Sick ball python? please help

[charli_]

I just got a 2 month old ball python about a week ago. I'm really concerned about him as he is very inactive and feels quite 'squishy' as if he has no muscle. I thought this was normal until I handled a friends ball python which is a little older than mine and noticed her's was a lot more muscular feeling and quite strong. (I hope this makes sense)

This is my first time caring for a ball python so i'm not really sure if this is normal or if there is a problem. Could anyone help me out?

[Capray]

We will need way more info to help you! What kind of cage is it in? When was it last fed? How are you heating the cage? How are you reading the teperature of the cage?

It sounds like he is very malnourished. Where did you get him? Was he like this the whole time you've had him?

[charli_]

I have him in a glass vivarium, he has a heat lamp and a small heating pad. At the moment I have no way of reading the temperature, but I have ordered a thermometer so hopefully I get that soon. He was last fed 4 days ago and seemed to have no trouble eating at all, however he hasn't pooped yet. Not sure if that's abnormal or not.

I got him on a local forum as someone no longer wanted him. He has been like this since I got him and I thought it might be normal since he is a baby but obviously not.

What can i do to make him healthy again?

[Capray]

If he ate four days ago, I think it's best to not handle him too much till he has a few meals in him, he will probably perk up. Feed him another rat or mouse in 3-4 days, he should be eating weekly. Make sure he has a warm spot and a spot that's cooler so he can stay the right temperature properly until you can get some more heating supplies.

You also want a rheostat or light dimmer to control the heat pad, they can spike is there's a surge in the electrical current.

[charli_]

Thank you so much for your help. I just hope he gets back to normal soon.

One more thing, how often should he poop? Just want to make sure hes okay as I have heard stories of ball pythons getting constipated and I would hate for that to happen to him.

[Kaorte]

They poop when they poop. Sometimes they hold it for well over a month, sometimes they go every week or two weeks. Unless the vent area starts to get bloated and firm, don't worry about it. Often times they will wait until they shed to poop.

Get the thermometer ASAP. It is possible you are providing too much heat, although you won't know until you get the thermometer. Personally I would unplug the heat pad and use only the light until you know what your temps are. I assume you aren't using a thermostat to control the heat pad?

I don't really know what to tell you about the squishiness. I mean, I have some snakes that are "squishy" mainly because they are more relaxed when I handle them. If your snake is still small, it makes sense that it would feel this way.