hides you think best. Have the temps dialed in. Make sure it's in a quiet place where she won't be disturbed. Pick her up, bag her, transport her, and then set her in her new enclosure. Handle her just enough to check for injuries or signs of illness.

And you should decide ahead of time what you want to do if you go in there and find a sick snake blowing snot and terribly under weight. Decide ahead of time if you will reward that guy with $100 to "rescue" his snake. If so, then do it. If not, be prepared to walk away. That decision is entirely yours to make. It'd be good to prepare yourself mentally for the worst, but don't go in ASSUMING the worst just because he doesn't communicate well.

OH...and one more thought occurs to me...quarantine the heck out of her if you do end up bringing her home. Keep her in a separate room, as far from the rest of your collection as possible. And have a completely different set of equipment for working with her that never touches your other animals. Work with your established collection first...wash...then work with the new comer, then wash wash wash. If she IS sick, you don't want it spreading to your other snakes.

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Originally Posted by JLC

OH...and one more thought occurs to me...quarantine the heck out of her if you do end up bringing her home. Keep her in a separate room, as far from the rest of your collection as possible. And have a completely different set of equipment for working with her that never touches your other animals. Work with your established collection first...wash...then work with the new comer, then wash wash wash. If she IS sick, you don't want it spreading to your other snakes.

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Luckily I had thought of this earlier when I went shopping and I grabbed all sorts of stuff that will just be for her. She's going to be in a separate room until I'm sure she's okay. And I plan on calling my vet and seeing if she wants me to bring her in to get checked out (better safe than sorry!) I definitely don't want any illnesses spreading to all my other babies. And I don't want to take any risks with her if she IS gravid (which I will be finding out tomorrow! Based on the story he told me, she might actually be gravid. But then again, it could just be a story. We shall see). I'd much rather take every single necessary precaution (and then some) than just assume that she's okay and have something terrible happen.

Oh, and on the happenstance that I can bring the male home too...The same protocols shall be followed with him as well. =] Thank you for all of the advice. I really appreciate it!

Good luck. Keep us posted.

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http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...e/P1020677.jpg
1300+ g male

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...e/P1020733.jpg
1100+ g male

Mousers their whole life, you feed what they will eat..........Not what you think they should eat.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...e/P1020677.jpg
1300+ g male

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...e/P1020733.jpg
1100+ g male

Mousers their whole life, you feed what they will eat..........Not what you think they should eat.

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Thanks for bravely coming forward and admitting you are an animal abuser.................I recommend you immediately stop feeding them what the want to eat and force them into a long period of food refusal by making them eat something they have no interest in.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...e/P1020677.jpg
1300+ g male

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...e/P1020733.jpg
1100+ g male

Mousers their whole life, you feed what they will eat..........Not what you think they should eat.

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Out of curiosity, what size mice are you feeding them? I felt more upset about the fact that he was feeding them small and medium mice - which to me seems far too small. If they eat mice, feed them them large mice, right? That makes more sense to me because I have young Ball Pythons that are eating small and medium mice, and there's no way they're anywhere near breeding size. My bigger girl has been eating large mice for a little while. I know that some ball pythons won't make the switch from mice to rats. So I don't judge mice eaters. I guess I just thought the size of the mouse was a problem. All small and medium mice I have seen are pretty darn small, far too small, in my personal opinion, to make a decent sized meal for a breeder sized snake. If I'm wrong, please let me know. =] I'm genuinely curious.

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Originally Posted by RockNRollProcelain

Out of curiosity, what size mice are you feeding them? I felt more upset about the fact that he was feeding them small and medium mice - which to me seems far too small.

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Whatever I have on hand on feeding day, anything over a hopper.

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Originally Posted by Skiploder

Thanks for bravely coming forward and admitting you are an animal abuser.................I recommend you immediately stop feeding them what the want to eat and force them into a long period of food refusal by making them eat something they have no interest in.

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I am in need of a stern keyboard tongue lashing LOL

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

Whatever I have on hand on feeding day, anything over a hopper.

