Help! I found a ball python in the wild

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Originally Posted by rabernet

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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I will definitely take you up on that!

Awesome! :gj:

That BP looks bigger than my 2 almost yearling BPs and they are eating small rats. Your BP could easyly take down a small rat, but becareful with the size, some stores will try to sell you a medium rat as small, either to get rid of the rad or the clerk doesnt know better, either way, be careful. Look up a picture of a small rat, or Im sure someone will post one up for you. It should weight somewhere around 50-75g.

Any updates? I love seeing updates on this thread c:

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Originally Posted by Deacon240

Any updates? I love seeing updates on this thread c:

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http://i46.tinypic.com/2a4u9vp.jpg

just took this picture this morning. I have gotten him a proper water bowl and replaced the space heater with a heating pad from Wal-Mart. The heating pad has an auto-shut off after two hours though, so I'm going to petland today to try and find one of these...

http://www.bigappleherp.com/Zoo-Med-...ertank-Heaters

The other option is to take him to a reptile rescue. They will be able to find him a home with someone that has the right set up and can keep him fed and warm. He really does need a warm side with a basking spot at 88-90. Bp's are just the coolest snakes in the world but they do require more care than say a corn snake.

who ever the numb nuts was that let it go needs a beating

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Originally Posted by singingtothewheat

The other option is to take him to a reptile rescue. They will be able to find him a home with someone that has the right set up and can keep him fed and warm. He really does need a warm side with a basking spot at 88-90. Bp's are just the coolest snakes in the world but they do require more care than say a corn snake.

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this guy is not going anywhere.

WHERE YOU GOING?

http://i50.tinypic.com/oqevtf.jpg

NOWHERE.

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Originally Posted by straydog1980

I will definitely take you up on that!

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You should still have my number - just call me when you want to do that!

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Originally Posted by straydog1980

this guy is not going anywhere.

WHERE YOU GOING?

http://i50.tinypic.com/oqevtf.jpg

NOWHERE.

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Haha, this is awesome.

I'm glad you decided to keep him, what a gentle, beautiful snake. My wife didn't care for snakes either, but we went to a reptile rescue during our honeymoon, and she spent hours looking at all the snakes -- king cobras, copperheads, boas, down to corn snakes, etc. She even took the opportunity to pet a reticulated python that they were showing around. She thought they were all cute but still didn't want one at home. I remember thinking that day though "man, maybe I have a chance after all..."

Fast forward to a few months ago, I was showing her pictures of corn snakes (which is what we originally wanted) online, and she kept saying "Well, maybe". We went to a local pet store hung around for a little while the next day, and the owner let us carry his adult snow corn around. It was so incredibly docile, it made a huge impression on my wife. We spend the rest of the night doing research with the intent of buying a corn snake. We went to PetSmart the next day to buy a snake, and were absolutely disgusted at the condition that they were kept in -- heat lamps instead of mats, sand subtrate, and there were even crickets in their cages (even as someone new to snakes I knew that was wrong). We bought some supplies (rheostat, UTH, and some aspen), and as we were checking out, the checkout girl asked what kind of snake we had. We told her that we were looking to buy, but weren't impressed with the living conditions. She agreed and said she was trying to change things, but it was a management thing. She slipped us a card for an independent pet shop just down the road, and we headed that way.

I'm so glad she did, too. The pet store did have one baby corn, but they also had a juvenile ball python that my wife absolutely loved! She thought the corn was too squirmy, but the ball was so mellow and relaxed that she could barely put it down. We bought it, and plan on buying a few dozen more now :). She named the snake, and got up the nerve to pick it up even before I did!

Sorry for the novel, but if my wife can be turned around, anyone can!

oh, and I'm not afraid to hold him anymore, either :D

http://i46.tinypic.com/2uyfvqs.jpg

This thread is so full of win. :D

I love Kismet Straydog! Awesome job with your new sidekick!

This is such a cool story! I work in animal control and one of my normal girls was found trying to get into an SA.

Straydog,

I am pretty sure petland will have the UTH you are looking for but there are a few other pieces of equipment that you WILL need if you are going to get a UTH.

1. Something to control the UTH with. A UTH will get hotter than it should be for a ball python so you need something to control it with. Since I understand cash is a bit tight I recommend getting a lutron lamp dimmer from the home depot. It costs about $11 and will be sufficient to control your UTH and keep it at safe levels. Here is a great tutorial on how to use the light dimmer with a UTH: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=73275

2. A thermometer and hygrometer. This is just as important as the controlling device for the UTH. You need to know what the temps are because if they get too hot, you probably won't notice until your snake is burned. The Accurite digital weather station is all you need for this kind of setup. It is also found at the home depot for about $12. It has an external probe (which you will use to measure the temp of the UTH) and built in thermometer in the unit along with a hygrometer.

