Hello!

My name is Mary Beth. I'm a nursing student. Got a lil lonely in my dorm room so I got a little started snake. He's a northern brown snake... Decided I wanted something I could play with since he was so small and quick. Went to the store on my B-day with my at the time boyfriend and they just so happen to have 2 female balls. Picked the sweeter of the two and I haven't been lonely since. She's super sweet and a great way to meet people. :) Anywho I'm new with tons of questions so please be nice. I'm also big into car. I have a 95 Mistubishi 3000GT and I attend meets up and down the east coast. I hope everyone has a happpy new year!

welcome to the forum! glad to have you here. :) ask any questions you have--that's what we're here for.

I'm new myself, but welcome from a fellow newbie! :)

Welcome to the forums. Ask away!

Glad to have ya aboard! :D I also have a lovely bp named Carma (but with a C). Welcome to the highly addicting herping hobby!

oh yes, very addicting... lol What have I gotten myself into >_<

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Originally Posted by Karma

oh yes, very addicting... lol What have I gotten myself into >_<

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Well, I started with one BP, March of '04, and now have 6 BPs and a 6' RTB. I swear I don't know how it happens they just seem to accumalate!!

hahaha ya, I'm already doing research to see what I want to get maybe around spring time or so. :P But I might just stick with Karma for a while. She's great :)

hi, and welcome to ball pythons.net! ball pythons are AWESOME!! but im sure you already know that:P. ask any questions you have, we got some real experts on this forum.

Hi Mary Beth

I'm still kinda new around here too - I have an 8 month old girl BP, an adult (age unknown) rescue anerythristic cornsnake plus currently 2 adult albino corns. This is a nice place - I'm sure you'll find the people all helpful and friendly as I have :D

Sue

welcome!!! i'm new to snakes as well but everyone here is super helpful!

Hi *waves*

Alright, well here's a few..

How can you tell if a snake is stressed? Mine seems happy all the time but im sure thats not the case..

What are the early signs of a RI?

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Originally Posted by Karma

What are the early signs of a RI?

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Well, when your snake has an RI it will start to wheeze or make weird sounds, to fix it all you have to do is raise the temps. & humidity.

I know im a little late on this one but, welcome to the forums :) .

-Courtney

I would advise against giving medical advice on a forum unless you actually have medical experience. If someone took your advice when their snake had an advanced-stage respiratory infection, their snake would surely die. Raising the temps and LOWERING the humidity in the beginning stages "MAY" get rid of the infection that is brewing. More than likely it doesn't, however, and the snake needs to be taken to the vet and put on the proper antibiotics.

Respiratory infections may start out with the snake being a little "off", lethargic, breathing more rapidly, yawning, if the mouth if opened the glottis can have stringy mucous, the "v" of the tongue may be stuck together, drooling, open-mouth breathing, bubbling from nose and mouth, hemorrhaging(bleeding) from the lungs and airways(advanced stages-not too likely a turnaround without aggressive antibiotic therapy).

As far as stress is concerned, the snake will be active day and night(searching for a way to escape), will be anorexic(not eating), sheds may be abnormal(husbandry issue or stress can cause this, but sometimes it is just the snake). To reduce stress, have tight, small, low-to-the-ground hides such as clay/plastic planter pot saucers. The majority of pet store hides are inappropriate. If the snake is housed in a tank, you can cover 3-4 sides with dark paper. The newspaper balls work well too, but proper husbandry is the key factor for keeping a snake from stressing.

Oh yeah, and WELCOME! Nice to have ya here!

Hope that helped :)

hehe thank you very much.

Sorry for the slow welcome Mary Beth. Hope you enjoy the forum and learning tons about your snakes and their husbandry. If no one has mentioned it there are some wonderful care sheets available on this forum (as well as lots of folks that will happily "talk snake" with you till the cows come home LOL).

Glad you are enjoying your two snakes. They are truly wonderous creatures to share one's life with.


~~Jo~~