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Are you feeding them multiple of whatever you have then? Or is it just the one? And if you feed multiple, are you figuring out how much to feed them via their weight or via a visual cue? Sorry for the semi-stupid questions. I've never fed multiple smaller prey items. All my Ball Pythons eat prey that is about the same girth as them at their widest point. I've never had any problems, so I've never had to figure out feeding with multiple smaller prey items or play with the type of food I'm offering them. Even the Ball Pythons I get from breeders who feed live have immediately made the F/T transition with me. I've been super lucky I think!

Not a stupid question.
I feed them till they stop eating.
sometimes one or ten, just depends how hungry they are.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

Not a stupid question.
I feed them till they stop eating.
sometimes one or ten, just depends how hungry they are.

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Gotcha =] Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. I really appreciate it. I lack experience with picky eaters - which is ironic because I have all Ball Pythons. The most work I have to do is the zombie dance for one girl, but the others will eat right off a plate. So whenever I can gain knowledge, I really appreciate it - as I'm sure I'll run into a picky eater eventually!

Oh, and I'll know about the girl's situation in a little over an hour, so I'll make another post with an update after I've been there and back.

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Originally Posted by RockNRollProcelain

Gotcha =] The most work I have to do is the zombie dance for one girl, but the others will eat right off a plate

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I don't even have to do that, live move on their own. :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

So, did you get your girl? If so, hope you can post a picture of her soon. Also, if you did get her, is she actually gravid?

So I got the girl - and worked out a plan so I'll have the boy too in a few weeks. It's difficult to tell if she's gravid or not - she has some signs, but nothing 100% (possible v-shaped concave, . She has a slight wheeze that I couldn't hear when I was picking her up (it was noisy) but now that she's at my home, she has a faint, definite, occasional wheeze. I'm guessing an RI, so I'll be taking her to the vet ASAP! Other than appearing a bit dehydrated and having stuck shed, she looks fairly healthy. She is active and curious - I tried to get pics but she won't hold still long enough xD She's a good 3-4 feet in length and approximately 4 years old. I won't be weighing her today - I'd like her to settle in and if she's gravid, I want limited handling for her - but when I do weigh her I'll update that. Her temperament is very sweet - I can see her becoming an excellent education snake.

Glad you were able to rescue her and I hope that the Vet gives her a clean bill of health.

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Originally Posted by LadyByrd

Glad you were able to rescue her and I hope that the Vet gives her a clean bill of health.

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I'm hoping so too. Poor girl. Luckily the RI is only beginning - no bubbles yet (if it is an RI - she might totally just be wheezing at me out of irritation xD). So we shall see - calling the vet in the morning to schedule an appointment.

Well, I have two rescues myself and I just say bless you for doing this! My littlest guy (who weighed in tonight at 78g) was abandoned in a box that was taped shut on the door of my vets office in 17 degree weather. He's a lucky little sweetheart and I will pray that your story turns out positively too.

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Originally Posted by LadyByrd

Well, I have two rescues myself and I just say bless you for doing this! My littlest guy (who weighed in tonight at 78g) was abandoned in a box that was taped shut on the door of my vets office in 17 degree weather. He's a lucky little sweetheart and I will pray that your story turns out positively too.

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Oh my goodness! I'm so glad you got him! That's very, very fortunate! Poor little guy =[ I don't understand how that happens. But I'm so glad to hear that your situation turned out positive! =D Thank you for the good thoughts. All the positive energy we can get is helpful!

Hi,

Stuck shed around the nose can cause wheezing too.

I'd take the time to get the shed off her and take a few pics from above and side on. :)

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Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,

Stuck shed around the nose can cause wheezing too.

I'd take the time to get the shed off her and take a few pics from above and side on. :)

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I plan to take many pictures of her. But I'm giving her a couple days of zero handling to let her adjust, and so that I can keep an eye on her. She has a vet appointment scheduled, and I'm hoping all will be well. She also has a nice warm soak coming up in a couple of days to try and get the stuck shed off, as well as to just hydrate her - she seems a little dehydrated. She's already perked up from being here. I checked on her about an hour ago and I heard no wheezing (but I didn't lift her up to listen to her like I had before). Hopefully this is a good sign!

Well, that's a good sign that the wheeze isn't as apparent as it was. I have never soaked my babies, but have caught them in their water dishes a couple of times.

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Originally Posted by LadyByrd

Well, that's a good sign that the wheeze isn't as apparent as it was. I have never soaked my babies, but have caught them in their water dishes a couple of times.

