First time owner, please advise *long post*

Hello, I have adopted a BP that I don’t even know if I should call neglected or abused. When I first knew of her existence she was living in a 10g tank with no hides and covered in poop everywhere. I assumed the person had JUST gotten her and was in the process of setting up an actual enclosure, I was also under the assumption she was a juvenile bc of her size. Not even a month later we found out the person wanted to get rid of “it” ASAP and was just willing to give it away to whoever asked. My initial reaction was try and get the person to delay the decision while I looked for a person who would properly take care of her but I was rejected and pretty much given the weekend to either find someone or keep it before she was discarded. This has been the most stressful weekend trying to AT LEAST set up something decent so I can keep her safe but with that little time I have less than ideal resources. I got a 36x18x18 glass enclosure thinking that she would quickly outgrow the tiny tank she was kept in, as the days went by I found more and more unpleasant information, whether is all true or not I’ll never know. First off, apparently she is 3 years old but she seems way too small for that, I know they grow their entire lives but slow down significantly after the first few years so I’m worried about her being too stressed in the new enclosure. The person I got her from said to “feed whenever” and clean when there’s “too much poop”, I absolutely believe those were her conditions for years because the tank is absolutely repulsive, its filled with **** and reeks of urine but I am afraid of handling her yet bc of the stress of moving and due to the fact that she is shedding and this person did not think it necessary to tell me until I was there. The tank besides foul smelling was absolutely dry as in DRY, the water bowl had not just been emptied bc it was dry and dusty. Claims were made that she “sheds in pieces” so to just mist whenever I ser her shedding. I misted some warm water upon arriving home and cleaned and filled her water bowl, she literally LICKED the droplets out of the glass and once I put in the water bowl she dunked her entire head in and drank for what it seemed forever. I know this seems more like ranting at this point but I want to provide as much information as possible so I get the proper advice. Once misted and kept warm she shed mostly in one piece and now she is just in her hide. My question is, how do I safely handle her so I don’t hurt her and I can clear the tank? Should I return the big tank for something smaller? She has never been to the vet so I got her insurance and an appointment and hopefully get more information but they couldn’t see it until a week and a half from now that is why I’m hoping to keep her as comfortable as possible until then. I love snakes so while not entirely clueless I am a firm believer that theoretical knowledge will never come close to experience, I have never owned one or set up a tank myself and I am having issues with keeping the heat and humidity at optimal levels. It reads OK for the most part but since I already have her with me I figured I no longer have the pressure of time and can do it properly so I discarded the exo terra heat mat I previously got, I am also still waiting on the laser thermometer so make sure that the readings are accurate. I am sorry for the long post, I am not entirely sure it even makes good sense at all since I feel extremely distressed about the situation. I am waiting on an ultratherm uth but I can still cancel and get a smaller one. Should I continue to acclimate the big tank or does it make more sense to get a smaller one due to her size? I will post pictures later and hopefully I can weigh her too to give you a better idea. Right now my urgency is to clean the tank but also stress her the least possible and not hurt her since she is shedding. Thank you in advance 💕

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PrincessBunny

Hello, I have adopted a BP that I don’t even know if I should call neglected or abused. When I first knew of her existence she was living in a 10g tank with no hides and covered in poop everywhere. I assumed the person had JUST gotten her and was in the process of setting up an actual enclosure, I was also under the assumption she was a juvenile bc of her size.

Not even a month later we found out the person wanted to get rid of “it” ASAP and was just willing to give it away to whoever asked. My initial reaction was try and get the person to delay the decision while I looked for a person who would properly take care of her but I was rejected and pretty much given the weekend to either find someone or keep it before she was discarded. This has been the most stressful weekend trying to AT LEAST set up something decent so I can keep her safe but with that little time I have less than ideal resources.

I got a 36x18x18 glass enclosure thinking that she would quickly outgrow the tiny tank she was kept in, as the days went by I found more and more unpleasant information, whether is all true or not I’ll never know. First off, apparently she is 3 years old but she seems way too small for that, I know they grow their entire lives but slow down significantly after the first few years so I’m worried about her being too stressed in the new enclosure. The person I got her from said to “feed whenever” and clean when there’s “too much poop”, I absolutely believe those were her conditions for years because the tank is absolutely repulsive, its filled with **** and reeks of urine but I am afraid of handling her yet bc of the stress of moving and due to the fact that she is shedding and this person did not think it necessary to tell me until I was there.

