New here. Need help!!! May have made a HUGE mistake!

[ArmsandLegs]

First off, Hi everyone!

I'm brand new to ball pythons...I purchased my first normal female ball about a month ago. She's eating extremely well, very friendly, seems to be healthy, etc.

Here's where I made my mistake: Knowing little to nothing about ball pythons, I went to my local reptile show today and purchased another. A normal male, I was told he was HET for something, but I don't even remember what. I came home and stupidly put him directly in the tank with my female, not quarantining him for even a day. I only own one tank, a 28 gallon aquarium I've converted into a nice little snake habitat. I get paid on Wednesday, and I will immediately rush out after work and get a second enclosure for this new snake.

Now for my question...did I just possibly kill both snakes by not quarantining the male? What measures can I take now to remedy this? I can't believe I even thought I could house two snakes together, let alone not quarantine them. Will they be okay until Wednesday, or should I put the male in a tupperware until then? Please, no hate. I feel bad enough about this as is, I'm just trying to fix the situation.

[mainbutter]

quarantining is only a precaution, because infections (most notably resperatory infections), and other transmittable diseases such as IBD are just that, transmittable.

In all likelihood neither of your snakes carries anything deadly, heck they are probably pretty healthy snakes if they came from somewhere that takes good care of the animals. IBD is fatal but shows up pretty quickly in pythons. RI can be treated easily if caught early.

Don't feel bad, there are people out there who wouldn't even care even after learning of small mistakes

[Kaorte]

First off, WELCOME!!!

Second, CALM DOWN!!!! It isn't the end of the world. Many people make the mistake of not quarantining their animals and 90% of the time nothing goes wrong. But sometimes, things happen which causes both of the animals quite a bit of harm.

I can already tell that you sound like a responsible keeper who is trying to do the best for your animals. I have these moments too sometimes...brain farts...lapses in judgment, whatever, everyone makes mistakes.

As soon as you can, set up the male in his own house and try to keep him in a separate room from the female if possible. Keep them separated for at least a month, longer if you can manage it.

Right now, you could try to create some kind of divider in the tank you have so they at least have their own space. Make sure not to use any tape for this though. BPs have a tendency to stick themselves to tape :/

Now, If you happen to have $20 to spare, I can give you details on how to set him up in his own fancy storage tub. I understand money can be tight sometimes.

[LadyOhh]

Relax, breathe, and Welcome!

Now, as for your situation, I would suggest seperating them as soon as possible, but making sure that the husbandry of the animals is up to par for both living spaces is very important.

If you don't have any money, it is a mute point, but as soon as you can, make sure to seperate them.

You didn't automatically kill your snakes by not quarantining, but there is a chance that you may have transmitted illnesses or parasites from one to the other because you didn't quarantine. THAT is why it is very important to do so.

BUT!!! You are going to have to watch them very closely as soon as you do get them situated alone. Check for any signs of illness and/or parasites, and do take them into a vet when you get a chance as well.

If you can, get a 28 or 32 qt tub to put the male in temporarily. Make sure it has a heat source on one side (heat pad with thermostat is ideal), and that the tub has holes for air.

Other than that, handle it until Weds.

It should be okay.

[ArmsandLegs]

Thanks, I feel a little better

I went ahead and popped him in a huge tupperware for now, but I don't have an extra heat source I can give him. Will he be okay without a heat source for a couple of days, or would I be better off leaving him in the tank with the female?

Silly me, I thought I would try my hand at breeding. If I had known 12 hours ago what I know now...

[derrabe]

Your are probably better off housing the two snakes together until you get paid on wedensday and can purchase all the stuff need fro proper care. Heat is important to thier well being if it gets to cold for him it can cuase improper digestion, thier immune systems to weaken. Increasing the risks in the long run. This is just my opinion on what you should do. As long as the snakes arent too old housing them together shouldnt be a big issue as long as your not feeding them together. You shouldnt feed him for at least a week or two so he can get adjusted to his new surroundings and less stress.

[ArmsandLegs]

Ok, I will house them together unless told otherwise. Thanks alot, everyone. I really appreciate the help. Now, would anyone like to see my setup/snakes? The male is strangely colored, IMO. The female just ate today, so I don't want to bug her, but I can probably snap a few pics if anyone's interested. I'm pretty proud of my setup, it took me a long time.

[derrabe]

Sure we are lways happy to see other herpers work. One other thing make sure you have more then one hide so they can get away from each other if they want it is more a stress thing versus a danger thing.

[ArmsandLegs]

Here's Legs, the female. This pic wasn't taken today, she just ate and I don't want to bother her. She's a bit bigger now.




And here's her tank:


And last, but not least, here's Arms, the male. Does he look oddly marked to anyone else?

[fishmommy]

that female is smokin hot!

So tell us about the three H's for both sides of that enclosure:
Heat
Humidity
Hides