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Seriously. So maybe she was simply irritated with me, or as someone else mentioned, maybe it's just stuck shed? We shall find out in a couple of days though! So far she's settling in nicely. She appears relaxed and comfortable, no agitation, no defensive positions when I check on her and such. I think she will be a happy addition to my collection, and a total lovebug (my littlest sister is already super excited to hold her when she can, and wants me to bring her to school as an education animal xD So if she's not gravid, and she's perfectly healthy, she may end up doing our community over here a lot of good.)

Just gave her a soak. All the dry shed is gone. She enjoyed the water - swam around and curled up in the bowl. She is now slithering all around my bed non-stop. I tried to get some pictures of her...and she is NOT having it. So I apologize for the crappy quality. She is occasionally making noise, and her vet appointment is Monday morning (first day the doctor could see her. But she's an absolute sweetheart, and I honestly don't think she's gravid. She doesn't really look it, and from the research I've done, isn't acting like it. Which is fine by me. =] She's still a total sweetheart and I am more than happy to have her!! And when my camera decides to work properly, and she stops moving, I'll post more pics. =]

http://imgur.com/a/NYYka

My goodness, I miss a day or two on the forums and look what happens!

First, congratulations on a lovely new snake. She's a real looker, I have a girl or two that look a lot like her, with lots of blushing.

Second, you have my sincere respect. I've been in the rescue spot a time or two myself, and it's never easy. Sometimes it's just a matter of someone can't keep their cherished pet, and then there are the ones that keep you up at night. Your heart pulls you one way, your head pulls you another, and trying to decide the lesser of two evil's isn't easy. Yes you want to help the animal, but what is to say if you give the neglector money, they won't use it to buy and neglect another animal? But at the same time, how to you just walk away knowing you are probably sentencing that animal to a painful death? It's enough to give you hysterics.

Third, I doubt your girl is gravid. She really doesn't look it at all. And just because she's locked, doesn't mean she'll take. I've had females lock, build, glow and the whole nine yards, only to decide "Nah I don't feel like having eggs right now." If you are really curious, you can ask your vet about an ultrasound and see if she has follicles.

Chances are if she was only wheezing a tiny bit, she either had stuck shed, was being crabby, or had very very early stage RI. If your vet does believe it might be an RI, please ask him/her to do a throat culture to know for sure she does have one, and how best to treat it. Most vets don't do the cultures as a matter of course. They just give a broad spectrum antibiotic because odds are that will be enough. In her case though, I think if it were me I would not want to medicate her unless it was absolutely necessary.

Now, about the whole mice feeding thing. I have some snakes who are strict mousers. Some are strict rat eaters. Some only do ASF rats, and the majority don't care what it is as long as it has fur, it's food. I am of the camp, it is better to feed smaller prey items more frequently, than very large prey less often. I let the snakes tell me how much they want. One of my males is a very delicate eater. He only wants mice, and they must be the correct size or he won't touch them. But, offer him the size he wants and he'll eat until he's full. Some weeks he eats one, maybe two. Some weeks he eats four or five. Same with my rat eaters. I'd rather give a snake two or even three smaller rats, than one jumbo, even if they are completely capable of swallowing the jumbo with no problems. That's just kind of my thing.

So, if your girl prefers her mice, she may not like extra large mice, even if she's big enough to eat them with no trouble. Some snakes just don't like really large prey. I have an import female, she's massive. Over 5 feet long and she weighs 3500 grams easy. She could eat a small rabbit with no issue. But, what she want is small rats, just past weaned size. She will eat four or five, sometimes six if I offer them. But put a bigger rat in there, even if it's only a little bit bigger, and she won't touch it. Having dealt with more than my fair share of picky eaters, I have reached the stage where I don't care what they eat, as long as they eat. If one of mine suddenly decided it will only eat McDonald's side salads, fine I'll go to McDonald's and get you a salad, just please eat something!

I wish you and your new baby all the best, and I look forward to seeing more of her, and the male if you can get him.

Gale

Quote:

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Originally Posted by angllady2

My goodness, I miss a day or two on the forums and look what happens!

First, congratulations on a lovely new snake. She's a real looker, I have a girl or two that look a lot like her, with lots of blushing.

