Rescue snake?????

I've wanted a ball python for a long, long time- and have done over a year of research- but recently, a friend of mine who has an 8 month old normal, is asking me to take in his BP. But, I'm already prepared for a ball python bought (I have a particular banana ball in mind)... Who is around the same age and has an absolutely lovely temperament. The rescue ball is actually not in the best conditions- my friend unknowingly has been using those cruddy Zoo Med analog thermoters and hygrometer, and the ball python's (Zephyr) scales are dry... He's also in a 10 gal glass aquarium without a heat mat, only an infrared nighttime heat bulb. He is a good eater, however, and otherwise healthy. He is a bit small, though. He's going to come with all the stuff he's got- hides, tank, all of that. If I take in Zephyr, I'm going to switch him to a tub setup or vivarium with a heat pad. :\ The thing is- my dad is considering letting me take on both at the same time as long as I can care for them- do y'all think that's a good idea, though? I can very likely do it, as I have done a ton of research and polished up my plan for their husbandry, and have a couple heat mats lying around, and am prepared for tub setup. I just want a second opinion, as my dad is also considering adopting a dog around the same time, and school starts in a few weeks. Is it what y'all would consider too much???

Probably worth mentioning- I am currently in high school and have a solid plan to care for them through college and for the rest of their lives. I actually aspire to eventually breed BPs :v

Do you have money saved up for the Vet bill if Zephyr is sick? Looking healthy doesn't mean a thing. Just get the ball you really want, the banana.

It can be a lot to take on for a first time keeper. Another thing to consider is that you'll have to quarantine both new animals.
If it were me, I'd just stick to my original plan and get the snake I want.

I would go for the snake I want and try to educate your friend.

The other option is to not get the snake you want, rescue the other, and try not to be disappointed when they potentially get another and treat it the same way.

I would take both and keep them on opposite sides of the house until they passed QT, and build a rack during that period because you'll eventually be getting more.

Don't forget the t-stats for the heat pads.

The thing is, he HAS to get rid of it, his parents, i guess, suddenly had a change of heart about the snake. And if I cannot take it, he doesn't know anyone else that would be willing to take Zephyr and, because the local animal shelter does not take reptiles, he would have to be surrendered to a specialty pet store that treats their animals worse than PetCo. I will talk to him about the snake's conditions and enclosure so that if he gets another one, his hubsbandry will be better. He does care about that snake, he was just ignorant. :\

How long do you recommend for the quarantine process?? And yes, I've got 2 thermostats all ready to go.

Just make sure you really want Zephyr. BP's last a long time. And make sure your friend understands the snake will now belong to you. You don't want resentment from either of you to ruin your friendship.

- - - Updated - - -

Oh, and I do a 90 day quarantine.

Yes, thank you! A 90 day quarantine is definitely doable. I don't think I'll have to worry about a strained friendship too much, when he asked me, he told me he thinks I can take better care of Zephyr than he can, and knows that he won't be getting Zephyr back, although he can come to visit and handle him after the quarantine is over. :)

Like any rescue it can be a blessing to offer a new home to an animal in need, just like it can become a financial burden if anything arises.

While you should always have money set aside for a new snake this is even more important when dealing with a rescue.

And of course that rescue definitely needs to be quarantined away from any other snake you might have 90 days minimum, that meant different rooms, different equipment and strong procedure when interacting with them.

Yes, they'll be in different room, with different feeding tongs/substrates, I will not interchange their hides, and I'll shower and change clothes before handling or feeding each snake/cleaning their enclosures. Is there anything I'm missing? I don't want to risk anything and make sure the snakes are healthy. If one falls ill while nearing the end of quarantine, I'll extend the quarantine for that animal until the snake heals and then another week or two, and in the future when I have more snakes, I will reset the quarantine time back to day 1 when new snakes are added, and if an animal falls ill I'll move it to a sort of secondary quarantine area, while resetting the clock for the others to day 1 too. Is that sufficient??

Sounds like it would work. Also your friend may feel better giving Zephyr to you if he can come over and visit, or help out when it's time to clean the enclosures. That way you can teach him better husbandry.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bcr229

Sounds like it would work. Also your friend may feel better giving Zephyr to you if he can come over and visit, or help out when it's time to clean the enclosures. That way you can teach him better husbandry.

---

That sounds like a great idea, thank you! :D Definitely, keeping that in mind!

I agree w/ bcr229! Take him and give him a better home. Educating the friend won't do any good if he doesn't really want the snake. If your father is willing to allow both snakes, get both. I think you will do very well. Have fun! BP's are addictive, so try to keep it to just those two for a few years.

Thank you! Yeah, I plan to. We'll be moving from an apartment to a house within around 2 years so I'll have room for more snakes if I can show some restraint and keep the bug at bay for now :D