Not sure about this one since balls tend to live 30 years (+/-), and the hobby as we know it is not really that old yet, but do any of you have ball pythons who are considered to be getting elderly, or have you had any die presumably of old age? If so, what age do they start becoming elderly, and if any have aged out, how did they go?

Also, do you notice anything about the older ones that sets them apart from younger ones? For example, scales that look more glossy or worn than younger ones?

Anyone have any experience with this? I have never found any info online about elderly animals, and I suspect this is because the hobby boom is too recent to have very many "senior citizens" yet.

Reason I ask is that I have one that I believe is elderly (I know he is at least 14 years old but I suspect that he is older than that because I have a 13-yr old who looks much more vibrant, but that's only a guess since I don't know what other factors are at play). Anyways, any experience/info would be appreciated.