hi I am new and need help please

Hi, I am new to owning ball pythons. I got my first in October at a reptile show. Where on this forum could I post to get help with my baby? I am incredibly worried about him

Press the "forum" tab up top. Then select the appropriate sub forum. Once you are in the section you want to post press the "post new thread" button. Make post and your done.

What's wrong with him? Really sort of depends on what's wrong with him as to what section you would post in. Most likely, you could post in the "General BP's" section.

Ok, thanks. Umm its a not of a long story... I was given a second ball python for free from a breeder going out of business, she offered her for free when I told her I was new to bps and that she would just be my second. I looked her over she seemed healthy and the person I got her from her said she was a breeder, so I took her (but have since had to rehome her due to life things) but after I rehomed her I found mites on my little male Blaze (he DEFFINANTLY did not have these before and I havent changed the type of bedding I use (paper towel) he has also started exhibited some of the weird behaviours solstice did ie. Refusing food, staring up a lot (hours at a time), twisting around, and not seeming to know which way is up anymore. He hasnt eaten in a month, I thought it might be stress since we just moved in december. I am so worried about my baby, I love him very much.

So you have mites. That's gonna need a thorough cleaning of the tank and everything in it. I like Reptile Spray" which is sold at PetCo for about $8. Just follow the instructions.

Is it a Spider BP?

No he is a normal, no hets or anything. I have never heard of pet co but I will deffinantly try to find that brand

http://m.petco.com/product/109610/Na...FcZZ7AodyTgArQ

Share your setup specs. Temps, humidity, prey size, how warmed, how presented?

Pics would be great.

Well my camera is broken so I can't post pics but his tank is about 3 feet long, 1.5 wide, and 8" tall. He has an under tank heater, the warm side is 88°f and the cool side is 80°f. He has 2 hides, and a big water dish. He is on live small asf rats or 2 adult mice since he refuses frozen. I am using paper towel for his bedding

He has also been making a raspy side when he breathes... I have always been diligent with cleaning his tank (daily spot checks, weekly bedding change)

dont freak out inless the only thing you can do but intil then... dont freak out man

Ok, sorry. I will try not to freak out, I am just very worried.

What kind of container is it in? Is the uth on a tstat?

It has eaten for you?

Do you have things like moss, drift wood, fake plants to junk up the cage? These things help to make young snakes feel secure.

Is the breathing accompanied by any mucus from is nose or mouth? This may appear as clear stringy stands seen when your snake yawns. Which is another sign of RI, frequent yawning.

I have had him since october and he was a great feeder until december (eating every week) there is some fake plant for him to hide in but not enough to impede his movement.

Umm its in a long, wide, flat critter keeper. I was told that it was good for him. He yawns sometimes but not often, there is no mucus. There is no tstat on the heat pad, I'm actually not sure what that is.

Tstat means thermostat.

Oh ok. Umm I do have a temperature reader that is digital and I keep it right next to his heat pad to make sure I know the exact temperature he has.

No that's a thermometer.

A thermostat regulates the power going to the uth to keep it at the correct set temp. If you don't have one the odds your uth is to hot is very good. If your snake was to come into contract with the cage floor under the substrate it is possible it could be burned.

Oh jeez! I never knew that...how can I set up a thermostat????

I use Herpstat. I have four of them and have never had an issue. I always say buy the best tstat you can afford. When you buy a cheap one you will end up buying a few cheap ones and after two or three you could have paid for a Herpstat that was still working without ever putting your snake at risk.

http://www.spyderrobotics.com/store/...ain_page=index

Ok, i will have to pick one up then. What can I do to help him with what is going on with him aside from the mite?

Well I would just keep an eye on him. With no mucus or labored breathing it doesn't sound like RI. It may just a a ball being a ball.

Get a tstat and I would suggest a temp gun. With the temp gun you can more accurately check surface temps. Amazon has them cheap.

After you get him all set up and know for sure everything is correct we can see if he takes prey. I would also suggest leaving him alone except for cleaning and checking for more signs or symptoms of an issue.

Mites can be a pain if you do not clean everything, everything, everything, did I say everything very thoroughly. Change all substrate and spray down and clean everything in, near, around, close to your snake, in its cage, or any place its been.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nyrin

he has also started exhibited some of the weird behaviours solstice did ie. Refusing food, staring up a lot (hours at a time), twisting around, and not seeming to know which way is up anymore.

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This part is the most concerning to me. If he were a spider, then it would most likely just be the wobbles, which makes them act odd but is apparently harmless. However, since you said he is not, it could be a sign of disease or a neurological problem. If you can post a video of these weird behaviors, it would help people identify whether they are normal or not.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kc261

This part is the most concerning to me. If he were a spider, then it would most likely just be the wobbles, which makes them act odd but is apparently harmless. However, since you said he is not, it could be a sign of disease or a neurological problem. If you can post a video of these weird behaviors, it would help people identify whether they are normal or not.

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I would post a video but I don't have access to a camera or video recorder atm (the one on my phone broke) but if I am able to get video of his behavior and a picture of his home I will. He has been putting himself at almost a 90° angle and sometimes he tips oved and can't seem to figure out how to roll back over again.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by kc261

This part is the most concerning to me. If he were a spider, then it would most likely just be the wobbles, which makes them act odd but is apparently harmless. However, since you said he is not, it could be a sign of disease or a neurological problem. If you can post a video of these weird behaviors, it would help people identify whether they are normal or not.

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I would post a video but I don't have access to a camera or video recorder atm (the one on my phone broke) but if I am able to get video of his behavior and a picture of his home I will. He has been putting himself at almost a 90° angle and sometimes he tips oved and can't seem to figure out how to roll back over again.

Another thing to do would be to replace all the substrate with paper towels (if you haven't already) until at least the mite problem is dealt with. It's a lot easier to see what's on a paper towel, and a heck of a lot easier to clean too.

He is on paper towel already, I have been changing it daily, giving him baths, and killing the mites whenever I see them.

Good. :gj: I don't know if you already said it, but did you house them together? If so I would just say take your BP to a vet even if you just suspect there might be more than just a mite problem, because who knows what the other snake could've passed to your baby as well. Usually a new snake should be quarantined in a separate enclosure (preferably in a separate room as well) for at least 90 days to monitor for any illnesses or issues that could potentially be passed to the rest of your collection.

EDIT: Knowing what area you're from (you don't have to be specific if you want, even a general "I live in (insert state/country name here)" or "I live 20 minutes from (insert city name here)" can help us give you more accurate information on vets, stores to pick up supplies, etc. :)

Oh ok. No they werent housed together but they were in the same room as there is limited space in my apartment. I live in Edmonton Alberta on the outskirts of the city but I can't drive and I have to limit my time outsude due to an allergy I have to U V light so it makes it difficult for me to access pet supplies and vets.