You will probably look to spend about 30-40 to heat the snakes tank but it is a one time thing. Once you buy these items you will probably never have to replace them.

I am glad you adopted this snake but I think it is time to get his setup fixed so he can live a happy and healthy life with you :) I have been keeping track of this thread since post #1 and I think its great what you have done so far. Just a little bit more to go :) :gj:

Thanks for the update! Glad to hear youre wanting to keep Kimset!

Storys like this make me smile. Glad you decided to keep him and welcome to the happy world of BPs

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

Straydog,

I am pretty sure petland will have the UTH you are looking for but there are a few other pieces of equipment that you WILL need if you are going to get a UTH.

1. Something to control the UTH with. A UTH will get hotter than it should be for a ball python so you need something to control it with. Since I understand cash is a bit tight I recommend getting a lutron lamp dimmer from the home depot. It costs about $11 and will be sufficient to control your UTH and keep it at safe levels. Here is a great tutorial on how to use the light dimmer with a UTH: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=73275

2. A thermometer and hygrometer. This is just as important as the controlling device for the UTH. You need to know what the temps are because if they get too hot, you probably won't notice until your snake is burned. The Accurite digital weather station is all you need for this kind of setup. It is also found at the home depot for about $12. It has an external probe (which you will use to measure the temp of the UTH) and built in thermometer in the unit along with a hygrometer.

You will probably look to spend about 30-40 to heat the snakes tank but it is a one time thing. Once you buy these items you will probably never have to replace them.

I am glad you adopted this snake but I think it is time to get his setup fixed so he can live a happy and healthy life with you :) I have been keeping track of this thread since post #1 and I think its great what you have done so far. Just a little bit more to go :) :gj:

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thanks for the advice! I definitely don't want to burn my snake but have already attached the tape to the underside of my tank. It's the smallest one they carried...

http://i45.tinypic.com/33nawzo.jpg

It's on the underside of the tank and I have about 1/4 to 1/2 inches of newspaper on top of it. I'm not really sure how these things work, but I will get a rheostat a.s.a.p., probably tomorrow. If I need to unplug it at some point (until I get the rheostat) or add more paper on that side of the tank just let me know, please?

With the thick layer of newspaper, he should be fine for a night.

You will need the thermometer as well though to measure the temps to make sure it doesn't get too hot. Even with the rheostat temps can spike.

12 pages and not one single BG post. A world record. Someone call Guinness.:D

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Originally Posted by Big Gunns

12 pages and not one single BG post. A world record. Someone call Guinness.:D

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I'll drink a Guinness in your honor BG, how about that? :gj: :beer:

This thread is probably my favorite one on BP so far. *heart*

I especially love all the pics!!!

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Originally Posted by straydog1980

this guy is not going anywhere.

WHERE YOU GOING?

http://i50.tinypic.com/oqevtf.jpg

NOWHERE.

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Make sure he doesn't get serial crushed by some huge effin guy

I hope you really did get that from the saints, else what I just said will sound crazy...

Awesome thread and story btw! Did you make any progress with your wife?

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Originally Posted by MattU

Make sure he doesn't get serial crushed by some huge effin guy

I hope you really did get that from the saints, else what I just said will sound crazy...

Awesome thread and story btw! Did you make any progress with your wife?

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haha yes someone got it! I did get it from the saints. Speaking of, have you seen the new one yet??? It was great if you can get past the first 20 minutes.

Everyone, I mean EVERYONE from the first one is in it.

And yes, I am making progress with the wife, hopefully I'll have it home before the new year!

speaking of UTH, how do they work? I came in this morning and pulled him out because the thermometer on the side of the tank only said 78 degrees. I felt the paper on top of the UTH and it frankly wasn't very warm. Even the cheap heating pad I got at Wal-Mart was doing a better job of keeping him warm, and it certainly isn't even close to what the space heater was doing for him. I know the "hot" side should be somewhere between 88-95 right? It can't be even close to that.... do I need a UTH, AND a heating lamp? What gives?

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Originally Posted by straydog1980

speaking of UTH, how do they work? I came in this morning and pulled him out because the thermometer on the side of the tank only said 78 degrees. I felt the paper on top of the UTH and it frankly wasn't very warm. Even the cheap heating pad I got at Wal-Mart was doing a better job of keeping him warm, and it certainly isn't even close to what the space heater was doing for him. I know the "hot" side should be somewhere between 88-95 right? It can't be even close to that.... do I need a UTH, AND a heating lamp? What gives?

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How are you measuring your temps?

Remember, your body temp is 98 so what does not feel warm to you, still may be hot enough.

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Originally Posted by straydog1980

haha yes someone got it! I did get it from the saints. Speaking of, have you seen the new one yet??? It was great if you can get past the first 20 minutes.

Everyone, I mean EVERYONE from the first one is in it.

