5 month old ball python

hey guys, i saw an ad on kijiji about a 5 month old ball python for sale. so i went to check it out. :mad:

she is really skinny and there are a lot of folds on her skin. she barely even moves. i purchased her because i wanted to save her, the guy didnt really know what he was doing with her. i had asked him when was the last time he fed her, he told me 2 weeks ago.. i didnt want her to suffer anymore. he kept her in a big 30ish gallon tank with a huge hide and no UTH, but a heat lamp.

ive been on this site for a while researching all i can when i purchased my first ball python a couple of months ago..

heres a picture of her in comparison to a loonie.

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/2118/dsc08974u.jpg

any advice/tips on her please? she doesnt seem to have an respiratory infection, her spine is really sticking out and she lacks a lot of energy. i tried to feed her a f/t mouse hopper but she didnt bother with it. thanks.

well I would work on the tank asap... get her smaller hides(yes plural) especially if you are going to use that large of a tank and make sure you clutter it with sticks and stuff... idealy you should get a 10g with two identical small hides like this one make sure you get UTHs and get the temps right then let her settle in for a week or so before you do anything with her

tank is all set up. thanks. as for feeding her, would the hopper be alright for her or should i start on something small when i decide to feed her again? thanks.

at her size start her on one fuzzy every 4 days. One she has a handle on them move up a size gradually till shes big enough to take adult mice or rat pups.

ok, will do. thanks.

she looks very unhealthy, and barely moves at all. it looks like shes going to pass away :( should i see a vet after a couple of weeks of not eating? because im pretty sure she hasnt ate for more than the 2 weeks that the guy said .

My god she looks smaller than my hatchling!

Can you post a picture of her tank setup? There might be some things we could recommend to you that will help the snake fel safer and hopefully eat sooner and better.

yeah shes a very tiny girl. especially for 5 months.

ill have a picture of her setup up soon. lacking a camera at the moment :confused:

Looks like she just needs a few good meals. Ball pythons generally don't move around that much, I think she should be fine if given proper care.

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Originally Posted by mikev204

im pretty sure she hasnt ate for more than the 2 weeks that the guy said .

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Did he say that he actually fed her with rodents? If he's totally clueless, he could've been providing her with crickets or something.

How is she doing today? That is such a sad picture of her. She's been on my mind ever since I read your post yesterday. :(

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Originally Posted by Patricia

Did he say that he actually fed her with rodents? If he's totally clueless, he could've been providing her with crickets or something.

How is she doing today? That is such a sad picture of her. She's been on my mind ever since I read your post yesterday. :(

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yup, he told me he was feeding her f/t mouse hoppers, then he said he hasnt fed her for 2 weeks because he was 'F...ED' up the past couple of days. :rage:

good news though, i got her to eat a mouse hopper today ! although it took her nearly 2 hours to finally swallow it all. :banana:

Great to hear that she ate! Keep us updated. :)

Good job on taking her in. Hopefully she will not regurge and become a healthy pet for you... :gj:


Rob

Happy to hear someone who cares for the animal itself is caring for it now.
it sounds like you are doing what you can, great to hear you were able to get it to eat.
hopefully next time it wont take as long, it will regain its strength and be well on its way to a happy life with you :gj:

omg.. i checked out her tub today and shes dead.. i dont know what to do?

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Originally Posted by mikev204

omg.. i checked out her tub today and shes dead.. i dont know what to do?

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I am so sorry to hear this :(

Unfortunately it seems like there was nothing you could do for her. She was treated so badly by the previous owner and was extremely malnourished.

Its not your fault though. Thank you for trying to help this little one.

That's sad, and you did what you could.

Poor thing was starving if it was 5 months old :(

May not have had the energy to digest the meal.

I'm sorry to hear this. Thank you for trying... :(


Rob

poor little one.

I'd have some choice words for that former owner if it were me, but then I have an ugly temper when it comes to neglected animals. :rage:

I am sorry for your loss, and I am very glad you gave the pitiful little thing every chance you could. I hope this won't prevent you from helping another, should the chance ever arise.

Gale

Her suffering is over. Bless you for trying to help.

Great news! I would go with live until its eating well! Your snake should be fine!

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Originally Posted by seeya205

Great news! I would go with live until its eating well! Your snake should be fine!

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I think You missed a post...

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Originally Posted by mikev204

omg.. i checked out her tub today and shes dead.. i dont know what to do?

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Hmm... Maybe a really small meal should have been used. Sounds like it sapped her remaining life force (if it took 2 hours) to eat and attempt to digest it.

I am not an expert though. And I have not experienced this.

Sorry to hear about her passing. This stuff is rough, especially when you go out of your way for a little creature, but it is too late.

Good looking out getting her outta there.