The tank besides foul smelling was absolutely dry as in DRY, the water bowl had not just been emptied bc it was dry and dusty. Claims were made that she “sheds in pieces” so to just mist whenever I ser her shedding. I misted some warm water upon arriving home and cleaned and filled her water bowl, she literally LICKED the droplets out of the glass and once I put in the water bowl she dunked her entire head in and drank for what it seemed forever. I know this seems more like ranting at this point but I want to provide as much information as possible so I get the proper advice. Once misted and kept warm she shed mostly in one piece and now she is just in her hide.

My question is, how do I safely handle her so I don’t hurt her and I can clear the tank?

Should I return the big tank for something smaller?

She has never been to the vet so I got her insurance and an appointment and hopefully get more information but they couldn’t see it until a week and a half from now that is why I’m hoping to keep her as comfortable as possible until then. I love snakes so while not entirely clueless I am a firm believer that theoretical knowledge will never come close to experience, I have never owned one or set up a tank myself and I am having issues with keeping the heat and humidity at optimal levels. It reads OK for the most part but since I already have her with me I figured I no longer have the pressure of time and can do it properly so I discarded the exo terra heat mat I previously got, I am also still waiting on the laser thermometer so make sure that the readings are accurate.

I am sorry for the long post, I am not entirely sure it even makes good sense at all since I feel extremely distressed about the situation. I am waiting on an ultratherm uth but I can still cancel and get a smaller one. Should I continue to acclimate the big tank or does it make more sense to get a smaller one due to her size? I will post pictures later and hopefully I can weigh her too to give you a better idea. Right now my urgency is to clean the tank but also stress her the least possible and not hurt her since she is shedding. Thank you in advance 💕

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First, when posting, use spacing and proper paragraphs. It's almost impossible to read a long post that uses neither. Probably why no one has responded yet.

Secondly, what are you using for heat now? Are you using a thermostat and if so, what kind? How do you know temps if you don't have a proper IR temp gun?

IF running heating elements without knowing temps, or properly monitoring them, please unplug them now! Excessive heat for your BP can be much worse than cooler temps right now. Excessive heat can damage her neurologically and even kill her.

She's been through hell already, as long as you haven't fed her, she's better off at room temp for a day or two than too much heat. Proper heat is for health and well being, but proper hot side temps are largely for digestion.

OKAY - NOW TAKE A DEEP BREATHE

If you want to keep the tank you have, and it is glass, you can properly clean with F10SC solution, a proper dilution of chlorhexidine, or some other methods. I'll let others chime in. I prefer those two disinfectants. They are reptile safe and, as stated, disinfect when used properly.

If you want to get a new tank, that's fine, but I would save up and get her a proper PVC enclosure that holds humidity and heat well. Again, if not sure about this, I'd ask for suggestions.

Right now, you want to get her on track, proper husbandry, and eating.

If you can clean the tank, I would use paper substrate for a bit to see if she has any issues, like mites for example. She needs to be properly quarantined and inspected. I assume you have no other reptiles in the house. If you do, keep her as far aways as possible and do not share utensils/tools, bowls, etc.

If she is still shedding, you can still gently handle her and even wrap her in a warm (not hot) towel and help her shed. I would do this after soaking her in warm or room temp water (again not hot) to help with the shedding process. It will also help hydrate her.

This is a start. Answer these questions and try to follow this advice for now.

Please post pictures, ask about proper temps and humidity etc. if unsure, and be gentle with her.

Finally, it sounds like she has stunted growth, but without picture and weight, it's hard to say how bad off she is in terms of what she needs food wise.

Once shed, and weighed, etc. leave her alone in her clean and warm tank to get acclimated for a bit. DO NOT HANDLE HER UNLESS YOU HAVE TO. She is very stressed, I am sure, and stress can lead to health issues, even beyond what she might already have.

The first thing you need to do is get her out of that filthy tank. Clean and disinfect it. Any stress caused by handling her will be relieved by her no longer living in squalid conditions. I'd return her to it with a couple hides, a water bowl she can soak in and some cover. I'd use paper towels for substrate. This is just temporary until you can get the equipment you need for a proper set up.

For her long term set up, I'd try the 36 x 18 x 18 first. You already have it. Many keepers struggle to maintain temperature and humidity in glass enclosures, but they work for some people. If you haven't already, get a thermostat to regulate the UTH. No heat source should be unregulated. You'll need a heat lamp too unless the room you keep her in is really warm. This forum has a caresheet with more information on the proper set up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PrincessBunny

Hello, I have adopted a BP that I don’t even know if I should call neglected or abused.

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Also, thank you for stepping into the breach and getting this poor neglected critter the care she needs.

Thank you so so much! Also I’m sorry, I was panicking last night but I did manage to calm down enough to make the decision to clean her tank.
I am actually outside right now, I need something to keep the thermometer up, I have an AcuRite thermometer but she kept knocking her down, I’ll make sure to buy those cleaners since I only used mild soap and boiling water.
I don’t think I did a good job measuring her bc I did not want to handle her much and she kept moving but I don’t think she is even 2ft. She weighs 150 grams.

