I don't know if any of you remember but about 3 months ago we agreed to take a ball python in need of rehoming. Shortly thereafter I got Baby for Mother's Day. Well since then we've been working with the young couple that own Punkin trying to find a free weekend to meet. They live about 5 hours south of us here in Michigan.

Well finally we are meeting! We are driving downstate tonight to meet them halfway and pick up Punkin (can you tell I'm excited)! Here are two pics of Punkin we were sent when we first agreed to take her (him). Sorry I don't know how to make them a bit smaller.





Just a few questions and please feel free to add any suggestions.

Punkin is about 18 months old and has been in their home since it was about 2 months old. They really have tried their best but are a young couple and admit they just didn't know much about snakes (got the snake as a gift apparently). Punkin eats one adult mouse per week (f/t) and has never been offered more than one, generally eats well with the occasional refusal, sheds reasonably well tho occasionally retains a bit of shed (they do know how to soak it off), has never been ill or had mites/ticks but has never seen a vet and is easily handled (does not bite or hiss at them).

We plan on keeping the two snakes strictly apart until we have a clean vet check on Punkin (both Baby and Punkin are scheduled for vet visits/sexing in the next week or two). Punkin will live in our bedroom until we are sure she/he is healthy and also acclimatized to our busy household. After that Punkin will live in a seperate bin but in the same room as Baby.

We feed p/k. I'm going to try offering Punkin p/k as I assume if she eats f/t that pre-killed is okay to offer. Should we just stick with the one a week until she's settled in then offer a second mouse as our 5 month old takes either 1 or 2 a week already?

To your experienced eyes does Punkin look reasonably okay. Seems sorta small compared to the growth of our 5-6 month old to my eyes. The retained shed in the one pic was dealt with btw. I don't believe this snake has ever been abused or neglected but the owners are very open in admitting they just don't have the knowledge to continue with her (personally I think they are a great couple and making the right decision for the snake).

Wish us luck with our new snake! Oh Mike wants everyone to know these snakes are definitely getting new names as soon as they are properly sexed as he's just not willing to live with two snakes called (snicker...snicker)....Baby and Punkin! Men are such goofs LOL.


~~Joanna~~