Help! I found a ball python in the wild

You should have her hold him, when he's all balled up. Ball pythons are probably the least threatening snakes out there, and have cured many people of their fears.
Don't be afraid of being bitten. His natural reaction when you put your hand in will be to jerk back and hide his head. A strike occurs from a position where the neck is drawn back in an S, and the head is held elevated at high tension--you can actually see their little jaw muscles clench with the tension, lol. Ball pythons often jerk back with their neck in a low S defensively, and that shouldn't be confused for a strike position. He doesn't look very tense in your photos, so I doubt he's aggressive.

This whole story brings such a smile to my face, both from your having it rescued in the first place and to Robin fostering it until your wife becomes OK with having it in the house (thinking positive thoughts here). :)

Nice rescue and lucky snake.Most probably dont have a happy ending.
Until you get your heat mat and more suitable suplies , you can pick up a cheap maintenance lamp at home depot for like 5 bucks and a 40w red bulb at a pet store for some heat. You can use your room lighting for your day/night cycle for now. The big thing is getting your enclosure temps at least into the 80s til you get properly set up.
I would leve it alone for awhile and a fresh water bowl is a must.

Thank you for protecting this beautiful animal and trying to help it and save it - how sad.

http://i46.tinypic.com/efnfgl.jpg

is that better?

I don't know what I was afraid of :rolleyes:

little guy was awesome, let me touch him without any problems, stayed in his box while I cleaned out the terrarium, then spent 20 minutes checking out his new digs once I put him back in there. He kept knocking over his water bowl though :rofl:

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Originally Posted by straydog1980

http://i46.tinypic.com/efnfgl.jpg

is that better?

I don't know what I was afraid of :rolleyes:

little guy was awesome, let me touch him without any problems, stayed in his box while I cleaned out the terrarium, then spent 20 minutes checking out his new digs once I put him back in there. He kept knocking over his water bowl though :rofl:

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Didn't I tell you it would be a non-event? :D

I think you're falling in love! :gj:

The offer of fostering him for you until you can convince the wife is still on the table! :)

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Didn't I tell you it would be a non-event? :D

I think you're falling in love! :gj:

The offer of fostering him for you until you can convince the wife is still on the table! :)

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thanks, I'll keep trying her!

and watch out because he IS an escape artist!

http://i49.tinypic.com/mbh0yb.jpg

Good luck on convincing the wife, I'm fortunate that my lady has her own.

Hey great job man. :salute:For a non reptile keeper to step up and save that snake puts a smile on my face. I've very happy to see your progress and you warming up to such an "evil" creature. I hope you can talk the wife into it because I find it to be a very rewarding hobby.Either way keep us posted!

My long time girlfriend soon to be wife was not to keen on having a snake in the house either. When it first came up I was in a pet store and saw a BP and said, without really thinking, "Its been a life long dream of mine to own a snake like that." She said "Really, why don't you get her right now." Here I am a 30 year old man with a stable well paying job and I said "Because they are expensive and my mom won't let........................................................" I stood there for a few minutes as it sunk in to my obviously thick skull that BP's are expensive when you are dirt poor, like I was growing up, but trivial compared to my current means. My mom hasn't had a say in the matter in 12 years. I looked at my girlfriend and asked "What do you think about having a snake in the house." She said "I hate the idea but obviously it means a lot to you so I think you should get her." Three weeks later, tons of research and a lot of restless nights later I finally brought home my first BP.

Moral of the story is this. BP's are low maintenance, safe pets. If she goes to bed early your wife might never see Kismet. Most of my friends went from fear to loving my BP in one visit. I have one friend who hasn't held her yet and has no interest. You shouldn't let Kismet come between you and your wife but if she can summon up the courage to come and visit she might find out that she really isn't as scared as she thought. If you can go from afraid to attached maybe your wife can go from phobic to indifferent. My girlfriend went from minor dislike to slight affection. I never name my pets until I have more than one. Till then its "cat" or "dog" or in this case the "snake". My girlfriend affectionately calls my BP snakey-poo, not bad for someone who never would have imagined having one in her home.

