BP mushy with motor problems? Or maybe weak?

[GreenTea]

Could someone with experience with ball pythons PM me maybe to help me with this issue?

Temps/humidity perfect, eating, drinking water, and pooping/shedding perfectly, no problems motoring when on the ground.

When handled, feels very mushy and weak compared to my other BP's and seems to spin and flop somewhat, not a super tight grip on my hand.

No spider genes, but super cinnamon genes at play (no visual deformities.)

Vet appt is tomorrow morning.

[GreenTea]

Here's a link to a video, does this seem "normal" to you all? I am handling him this way because it best shows how he has a hard time getting up and kind of folds on himself. In this video I hold more and more of his lower half. It's possible he is just starting to develop more muscle and he's very young, just a few months old. Thanks.

https://youtu.be/fdHjHBN0618

[dr del]

Yeah that looks ok to me - he can pull himself up ok and seems alert and curious about his environment.

I'd suspect he will develop more muscle as time goes on.

[JodanOrNoDan]

I agree with the good Dr, looks ok and should be fine.

[Ax01]

i agree. he looks fine. just a normal, derpy lil bb.

if u really wanna do a strength check, offer him a live mouse. just be sure to observe him and make sure he constricts and kills the mouse.

and if u really don't want him, i'll take him or trade ya or whatever.

[SDA]

Not seeing the issue here. All I see is a relaxed curious snake not knowing what is going on and why it is being held by its tail end. Really what I see is a snake wanting to crawl on the floor.

[wolfy-hound]

Looks okay to me. Maybe he just gained some fat and that's why he feels squishy?

[GreenTea]

Thanks for your responses, that's what the breeder thought as well and what I was hoping was the case.

We have a great exotic vet so I figured if anything deeper was going on, she'd be able to figure it out.

After examining him she said he's healthy but does have low muscle tone and is also *super chill* when she turns him at certain angles, moreso than he should be. I've already seen some muscle growth with regular handling so I'm going to keep giving him exercise. She doesn't suspect any degenerative neuro issues and his response to touch was great. On the ground he's great. Eating and being handled he can be a bit goofy.

I'm glad he's healthy, even if he became a snake with extra needs, I'd keep him around. He's a great eater and really unique looking.