Severely Underweight New BP's! Help!

[PonderinGal220]

So, I'm new, but not so new that I don't know what a healthy ball python should look like, but new enough to have failed to ask the right questions before purchasing a ball python from an allegedly reputable breeder. This post might frustrate some people, because of my failings on many levels. I'm sorry in advance, but please be polite.

Anyway: I recently purchased a female yearling ball python from a breeder in FL. She was listed as having been born 08/17 and her weight at 220g. There was one photo of her (I didn't ask for more). Long story short, I purchased her and was given a free normal ball python of the same age.

When they arrived, I immediately noted how thin they appeared. I wanted to settle them in and get them warm before handling them more. After several hours of letting them acclimate, I decided I should probably check them out again. I can feel every rib, their spines are so prominent, and bellies concave. I am horrified! I know that I should have waited, but one of them was behaving "hungry", so I fed it a hopper mouse. He ate it immediately. The female that I purchased is extremely defensive, so I've decided to leave her alone for a little while.

Anyway, I have owned another ball python for about 8 months. He was born 09/17, is about twice the length and breadth of these two animals, and is a month younger.

I think it's safe to say that it's too late for me to approach the breeder. How do I get these snakes healthy? Why and how on earth did they come to be in this condition? What can I do for them?

I apologize for being so long-winded.

I have not had a chance to weigh either of these snakes to confirm, at least her weight. I do not currently have photos (I feel so prepared and on top of everything!). THey are both in separate plastic bins with hides and water. The temperature in either bin is 91 at one and 77 at the other, with 60% humidity.

THank you in advance! I feel really stupid right now!

[Craiga 01453]

Don't feel stupid, and don't beat yourself up. All you can do now is learn, learn, learn. We've ALL made mistakes.

Ok, now into your situation:

It sounds to me like those animals were maintenance fed, and are still small because of it. You can get them back on track in no time. Simply offer appropriately sized prey items on a weekly schedule and they'll fill out in no time.
So let's start there...hoppers are too small for a BP. They eat hoppers right out of the egg for their first few meals (typically only 3-5 meals). So your snakes are ready for adult mice, though probably smalls to start.
There are two general rules of thumb for feeding juvenile BPs:
First, the 10-15% guideline where the prey item should be 10-15% of the snakes weight.
Second, the widest point guideline where the prey item should be about the same size as the snake at the snake's WIDEST point.

So, getting these guys eating is your top priority. That means husbandry has to be on point.

Can you tell us about your setups? The more you tell us the better we can help.

What size/type enclosures are they in?
How are you heating the enclosures?
Are your heat sources regulated by a THERMOSTAT?
Do they have proper hides?
How are you measuring heat and humidity? And where?
Are they in a high traffic area?

Handling should be kept to an absolute bare minimum until the snake has eaten three consecutive meals (properly sized) without refusal.

Very IMPORTANT: are the new animals being quarantined in a seperate room than your other snake? And are you following proper quarantine procedures?

Again, don't beat yourself up. We're here to help and happy to do it. Read, read, read and read some more. Ask questions. The more you know about your pets the better you can care for them.

Please answer the above questions so we can help you the best we can.

[bcr229]

Actually if they were maintenance fed the OP may want to start with a hopper as a first meal, just to ensure it stays down and the light weight isn't due to some other issue. If all goes well over the next week then bump up a size each week until the snake is eating what it should be based on its weight. The snakes could also go on a five day schedule.

Oh and if you want to convert the babies over to f/t rats now is the perfect time, while they're very hungry.