Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, I was just handed a ball python that was found under someones care engine.. I am in Oregon, with freezing temps outside right now... Anyhoo, the guy that did the rescue part is a well-known herpetologist but did not have any spare cages, so I was the next choice...

BUT I have never kept anything other that corns and gopher snakes... I have read a little about these guys and I know about the hide box and how food picky these guys can be, and
to keep it warm at all times... but that is about it... I need to know how to take care of this guy so I dont make things worse...

At the moment, the snake(young adult male) is in good shape, no mites, a bit thin but not too bad, some old bite
marks, but no respiratory problems.

What is correct temp?? How/when do I offer it food??? I am assuming it has been fed live only. How long do I give it to adjust before feeding, or handling??

Anything else??

Harpy
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Have You Hugged Your Herp Today?

Bless your heart! Good for you for providing this poor critter with a good home.

Obviously, the first order is to get the little guy warmed up. He'll be wanting a warm and cool hide. Give him about 90 degrees on the warm side. Maybe 85 or so on the cool. I'd let him settle in for a few days before messing with him at all. There are many excelent tips on this forum for getting a finniky ball to take frozen/thawed mice or rats.Once a week feeding should be fine with appropriately sized prey items.
Ball pythons do have fairly high humidity requirements. Around 60% or so, particularly when in shed. I provide all mine with a humid hide box for this purpose.

A visit to the vet for a fecal would not be a bad idea. Right now I'd say just keep him warm and calm. He's certainly been through an ordeal!

Best of luck to you and your snake!
GratefulFred
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GratefulFred

Hello! I just had a similar experience, I found a Ball Python in the dumpsters near my house. Here's what I have found so far:

I use an under-tank heating strip, under about 1/3 of the cage. I use repti-bark as a substrate (people use MANY different things, I like repti-bark). As far as feeding, the snake I found won't take a pre-killed food item unless you move it around for him, which leads me to believe he has been fed live items. Try using tongs to dangle the food near him, it keeps your hands free of errant strikes. People have told me that I don't need a light, but I want to SEE inside of the cage so I use a light on one end of the cage. The temp is 80 in the coolest part, 92 in the warmest. To help keep the humidity up I lightly mist the cage daily, and provide a full, clean water dish at all times.

I am new to Ball Pythons also, and my snake is a rescue like yours I hope this gives you something to base your husbandry decisions on. By the way, did you ever find out HOW this snake got under a car's hood and engine?

-Paul

1.0.0 Mali Uromastyx
1.1.0 Saharan Uromastyx
0.1.0 Bearded Dragon
1.1.0 African Fat Tail Geckos
1.0.0 Royal Python

Hello, thanks for all the great advice.. I decided to give the snake to a friend that has rescued MANY pythons much worse than this one.. I am positive he(the snake) will have a great home with him.. I am just not able to give this animal what he needs.. BUT I still want to learn as much as I can about the ball python.. I think this snake is soooo cooll... I definately want to get into them someday... when I can afford the space..

>>>By the way, did you ever find out HOW this snake got under a car's hood and engine?

As for the car.... I owner of the car found the snake while checking the oil. He said he went to all neighbors and nobody claimed the snake. So He call a herp rescuer to take it, but that guy did not have anything to keep it in, so placed the snake with ME, until proper home could be found.. There are no wounds on this guy, so he must not have been out too long, that and the temps here are NOT good for pythons.. way to freakin cold..

Thanks
Harpy
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Have You Hugged Your Herp Today?