Found on the road rescue

Got a fb message from an acquaintance this morning that her friend had found a snake, brought it home but couldn't keep it. Could I take it? With a pic of a ball Python on the road.

Apparently the lady saw it while on her night bike ride and moved it to the side with a stick but thought it wasn't native, did some googling about pythons and returned in the morning armed with welding gloves and a sack. Then she bought a tote, drilled holes in the top, added straw, a live cricket and set it on a heating pad. I guess she offered some raw steak and chicken too. Finder was very concerned this snake will hit 18 feet like google said. [emoji23]

I had the finder bring the snake over on my lunch. It's very small, I thought it was fairly unlikely to be an escapee already, it was found miles out of town in a very rural area, the homes around aren't close to the road. But at this size no way. It's skinny, some stuck shed and scales sticking out weird. Some discoloration on the belly but I didn't have time for much examination. In a ten gallon on paper towels with a UTH on my spare herpstat for now. It feels weird to the touch, idk if it's just dehydrated and malnourishment or if something serious is going on. But it seems very lively at least. I'll see how it does over the next couple days with heat and water. Decide if we need a vet trip or not. It was 50 last night and who knows how long it's been outside or if it was tossed from a car or what. I'll try a tiny ft mouse in a few days once it's settled.

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I don't know what to say. Thank you for doing this.

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Originally Posted by Homebody

I don't know what to say. Thank you for doing this.

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I 'second' this- thank you for being this snake's hero! :gj: I hope he continues to improve with you, without too much effort, medical or otherwise.

Poor snake- it sounds like he was just dumped. :( What's wrong with people? (<rhetorical question, I have plenty of theories.)

Seriously, "welding gloves"!!! :rofl:

I laughed so hard to myself about the welding gloves and the cricket. Poor Roger. I've named "him" since I now have two normals and he was found near a place called Roger's corner.

Pic I was sent, you can't tell size at all
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Skinny body
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Belly, idk if that discoloration is anything to worry about yet or no

Almost looks like a belly-burn- maybe "road rash" (not trying to be funny). Poor snake, he's awfully thin, & dehydrated, but with TLC, probably has a great chance now, in knowledgeable hands such as yours. It hurts me to see a snake in such condition.

Wouldn't feed him right away- let him settle in, & gain hydration, then feed only small items (as if he's a hatchling) & don't rush meals- he's gonna take a while to recover.

Looks like he's been living outside for a while. Once he's rehydrated and eating regularly a vet visit is in order for a fecal test, as wild rats and mice carry parasites.

I was thinking I'd wait until after the weekend to try and feed. He did pass some liquid and a small amount of white urates. I see why the lady tried to feed him, he's hanging out in the open very hungry looking. I have 10-15 gram mice frozen and hopefully he won't mind dead since I'm sure he's got an appetite. Should I feed once a week or ten days in between or ? Any thoughts are appreciated. Wondering if I should be trying to add anything to the feeder, I'll probably offer it damp at the very least.

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Originally Posted by GoingPostal

I was thinking I'd wait until after the weekend to try and feed. He did pass some liquid and a small amount of white urates. I see why the lady tried to feed him, he's hanging out in the open very hungry looking. I have 10-15 gram mice frozen and hopefully he won't mind dead since I'm sure he's got an appetite. Should I feed once a week or ten days in between or ? Any thoughts are appreciated. Wondering if I should be trying to add anything to the feeder, I'll probably offer it damp at the very least.

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Just see how it goes with the first one- how fast he digests & how he acts. There's no hard & fast answer- you're in the best position to judge by how he acts & all. Trust yourself- I do.

If you have reptile vitamins, you could add them to the rodent, but I wouldn't dust them on the outside, in case the different smell puts him off eating. I like to put them in the oral cavity (mouth).

I agree on the fecal test, once you're getting some stool from him. Fingers crossed- he's so lucky that he was found.

This is a thread I'll be watching.

I'm pulling for Roger and I'm hoping you get him healthy. I'm glad he was discovered now because once we get to late August things can get pretty cool at night.

Good work!

I'm sure with the proper sized prey you'll have him at around 18 feet by fall LOL!

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Originally Posted by GoingPostal

I was thinking I'd wait until after the weekend to try and feed. He did pass some liquid and a small amount of white urates. I see why the lady tried to feed him, he's hanging out in the open very hungry looking. I have 10-15 gram mice frozen and hopefully he won't mind dead since I'm sure he's got an appetite. Should I feed once a week or ten days in between or ? Any thoughts are appreciated. Wondering if I should be trying to add anything to the feeder, I'll probably offer it damp at the very least.

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Offering the feeders wet is a good way to help him rehydrate. Weekly feedings should be fine.