New Member and Thanks

[boboso]

Wanted to drop a note of thanks to the existing member base here as we just adopted a baby ball python, now named "Mickey", into our home. The information here has been invaluable to us getting set and ready.

He came to us via a friend who knew someone that bought the snake for their son, who had no interest and was afraid of it. In addition, they had no idea of how to care for it, and how long it would be part of their family. Another disposable pet...we were also told they had everything that was needed... right.

Well Mickey is now safe with us and after substrate change out (from pine to aspen), and the addition of hide, heat and humidity is already doing fine after only four hours. The housing he came with was not made for a ball at all (red exposed lamp for heat, pine shavings, no hide).

He is a sweetheart and is about a month or two old I am guessing (he is approx 16" long) and ate hardily which is a good sign. The previous owners were hesitant to feed him and their guess was he had not eaten in over a week. He is also mid-shed, so he "jumped" on the new hide to scratch that itch and we are monitoring the humidity to help.

We got some more work to do on the housing, but time (he came to us late today) and lack of a close open herp store, we did what we could at PetSmart.

I grew up wanting to be a herpetologist and have had many different animals over the years, though never a python. I am glad my 6 year old boy is excited over his new friend as he enjoys nature (Dad's a conservancy docent here in So Cal - so he can't help it..) and now we can't get him to bed.

Thanks again all!

[dreese88]

Congrats on your new boy and welcome to the site...it sure is full of great information.

[Laooda]

Hello and welcome! I must warn you... they are addictive. You should get some pics posted of your new addition... we are pic crazy here...

[boboso]

Hello and welcome! I must warn you... they are addictive. You should get some pics posted of your new addition... we are pic crazy here...

As requested...

[Spaniard]

Very nice future herper! Welcome to the site!

Here is a thread to help you deal with that stuck shed....

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=43403

[starmom]

Cute little guy...!!!! Yeah, yeah, the snake is cute too!

[boboso]

Well "Micky" is doing well, and thanks for the shed info... worked out great. He is free of mites (none spotted after thorough review), and seems to be doing fine and comfy.

He took to his second feeding (7 days since we last fed him) like a champ, within 20 seconds of placing a F/T fuzzy he struck and coiled. He is looking for more as he still can scent the mouse on the feeder tray (we feed in the enclosure as I prefer and if feedings are scheduled, Micky will get it). My boy was fascinated with the whole process and though the wife was not as excited, she is happy he readily eats F/T prey which means no live feedings.

One thing we noticed, he is very active during the day, seems to stay on the cooler (80') side of the tank, does not "hide" and moves to the hot side (90') when (we think) he feels the need. Having had herps most of my life he seems to be thermo-regulating just fine, although he is not exhibiting the traits of a BP (eats readily, not shy etc). I am not worried as no one in this house is normal and he seems to be doing very, very well.

Kinda cool as we had a bearded dragon for 8-9 years (he passed last year) and he was active, out in the open, and seemed to interact with people. So far we are enjoying Micky antics during the day.

This was a great deal for both the snake and my boy.

[Drew87]

Very cool. Very nice of you to take in that animal and its good to hear you did your reasearch. Im sure that snake now has a happy home. o yea