Very soft smooth ball python, is that normal

I have a ball python that feels very different to all the others. Its so soft and smooth. I noticed the first time I touched her and every time after.
Is is a geographical location thing, a normal variation, or is something wrong with her?

I am new to ball pythons so I don't know. I have held them frequently over the years though. I have 14 at the moment. This one though feels so different to all the others.

I have a few pictures but not sure that would help. She does have some stretch marks on the belly scales though if that means anything.

Is she in an enclosure similar to all of your other ones? If she's in a different area with different temperatures or humidity then that could be the cause. How long have you had her for? Pictures would also help, it could be from the previous owner but if you got her from a breeder then it was likely cared for well or at least similar to other pythons they've sold.

I have only had her a few weeks. She is in my tub rack with the same conditions as 8 others that I have had for a good few months. She felt like this from the first day.
A bit small for a 2019, only 300g. It was not from a breeder. I could not see the conditions it was kept in due to covid restrictions so I couldn't go inside the house.

https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca88...I3xfLdVmyCJXJA

https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca88...7tWpN7I27qA3iI

It looks like the scales seem unusually close together. If they are unusually close together that could be a reason for the texture. Aside from care differences from the previous owner and/or a genetically different snake I'm not sure what could've caused it. You could try breeding her with the intent of seeing if it's a genetically inherited trait. However it shouldn't negatively affect anything.

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Originally Posted by Ascended

I have only had her a few weeks. She is in my tub rack with the same conditions as 8 others that I have had for a good few months.

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https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...antine-process


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Good point. We should quarantine,
I should have clarified. That is my quarantine rack that it is in. by this 'She is in my tub rack with the same conditions as 8 others that I have had for a good few months.' By have had I mean previously. I don't mean they are all still in it. Some of the newer ones still are though.

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Originally Posted by Ascended

Good point. We should quarantine,
I should have clarified. That is my quarantine rack that it is in. by this 'She is in my tub rack with the same conditions as 8 others that I have had for a good few months.' By have had I mean previously. I don't mean they are all still in it. Some of the newer ones still are though.

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For safe quarantine, any time you add a snake to a group quarantine, the "time clock" starts over for them all- I sure hope that's what you're doing? ;)

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

For safe quarantine, any time you add a snake to a group quarantine, the "time clock" starts over for them all- I sure hope that's what you're doing? ;)

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More or less.
The reptile couriers here (UK) tend to only deliver once a month. So I have been getting them in batches of a few at a time once a month which helps.
Maybe I should quarantine longer than a month.
I would completely separate an animal if I had concerns during quarantine.
For Bigger or smaller ones I just use a tub with a lid on a heat mat with a thermostat and thermometer. They go in a different room again and i haven't had any of those at similar times that cross over the quarantine period, so that's a bit easier to mange timescales.

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Originally Posted by Ascended

Maybe I should quarantine longer than a month.

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90 days


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I have only recently started to keep snakes again. I had none a few months ago. Based on 90 days all my snakes would still be in quarantine and all kept together.
Isn't it better in this particular case to split them up in batches after a month and before the next months batch come in?
That's like quarantine continuing but in batches in different rooms.

Edit: Im not getting any more for some time.

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Originally Posted by Ascended

Isn't it better in this particular case to split them up in batches after a month and before the next months batch come in?
That's like quarantine continuing but in batches in different rooms.

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As long as the previous month isn't coming in contact with the next month then yes, it would be more effective and if each monthly batch is separated from each other and treated like "quarantine from quarantine" then it is safer.

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Originally Posted by Erie_herps

As long as the previous month isn't coming in contact with the next month then yes, it would be more effective and if each monthly batch is separated from each other and treated like "quarantine from quarantine" then it is safer.

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It made sense to me to do it that way.

But... On reflection, The lesson I will take away from this personally for most safety is: Not to buy so many snakes over such a short period in future.
I was too eager to get back into the hobbie.

Thanks for making me think everyone.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ascended

It made sense to me to do it that way.

But... On reflection, The lesson I will take away from this personally for most safety is: Not to buy so many snakes over such a short period in future.
I was too eager to get back into the hobbie.

Thanks for making me think everyone.

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I know that feeling all too well and it had its consequences for me when I started picking up a bunch of new animals all at once after a hiatus for several years. Hopefully you get lucky and everything is just fine. Welcome back to the hobby!