Plop: The unexpected rescue... (lots of pics)

[dkspftw]

Well done! The attention you gave to him clearly made all the difference and I doubt he'd have survived based on the state he was in. You're a hero!

Keep in mind that if budget is an issue, craigslist could be your best friend. You might be able to find a cracked fish tank for cheap or totally free or something similar that'd be a better size for him.

There are also many DIY options.

[Gizmo]

He looks like a different snake! You can take pleasure in the knowledge that you were charged more fairly for him than other folks would have been, and gave him a better home besides! I just can't believe all that shed, just unbelievable. These pet store need to see what a little proper husbandry and TLC can do, maybe they would sell more snakes if they didn't look like dried up worms!

He's a gorgeous snake, Gizmo, congrats and great job on giving him a fresh start.

A half joking word of caution,however... once he decides to camp out in one of those tubes, it'll be near impossible to get him out
Sent from my warm hide using Tapatalk

Thank you, i couldnt believe how much skin i pulled off the poor dear... It was horrifying... And then once it was all off he was acting like a completely different snake.
The tubes... lol i read that they liked them, but so far he hasnt shown any interest that i have seen, and if i desperately need him out, i will just tear the tube. XD

i have to agree he looks like a completely different snake. its amazing, and im sure even if snakes cant 'feel emotions' that he was extremely grateful.
and for a makeshift enclosure, thats pretty spot on, as far as stuff goes, dont know about heat, etc!

and that he even ate, after all that, is amazing! hes a trooper, that snake definitely wants to live and im so glad you rescued him!

I know he felt better, he perked up amazingly after i was done, and began to explore my bed, where before he just... sat there and didnt want to move, even after he had soaked and the skin was soft. he was still like 'nope'.
There is a heat pad under the red hide (red for warm side, blue for cool lol) but i dont have a way to measure how hot it is... If it helps it is a zoomed reptitherm uth mini for 1-5 gallon enclosures. a little on the small side, i know, but it is what i have room for and the tub *feels* warm to me when i stick my hand inside, and its about the size of a five gallon i suppose. i am not sure exactly.
He ate TWICE. the first time was two days after i got him, the second exactly one week later. I have him eating every friday, the only thing i can get here are rat pinks, so he is eating three of them in a go, and he eats them no problem.

Well done! The attention you gave to him clearly made all the difference and I doubt he'd have survived based on the state he was in. You're a hero!

Keep in mind that if budget is an issue, craigslist could be your best friend. You might be able to find a cracked fish tank for cheap or totally free or something similar that'd be a better size for him.

There are also many DIY options.

Oh yeah, CL is my friend. lol, but like i said i am actually moving in two weeks, so if i can get by with this and have to lug LESS stuff, i am going to do it. I fully intend my first big purchase once i am settled to be a proper tank and accessories for him. ^.^

[Chkadii]

There is a heat pad under the red hide (red for warm side, blue for cool lol) but i dont have a way to measure how hot it is... If it helps it is a zoomed reptitherm uth mini for 1-5 gallon enclosures. a little on the small side, i know, but it is what i have room for and the tub *feels* warm to me when i stick my hand inside, and its about the size of a five gallon i suppose. i am not sure exactly.

I think the enclosure looks great considering the circumstamces! You may want to consider getting a thermostat to regulate the UTH as your top priority, because they can do a lot of damage unregulated (and even start fires). They can be expensive, but they're worth every penny and they're more critical than the tank material (as long as it's safe and secure). If CL doesn't pan out, you could get away with drilling air holes into a Rubbermaid-type container - it won't be pretty but it will be cheap!

Thanks for rescuing the little guy, He's a very cute pastel and he has the greenest eyes I've ever seen on a BP! Best of luck!


Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

[Pyrate81]

The effective way to measure temps and regulate your heat pad on a budget:

Thermometer:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Acu-Rite-I...mometer/896347

Thermostat:
http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-Digi...arm+thermostat


Great job with that snake and to the forums.

[mechnut450]

congrats on the rescue and I agree the t-stat is more important. I had a uth that failed and burnt the wood the tank was on it took me 2 days to trace the burning smell down ( cause I had forgotten about the uth on the tank and plus the cage was heavy I never though to check under it until I looked every were and was trying t0 trace all my cords.

[Gizmo]

Oh gosh! Thank you all so much for your kind words and advice!! <3<3<3<3

I will get the thermometer and thermostat asap, when i get settled ill have to get a bigger heat mat anyway, so ill just buy them both at the same time.

I do have a question, and i will just go ahead and ask it here... When traveling, i am going to be driving cross country with him, will the heat packs for warming your hands in winter be enough heat for him? It could take several days to get where i am going, and if i just change those out as they wear out, will it be okay?

And then some pictures from this morning for you guys, just to compare on how big he has gotten in this short time.

His tub from the side... And a nice gift front and center that he left me overnight... lol


And here im going to compare, the night i got him vs today in almost the same pose, compared to my hand as a guide.

Before:


After:



And the rest are just pretty, taken in the natural light... I have never seen a BP with green eyes, and his are amazing...









He is such a sweet baby, i hope he stays this nice once he is fully back up to health... And he looks like he may be starting to get ready to shed again... poor thing, i hope this one goes better for him, if not, i am pretty practiced at soaking and helping at this point. ^.^;;

[JLC]

I do have a question, and i will just go ahead and ask it here... When traveling, i am going to be driving cross country with him, will the heat packs for warming your hands in winter be enough heat for him? It could take several days to get where i am going, and if i just change those out as they wear out, will it be okay?

See if this helps answer those questions:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...aulin-Reptiles

[Gizmo]

See if this helps answer those questions:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...aulin-Reptiles

Goodness! Yes, thank you, very helpful!