The hides I have for the big tank and the one that she came with are too big for both her and the current tank so I’m on supply run atm, I accept suggestions :)
I have 2 BN link temperature controllers while I save up for a herpstat, I am using that, the acurite and my kitchen thermometer while the laser gun arrives.
For heating I had an extra small heat mat if the big one I got was not enough (for the 40gallon tank) so I connected that to the BN link at the side of the tank, I know they are supposed to be underneath but I put it there for now just in case.

I have coconut substrate and repti bark but I havent used it bc I’m drying it up after soaking it in boiling water, right now she is using the paper bedding, is that OK or should I use paper towels as suggested?

I do have pictures but I couldn’t find how to attach them without URL, in posting permissions it says I cannot post attachments so I’ll figure it out and come back, otherwise I have no qualms sending through email or any other medium, I just want her to be OK.

Thank you! I did end up cleaning it but this is so reassuring as I was so afraid of making a decision that would harm her more. i’m on a supply run to temporarily keep her in the tank she came in while she gets used to me and I bring the other one to proper conditions.
I’ll get her a heat lamp, she pooped as soon as I put her back in the clean tank. I have a humidity controller and a fogger but since the current tank is so small I am just misting, do you think that would be enough or should I set up the fogger?
I appreciate all the advice so so much!

:welcome: And this link might help you post pictures: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-Post-Pictures

From what you've said in first post (in reference to her likely age & how long her previous owner had her) it's probably safe for you to use substrate that will enhance the humidity rather than paper towels* (*which are used with newly-acquired snakes for a month or so while making sure they don't have mites. If this snake had mites for that long of a time, she'd not be alive now, so she's unlikely to have mites, IMO.)

:gj: for not handling her any more than is absolutely necessary- & preferably waiting until after she's eaten at least 3 times at normal intervals. Otherwise, the stress (& fear) of all the changes being in a new place can make a new snake refuse food- even when they really need food, so it's best not to risk that.

Going from a small tank to such a large one might make her feel afraid (with so much open space that she's not used to- since BPs are "ambush predators" that stay hidden & don't hunt actively- they mostly just pounce on prey that gets too near where they're hiding) so be sure she has several hides (one on cool side, one on warm side, & optional "humid hide"), some "clutter" (other furnishings like fake vines etc.), a water bowl of course, & it would be a good idea to cover the back & each side of the glass tank with dark paper or cardboard for privacy (this can also add some "insulation" if you live in a colder climate- the larger the tank, the harder it is to maintain the warmth that BPs require).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PrincessBunny

The hides I have for the big tank and the one that she came with are too big for both her and the current tank so I’m on supply run atm, I accept suggestions :)

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Hides can be any appropriately sized container your bp can get in and out of. You can buy pretty hides at the pet store, or you can cut wholes in plastic fast food bowls. Your bp won't care.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PrincessBunny

I have a humidity controller and a fogger but since the current tank is so small I am just misting, do you think that would be enough or should I set up the fogger?

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If misting works, I'd stick with misting.

Thank you so so much! 💕
I’ll follow the guide once I get home

I put a cork wall in there that I had for the bigger tank, she seemed to like it as she came out to take a look, do you recommend something else?

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil....18.22_pm.jpeg

Ooooh, I got it, thank you so much! I'll post the rest of the pictures now
I just took these so this is how she currently is, they are not good pictures she moves a lot hehe


https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil....17.57_pm.jpeg

This is how she was given to me, there were bits of shed everywhere and the water bowl dried and dirty

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil....43.52_pm.jpeg

After I cleaned her tank she pooped right away, it looks like this

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...3.32_pm-2.jpeg

While I was cleaning her tank I handled her with a warm towel and I put her in the tub with another towel, I tried to measure and weigh her here

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil....43.32_pm.jpeg

I tried weighing her with a digital scaled and she measured up to 150g

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil....43.30_pm.jpeg

I'll take more pictures once she feels more comfortable, this has been very stressful for the both of us, I'll take pictures of the setup as well and update as time goes by and she has her first vet appointment. I appreciate the responses given, if there's anything specific I should be looking for or that anyone wants to see, please let me know! :)

Her stool looks pretty normal to me- though a stool sample checked by a vet may reveal something. It happens to all of us, btw- when you clean their home, that is often just enough stimulation that gets "results" the minute you put them back in the clean enclosure- ;) The thing to do is handle them for a while, put them back in the dirty cage, & wait for the "outcome". :snake: Then clean...

