I have a yearling Ball Python that I have had since December. He was a Petsmart rescue (I know, I know). He has always been a great eater, and very very active. We feed him one fuzzy every seven days. Terrarium is 80*, Humidity is around 60%.
After his last feeding, on Wednesday, he has become very *very* lethargic, a HUGE swing from his normal active self. He still has tone when I pick him up, he isn't limp. But he has been staying in just one spot in his terrarium for two full days. When he tries to move, it seems like he will pick his head up, it'll shake a bit, and he will go back to his old position, almost like he is 'dizzy'. No signs of RI, no bubbles, popping sound, etc. No signs of mites... I just can't figure out what is wrong with him, and it's really worrying me. He has only shed once since I have had him, it was about 4 weeks after I got him. He has BM's pretty regularly...
Any Ideas, ladies and gentlemen?
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Yearling Ball Python has become "Dizzy"?
Replies (3)
Hi,
If your hot spot is only 80F, that is too low. The minimum hot spot I have in my cages is the low 90s. I'm actually surprised that it ate and processed food at that temp. The mid-70s to 80 is good for the cool side of the cage, but a small basking area of at least 90 is required, otherwise all sorts of things can go wrong, including the symptoms that you are describing. If you bump the basking site up and provide a secure spot undercover, the snake should bounce back quickly, as bps are very resilient. Godd luck.
Will
"When he tries to move, it seems like he will pick his head up, it'll shake a bit, and he will go back to his old position, almost like he is 'dizzy'"
That is a classic early symptom of a respiratory infection, they lift their heads in an attempt to open the airway up. The shaking back and forth could also be a sign of a resp obstruction. Although it is impossible to tell for sure without looking at the animal in question. Boost those temps!
Will
I would think you should be feeding an adult ball python something bigger than a fuzzy. How much does he weigh?
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Susan Sentman
SSNAKES Reptiles
susan@ssnakes.com