And yes, I am making progress with the wife, hopefully I'll have it home before the new year!

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Yep I saw it, but dang everyone in the theater was so obnoxious I couldn't enjoy it. It was good but I'm gonna have to see it again when it's on video. I laughed when I read that..where YOU goin hahaha

Glad you'll be able to keep it! As far as measuring the temps, grab a digital thermometer at lowes or walmart or somewhere, I use an acu-rite. It has a probe on it for temps and it does humidity. This may have been covered already though

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Originally Posted by snakecharmer3638

How are you measuring your temps?

Remember, your body temp is 98 so what does not feel warm to you, still may be hot enough.

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You can not use your hand to measure temps for your snake. If it feels warm its probably too hot. Get hourself an indoor/outdoor digital thermometer that measures humidity as well and put he probe that normally goes outside on the top of the glass above the UTH. That will tell you the temp that your snake is feeling. Again your hand is 98 degrees. Its very hard for you to judge temps that are in the 90's.

Here is an experiment for those that don't believe. Check the temp of the room you are in. Now pick up a ceramic mug, or an empty glass. You will notice that some things at room temperature feels a little cold to you. How it feels is not a good way to tell temp. Something feels cold if its taking heat from your body. It feels warm if its a little below your body temp to a little above. If its way above it feels hot. Place your hand on something metal in your room and then place it on a newspaper. The metal feels colder even though they are the same temp because the metal is conducting the heat away from your body faster than paper.

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Originally Posted by Egapal

Here is an experiment for those that don't believe. Check the temp of the room you are in. Now pick up a ceramic mug, or an empty glass. You will notice that some things at room temperature feels a little cold to you. How it feels is not a good way to tell temp. Something feels cold if its taking heat from your body. It feels warm if its a little below your body temp to a little above. If its way above it feels hot. Place your hand on something metal in your room and then place it on a newspaper. The metal feels colder even though they are the same temp because the metal is conducting the heat away from your body faster than paper.

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http://i46.tinypic.com/347fa50.gif

Boondock Saints references AND the daring rescue of a vending machine snake? Is there nothing you can't do Straydog? :D

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Originally Posted by straydog1980

oh, and I'm not afraid to hold him anymore, either :D

http://i46.tinypic.com/2uyfvqs.jpg

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Wow, counted 5 aliens on your BP just on that one section alone. My BP has maybe 2 (alien heads) over her entire body!

Wow! Interesting I remember when I found a ball python but it was an albino one! I was working late night shift and stepping out of my job there was a ball python & it lo0k so gorgeous but back then I didn't knew a thing about snakes...anyway it was so cold out side so I grab it with a stick & put it in a cardboard box with some clothes in it, next thing in the morning I was getting ready to buy heat pad & a tank & hides but first I went to check on it but it didn't make it through the night! =(...I had ask a pet shop what kind of snake was it & he said ball python & I did a lil research & since articles & books said they were tame I bought some & since then I became interested in ball pythons...

For your ball python you can buy a heat pad, water bowl, paper towels as bedding or aspen bedding but not sand!, & hides (flower pot just cut a hole in it)

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Originally Posted by straydog1980

http://i46.tinypic.com/347fa50.gif

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:rofl:

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Originally Posted by psycho

Wow! Interesting I remember when I found a ball python but it was an albino one! I was working late night shift and stepping out of my job there was a ball python & it lo0k so gorgeous but back then I didn't knew a thing about snakes...anyway it was so cold out side so I grab it with a stick & put it in a cardboard box with some clothes in it, next thing in the morning I was getting ready to buy heat pad & a tank & hides but first I went to check on it but it didn't make it through the night! =(...I had ask a pet shop what kind of snake was it & he said ball python & I did a lil research & since articles & books said they were tame I bought some & since then I became interested in ball pythons...

For your ball python you can buy a heat pad, water bowl, paper towels as bedding or aspen bedding but not sand!, & hides (flower pot just cut a hole in it)

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Honestly, it was probably a small burmese python. Albino burmese pythons are fairly common in the pet trade and albino ball pythons aren't really as much.

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

Honestly, it was probably a small burmese python. Albino burmese pythons are fairly common in the pet trade and albino ball pythons aren't really as much.

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LOL yes it was, I Know what a burmese python and a ball python look like...it was a juvie...i guess it got out of it's enclosure and found a way to make it outside... because i highly doubt someone would let go an albino ball python, I live in Cali & ball pythons are very popular here, me personally I've never seen a burmese in pet shops here in CA... & now im saving up for an albino & a spider

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Originally Posted by straydog1980

this guy is not going anywhere.

WHERE YOU GOING?

http://i50.tinypic.com/oqevtf.jpg

NOWHERE.

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....lol....he got hook'd...I was wondering what was the update...Happy to see everything is working out ...

i want an update!

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Originally Posted by dc1

i want an update!