I can't tell if she's stunted, but she looks skinny to me. I see a faint line down her spine in this picture.

https://i.imgur.com/aBiAsvK.png

Of course, that isn't surprising given her previous care. You don't have to do anything special. Responsible care will get her a healthy weight.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Homebody

I can't tell if she's stunted...

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I take that back. If she is really three years old, at 150 grams, she is definitely stunted.

PrincessBunny- Don't try to rush this snake to gain weight- you can do much more harm than good by feeding larger prey or more frequent meals than this snake's stomach is ready to handle.

Just feed regular meals at appropriate size & be very patient. Even when young (hatchling) snakes grow, they tend to look "thin" because every meal adds a bit of length instead of width, & then they defecate & look thin all over again. Weight gain happens very very slow in snakes- especially when you're waiting for it. ;)

You've done a good thing- taking on this neglected & unwanted snake. Just be patient now....very very patient. Snakes survive much adversity in the wild, & with any luck, this one will thrive with your good care. Trust the process.

Thank you so much, I will update once she has her vet appointment. My hope is that he was lying and she isn’t really 3. I see no reason for such a lie but perhaps he wanted to come off as a better owner, he was a tad defensive and kept giving “advice” for her care.
I have not seen her much but I know she has come out bc when I took out her water bowl to clean and refill it it was empty.

Don't be surprised if your vet cannot tell her age either- if you don't have a snake from it's date of hatch (or birth), there's just no telling, because their growth depends on conditions- ie. plentiful food, + favorable temperatures & time to digest. For snakes that brumate or just fast in winter, remember that takes time away from growth also. Even with rattlesnakes- where they add a rattle with each shed, there's no way to tell how long each one took to "earn", because a shed is just a milestone of growth, not the time it took. All we can do is make "educated guesses" about the age of a snake.

Maybe she needs a larger water bowl? Remember that in a warm enclosure, much evaporates too.

I have a big enough water bowl for her to soak if she wants to but mainly to help with humidity in the big tank, however her current tank is SO small it barely fits a single hide and a small water bowl, I even got her a smaller hide bc the one she came with was too big for both her and the enclosure, it took up all the space. She has been using the new hide ever since, it fits much more snuggly. I am afraid of continuing to change things as I feel the first day here after the initial night were super stressful.

I don’t mind changing her water daily, I intended to do that anyway to ensure the water is always clean, especially after the horror of washing the filthy bowl for the first time. It was completely dry but as soon as I wet it it became SLIMY, eew.
I have her in my room where no one goes and has my smell, but I am sleeping in the couch for now to allow her more peace and quiet until she adjusts, I try talking to her each time I take out the bowl and when I monitor the temperatures during the day.

I am unsure as to when I should offer her first meal here, she didn’t have a schedule before and I am sure the vet visit will stress her again. Around the time of her appointment she will have been here two weeks, so by the first week mark it should allow her enough time to digest before the outing. Would it be too soon to offer a meal after a week in her new home?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PrincessBunny

I am unsure as to when I should offer her first meal here, she didn’t have a schedule before and I am sure the vet visit will stress her again. Around the time of her appointment she will have been here two weeks, so by the first week mark it should allow her enough time to digest before the outing. Would it be too soon to offer a meal after a week in her new home?

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No, the timing sounds fine. I've taken in rescues that have eaten just a day or so after I've brought them home and put them into QT. Once they're in a proper environment with the correct heat and humidity their appetite really kicks into overdrive.

I would make the first meal or two half-size, frozen-thaw, and offer the feeder wet to help the snake with hydration.

If you are unfamiliar with defrosting/thawing and offering techniques, just ask. We are happy to help. You want the first feeding to be as likely for success as possible.

Great work you are doing for this little girl! Kudos. For what it’s worth, grossly observing that stool and urates she left appear quite normal. Looking forward to the vet eval and diagnostics. Congrats once again.

I am unsure, but I must say she was also fed live prey. I didn’t originally include the information because I wanted to wait until she was settled and eaten a few times with me before attempting the switch. I am most nervous about that.
I am not particularly squeamish since I don’t hold reptiles or carnivores in any way to human standards, I just worry that the rodent would hurt her, they can be so feisty sometimes :(
I was planning on asking for advice on live feeders when I was to offer her a meal but if any of you don’t mind I love reading your responses.

I apologize if I come off as too anxious, I am. It doesn’t help that I just moved myself so having nothing but books and online information to rely on, it has been a relief to get advice from experienced owners.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PrincessBunny

I apologize if I come off as too anxious, I am.

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No need to apologize. Most new snake owners are anxious. I know I was.