Second, you have my sincere respect. I've been in the rescue spot a time or two myself, and it's never easy. Sometimes it's just a matter of someone can't keep their cherished pet, and then there are the ones that keep you up at night. Your heart pulls you one way, your head pulls you another, and trying to decide the lesser of two evil's isn't easy. Yes you want to help the animal, but what is to say if you give the neglector money, they won't use it to buy and neglect another animal? But at the same time, how to you just walk away knowing you are probably sentencing that animal to a painful death? It's enough to give you hysterics.

Third, I doubt your girl is gravid. She really doesn't look it at all. And just because she's locked, doesn't mean she'll take. I've had females lock, build, glow and the whole nine yards, only to decide "Nah I don't feel like having eggs right now." If you are really curious, you can ask your vet about an ultrasound and see if she has follicles.

Chances are if she was only wheezing a tiny bit, she either had stuck shed, was being crabby, or had very very early stage RI. If your vet does believe it might be an RI, please ask him/her to do a throat culture to know for sure she does have one, and how best to treat it. Most vets don't do the cultures as a matter of course. They just give a broad spectrum antibiotic because odds are that will be enough. In her case though, I think if it were me I would not want to medicate her unless it was absolutely necessary.

Now, about the whole mice feeding thing. I have some snakes who are strict mousers. Some are strict rat eaters. Some only do ASF rats, and the majority don't care what it is as long as it has fur, it's food. I am of the camp, it is better to feed smaller prey items more frequently, than very large prey less often. I let the snakes tell me how much they want. One of my males is a very delicate eater. He only wants mice, and they must be the correct size or he won't touch them. But, offer him the size he wants and he'll eat until he's full. Some weeks he eats one, maybe two. Some weeks he eats four or five. Same with my rat eaters. I'd rather give a snake two or even three smaller rats, than one jumbo, even if they are completely capable of swallowing the jumbo with no problems. That's just kind of my thing.

So, if your girl prefers her mice, she may not like extra large mice, even if she's big enough to eat them with no trouble. Some snakes just don't like really large prey. I have an import female, she's massive. Over 5 feet long and she weighs 3500 grams easy. She could eat a small rabbit with no issue. But, what she want is small rats, just past weaned size. She will eat four or five, sometimes six if I offer them. But put a bigger rat in there, even if it's only a little bit bigger, and she won't touch it. Having dealt with more than my fair share of picky eaters, I have reached the stage where I don't care what they eat, as long as they eat. If one of mine suddenly decided it will only eat McDonald's side salads, fine I'll go to McDonald's and get you a salad, just please eat something!

I wish you and your new baby all the best, and I look forward to seeing more of her, and the male if you can get him.

Gale

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Thank you =] She's quite the beautiful normal, and I'm happy to have her. And thank you again! I really am the person who will toss and turn at night, worrying about the animals and stressing over how they will be. My brain and heart lock on, and I can't relax until I know they are okay. I don't think she's gravid either, but I figure that I'll double check with the vet, since I've never had a gravid snake before. If she's not, totally fine - I get the male in a couple of weeks, once I have the money, and I'll decide then if I even WANT to breed them.

I talked to the previous owner and he was feeding small or medium mice, but only one, once a week. How this girl is as fat as she is is beyond me. o.o I tried to clarify if it was a mouse or a rat, and he insisted a mouse. So I have zero idea what was going on with the feeding, because she looks like she's been eating rats and staying fat, but he INSISTS it was mice. But, at least she is nice and fat, seems pretty healthy to me, and is very active. Her eyes are bright, her tongue is ALWAYS flicking, and that's the important thing. The vet will let me know if I'm right about her general healthiness, aside from the possible RI. I do think that maybe her little wheeze is shed, annoyance, or something else. I'll be trying to feed her next week. =] I'll be sure to update on whether or not she eats the Medium rats I've picked up for her.

Thank you so much for the good wishes and positive energy =] I will definitely get more pictures of her (once she lets me) and I should have the male in a couple of weeks. In fact, the owner might be bringing him by (I told him about the girl's RI, and he doesn't know how to tell if the boy might have it. I told him to listen to the snake, but he's stressing out and bringing him by anyways haha.) I'll be sure to keep everyone updated! Thank you so much for caring about my little girl!