Baby Sozo, Ball Python Rescue...

[callen727]

Greetings all,

First let me say what an awesome forum this is. I have learned so much from the knowledge you all have shared on these forums. Thank you for allowing me to join.

A little over a week ago, I was talking with a friend about snakes when someone else spoke up and said "if you want another ball python, I've got one I'll sell you". Peeking my interest, I inquired further and he told me, "I recently got her for my kids, but they've already lost interest in her, so I'm just trying to find her a new home. I'll sell her to you for $140, enclosure and all". About the only info on the snake he could tell me was that she is a female, and she is small, and she's "great with the kids". I thought to myself, "why not". A few days later, I drove about an hour to pick up my new little friend, sight unseen. Here is what I found...

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Just prior to seeing her for the first time, my friend said "she's shedding, so she doesn't look her best". While holding her, and my heart dropping, he tells me "the kids hold her all the time, she's never tried to bite anyone. Also, she is a picky eater, so you may have to work with her some". I'm thinking to myself "I wonder if she's ever eaten at all?" I asked her age and he said "she's about 2 months old". Knowing I could leave her in this condition, I quickly paid my friend, took my new little friend and ran. Now let me be clear, I don't believe that my friend (with whom I am not very close, maybe I should say acquaintance) meant any harm. I don't think he had any idea how malnourished and dehydrated this little lady is. Nor did he even know that this was not a normal shed. I believe this was not abuse from the standpoint of an intent to cause harm. This was a poorly cared for animal due to ignorance.

Well, I got her home and she weighed in at a whopping 46 grams (no thats not a typo). We have since eaten 2 F/T pinkie mice (assist fed) 5 days apart. She has soaked and gotten rid of her stuck shed. I am afraid she is blind, at least in her right eye, due to issues from her stuck shed and dehydration. Her left eye seems to have scarring, but the right seems sunken and hazed. Anyway, this is her about a week after coming to be with me...

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So, any comments, questions, guidance, or knowledge you all would be willing to send my way would be greatly appreciated. I'm hoping for the best for this little lady. I've named her Sozo, which is Greek for "Rescue".