My Rescued Ball

I agree 100% with everything Connie (littleindiangirl) said. I will also agree with the OP's point that the tone could have been nicer.

If I had to choose, I'd take good advice that came with a nasty tone over bad or no advice. And I certainly understand why Connie was so frustrated.

ViciousBliss, I hope you will stay around. You will find that this forum is FULL of friendly, helpful people. You might not believe it at the moment, but Connie is one of them. For the most part, the biggest fault of people on this forum (the regulars at least) is that we are very passionate about our snakes, and as with anything that people are passionate about, it can cause tempers to flare at times. Part of what makes this forum special is that the people here tend to be pretty darn good about hugging and making up after the fact. :grouphug:

To try to address some of your questions:

tip of tail: if it is just stuck shed, soaking it will help. I think you said something about the shed being stuck because of the damage from the burn? If so, I'd put betadine or chlorhexidine in the soak to prevent infection. Even if that isn't the problem with the tail tip, if the soak will get on any of his raw areas, you'll want to do that anyway. Didn't Becky (SatanticIntention) suggest you do that daily anyway? If you were doing that, I don't think you'll still have any stuck shed.

substrate: ok, so maybe he doesn't have scale rot. You have said he has raw spots from burns. So the eco-earth is still not a good idea right now. You posted a pic with the eco-earth stuck to his burns, say you understand about the sanitation issues, and admit you are being selfish because it looks nice... but you still won't put him on paper towels or newspaper temporarily until he heals?

size of enclosure: I agree with those that have said your 20 Long tank is big enough for now. If/when you do get a bigger tank, don't get a 29. They are tall and the height doesn't really do anything for a BP which is a terrestrial snake. A 30 Long (also called a 30 breeder) would be the best next step as far as a glass tank. But it is not necessary now and by then you may have realized that glass tanks aren't really ideal for BPs anyway.

"prongs": like Connie said, you may have just seen his spurs, which are visible at all times. But since you asked about terminology... his sexual organ (if it is a male) is called hemipenes. "That uhm, spot" is called the vent.

I think everyone here wants the same thing: what is best for the BP that you have fallen in love with. Please let us help you provide him with it.

LOL, Casey, it's like good cop, bad cop up in here! I have to finish playing my part.

*throws chair against wall in rage*

I smell a pilot on its way for Law and Order: BPU...

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

LOL, Casey, it's like good cop, bad cop up in here! I have to finish playing my part.

*throws chair against wall in rage*

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HAHA. viciousbliss I hope you do stick around. There are a lot of good people on here and tons of BP knowledge to be shared and learned in all levels of the hobby.

i will admit i have other things going on in my life so i may have been taking things personally earlier (and it really is all about the snake NOT me :P ) but the way some things have been said really rubbed me the wrong way. for the sake of snakely advice that i have gotten and will get in the future i will definitely be sticking around the BPF. i just hope people know that not everyone is as well educated as them and if the steps i have ALREADY taken (before advice!) aren't what you think is right, i'd appreciate advice, not be told i might as well be the last guy :(

i understand also that the snakes best interest is in everyones mind, i just felt like i was being told i was doing just as much negative as the last guy, and i know thats not true!

i wanted to get a ball python ONE DAY (haha a piebald was my holy grail) and planned on reading books and investing money far before making a snake purchase. this lil guy was kind of dumped on me and so now i'm far behind where i'd like to be in my knowledge of the situation!

i do kind of wish i knew someone who was better off to take care of him (or even wanted to) but around here i dont' know very many knowledgable people as far as reptiles are concerned, so i'm going to keep him and do as much as i can unless a better situation for him arises.

and connie, you're a fiesty one girlfriend. i'm fiesty too *tosses chair in the air* woohoo. no hard feelings, i'm sure you never meant to offend me. you are prompt with your responses and advice, and i just hated that you (someone who is obviously knowledgable to the whole snake world, and someone i respect for advice) said i could be doing worse than the last guy. i dont' want anyone thinking i'm abusing this guy! he's a great snake!

i am glad you decided to stick around. There is alot of good info to be had here and many MANY very experienced keepers to help answer your questions.

I've been called worse than fiesty :love:

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

I've been called worse than fiesty :love:

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lol... me too. i can't get all hot and bothered on the herp side of things as far as a debate is concerned cuz well, OBVIOUSLY i know less than you hehe, but talk to me about something i know more about and i could be a little more um, fiesty? lol

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

i am glad you decided to stick around. There is alot of good info to be had here and many MANY very experienced keepers to help answer your questions.

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the response here is great, you are right, thank you!

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Originally Posted by ViciousBliss

lol... me too. i can't get all hot and bothered on the herp side of things as far as a debate is concerned cuz well, OBVIOUSLY i know less than you hehe, but talk to me about something i know more about and i could be a little more um, fiesty? lol

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Everything I've learned is through my bit of experience, this very forum (along with many others), and reading as many different caresheets and websites as I can.

I don't know it all; in fact I'm nothing on the totem pole compared to some very gracious and knowledgeable breeders and keepers here, but I hope that I do always jump to help the newbies as much as I can.

Your among some of the best people here, and will find more than enough answers to fit any situation.