Reptile & Amphibian Forums

im new to this snake thing, i have geckos and a toad but a friend of mine bought a ball python awhile ago and doesnt want it anymore. Its young and he says its wild caught but i dont know if i believe that, he bought it from Petland. anyways it hasnt eaten in about a month or so. I went and saw it yesterday for the first time, and hes keeping it in a rubbermaid comtainer, which is good, but no air holes?i dont know why he hasnt put airholes, he really should. hes using come kind of bark/mulch i didnt ask what it was. he told me the temp was about 90 degrees. when he first bought the snake, it would take thawed mice right away... then it wouldnt, and he says it ate live mice, but i dont know if this is true..it has just shed about a week ago. i think its not eating for poor husbandry reason, and i feel sorry for it. he doesnt want it anymore and said he would give it to me. Im just worried that it will be more of a nuisance to me, especially if it is not readily eating. If i dont take it, i thik it might eventually die..its not old, about 6 months or so i would think from its size but im not positive. does anyone have any opinions? thanks

Well,
Your freind shoulden't have snakes if he's not going to take care of them. There are a lot of sites out there that will tell you how to care for them. That pore snake has to stay in temps of 90%? The cage should have a temp gradiant from one side to the other for him to cool down if he wan'ts to. And air holes are a must for any living animal! I wouldn't eat either if I couln't breeth. Type ball python caresheet into your search bar and you'll get all the caresheets you need. It's on you wheather you wan't to take the snake or not but if not teach your freind a little compation!
Just my thoughts (no Air Holes) Arggg!

im well aware of caresheet on the internet and i have read plenty of them. im not naive!i think i know how to use the net and type ball python caresheets. i did not feel right telling him how to take care of his snake! theres tons of people out there who get reptiles and dont knw how to care for them, but u cant stop everyone! im a registered animal health tech, and i work at a vet clinic...i just wanted some peoples opinions on the situation since u all have pythons

I didn't mean to insult you in any way shape or form! My post must have came accross the wrong way. Sorry!

Casey was trying to help you. You are the one being rude. Your friend in my mind is definately mistreating the animal. If it is ignorance inform him/her, if he/she just is the type of person with no respect for animals, find a new friend. I mean you are a animal health tech!?! Okay, i am done with that.

If you have the ability to save an animal, you should. If you are unable to take care of this animal for an extended period of time, adoption is an excellent method. You can temporarly keep this animal until someone adopts it. Ball pythons currently are very popular and you should have no problem finding a good home for him.

sym
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"You can't appreciate Shakespeare until you've read him in the original Klingon."

Probably not eating due to poor husbandry. Where are you located? Is he willing to give it up?

If you or he are interested, I have a caresheet full of tips from message boards that might help - especially if he's interested in taking responsibility for the snake or if you are willing to take it in.

Just email me:
tigergenesis@comcast.net
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i live in canada....yes, he is very willing to give it up, he doesnt want it any longer...hes not very responsible..im just not sure yet if im ready to try fix someone elses mistakes u know? i do feel sorry for the snake and i dont want it to die...well i have read plenty of caresheets but e-mail me yours and ill read it also...thanks

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if its in a rubbermaid it may or may not need airholes, depending on the model. Definately read a bunch about ball pythons on the web and buy some books.
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Relational example - If your friend had a drug problem, would you not do anything about it? Different situation, different circumstance, but you are still talking about a life none-the-less.

TAKE IT FROM HIM! Why? Tons of reasons!

-You like pets...
-You seem to be educated and interested in their care...
-One BP is very, very easy to care for (if done properly)...
-It comes at no investment to you, housing and all, except for food...
-They are as rewarding as a dog or cat, more interactive than your other pets, stay small and managable, are famous for their resilience and tame disposition...
-The snake will die if you don't help it...

There are so many more reasons to take it than not, especially considering what you do for a living!

I must warn you, snakes are like a disease, they are contagious and when you finally have that first snake and educate yourself properly, you can't get enough of them...

Good luck...
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-Iman

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Stimulate debates, stifle arguments.
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>>Relational example - If your friend had a drug problem, would you not do anything about it? Different situation, different circumstance, but you are still talking about a life none-the-less.
>>
>>TAKE IT FROM HIM! Why? Tons of reasons!
>>
>>-You like pets...
>>-You seem to be educated and interested in their care...
>>-One BP is very, very easy to care for (if done properly)...
>>-It comes at no investment to you, housing and all, except for food...
>>-They are as rewarding as a dog or cat, more interactive than your other pets, stay small and managable, are famous for their resilience and tame disposition...
>>-The snake will die if you don't help it...
>>
>>There are so many more reasons to take it than not, especially considering what you do for a living!
>>
>>I must warn you, snakes are like a disease, they are contagious and when you finally have that first snake and educate yourself properly, you can't get enough of them...
>>
>>Good luck...
>>-----
>>-Iman
>>
>>1.1 Sugar Gliders (Gizmo and Nema)
>>2.0 Ball Pythons (Spot and Speck)
>>0.1 Colombian BCI (Belle)
>>1.0 Colombian Rainbow (Rex)
>>0.1 Brazilian Rainbow (Just arrived!!!)
>>
>>Loving to Learn
>>Learning to Help
>>Helping to Love
>>
>>Stimulate debates, stifle arguments.
>>Please be nice always.
>>
>>Future Project Wishlist:
>>0.2 BP
>>1.0 BCI
>>0.1 CRB
>>1.0 BRB
>>1.1 ARB, GRB, DB & JCP
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Rob Talkington