Well done rescuing that poor creature. It's a very kind thing you did. Don't stress yourself out too much. I don't have all that much to add, other than that if you haven't found this resource on your own yet, I found this guide helpful if you want further reading in addition to the great information on this forum.

https://reptifiles.com/ball-python-care-guide/

I'll let others chime in on whether to offer live food for now. However, if done right, you might get lucky with Frozen Thawed (F/T) if that's what you want to feed long term and your BP is hungry. I have steps (below) on properly defrosting and offering prey. As suggested, I wouldn't try the rodent and instead would offer wet to help your BP hydrate.



This is my step by step list on defrosting F/T rodents for BP's and other pythons (who have heat pits). If offering to most other snakes (who do not have heat pits - boas, corn/rat snakes, etc.) you can usually skip the warming part.

Others may do it differently and that's fine. This how I do it and it works for me.


STEPS FOR DEFROSTING F/T RODENTS/PREY

1. Put prey item(s) into appropriate size plastic bag (1 for each). I use Quart size ziplock bags up to a medium rat. NOTE: Bags are optional. Some people just throw the prey in the water. I like the bags, but you have to squeeze the air out of them.

2. Fill the container/storage box 3/4 of the way with room temp to slightly warm water. If you have a temp gun (which you should, so if you don't, get one), make sure the water is not hotter than 85-90F, or there about.

3. Put F/T prey item(s) in water. Cover (optional) and leave for an hour +/-. Less if smaller prey and longer if bigger prey (however longer does not hurt smaller prey).

4. After an hour, rotate/flip prey. If in plastic bags, they often will stay on whatever side you put them in on. So if mouse is on left side, turn to right side, etc.

5. Leave for another hour +/- for a TOTAL of about 2 hours (up to medium sized rat - longer if bigger prey - Large rats, for example).

6. Check that prey is defrosted totally through. Squeeze at different sections of the preys body. Should be cool/room temp to touch, but be soft with no cold spots. If hard (except for bone), in abdomen, for example, or cold, put back in water until room temp and soft.

7. Take prey out of the container/storage box and put aside. THEN FOLLOW STEPS 8-11 OR STEP 12

8. Fill container with hot water from tap. If using temp gun, water temp should be 110-130F, not more.

9. Drop prey item into water for 30 seconds +/-. If multiple prey items, do one at a time. You want each item hot when you offer.

10. Remove (if hot water, with tongs).

11. Dry as best as you can, and is quickly as you can, with paper towels. I dry with paper towels while I am walking from the bathroom where I defrost to the snake tanks. I kind of wrap the prey item up in them. It's ten feet, so by the time I get to the tanks, the prey is drier, but still warm.

12. If not using hot water, use a hairdryer to heat rat so it entices snake

13. Open tank and offer ASAP on tongs. Wiggle gently to make it appear alive.

Thank you so much!
I researched into some frozen mice and I think I’m going to go with Perfect Prey for the future. For now I did go to petco to get a frozen one and I got a live feeder from a pet shop. Idk if I did something wrong or if she could smell the live one but I did not have luck upon first try. I offered the feeder and she came out almost right away.
I stayed until the mouse was dead and then left the room, right now she is inside her hide so I’m assuming she is eating. Vet appointment is upcoming Friday so I’ll update again then.
For now, I’m happy she took a meal, I’ll attempt to feed her Sundays from
now on and hopefully I can persuade her to move to frozen soon 💕

I appreciate all the help I’ve gotten, I think me and this little girl will be OK :)

Oh also, I wanted to ask. I don’t know if this is a good idea but I started leaving my clothes near the enclosure so she can get used to my smell without my interaction, I am hoping this makes her feel less afraid and/or stressed when I go to change the water bowl. I couldn’t find anything about this but I do know they have a good sense of smell so I thought I may give it a shot. Any thoughts?
I don’t intend for her to recognize me or anything just to help reassure her I am not a threat

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PrincessBunny

Oh also, I wanted to ask. I don’t know if this is a good idea but I started leaving my clothes near the enclosure so she can get used to my smell without my interaction, I am hoping this makes her feel less afraid and/or stressed when I go to change the water bowl. I couldn’t find anything about this but I do know they have a good sense of smell so I thought I may give it a shot. Any thoughts?
I don’t intend for her to recognize me or anything just to help reassure her I am not a threat

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It won't hurt anything, though I'm not sure it will help either, since your scent is in the air anyway. I mean snakes have a very good sense of smell & you're living under the same roof, right? But your intentions are on the right track.

