Attempting a rehab of a Enchi hatchling from a "Pet" store....Advice wanted!

Hello all, I made the mistake of asking about Ball Python morphs while at Petsmart getting crickets and the salesperson mentioned that they had a morph that wasn't odd looking, but it was a morph. I ask to look at it and let her know it's an Enchi. I see though that this lil one is in pretty bad shape and I feel bad!. So after some negotiation on a price for it, since it may not make it, I got it for $70.00

I soaked it when I got home and was placed in quarantine. It looks as if it was shipped with a first meal, even though the salesperson said that their supplier supposedly won't ship unless they have at least 3 meals in the belly. She agreed that it looks unhealthy. I was told that it ate a mouse fuzzy last night.

This is my first "rescue" attempt in over 15 years and I want to make sure I do right by this one. As my friend said, he's a fighter, so I want to give him/her all the help I can. I tried gently popping it and it shows female, but I'm going to get it sexed by Reptile Depot after it is stable and has gained weight and size.
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...hipetsmart.jpg
Can anyone recommend any tips they might have used in a situation like this? Tips like, when should I attempt to feed, should I soak one more time, things like that. Thanks for any advice or tips!

I would feed the snake as soon as possible, but I would try feeding it a fuzzy live rat not a mouse and then offer him another one a few days later.

I would do what you can to keep its body temp between 80 and 90 degrees.

Because it didn't come from a breeder I would also check it for mites. Take the snake and place it over a white paper towel then rub your hands all over the snake and see if you find little black spots about the size of pepper crawling around on the paper towel.

If you have more questions feel free to call me at 408-981-6694 or email me at fgsnakes@sbcglobal.net

Lucky for the snake you came around.

Best of luck

Brian Gundy / For Goodness Snakes

Yeah, more than one member here has posted about mites from a pet store purchase. I guess you could think of it as a "two-fer":P

Good luck. Hope he is just hungry.
Glad he has a good home.

Thank you, Mr. Gundy, for the help! I will get him a rat fuzzy ASAP! His neck is so thin, I'm really worried about this one! I really think he was shipped to them with no meal. They got it in around mid-April. With just one recorded feeding and the place they got him from did not list any morph or sex info. It was labeled as "assorted Ball Python" on his tank at Petsmart.

:) Thank you too, distaff! It's on white computer paper, "doing" the mite test and I have yet to see those lil devils, I have my fingers crossed, though! I need to name him/her, but, I'm not a real "name giver" but I am thinking this one will be named Enzo Amore, I'm a big wrestling fan and Enzo is my guy! LOL!

We're going to need updates on this one, and pictures as he/she recovers.

I'm glad you got him out of there.

Soaking not needed. Just keep the basic husbandry (temps, humidity, hides) correct and offer a live feeder in a few days, then switch over to f/t after a few weeks of solid feeding if you prefer not to feed live.

I have not rescued a bp, yet, but I have rescued beardies and Leo's and the goal not only for rescues but all your animals is to make them as comfortable as possible. Make sure if you have any other herps that you keep this one quarantined away from them. Small tub with tight, dark hides,88-92 hot side on thermostat, 78-82 cool, humidity 50-60 or a bit higher. Feeding is can sometimes be tuff with rescues, some will eat like crazy and some are just simply to weak to do it on there own. Make sure you exhaust all other options before trying to assist feed, do what Brian said said and get a live rat fuzzy and try and then if it takes it great if not wait a couple more days. It would be to you and the snakes benefit to contact Brian if your having feeding or other problems. Good job on taking the little guy/girl in! I hope everything goes ok! Good luck!

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by gant77

This is my first "rescue" attempt in over 15 years

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This isn't a rescue. This was a sales transaction. I hope you can help the snake, but there'll be another one there next week to take his place as long as we keep doing these "rescues".

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Slim

This isn't a rescue. This was a sales transaction. I hope you can help the snake, but there'll be another one there next week to take his place as long as we keep doing these "rescues".

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It's sad, but true. It's best to just avoid pet stores altogether and give your money to reputable breeders that care about the health of their pets, or even try to rescue a ball python from Craigslist or something.

Buying animals from chain stores just contributes to the problem, regardless of your intentions. Though I am happy that your little enchi has found a home that will treat him right. :)


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I appreciate the kind comments! I also understand the comments about not buying from pet stores and contributing to the problem. Rescues are also "transactions" as they generally charge a re-homing fee for the animal in their care. I have never purchased any kind of animal from a pet store other than feeders. I purchase from breeders, but, I understand not knowing someone and coming to conclusions over one post, but I did this out of concern. Hence my comment about "making the mistake of asking....", I know that he/she will be replaced with another, but I'm not at the point where I will leave an "animal" who is in bad shape, just to "teach a lesson" to a pet store. Thank you to those with positive and helpful comments. Enzo is in quarantine and will hopefully get through this situation with flying colors! I will update after I try and feed him. Let's keep this post positive, if there is something that concerns anyone, please PM me!
Thanks again, and have a great week everyone!

Snapped a few quick pics, please excuse the quality! They give a better view of his/her "issues".
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...0.1_edited.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...chi%200.14.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...chi%200.13.jpg

I used to go into pet stores for supplies until I saw the conditions they keep their reptiles in. I would always leave upset and furious, so I've started getting my supplies via Amazon and my feeders from a local breeder and friend of mine. Your little dude looks pretty good for a pet store baby. I shudder when I think of some of the other snakes I've seen is those death factories. Keep us posted! That cutie is going to have a long and happy life ahead of him now :)

He's not nearly as bad off as some I've seen. Resist the urge to stuff him with food right away. Regular feedings(especially on rats if he'll take them) will get him back up to weight and the skin and coloration will brighten and clear up within a few sheds.

Make sure his heat and humidity is spot on, don't over-handle and feed on a regular schedule and you'll soon have a healthy little BP. They're tough little buggers.

Any updates on this little guy?

Here is Enzo. I don't normally name my snakes, but he reminds me of one of my favorite WWE superstars, Enzo Amore. Enzo has a tag-team partner, Big Cass, who is 7 foot tall! Enzo Amore is 5'11" so he's "small" in comparison. :)

These were taken over the past couple of months.
He is on rat fuzzies and slowly growing. I love his blushing and I think he will be a stunner when he hits 500+ grams.

Mid June In shed- https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8152/2...fdb74fdd_c.jpg20160622_025144[1] by gant_77, on Flickr

Late June- http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...629_154255.jpg

Late July- http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...728_033948.jpg

This is my '15 male Banana Mojave, who was produced by Logan Stillwell @ Medusa's Morphs

Late July, with flash using a Samsung Galaxy Note 5- [IMG]https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8357/2...c0d43bbf_c.jpg20160730_205346[1] by gant_77, on Flickr[/IMG]

Late July, without flash- [IMG]https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8312/2...8b8e6838_c.jpg20160730_205337[1] by gant_77, on Flickr[/IMG]

Glad he pulled through and is improving. Beautiful snakes! Also I just have to say your Banana Mojave is just stunning.

Enzo is looking better, and is probably a lot happier, too. Thanks for the pictures and the update. :)

The banana mojave looks nice!

Thank you, cheosamad & butterballpython! He's been a trooper and I'm thankful he's doing so well! He just gets better looking with each new shed. He is going to look killer when he grows up!
The Banana Mojave is a eating machine and he just started getting in the little black speckling that Banana's have. Thank you for the kind comments. :D I would recommend checking out https://www.facebook.com/medusamorphs/?fref=ts Logan Stillwell is great to work with. He's a wealth of information and produces high-quality animals.