Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Let me just preface this by saying that I am not trying to start another one of those "here's my normal is it unique" posts. I picked this guy up at a local pet store tonight, hopefully you can tell why from the photos. I just want opinions on his appearance, I know what I think he might be and that is why I bought him, but I really want some other opinions as I don't have many people to "talk snakes" with around here. Whatever your opinion he will make a nice dinking project and if he proves out great, if not, he has a great home, once I get him healthy (off to the vet for a URI tomorrow) I just really would like to know what you all think, so don't be afraid to chime in. Also worth noting, he is not in shed in any of these photos, no cloudy eyes and no pink belly.








I used two of my normal females in some of these photos for comparison, both are very normal, but I like them. I found it very difficult to get any good photos given my lack of skills and equipment but these are the best of about 75 that I took. Thanks to all.
-Bryce
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0.2 Normals
1.0 Sumaritan Blood
adding more soon!

i see nothing out of the norm. has nice blushing. i am curious what you see though
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Jeff Stringer

Looks like a ghost to me- not the best one in the world, but a ghost none the less!

Steve Harrison

That's exactly what I thought, I really just needed to hear someone else say it. Those pictures do him no justice, has an almost green hue to him, for some reason the flash seems to cut through that ghost faded look and makes his black actually look like clear black. Thanks for the reply, and like I said if nothing else it's a nice dinking project. He is almost 900grams and has sperm plugs, just got to nurse him for a while.

It's not unusual for balls that haven't been properly cared for to have that ghostlike appearance. I see it a lot with rescues - unfortunately once they are properly cared for their normal coloring usually returns as well.

Either way good luck with him.
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Tosha
JET Pythons

Insert Silly Quote Here

just brought him home from a pet store and you are taking him to a vet and you still have 2 of your established snakes right next to him?

looks like a normal, good luck though.
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1.2 Normal Ball Pythons
1.1 100% Het Albino Ball Pythons
1.0 Pastel Ball Python
0.1 Borneo Short Tail Python
1.0 Great Plains Rat Snake

He is in quarantine in a separate room and will be just like I have done with all of my newcomers. Just wanted some comparison shots, so yes they were next to each other for about 10 minutes. No external parasites on the new one and the females are as healthy as they come so I am not to worried about it, but thanks for the concern.

But you said he has an URI? You do know that can be spread right?
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John Vandegrift

Yes, but like I said my other snakes are in great health, no stress . It was probably not the best decision in retrospect, but with healthy immune systems I seriously doubt that in that short of time it would have been spread.

This statement needs to be addressed:

"It was probably not the best decision in retrospect, but with healthy immune systems I seriously doubt that in that short of time it would have been spread."

Let's take a look at the facts:

1. An RI can be bacterial or viral (there is a NASTY viral version of an RI going around now- that can be spread across an entire home (airborne)- and either way ANY contact is direct exposure and potential contamination- regardless of time...

2. You have NO way of knowing what a healthy immune system is by looking at a snake(nor do I!)

3. A stressed or weakened animal naturally lightens up in color and can take a "ghostlike" appearance until it gets healthy

Saying you "seriously doubt" anything doesn't make it true. No one is perfect in their husbandry but extreme care needs to be taken- just the littlest trip up can be devastating.

Best of luck!

Steve Harrison

Looks normal. As said above, stressed ball pythons can get lighter in color. The dark on him looks too dark to be a ghost, but I guess you'll know when he sheds. Also, you may not see mites, but are you positive the new one doesn't have any? They can hide under the scales and I would never put a new snake so close to my established animals. You just never know what they can be carrying...

At this point I am positive that there are no external parasites, I have been monitoring him closely and he is on newsprint. I have been thinking about the stress lightening his color and I have seen a few that have been that way for sure(my first was that way), I still don't know about him though it's just way more drastic than anything I have ever seen, but regardless he has a good home and he may make a nice dinking project. I appreciate your responses in concern to my established girls, dumb move on my part. I am sure everything will be fine, but still not worth the risk.