Help! I found a ball python in the wild

[straydog1980]

FINALLY, I CAN STRETCH!

[DeadLegs]

FINALLY, I CAN STRETCH!

Lookin good!!!

[Egapal]

Just a couple quick comments first, wow on the killer BP theory. Of course thats completely untrue but I want to comment on the misconception we humans have. We are large strong animals. Civilization has made us weak and mostly thats not a bad thing. There is a point though, where you have to look at the animal you are afraid of and realize that you could kill it with your bare hands easily if your life depended on it. I care for my BP dearly but I could easily break her neck if I needed to. A cat is a monster compared to a BP. You have nothing to fear from either unless you are a rodent.

A quick note on your husbandry. Your snake wants a hide that is small and literally hides it. If you can see the snake the snake would probably like something a little more secure feeling. If you search this site you will find some great DIY hides as well as hides you can buy. I use reptile basics hides and like them a lot.

[straydog1980]

oh, he was only out and about to explore his new home. He's already receded to the large hide I made in the corner for him. Now he just lays in there most of the day with his head poking out, unless he's thirsty.

[Egapal]

oh, he was only out and about to explore his new home. He's already receded to the large hide I made in the corner for him. Now he just lays in there most of the day with his head poking out, unless he's thirsty.

Its hard to tell from pictures but it looks like the there is one whole side of the box that is open. Maybe thats just in the picture but a good hide should be tight with an opening just big enough for your snake to get in and out.

[straydog1980]

The only hide you can see in the picture above is no longer in the enclosure. I've got a new one, larger than that.

It only has one opening, with all other sides covered. It's not "tight" per se, he can move pretty freely in there, but it certainly isn't stressing him out. He's very comfortable in there. Usually when I get in in the morning, all I can see is his head. As soon as I turn the light on he starts to poke his head out. He spends most of the day just sitting with his head near the opening.

I also finally measured him this morning. He's right at 36 inches. Is that full grown?

[Willow88]

naah not full grown....At only 3 feet you should see some size increase in the future. Especially if it turns out to be female i love this thread...such a good ending for that snake, it would have ended much worst had you not found it

[Willow88]

ooo i did have one quick question

i saw in one of your earlier posts you had mentioned the snake ''clicked" at you when you stroked it....this is a common first sign of Respiratory infection....would have seemed understandable for him to have gotten a RI from being lost outside...have you heard any other noises coming from him? any more clicking or raspy sounds...he seems comfy enough with you now to not be hissing...so of course if he is as quiet as a mouse then you may have helped him just in time for his own immune system to kick in

[cboocks]

Any update? Just read the ENTIRE thread and I am hooked!

[jfreels]

Agreed, total win, require update!