First Time Snake Owner

[grim reaper in NY]

There is a list of vets right here on the forum in a sticky thread. I'm lucky because my vet is ACTUALLY a herp vet as well as a "regular" vet. Of course you should do your homeowrk and make sure the person in question is qualified to care for your new pet so things go smoothly. Failing to do so will only result in trouble, dded expense and even the potential death of your pet.

[Ed Chisholm]

I am a rookie still, where do I find that "sticky?"

[Kaorte]

While it is a good idea to take your vet to make sure they are healthy, it is unnecessary unless they show signs of sickness. You can go if it makes you feel better but unless they are noticeably sick, there isn't too much of a reason to go.

I am not saying you should never go to the vet though. If you think your ball python is sick, get right to the vet!

[Neal]

Like Kaorte said, if you believe your snake is sick, then by all means take your snake to the vet, but if your snake isn't sick then it's rather meaningless. I mean you can take your snake to the vet to get a Fecal done, or just to get a general checkup, but remember; a vet office is a business before its a vet.

[dr del]

Hi,

I am a rookie still, where do I find that "sticky?"

It's here.

And there are also a few sites to search on to try and find someone local to you.

Clicky 1.

Clicky 2.


dr del

[holisticVet]

I wrote this Exotic Pets care guide for Ball Python. Information about behaviors, sexing, housing, diet and most common disorders.

PET POTENTIAL/BEHAVIOR

• Generally prefer to be left alone; shy and docile.
  
• Small; typically reach 4 feet (120 cm) in length.
  
• May grow 1 foot (30 cm) per year during the first 3 years
  
• Crepuscular; active at dawn and dusk.
  
• Inexperienced python owners must be prepared for potential feeding problems and internal and/or external parasite problems.
  
• Ball pythons are notorious for not eating and may go for extended periods (sometimes over a year) without eating.

SEXING

• Ball pythons are difficult to sex visually, but are easy to sex via a probe.
• The males have thicker tails, and the anal spurs are longer and more curved.
• Females have a probe depth of 2-4 subcaudal scales and males have hemipenes with a probe depth of 6-10 subcaudal scales.

Hope this could guide you to have a happy ball python pet.

[grim reaper in NY]

Excellent tips Dr. "K"! Did you publish a book? If so, is there a link to purchase it? I am always purchasing books on my pets to help better educate me in the care and upkeep of these pets.