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 #1777775


Farout
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   Message To: LArteaga   In reference to Message Id: 1776410


 New Ball Python....Baby??? Help!!

Thanks for the update...I was a little worried about what was going to happen to the poor little guy. At least he has a better chance now. I’m glad you’ve got one that’s more established and now you have better knowledge of providing the right environment.

I do agree with what Susan said about Ball pythons not always being the best starter snakes. They are notorious for having feeding issues.



06/29/08  06:13pm

 #1778486


SusanC
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   Message To: SusanC   In reference to Message Id: 1777775


 New Ball Python....Baby??? Help!!

Man.. now I’m sad... I really wanted you to get that snake to eat... chances are.. the breeder will get him.. lol her to eat... but I wanted it to work out for you. Ball Pythons are NOTORIOUS for their feeding problems.. BUT I am a firm believer that snakes do not go off feed once they have been established as good eaters unless they stop with the seasons or their husbandry is off. If it isn’t winter time.. and a snake stops feeding.. it is the HUMAN OWNER’S husbandry skills not the snake. There are many reasons why snakes go off feed (seasons..illness... and husbandry.. not necessarily in that order and usually illness and husbandry are directly linked) That is why I stress to people that Ball Pythons.. because of their strict husbandry requirements are NOT beginner snakes... you can look on any forum.. not just this one.. any of them..as any herp vet... there is always someone having trouble with a sick BP.. why? b/c too many people jump into snake ownership without doing the research.. or b/c one guy says he can keep a BP in a 40 gal tank and its only 2 months old.. and it’s fine. Poor husbandry is cumulative... it may be fine today but 90 days of it will do probably irreversible damage. (I’m saying saying that this is the case with you) NOW that being said...

Congratulations on your new snake. I’m glad you were able to get an older.. more established pet. Do you have her in the 10 gallon? Please make sure that of course your temps and humidity are on target... that you have 2 identical hides.. and "junk" it up with greenery. This will help the snake feel more secure. She is hissing at you b/c she feels stressed and threatened. Don’t offer any food until you have let her acclimate for at least a week to 10 days.. (considering that she is hissing it may take 10 days or so)During this time, don’t hold her or mess with her...only spot clean the enclosure and replace fresh drinking water. After the acclimation period.. offer her one appropriately sized prey item...making sure not to hold her for a period after wards to avoid a regurge..(I don’t handle mine for 48 hours)..but considering this is a fairly young...hissing BP.. I probably wouldn’t hold her until after her second success full feed. If she is still hissing after that.. I would purchase a small snake hook and begin to "hook train" most snakes stop hissing once they are out of their enclosure. This way they will associate the hook with handling and they will know that that is what is about to happen... BUT... just know that snakes don’t care if you handle them or not.. as long as they are cared for properly.. correct husbandry... clean enclosure.. and fed... you don’t HAVE to hold them...it would just be a shame to have a pet that you wouldn’t hold. Anyway.. I’ve been rambling... good luck... keep us informed of your new baby.
~smiles~
Suz
06/30/08  10:34am

 #1778668


SusanC
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   Message To: SusanC   In reference to Message Id: 1778486


 New Ball Python....Baby??? Help!!

Ok.. I promise I used spell check.. and thought I proofread for errors.... lol guess that’s what i get for thinking.. I saw lots of errors.. but one concerns me... I left out a word where I said..I’m not saying that this is the case with you... (talking about poor husbandry).. just wanted to clear up my goof so OP didn’t think I was somehow belittling their husbandry...kudo’s to you for asking for help!

once again..excuse the typo’s..it was a strange morning

Suz
06/30/08  02:17pm
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