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+1 more on the update. How is Kismet doing?

update??? x2...lol

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Originally Posted by Flawless

update??? x2...lol

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x38.3

Im goin to have to pester him with a pm untill he updates........... :D

jk


or mabey not :rofl:

update por favor. XD

ive been paitient but im rly getting mad :D

hi guys! Kismet is doing great! I just bought him a new tank this morning :)

One of my employees found it at a customer's home and I only had to pay $50 for it! It's a nice big 48x12x18 with a wooden stand and everything! I let him out to check out his new digs but he was more interested in wrapping around my neck and sleeping behind my keyboard :rolleyes:

His old home:

http://i49.tinypic.com/30s8100.jpg

His new home:

http://i46.tinypic.com/fo2khs.jpg

I've still got to finish cleaning it up, and of course have to order my screen top for it. I've already got my plan together. I'm going to get a new UTH and drill a hole out of the wood frame for the cord to go out. He should be very happy when I'm done!

He's also gotten to be surprisingly affectionate. He will wrap around my head and then keep putting his head under my chin or around my ears. He's awesome! He's definitely not head shy either, I can touch him freely and he doesn't shirk away like he used to. I guess he trusts me now!

http://i49.tinypic.com/e8l7it.jpg

Hey... so nice to see this thread again! I'm happy to see things are going so nicely for you and Kismet. Don't forget to keep the humidity up.

That's one lucky snake!

I'm glad to hear everything is going good. Just make sure you put some fake vines and stuff in there to clutter it up a bit... :gj:

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

I'm glad to hear everything is going good. Just make sure you put some fake vines and stuff in there to clutter it up a bit... :gj:

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Yeah, I've been thinking about getting a couple large rocks, and maybe a piece of driftwood or two? Are those sorts of things safe for a ball? Also, where would I get these vines you're talking about?

Just about any pet store should have some fake plants you can use for a couple of dollars. For that matter, craft stores like Michael's may even have a better selection. Rocks & driftwood should be fine; just make sure they're set up in such a way that Kismet can't knock them over onto him/herself and get injured.

Awww!

It's so good to hear from you and to know you and Kismet or bonding so well. What a fortunate little snake!

Congratulations on the tank find, I bet you had to re-arrange the office to make room for it didn't you? We warned you these guys were addicting!

With a tank that size, you probably want to consider 2 UTH, one for each side hot and cool. But I don't know, if your office is warm enough you might only need one. The biggest problem is going to be keep the humidity up in that cage, believe me I know, I had one that big. I'd suggest if you are a little bit handy, you can make one out of Plexiglas and screen that would help a lot.

Basically, we made a wooden frame around the top from 1" X 2"s. We carefully drilled holes in a piece of plexiglas that covered all but about 3" of the top of the tank, and then screwed the plexiglas to the frame. We used a piece of heavy duty window screen stapled to the frame to cover the last 3". Then we fitted the frame over the top of the tank. Does that make sense? It really helped our humidity levels, especially when combined with a big water dish. Just a thought.

Gale

Congrats on the tank find and everything, glad to see the snake is doing well. I give u kudos. I wont let my ball anywhere near my neck. It just takes a trip and your adrenaline to rush before he/she squeezes and a snake the size you have there would easily take 3 grown men to get him off.. IF they were able to.

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Originally Posted by cweimer4

Congrats on the tank find and everything, glad to see the snake is doing well. I give u kudos. I wont let my ball anywhere near my neck. It just takes a trip and your adrenaline to rush before he/she squeezes and a snake the size you have there would easily take 3 grown men to get him off.. IF they were able to.

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Dear god I hope you're joking!!!!

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Originally Posted by angllady2

Awww!

It's so good to hear from you and to know you and Kismet or bonding so well. What a fortunate little snake!

Congratulations on the tank find, I bet you had to re-arrange the office to make room for it didn't you? We warned you these guys were addicting!

With a tank that size, you probably want to consider 2 UTH, one for each side hot and cool. But I don't know, if your office is warm enough you might only need one. The biggest problem is going to be keep the humidity up in that cage, believe me I know, I had one that big. I'd suggest if you are a little bit handy, you can make one out of Plexiglas and screen that would help a lot.

Basically, we made a wooden frame around the top from 1" X 2"s. We carefully drilled holes in a piece of plexiglas that covered all but about 3" of the top of the tank, and then screwed the plexiglas to the frame. We used a piece of heavy duty window screen stapled to the frame to cover the last 3". Then we fitted the frame over the top of the tank. Does that make sense? It really helped our humidity levels, especially when combined with a big water dish. Just a thought.

Gale

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I think I might be able to do that! That would probably help out a lot also, I could always just spraypaint the wooden frame to match the base so it would look nice. Isn't plexiglass pretty good about retaining heat also? Better than glass, anyway.