Yeah, I am just leaving my room just for her for now so I dont bother her with my walking around and whatnot. I wanted to slowly transition until Im sleeping there again but I guess I feel better now and I may be able to do it without that. Thank you again☺️

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PrincessBunny

Yeah, I am just leaving my room just for her for now so I dont bother her with my walking around and whatnot. I wanted to slowly transition until Im sleeping there again but I guess I feel better now and I may be able to do it without that. Thank you again☺️

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I wouldn't worry about sleeping in there- in fact, your quiet presence will help her accept you're not a threat. I'd avoid a lot of daytime activity, or else cover her enclosure or block her view, but otherwise, don't worry about it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PrincessBunny

Thank you so much!
I researched into some frozen mice and I think I’m going to go with Perfect Prey for the future. For now I did go to petco to get a frozen one and I got a live feeder from a pet shop. Idk if I did something wrong or if she could smell the live one but I did not have luck upon first try. I offered the feeder and she came out almost right away.
I stayed until the mouse was dead and then left the room, right now she is inside her hide so I’m assuming she is eating. Vet appointment is upcoming Friday so I’ll update again then.
For now, I’m happy she took a meal, I’ll attempt to feed her Sundays from
now on and hopefully I can persuade her to move to frozen soon [emoji177]

I appreciate all the help I’ve gotten, I think me and this little girl will be OK :)

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Yes it all sounds very hopeful !!

The above posts all give loads of great suggestions/ advice so I’ll just concentrate something you mentioned... the hairdryer bit ..

With some of these fussy feeders it’s not as simple as giving the mouse a quick blast with a hairdryer there’s far more to it for some ..

I’ve read cases where they’ve lifted off their hide to try and feed them which won’t work with many .

My method is to thaw the mouse near the snake viv , wait until it’s dark / dim light ... wait until the snake is well settled under a hide , open the glass door , using tongs give the mouse a good blast with a hairdryer ( plugged in near the viv ) then immediately dangle the mouse in front of the hide entrance .

If there’s no strike simply reheat with the hairdryer and again dangle it instantly whilst it’s still warm ... in the odd case you may have to repeat the process 5 or 6 times but in my experience it rarely fails .. . Follow the method closely and it works 90%+ of the time I’d say.



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Hello, I finally took my baby to the vet and as it turns out: she is a he💕
Even if I don’t really care I was a little relieved since females are bigger and he is way way too small, so the situation would have been so much worse. The vet said that even if they had sexed her wrong previously (as was the case) and it was a male he was too tiny and malnourished.
No surprises here he had been severely neglected, he is not only stunted in growth but is lethargic and has several scars along his body.

I took a poop sample with me and they sent them in for testing, I should have the results in the next few days.
For now the vet recommended I provide vitamins with his food, I will start the process of switching to frozen after he eats once more to ensure he is accepting food regularly. I have a table with the weighs and sizes I will provide him, we will start small and work our way up.

Vet said that is likely he will never grow up to full size but she is hopeful we will get him healthy and thriving. His insurance also was approved today so we will be prepared for any scenario 💕

Among all the bad, the vet did say that he was curious and had the will to live, he wants to behave like a normal snake he just can’t due to his poor conditions but he just needs help and we will provide it.

They say no news is good news so I will continue to care for him and hopefully you won’t have to hear from us in a while except as a regular user with questions that come along the way and no longer as the precarious situation we were in.

I will post pictures of the big enclosure before I move him to ensure everything is set and proper, for now good-bye and thank you 💕

Well you are obviously a kind heart and I’m sure the story will end well !!!



Well done you !
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I agree ^ ^ ^ He's very lucky you came along & took him in- you're doing a great job with him. He may eventually surprise you & grow to full-size- remember that many snakes in the wild live many years with adversity too- it just may take longer for him to grow. But there's nothing wrong with snakes that are on the small side anyway- :love: Humans are not all "football players" either.

Thank you both ☺️ We are getting along just fine 💕 today was feeding day and he accepted his second meal from me with no issues, I was concerned the stress of the vet visit would make him refuse but he seems to be a very strong boy 🥰🥰🥰

I hope he does too! 💕 But even if he doesn’t I will love him all the same.

Honestly everything may work out for the best, far from a football player I am more in the Oompa Loompa realm so a small snake will make handling easier 🤭

Oh right! Vet called and he is parasite free, the tests came out all fine so yay!

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Originally Posted by PrincessBunny

Oh right! Vet called and he is parasite free, the tests came out all fine so yay!

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That's great news!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PrincessBunny

Thank you both ☺️ We are getting along just fine 💕 today was feeding day and he accepted his second meal from me with no issues, I was concerned the stress of the vet visit would make him refuse but he seems to be a very strong boy 🥰🥰🥰

I hope he does too! 💕 But even if he doesn’t I will love him all the same.

