Rescued from starvation now what?

[balls my python]

Hello all, i have a problem...a house has been abandoned for some months in my area and we went exploring today...when i looked in one of the rooms i found a cage with a really skinny ball python. it had no water and hadn't eaten for months it seemed like.. i put 2 mice and it ate them so fast it was crazy..the problem is it strikes even through the cage! veeery aggressive.. i found a couple of pics at the house suggesting that it was once docile ... help please.. i have a ball of my own so my intent was to save the little guy and atleast find him a new home.. but this guys too aggressive i think.. what are my options? what should i do? HELP!!

[rperry03]

Cover all it's sides to let it calm down, get it on a feeding schedule and make sure the heat and humidity is correct

[Kinra]

I would also just ignore it when he strikes. My male spotnose was pissy for a while when I first got him, he would even try to bite me through his cage. After I started ignoring him and adapting a "I know your probably going to bite me but I don't care" attitude, he basically stopped. He still not a snake I would trust would trust with strangers or hold for long periods, but I can reach in and take him out without him striking. Yours is probably very stressed due to the poor conditions from before and being uprooted. Give him time, he'll come around.

[ogdentrece]

If you're really scared of getting bit, and think you should move him out or reach into his cage or something which would probably get you bit, you could wear some really thick gloves or use a few layers of gloves and just let him bite you all he wants, he'll soon learn it doesn't work. Of course if you could just let him bite you without that, then its fine.

[balls my python]

how often do i feed it since it is so malnourished?

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

He's been completely alone and hungry for a long time. Take him home and make sure he is warm and has good humidity. Feed him every 5-7 days and allow him to gain weight and be sure he's healthy before handling him. Check out the care sheet on this site. It won't be long before you have a docile BP if you choose to keep him. They are very rewarding pets. Otherwise, try to find someone with experience with snakes to take care of him.

He's just hungry, cold, and afraid I bet.

[CeeLee]

that's so freakin sad how can someone do that!? good luck with him!

[Skittles1101]

How sad! I guess it's a good thing you were exploring that day...

You said you have another ball, so be sure you make sure his husbandry is all correct. Heat, humidity, security, etc. If he is in a glass tank I would suggest blacking out the two sides and the back with black Con-tact paper from Home Depot for $6, or improvise and black out with something else. I'd leave him completely alone in his new home for at least a week before you think about handling or feeding again. Make sure he has plenty of water, the poor thing is probably dehydrated also. I'd start him (after the week) on a 5 day feeding schedule, I wouldn't start out with too big of prey as he may regurge if he eats too much too quickly. Do you have any pictures of him? Also make sure he's quarantined away from your other ball python.

[loonunit]

Can you hang onto it for a few months and keep feeding it? The snake will almost certainly calm down after it's caught up in growth and had a chance to acclimate to its new normal.

[PitOnTheProwl]

Dont forget to QT, just to keep your snake safe