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Originally Posted by Egapal

My long time girlfriend soon to be wife was not to keen on having a snake in the house either. When it first came up I was in a pet store and saw a BP and said, without really thinking, "Its been a life long dream of mine to own a snake like that." She said "Really, why don't you get her right now." Here I am a 30 year old man with a stable well paying job and I said "Because they are expensive and my mom won't let........................................................" I stood there for a few minutes as it sunk in to my obviously thick skull that BP's are expensive when you are dirt poor, like I was growing up, but trivial compared to my current means. My mom hasn't had a say in the matter in 12 years. I looked at my girlfriend and asked "What do you think about having a snake in the house." She said "I hate the idea but obviously it means a lot to you so I think you should get her." Three weeks later, tons of research and a lot of restless nights later I finally brought home my first BP.

Moral of the story is this. BP's are low maintenance, safe pets. If she goes to bed early your wife might never see Kismet. Most of my friends went from fear to loving my BP in one visit. I have one friend who hasn't held her yet and has no interest. You shouldn't let Kismet come between you and your wife but if she can summon up the courage to come and visit she might find out that she really isn't as scared as she thought. If you can go from afraid to attached maybe your wife can go from phobic to indifferent. My girlfriend went from minor dislike to slight affection. I never name my pets until I have more than one. Till then its "cat" or "dog" or in this case the "snake". My girlfriend affectionately calls my BP snakey-poo, not bad for someone who never would have imagined having one in her home.

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Great story. There is a girl I know on a boa forum. Her grandmother was always afraid of snakes, yet she posted some pics of her 90 year old grandmother sitting on the floor petting an 8' RTB. She said her grandmother even made the boa a little pillow, which she had been cuddling in her enclosure for a couple of years. She recently moved and packed the pillow away. After she arrived at her new home she couldn't find the pillow right away so she put another small pillow in the enclosure and the snake would't hardly touch it. She wanted "her" pillow back...

That is really awesome that you rescued this snake! That is very commendable of you! :gj::snake:

How are things going with the little guy?

Hehe... My GF is the same, she doesnt realy like snakes, but she realy wanted me to get my first one. She gives all of them nick names now, she doesnt realy enjoy the hoby, but she doesnt mind it either. She even holds the hatchlings or small ones sometimes, or sometimes when I clean their enclosure she will "hold" them untill Im done cleaning everything.

Those officials obviously aren't very educated if they're telling you to get a heat rock. :P

The box looks good so far, and yes, a UTH is necessary as soon as possible. Poor little thing... it's so scared that it won't move. Maybe gently place him inside the hide, to make him feel more secure. Provided it hasn't appeared aggressive so far. No need to get bit.

Hope he finds a home, maybe with you! You never know - they ARE addictive! :gj:

my mom wanted nothing to do with my ball when i first got him but now she always wants to know how hes doing but will never hold him lol, she dosent have to love him but if it rly makes you happy to have him as a pet i think she would be able to get around her fears.. but anyways thats amazing how he made it! im glad he has a place to go but i only hope for the best! and good job on the courage to go and pick him up, the only time i dont pick up my guy is when hes in deep shed!

Bring it home and let your wife love on it a little bit... Thats how my old man got me.. Now we have 4 (2 ball pythons 1 blood python and a corn snake). They are WONDERFUL pets! Goodluck with everything.

This thread is great. It's like reading a book about a little lost snake just when do I get to read the part about the happy new life away from the soda machine (Translated: wife has been convinced to let you keep your new awesome, courageous, strong willed snake). Good luck and kudos to you for saving it :snake::gj:

any up dates!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!??!?!?!?!? :)

he/she is still doing great! I gave him some fresh water as soon as I got in this morning and he went right over there and started lapping it up. Still very calm, cute snake! My wife visited this morning and checked him out, said he was cute but definitely could not come home with me! :(

It was my idea (the wife) to get a snake for our oldest son. Husband was not really into it but now that Chrissy has been in the house for about a month he is now ready to build me a rack so that I can keep getting snakes. This from a man who decided 4 animals ago that we had enough.

She may come around. Good Luck.

Thanks for stepping-up Robin! This is exactly the type of story those idiots in Washington don't want people hearing.

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Originally Posted by straydog1980

said he was cute but definitely could not come home with me! :(

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Ask her what her exact reasons are. Does she think it will get out of its enclosure? Does she think it will be set up in a visible part of the house? BPs need to be away from heavy traffic in the first place, so the lesser used parts of the home are better. Ideally, it'll be almost out-of-sight-out-of-mind.

Is she so terrified of snakes that she can't fathom even having one in the house, even if it is out of sight? BPs aren't only nocturnal, but during the day when they're asleep they do so completely hidden away in their hides. This is not a display snake. They're hardly ever visible! They don't need exercise either, and so don't need to do laps around the livingroom.