Honestly everything may work out for the best, far from a football player I am more in the Oompa Loompa realm so a small snake will make handling easier 🤭

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That can happen that a vet visit will put a snake off eating, but it sounds like this guy is feeling pretty good about living with you- :gj:

I've had larger snakes (including a mature BCI in the past, a 5' BP, & some pretty lengthy rat snakes, some of which I still have that are 7') & honestly, I prefer smaller snakes myself- for purely practical reasons: it's easier to handle them, sure, but it's also easier to provide the best habitat for them when it doesn't have to be so large, & then there's the biggest reason- the "clean up". :O

I have to admit, I'm now trying to picture an Oompa Loompa with a snake...:D Hahaha!

Great news on the negative tests and another meal down the hatch!

Keep us posted, but you are on your way now!

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Originally Posted by dakski

Great news on the negative tests and another meal down the hatch!

Keep us posted, but you are on your way now!

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Thankuuuu, im so happy[emoji177] I dont feel like I can relax yet but I definitely feel much better going forward.

The following days after feeding I feel so on edge


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by PrincessBunny

Thankuuuu, im so happy[emoji177] I dont feel like I can relax yet but I definitely feel much better going forward.

The following days after feeding I feel so on edge


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As long as you are feeding an appropriate sized meals, temps are good, and you leave your BP alone for 2 days after a feeding, everything should be okay!

What worries you after feedings?

It's okay, we've all been there RE being anxious/having trouble relaxing.

Just remember, it takes a long time for snakes to get healthy, grow, get sick, get better, etc. Slow metabolism (usually) means nothing changes too fast. Snakes don't eat often (compared to humans or mammals), don't waste often, etc. It takes time for them to adjust to new environments, people, etc. It's the way they are.

No frontal lobe = very instinctual animals. Takes time for them to get conditioned that we aren't going to hurt them and are here to help, etc.

Cold blooded means they don't spend 90% of their caloric intake on keeping their body temps up, but in exchange, have a slow metabolism, and that means everything happens slowly with their bodies. That's bad because it takes time to heal and grow and get healthy, etc. However, it's good because most mistakes you can make (outside of dramatic temperatures - too hot or too cold) take time to hurt them. This means you can relax a little bit knowing that things aren't going to change overnight and that you do not have to be Johnny on the Spot. Checking in with your tank 1-2X a day (barring any sudden changes in the environment around your tank - like summer AC going on, winter heat which can mean drying the air our, etc), keeping things clean, and letting your snake adjust, are probably the best things you can do.

My carpet python, Yafe, got lost in shipment to us when he was 1 year old and 100g. He ended up having a full blown Respiratory Infection (RI) within 24 hours of getting him. 2 months of treatment including injections and nebulizer treatments before we knew if he was going to be okay. Comparatively, my wife, Katie, got walking pneumonia last week. 4 days on antibiotics and she's feeling fine. BIG DIFFERENCE. Yafe is doing fantastic now and is over 1.5kg and about 6ft long. He's eating like a champ and is a total sweetie.

My point is two fold. Again, it takes a long time to see dramatic changes in reptiles. Two, they aren't as fragile as many think. I've kept Yafe's temps and humidity spot on, in general, for years now (like I do with all my reptiles). However, I've paid extra care to his humidity because I don't want a repeat. Sometimes he pulls himself up on me and lets out some air and I spend about two minutes with his head next to my ear, but hey, we all worry sometimes :). In any event, you know what? I have health issues too, so does Katie, and we aren't perfect keepers. There have been days when humidity dropped or raised, or temps fluctuated slightly, or one of the reptiles wasted and it wasn't cleaned that day. Again, not common, but very few people are perfect keepers and more so, trying to be perfect usually means too many changes in too short a period of time. Try not to be a helicopter snarent.

Remember, perfect is the enemy of good. Plus, obsessing or worrying all the time will just burn you out. Take a deep breathe. Take things in stride. Those of us with many reptiles have to or else we would burn out very quickly.

Bottom line: You've got this.

And

If you have any other questions or concerns, just ask!

Again, keep us posted and keep up the good work.

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Originally Posted by dakski

...they aren't as fragile as many think. I've kept Yafe's temps and humidity spot on, in general, for years now (like I do with all my reptiles). However, I've paid extra care to his humidity because I don't want a repeat. Sometimes he pulls himself up on me and lets out some air and I spend about two minutes with his head next to my ear, but hey, we all worry sometimes :). In any event, you know what? I have health issues too, so does Katie, and we aren't perfect keepers. There have been days when humidity dropped or raised, or temps fluctuated slightly, or one of the reptiles wasted and it wasn't cleaned that day. Again, not common, but very few people are perfect keepers and more so, trying to be perfect usually means too many changes in too short a period of time. Try not to be a helicopter snarent....

