Thin rescue ball python tips needes

I'd keep the meals small until you're sure he's properly hydrated. Digestion takes a lot of water and can kill a dehydrated animal. He definitely looks like he's in rough shape. Hope you can help him out!

Good on you for trying to help this animal out.

I'm glad the snake ate, but I would have waited til after the vet appointment, as the stress of moving the snake may cause a regurge this snake DEFINITELY doesn't need.

My two cents: just let the animal be until after the vet appt. See what the vet says and share that info on here. Unfortunately, many vets see exotics, but know little more than basics they've read in books. However, theyre access to labwork is invaluable and something we can't do without a vet. Hopefully you're lucky enough to have found one of the good ones.

There are some amazing people on this forum willing to share decades of knowledge and experience with thousands upon thousands of snakes. You've found a great place to learn.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Oh... I would also stick to paper towels until you know the animal is healthy. Also, ease into feedings (as far as prey size and frequency) you want to get this guy healthy again, but don't rush it.

Good luck to this little rescue!! It breaks my heart to see a snek in this condition. Thank you for stepping up!


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i agree with a lot of the posts so i'll just summarize:

• nice long soak in 85° F water
• smaller meals until the snake starts gaining weight
• 10 days between feedings
• keep that humidity up, up, up!
• keep using paper towels until he starts making progress
• i think it's a Mojave morph! look at the floating "Cheerios" in the pattern

you've got your work cut out for you with your first beep. we, and your new buddy, thank you for stepping in to provide him with a proper, loving home. :gj:

Thanks for all of the wonderful advice! The vet had suggested I try feeding him as long as it was a full 24 hours between the feeding and the appointment, so that's what I did. Ideally he said he'd wait 48 hours, but he was very concerned about his condition but also wanted him fed. His feeding response was fantastic, though. Didn't hesitate in the least, and I got a good look in his mouth during the event and I didn't see any mucus or other worrying things.

His temps are perfect and his humidity is at 70% I did soak him briefly before feeding, but it wasn't long. Just to help the skin come off.

He's a really active fellow for his state. I'll update as soon as we're out of the appointment!

Thanks again everyone! You've really helped ease my mind.

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Everyone gave great info for you so i'll just add what a great thing it is you found him in time. With a feeding response in the condition he is in tells me he will be a great Pet in a couple months.. Im sure the temperament will be wonderful as well. Hard to believe something let go so badly is still pushing to overcome the neglect. He deserves a great name to elaborate on his Strong Will. Nice Job [emoji1362][emoji1362][emoji1362][emoji216]

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Originally Posted by CALM Pythons

He deserves a great name to elaborate on his Strong Will. Nice Job [emoji1362][emoji1362][emoji1362][emoji216]

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I vote Phoenix

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

I vote Phoenix

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I vote Attila because he is going to conquer his neglect.

Attila - Hunnic
Legendary warlord and greatest leader of the Hunnic Empire, Attila the Hun is remembered by history as the mastermind behind the unrelenting terror of Europe that were the Huns. Known to the Romans as "The Scourge of God," Attila united the tribal Huns and embarked on a series of fearsome military campaigns during the 5th century AD, continually antagonizing the Romans (among others) until his abrupt death in 453.

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Originally Posted by CALM Pythons

Everyone gave great info for you so i'll just add what a great thing it is you found him in time. With a feeding response in the condition he is in tells me he will be a great Pet in a couple months.. Im sure the temperament will be wonderful as well. Hard to believe something let go so badly is still pushing to overcome the neglect. He deserves a great name to elaborate on his Strong Will. Nice Job [emoji1362][emoji1362][emoji1362][emoji216]

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I think El Cid (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Cid) would suit him if he is a male. If she is a female, I vote Hypatia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypatia).
I also really like Phoenix.

Wow, that's the worst condition I've ever seen in a ball python. Did the vet give a suggestion for food size and frequency? What that snake needs most right now is food, I'd approach it a bit different. I would weigh the snake and get a gram weight. Then use rodents that are about 5% of the body weight and feed one rodent every 4-5 days. After multiple feedings I'd move up to 2-3 smaller rodents (about 5% of body weight each) per meal every week. I'd wait on the 10% sized rodent until the body condition improves.

I would not handle it at all except to take it out to clean the enclosure at least until it's body condition significantly improves. I had a hatchling size snake that was a year old and starved almost to death, it was a normal that I picked up on Craig's list. I didn't look as bad as yours, but I think frequent smaller meals was the key to bringing it up to proper body condition. As long as the appetite is good you should be able to bring that guy back to health in no time. I'd be worried most about the cut on his head, hopefully that won't be an issue. You may try soaking once every few days in dilute povidone iodine solution about the strength of a weak tea, I found it works great for skin problems with snakes. I use it on all my animals for a general antiseptic. I'd soak for about 10 minutes at 85F - 90F.

Good luck and keep us posted!!