Accidental New Owner

[Ghostlysmile]

**I just want to go ahead and get this part out there: I have a thermoSTAT, hygrometer, and thermometer on the way as we speak.**

Okay, as the total says, I'm a new owner. I'd already started research, but was not planning to purchase until spring. My best friend's boyfriend had a 7 month old male bp, and I was in love. Knowing this, when bff and boyfriend planned a move across country, they asked my to keep his bp until they settled in somewhere. Can you see where this is going?

They dropped off this beautiful boy and 4 small mice on Sept 28th. Right away something wasn't right. He was in a screen/wood box and didn't have his uth. This was not his usual set-up. He didn't have hides, a bowl, a thermoSTAT, or anything else that I knew he normally used. The boyfriend said he'd bring the other stuff by...and didn't. He and bff (she didn't know about all this) drive off to new state.

Long story short: when bff flew home to finish packing their stuff, boyfriend called her and dumped her. He texted me and said to keep the bp. Bff doesn't do snakes, so here I am, learning what I can.

Bp was moved immediately upon arrival (before I knew he'd be staying) to my 10 gallon quarantine tank in my bedroom. (Used when I had new bearded dragons). I've covered 3/4 of the top with foil, and put my house digital hygrometer in for now. Ambient temps are about 83 (I have the a/c vent closed in that room) and humidity is at 59%. I have a small heat mat (from my dubia roach set-up) but I'm not using it until the thermostat gets here. He has a water bowl. He's on newspaper. I have a vet appt scheduled for this coming week. I haven't fed him yet b/c can't use the heat mat yet. I've wrapped 3 sides with brown butcher paper.

I will spend the next week gathering up the other stuff I need and a larger tub for his long-term home. Anything I missed? I'll add a picture when I figure out how lol.

My kids have named him Fergus, aka Boo.

*If you see my pics on any of the fb herp groups with a different story, it's because my bff is also on some of those (beardies) and is super angry/embarrassed over what happened. She asked me not to tell the real story in places we have in common. I am not a troll.*

[Ghostlysmile]

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This is Fergus (I hope it shows! ) I forgot to mention I did weigh him with my kitchen scale. Currently 348 grams.

ETA: I have been leaving him alone. This was during weighing, checking for mites, and just a general visual check to note any weird things to watch. No handling until 3 feeds except his vet visit.

[Sunnieskys]

He looks good. Pastel? Pretty boy.

[Ghostlysmile]

I was told super pastel, but considering the jerk who ditched him...I don't know for sure. Plus, my current lack of morph knowledge in general.

[jmcrook]

Looks like a normal pastel, but a very bright one. Super usually has much more blushing on the top of the head. Good on you for adopting the little guy! Best of luck!


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[Bogertophis]

He's a beautiful snake, what a nice surprise, getting to keep him! Why do you feel he needs to see the vet though? From here he looks pretty healthy.
Any noisy breathing going on? (wheezing, whistling, crackling sounds?) Any mites found? Stool look normal? Stuck eye-caps?
While you apparently got lucky in receiving him, I think the snake did too...

Oh, and

[bcr229]

Pastel, not super. I think you've done a good job with his husbandry given the hand you were dealt.

Once you're ready to move him out of the 10-gal tank I really like these if just keeping one all python or similar-sized snake - it holds humidity well and with the four latches it's difficult for the snakes to push the top off and escape:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hefty-25-Ga...Lid/1000505547

Now that said, the little darlings are like potato chips, you don't usually stop at one. If you find that's the case for you then get a rack.

[Ghostlysmile]

He's a beautiful snake, what a nice surprise, getting to keep him! Why do you feel he needs to see the vet though? From here he looks pretty healthy.
Any noisy breathing going on? (wheezing, whistling, crackling sounds?) Any mites found? Stool look normal? Stuck eye-caps?
While you apparently got lucky in receiving him, I think the snake did too...

Oh, and

Because I want to make sure there's no hidden reason he was ditched. Since the dude was shady, I don't trust him. I'd like to get a baseline on Fegus' health. There aren't any noticeable issues at this time.

[Bogertophis]

Because I want to make sure there's no hidden reason he was ditched. Since the dude was shady, I don't trust him. I'd like to get a baseline on Fegus' health. There aren't any noticeable issues at this time.

Just be sure the vet you take him to has a LOT of experience with snakes, because snakes are very stoic & in a short exam, many things do not show up, & if the vet
can't see it, they can't fix it. What I was getting at is that unless you have a noticeable issue right now, it might be best to wait...for example, so you can take a fresh
stool sample for testing, and so you'll have seen anything unusual (when the snake is laying flat lengthwise, are there any bumps or depressions...anything that's not
symmetrical? Does the snake have a firm grip & hang on well, or does he seem weak or dizzy? How about a good appetite? etc.) I know you're new at keeping snakes,
so you understandably want reassurance...but sometimes you get better results when you can share more observations with the vet, so they know where to look.

I've taken a snake to a vet before, "knowing" (with years of experience) that something was "off" with that snake but not knowing what; the vet predictably found nothing, & the snake passed away not too long after that. Probably nothing we could have done, but I also consider that our snakes can also be exposed to other sick animals while at the vet, so without an obvious reason, mine don't see the vet. They don't take that much time to observe your snake...& some symptoms are sporadic & easier for us, their keepers, to spot. That's where I was coming from with that question, not wanting you to waste your money...but if it will make you feel better, by all means. The vet SHOULD look in his mouth though, & that's something you may not feel comfortable doing yet?

Another reason a snake might be ditched has nothing to do with health...since the guy was shady, maybe the snake was stolen. I sure hope not...

[Craiga 01453]

I think you're off to a great start!!!

That's a good looking pastel, keep up the great work!!