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Totally agree ^ ^ ^ & not only that, snakes evolved OUTSIDE- which is far from perfect MOST of the time. :D And some have suggested that fluctuations may actually help their immune systems, but either way, it's what nature does. I'm not saying you should let things go way off track, but just don't sweat the small stuff either. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dakski

As long as you are feeding an appropriate sized meals, temps are good, and you leave your BP alone for 2 days after a feeding, everything should be okay!

What worries you after feedings?

It's okay, we've all been there RE being anxious/having trouble relaxing.

Just remember, it takes a long time for snakes to get healthy, grow, get sick, get better, etc. Slow metabolism (usually) means nothing changes too fast. Snakes don't eat often (compared to humans or mammals), don't waste often, etc. It takes time for them to adjust to new environments, people, etc. It's the way they are.

No frontal lobe = very instinctual animals. Takes time for them to get conditioned that we aren't going to hurt them and are here to help, etc.

Cold blooded means they don't spend 90% of their caloric intake on keeping their body temps up, but in exchange, have a slow metabolism, and that means everything happens slowly with their bodies. That's bad because it takes time to heal and grow and get healthy, etc. However, it's good because most mistakes you can make (outside of dramatic temperatures - too hot or too cold) take time to hurt them. This means you can relax a little bit knowing that things aren't going to change overnight and that you do not have to be Johnny on the Spot. Checking in with your tank 1-2X a day (barring any sudden changes in the environment around your tank - like summer AC going on, winter heat which can mean drying the air our, etc), keeping things clean, and letting your snake adjust, are probably the best things you can do.

My carpet python, Yafe, got lost in shipment to us when he was 1 year old and 100g. He ended up having a full blown Respiratory Infection (RI) within 24 hours of getting him. 2 months of treatment including injections and nebulizer treatments before we knew if he was going to be okay. Comparatively, my wife, Katie, got walking pneumonia last week. 4 days on antibiotics and she's feeling fine. BIG DIFFERENCE. Yafe is doing fantastic now and is over 1.5kg and about 6ft long. He's eating like a champ and is a total sweetie.

My point is two fold. Again, it takes a long time to see dramatic changes in reptiles. Two, they aren't as fragile as many think. I've kept Yafe's temps and humidity spot on, in general, for years now (like I do with all my reptiles). However, I've paid extra care to his humidity because I don't want a repeat. Sometimes he pulls himself up on me and lets out some air and I spend about two minutes with his head next to my ear, but hey, we all worry sometimes :). In any event, you know what? I have health issues too, so does Katie, and we aren't perfect keepers. There have been days when humidity dropped or raised, or temps fluctuated slightly, or one of the reptiles wasted and it wasn't cleaned that day. Again, not common, but very few people are perfect keepers and more so, trying to be perfect usually means too many changes in too short a period of time. Try not to be a helicopter snarent.

Remember, perfect is the enemy of good. Plus, obsessing or worrying all the time will just burn you out. Take a deep breathe. Take things in stride. Those of us with many reptiles have to or else we would burn out very quickly.

Bottom line: You've got this.

And

If you have any other questions or concerns, just ask!

Again, keep us posted and keep up the good work.

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Thank you so so much, I feel like I am grieving for his past life, as time goes by the more unpleasant information comes up and the worse I feel. Apparently he would go without food for 3 months and his cage without cleaning for up to 5 months sometimes.
I guess I mostly worry that I don’t know him, I don’t think he has ever seen a human this much so while I try my best not to helicopter him, I still change his water and mist his enclosure, I also check on the temps and humidity like 3 times a day.
I live in the NJ-NY area and the weather has been changing a lot so I try to make sure I make the appropriate adjustments so his temperature doesn’t drop or up too much.
Because he has always been alone, I worry that me doing all of that will scare him and the last thing I want is for him to regurgitate.
So far he just seems curious, but sometimes he does come out to get close to my hand while I’m changing the bowl. I do not yet know how to react to his curiosity so I am always in fear of scaring him.
My move so far is just keeping still and continue to talk while waiting for him to slowly go back into his hide.
The first time I just continued changing the bowl and he went back into his hide super fast, it almost seemed like a cartoon with the *fwooosh* sound, so I am trying to avoid that happening again.

He is the absolute cutest thing [emoji24][emoji24][emoji177][emoji177][emoji177][emoji177][emoji177]


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Totally agree ^ ^ ^ & not only that, snakes evolved OUTSIDE- which is far from perfect MOST of the time. :D And some have suggested that fluctuations may actually help their immune systems, but either way, it's what nature does. I'm not saying you should let things go way off track, but just don't sweat the small stuff either. ;)

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That is a relief, temperatures always drop at night and it is always when I worry the most.
After today I will feel much better, seems like he excretes on the 3rd or 4th day after eating


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