Is she grossed out by the notion of having to feed it rodents? Me too, but I can handle frozen ones, so that's what we feed. She won't need to be around when it's feeding time.

Does she think it'll grow to be 15 ft. long and eat the dog? Her? They grow to about 5-6 ft. long, but look much shorter since they're always curled up. Mine is nearly 3 ft. long but looks more like 2 ft.

Does she think it'll bite? All animals can bite, but BPs are amongs the most docile of snakes, if not THE most docile outright. Like the first picture you posted on this thread, they don't fight back or even run, they just curl up. Sitting ducks.

What other reasons could there be? I'm sure the others here can think of other possible reasons with answers for them. Let's nail down the facts first, then work on any fears there might be. :)

i say beg and pleed and beg some more! :)

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

...Ball Pythons are magical snakes and they have the ability to cast a spell on you that makes you fall in love with their cuteness and become addicted..."

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Originally Posted by straydog1980

My wife said he was cute but definitely could not come home with me! :(

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See what I mean? Your wife doesn't know it but, she is now under the spell. Resistance is futile. One more suggestion that might help. You could always name the snake after your wife or mother-in-law. Baby steps.

Have you gave anymore thought to setting up more permanent heating for the tank and are you planning on trying to feed it soon?


Rob

My BP had cloudy eyes when I got in this morning. That means he/she is about to shed right? Should I still be able to handle it? Today is the day I pass him/her off to Rabernet :(

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Originally Posted by straydog1980

My BP had cloudy eyes when I got in this morning. That means he/she is about to shed right? Should I still be able to handle it? Today is the day I pass him/her off to Rabernet :(

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Yes, sounds like he/she is in shed. He/she should be fine to handle. I look forward to meeting you - and as I said, we can consider this a foster if you think that you and your wife may decide at a later date to welcome him/her into your home!

They are all different. Some of mine I can handle just fine while in shed. But most snakes like to be left alone while in shed. They can't see very well and feel vulnerable. It must be uncomfortable for them too. You could try to get the humidity up a bit by misting.

Any updates?

He called me on Wednesday to re-schedule for next week, but when we talked, I think he's going to try to keep Kismet at his office as he's grown quite attached to him. :DI've offered to help him get him set up in a more permanent enclosure and be available to answer any questions he might have!

my wife was afraid of snakes at first. i bought her from a pet store and on the way home she took her from me cuz she thought i was gonna crash. she was grossed out n scared at first but now she loves her and wants her own. so im looking online for some good prices. n now she has her own pet rat. i bought it as food as a baby (eyes still closed) but my snake didnt eat it cuz two was too much. so she wanted to keep it alive until the next feeding. feeding day came and she wouldnt let me. and she used to think rats were the nastiest things ever. they call pot the "gateway" drug. BP's are the gateway to unusual pets. good job and thanks for saving the snake. hope it all works out for everyone involved!

well, he shed over the weekend. Looks like a clean shed too! I think I'm going to feed him this week...

Seems to me like Robin wont get her hands in this BP after all... :D

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Originally Posted by Danounet

Seems to me like Robin wont get her hands in this BP after all... :D

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I think you may be right :rolleyes:

I took him out to clean out his shed and urates today (I had a blue glove on in case he was feeling cranky), and when I tried to put him back in his terrarium he said "NO". :colbert:

He squeezed around my hand, not hard or anything, and refused to go back in there for a solid 15 minutes. He just wanted to be out and about.

I'm getting addicted :please:

http://i50.tinypic.com/2hhdlr5.jpg

aweeeeEEE!!! Very cute.

I fed him today!

I got a "fuzzy" from my local PetLand and thawed him out and warmed him up with water. I put my trusty glove on, and tried to dangle the thing in front of his hide, but I dropped the mouse! MAN, I've never seen this snake move so fast!! He was up and ready to eat, but couldn't sense the mouse because he wasn't moving I guess? I took my trusty tongs and just barely nudged the foot of the mouse and WHAM! That's all she wrote.

THAT WAS SO FREAKIN' COOL.

