Found a BP that was released

[DJT]

About a month ago I got a call from my uncle who lives next door that he had found a snake in his barn that was different than any he had seen before. He called me as he knew I always caught snakes as a kid and had majored in biology. When I got there I realized it was a released/escaped ball python. I brought it home without really knowing what to do with it. I had never kept any snakes other than a wild milk snake I found years back but released again after a week. The kids thought it was cool but they had seen me catch wild snakes lots of times before and then let them go. The wife is generally scared of snakes but actually held it for a little bit without being persuaded. After I explained to her that it had to have been someones pet and would never survive the winter she was on facebook saying we may have a new pet.

I have a hunch that it came from a family that lived just down the road. They were renting a dilapidated old farmhouse until they got busted for drugs and the house was condemned. They had to move out a couple weeks before we found the snake and a aquarium was among the things that sat on the porch during the move. I was glad to see them go as they had been nothing but trouble.

I was not ready at all for a BP and it had to spend the first few nights in a barrel in the basement while I got stuff together. Thanks to websites like this one I gave myself a crash course on python care. The snake had a few sores on it's body and had developed a respiratory infection due to all the cool outdoor temps. After a $125 trip to the vet and giving him antibiotic injections, chlorhex rinses, and cream for his sores he seems to be doing much better. I now have him in a 48"18"20" aquarium with astroturf substrate, ceramic heater, 2 hides, a paint pan of water to soak in, and a branch that spans the whole tank. I am using a wet towel draped across the branch to keep humidity 50+.

The snake is 3 ft, 700 grams and unknown sex. It looks like what you call normal coloration and has never tried to bite. It didn't eat for the first 4 weeks while recovering but has eaten 6 live mice in the past week. I realize now I will need to give it something bigger to eat.

My questions are
What size prey will it need? Small rats?
Does 700g seem thin for a 3 ft BP?

[devildog_dk]

700g isn't too bad for a male that long, although it could use some weight. As for prey you'd most likely want him on small to medium rats. Rule of thumb is the prey's hips no wider than the snake is at it's widest part.

[FireStorm]

It sounds like small rats should be about the right size. Not sure about thee weight vs length. I don't measure my snakes so I don't have a comparison. Kudos to you for rescuing the poor guy/gal. Its awesome that you were willing to spend the $ on vet bills and setup to save it

[krinklebearcat]

Stories like this frustrate me to no end. That is one lucky snake to have wound up in your care. Thank you for the effort and resources you've put in to giving him a better life.

[Jonas@Balls2TheWall]

Small rats would be ideal. Nice thing you did rescuing the snake!!! I recommend reading up a bit on heat pads or heat tape and thermostats since ceramic heaters can sometimes be dangerous and are not ideal for keeping up the humidity levels.

[devildog_dk]

Suppose I could have clarified on the "if its a male part," because if it's a female it sounds like it could use some chow.

[DJT]

I thought about naming it Lucky because it probably would not have survived the dropping temps much longer and could have easily been killed if it was found elsewhere. I think I will go with Monty Python although I realize it's not very original. My wife really seems to enjoy the surprised reaction her friends and coworkers give her when she talks about it. I had him out tonight and she wanted me to take a pic with her holding it so she could text it to friends.

[Vypyrz]

Hello, and to BP.net. Thank You for the time, money, and effort that you have spent in rescuing this snake and nursing it back to health, and it sounds like you are on the right track. If you have any issues with your snake or the tank set-up, there are many tips and tricks to correct everything from temps, humidity, snake stressing, to feeding and mites. You can always use the "Search" function to search for threads on specific things, or always feel free to post a thread. One thing that you should know about us around here is that we are photophiles, and always love photos. I think Louis would be a good name, since that is your location. Congratulations on your new friend, and congratulations on a job well done...

[ball python 22]

glad that you spent the time and money to care for the snake and give it a good home

[DJT]

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