newbie to board and snakes (found snake in trash)

[Evenstar]

ANIMAL RESCUE FOR THE WIN! Way to go man. Welcome to the world of ball pythons. Even if it was accidental.

x2!!

Welcome to the addiction - this probably won't be your only snake......

Incidentally, you're going to get LOTS of advice and help on this forum - nearly all good! If I may, I'll just suggest that you wait at least a week before trying to feed him for the first time. He's got good weight on him so he can wait a bit longer even if he hasn't eaten in a while. But he's going to be stressed from his ordeal, adjusting to a new home, getting sprayed with mite spray, etc. Waiting a week will be beneficial.

[Tfpets]

x2!!

Welcome to the addiction - this probably won't be your only snake......

Incidentally, you're going to get LOTS of advice and help on this forum - nearly all good! If I may, I'll just suggest that you wait at least a week before trying to feed him for the first time. He's got good weight on him so he can wait a bit longer even if he hasn't eaten in a while. But he's going to be stressed from his ordeal, adjusting to a new home, getting sprayed with mite spray, etc. Waiting a week will be beneficial.

I think he said he already ate!

Good job on the rescue! We're you a reptile person before? Was it hard for you to grab up a snake like that?

[TheSnakeGuy]

Great question. Were you scared? intrigued? anxious? Or all 3 upon seeing a snake in a can? Most people at my store when they see 16" baby ball pythons they say, "oh my god look how big it is!" If only they knew . . . . LOL

[arialmt]

Right On! Good of you to scoop him up like that.

Somewhere out there is a garbage collector who unknowingly owes you one.

[Fidget]

Somewhere out there is a garbage collector who unknowingly owes you one.

LOL! So true. That's wonderful that you stepped up and gave him a new home, OP. It sounds like he'll get excellent care from you, and his trashcan days are over.

[Midwestgottyline]

thanks everyone. I dont know why someone would do that but he is in a good home now. surprisingly he seems to be in good health. took him to the vet this afternoon and he said he is in great condition. i have been googling and reading everything i can on ball pythons now. Once concern that i have is heating. I have a heat lamp with the red bulb but im not sure if that is enough. i was looking at getting a under the tank heater too? another concern that i have is humidity. i have to idea how to keep it humid and what the humidity levels are. he was a very active snake up until i fed him. now he has been in his hide ever since. i just checked on him to make sure he is still alive and he is. i felt his body and it is pretty warm. i have the hide directly under the heat lamp. any suggestions would be great! now for a name lol

[Midwestgottyline]

also, when getting rats for him to eat, do i have to worry about them bringing in any mites or anything that can harm him? i was actually really surprised he ate. i read not to feed him in his habitat so i put him in a plastic tote and then dropped the rat in....he struck instantly

[Midwestgottyline]

Right On! Good of you to scoop him up like that.

Somewhere out there is a garbage collector who unknowingly owes you one.

LOL if he would have made it until morning. it was 25 degrees that night and i found him about 11:30 pm. trash usually dont come until about noon the next day. i am VERY happy that i found him.

[Midwestgottyline]

and damn i am glad he is a ball python and not something that gets huge! My wife is from burma and actually has a scar on her leg from where a burmese python attacked her in the jungle when she was a child. it wasnt easy to convince her on keeping this guy

[Capray]

Keep everything how it is till tommorow, then go out and buy a heat pad and a thermostat, or last resort a lamp dimmer set to about 90º, and an accurite or something that is digital and measures heat and humidity.. put a damp towel over the top to keep humidity in overnight. Don't mess with him for a couple days, then you can weigh him and check him over carefully..
If the rats look healthy don't bother with worrying about mites from them.
Also don't bother moving him to feed but it doesn't really matter either way. it's not nessecary.