Ball Python Dropped dead, any ideas?

So I received an imported lot of ball pythons from ghana a couple months ago. Some took right to eating, and where sold as pets and haven't had any issues. A few of them would not eat, and where force fed for awhile, until the last 2 weeks, where 2 of them would readily accept food items.

Today I went to get some food for the 2 eaters. Both received a small hopper which they ate without issue (they won't take much larger). Both snakes where extremely active, alert, no issues. I sold one of the females to a fellow breeder. 4 hours later, snake turns up dead. Snake had passed fecals, and had been treated for internal parasites before I received her. She had no issues up until late tonight.

Any ideas from some more experienced guys what might have possibly happened? I'm guessing she either picked up something from the mice from the shop, or the ride home was too stressful. Thanks for any advice.

Hi,

It's hard to say.

Heat springs to mind as a quick way to kill an animal.

But then the fact, if I'm reading this right, you fed the snake and then sold it on to someone the same day sounds like a very stressful situation that could easily have complications.

How many meals had the snake had on its own before you sold it?


dr del

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Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,

It's hard to say.

Heat springs to mind as a quick way to kill an animal.

But then the fact, if I'm reading this right, you fed the snake and then sold it on to someone the same day sounds like a very stressful situation that could easily have complications.

How many meals had the snake had on its own before you sold it?


dr del

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3 on its own, a few assist fed, and several force feeds when I first got the animal. I've never had a problem with feeding the same day as a sale, but maybe it was too much for this animal.

I also wonder since it was a motorcycle ride what kind of temps where in the compartment with the snake.

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Originally Posted by MMReptiles

I also wonder since it was a motorcycle ride what kind of temps where in the compartment with the snake.

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Such a baby snake with such a difficult start in life...it wouldn't surprise me a bit that such a loud, rough (tons of vibrations) ride might literally scare it to death. Especially if it was already feeling vulnerable with a belly full of prey.

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Originally Posted by MMReptiles

...or the ride home was too stressful.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by MMReptiles

I also wonder since it was a motorcycle ride what kind of temps where in the compartment with the snake.

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I'm not a breeder, but I am a biker, and I would say it was probably a combination of heat stress and the added stress caused by the excessive vibrations from the bike. Most saddle bags/storage compartments are designed to keep their contents dry in the rain, so I doubt that there would be very much, if any, ventilation.

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Originally Posted by MMReptiles

3 on its own, a few assist fed, and several force feeds when I first got the animal. I've never had a problem with feeding the same day as a sale, but maybe it was too much for this animal.

I also wonder since it was a motorcycle ride what kind of temps where in the compartment with the snake.

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OMFG are you kidding me??? Of course it was the heat. It is HOT out there. When I first got my snakes I went and picked up two hoppers on my bike. 10 min drive in September (Florida though). Dead as door nails.

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Originally Posted by Ladybugzcrunch

OMFG are you kidding me??? Of course it was the heat. It is HOT out there. When I first got my snakes I went and picked up two hoppers on my bike. 10 min drive in September (Florida though). Dead as door nails.

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I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt, not looking forward to having to tell him that he killed his snake, not me or something else.

Some of the motorcycle bin things might hold the heat out, but the vibrations alone would stress the poor thing out enough. Add to that the "probable" heat, and yep, most like stress + heat = dead.

Sorry to hear it.

I agree it sounds like the bike ride had a huge part to play in this death. Hyperthermia for a baby is easy to occur especially if there is no ventilation.
Added stress can make a small dehydration occurrence deadly.

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Originally Posted by Homegrownscales

I agree it sounds like the bike ride had a huge part to play in this death. Hyperthermia for a baby is easy to occur especially if there is no ventilation.
Added stress can make a small dehydration occurrence deadly.

Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

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It didn't occur to me before I sold him the animal, he assured me it would be fine. Now I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. I sold him this snake, I should have known better about the motorcycle and refused sale, but this was my first purchase to someone buying with a bike, and he drove a long way for it.

He has requested a refund at some point. I can either refund for something not really my fault, and keep the possibility of a future customer, or tell him it's his fault the animal died. Anyone ever have a situation like this, it's a first for me.

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Originally Posted by MMReptiles

He has requested a refund at some point. I can either refund for something not really my fault, and keep the possibility of a future customer, or tell him it's his fault the animal died. Anyone ever have a situation like this, it's a first for me.

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You could also offer some sort of compromise, rather than refunding the money, offer to replace the animal with one of similar value IF he either pays for shipping or is able to pick it up in a safer ride.

Hi,

To be honest? It was a CF normal royal.

The amount of money it cost both you and him is trivial compared to a reputation as someone who deals fairly and stands square to try and resolve problems amicably.

I'd give him the money back and, only after that, say anything about what might have gone wrong.


dr del

Oh, and one more thought...don't feed within 48 hours of being shipped or transported. Just because you haven't ever had an issue before now doesn't mean it's a good idea. Just like someone keeping a monitor in a glass tank who says "Well, it hasn't died yet, so I don't see a problem with it." ;)

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Originally Posted by MMReptiles

I sold him this snake, I should have known better about the motorcycle and refused sale, but this was my first purchase to someone buying with a bike, and he drove a long way for it.

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That explains it, the snake died from the heat. It being a normal I would replace the animal for him, and explain to him why his animal died.

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Originally Posted by llovelace

That explains it, the snake died from the heat. It being a normal I would replace the animal for him, and explain to him why his animal died.

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He got my last normal female, unfortunately I have none left nor do I know anyone locally who has any extra normal females laying around. I offered to purchase one at the next expo for him and deliver it, but that was a no go.

I do appreciate the tip on not feeding within 48 hrs, and will take that into account with further transactions.

where are you located?

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Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,

To be honest? It was a CF normal royal.

The amount of money it cost both you and him is trivial compared to a reputation as someone who deals fairly and stands square to try and resolve problems amicably.

I'd give him the money back and, only after that, say anything about what might have gone wrong.

dr del

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I don't know, when someone screws up due to their own ignorance and ineptitude, I leave that on them. That was just stupid to think you could transport an animal that way, especially one with no personal control over its bodily temperature. Sucks for the snake though.