I am definitely keeping him! I got him a water dish too.... next is a heating pad!

http://i45.tinypic.com/24pksqg.jpg

:banana: Congratulations, you have been officially hooked...:gj:

Next week you should try a larger food item. That BP can easily take and adult mouse or larger. Its hard to tell how big the snake is with the glove and all but I would guess the BP is about the size of mine. My guess is 800 -1000 grams. If thats the case 10 to 15 percent is 80 to 150 grams. I am guessing a good meal for that snake is closer to 3 adult mice or one small rat.

Honestly if you can work up the nerve the glove is not necessary and when its time to put the snake away you can peal it off. It might resist but its really just trying not to fall. It will grow to trust you over time. I think this poor little guy just had a rough time of it. Someone obviously wasn't doing the best at caring for it as it escaped and wound up with you.

Proper heating should be your number one concern. I would also look for two good hides. If you want to get some good hides on the cheap and have access to a dremel and or a drill, pliers, and file. You can run down to walmart or target or something like that, and pick up a melamine bowl. Find on that your BP can just fit in. Then you can cut out a piece of the side for you snake to get in and out. Ideally I make sure that two snakes as big as mine could not fit in the hide with a shoe horn. If you think the hide is too small its probably just right. Search around the site though, there are lots of great posts on hides.

i'd offer that guy a rat, not a large one, but a small adult rat.

congrats on him eating!

This is a great thread. I think it's safe to say that this is your snake from now on. You should let your wife hold him/her. Tell her this, " I talked with people on this reptile website, they lent me information about caring for them," Show her this site, all the cool and cute pictures af ball pythons will definitely get her attention. Also, tell her it's even a good pet for kids.*nudge* *nudge* lol. It's like hitting to birds with one stone. I'm 12 and I had my snake for 1 year and love him. If she tells yo that you won't be able to handle it's death or something like that, tell her that they live for over 20 years and could reack up to 45 years with good care. You don't have to tell her about the feeding, just do it when she doesn't notice,lol.

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Originally Posted by straydog1980

I think you may be right :rolleyes:

I took him out to clean out his shed and urates today (I had a blue glove on in case he was feeling cranky), and when I tried to put him back in his terrarium he said "NO". :colbert:

He squeezed around my hand, not hard or anything, and refused to go back in there for a solid 15 minutes. He just wanted to be out and about.

I'm getting addicted :please:

http://i50.tinypic.com/2hhdlr5.jpg

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You already learning the vocabulary of a snake keeper. I think this is your destiny or something.lol

I'm so happy for you. You've done a great job with that guy! Like you, I never expected to be a snake keeper (much less a rodent breeder). Now I need a bigger house to keep them all in!

Welcome to the club, there is no turning back now. And remember that we are all learning as we go.

I love this thread. What you've done is amazing for this snake. You've come a long way and learned a lot from the great folks here. Hope the wife warms up a little to the thought of Kimset!

Hey if you ever want to know if Kismet is a boy or a girl, we can meet where you suggested and I'd be happy to sex him/her for you! :)

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Originally Posted by BPdude911

This is a great thread. I think it's safe to say that this is your snake from now on. You should let your wife hold him/her. Tell her this, " I talked with people on this reptile website, they lent me information about caring for them," Show her this site, all the cool and cute pictures af ball pythons will definitely get her attention. Also, tell her it's even a good pet for kids.*nudge* *nudge* lol. It's like hitting to birds with one stone. I'm 12 and I had my snake for 1 year and love him. If she tells yo that you won't be able to handle it's death or something like that, tell her that they live for over 20 years and could reack up to 45 years with good care. You don't have to tell her about the feeding, just do it when she doesn't notice,lol.

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x2...lol.......This is a great thread!!!!!!!!!:banana:

great job!!!!it's a nice looking ball!!...Ball's are great pets...i wish i would find one while working...lol

I agree with everyone else, it was very brave of you to try and find out what it was and not just assume it was deadly and killing it.:gj:

:please: here is hoping your wife comes around.

On a side note:

I was wondering what morph everyone thought it may be?

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Originally Posted by ballmom

On a side note:

I was wondering what morph everyone thought it may be?

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Looks like a happy normal to me...

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

Looks like a happy normal to me...

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x2

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Originally Posted by BPdude911

Show her this site, all the cool and cute pictures af ball pythons will definitely get her attention.

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Be sure to show her this adorable baby picture.

Kismet looks bigger than mine, and mine is eating 2 adult mice (for a total of around 40g), about ready to move onto small rats. Kismet would probably enjoy a more substantial meal.

I'm so happy to see how things are developing. :)