Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello Everyone,

I received a Ball Python today, and I was wondering if you guys could share some insight.

First thing out of the box, he took a bite at me. Now, I've been bitten so many times from wild snakes I've found while walking through the woods, that this sort of thing seldom even makes me jump anymore. This is nothing new.

He came with papers, and I was told he was an '01 adult. I believe this. His head is large, and he's of decent length, so I'm assuming he probably is an 01 adult. The problem is, I was told he was in the high 600 grams, but I weighed him and he's only 439 grams. He looks very thin.

So here's my question: Is it possible that he's striking because he's starving, and that when fed properly he may settle down and become more docile? Or is he just a mean cuss, regardless of his feeding?

Any experiences with this?

Thanks,
Chris
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0.1 Normal
0.1 Banded
1.0 Reduced Pattern
1.0 Burgundy (PH Piebald)
0.2 Het Piebald
0.1 Screaming Child

UPDATE: It seems my scale was off a bit. I just weighed him again, and his true weight is 542 grams. He still looks very thin for an '01, though.

Another interesting thing...although he squirms a lot trying to get away, he seems quite "floppy" to me. Kind of like he jerks to one side to escape, but doesn't have the strength to hold up his body much once he does.

I'm starting to get paranoid. None of my other snakes feel "floppy". Of course, they all eat like hogs, so maybe in time this guy will do a litttle better.

Any ideas?

Thanks Again,
Chris
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"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds." -- A. Einstein

3 years old and 500 gs? he should be atleast twice that. have you taken him to a vet?
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Extensive Snakes

Not yet. I'll give him a day or two from his long journey, and see how he does. Then we'll take a trip to the vet.

Gosh! The more I look at him, the more starved he looks!

Chris
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"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds." -- A. Einstein

for an 01 and it being said as an adult and only weighing it at 500 somthing grams, i suggest a hell of alot of feeding and maybe u should see a vet. ive got 03 females weighing in at 2100 grams.

Yeah. I've got him quarantined, but the idea of an IBD infected snake is very scary. He seems a bit "odd" in his movements, and I can hear him wheezing a little, so I'm hoping this isn't the case. He did just get shipped, so he may be a bit stressed, and he's going through a shed, so maybe that's got a little to do with it. The previous owner told me the snake ate two (2) mice on 10/16 without a problem. Most of my yearlings have eaten 3 - 4 weaned rats since then. Do you think that his awkwardness (muscle control) could have to do with being so thin and underfed? As opposed to IBD? How rare is IBD anyway? Anybody know? I haven't seen him "star-gazing" yet, so that's a good sign. =/

Chris
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"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds." -- A. Einstein

Sounds like you got ripped off. An "01" should be three times that size, at least two times that size. They probably sent you a WC Ball that has never eaten yet, or they never fed it more than once a month (if that).

I would be making some calls, and demanding my $$ back.
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Chad Bachman

"If you don't want an opinion, DON'T ASK FOR ONE!!!"

Well...he's got some pretty funky patterns going on, so I'll see if I can get him up to par. He'd be worth keeping. I've also got him quarantined...just in case...

Chris
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"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds." -- A. Einstein

.
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Chad Bachman

"If you don't want an opinion, DON'T ASK FOR ONE!!!"

Quarantine him immediatly and do not bring him ANYWHERE near your established collection especially when u said he is making jerky movements it could be very serious, although unlikely,it could be the beginning signs of IBD. in my opinion it is better to err on the side of caution. if you think he is that hungry try feeding him after a few days to get him somewhat acclimated but most definitly quarantine for NO LESS than 3 months away from every python or boa you own

CJ PLEASE READ UP ON IBD!

unusual muscle control, or lack of, as well as wheezing COULD be early signs. it hits balls hard and fast. the older the ball the longer it takes. easily spread through pet shops, or anywhere that snakes are house together! you seem to have several balls, why dont you look into the FIRE show in orlando this year? you will see why IBD is so scary.

your new snake seems VERY small, I have a male whose tounge was damaged by a mouse (previous owner!!) he is at least 3 years old, and my supplier had been force feeding him for almost 2 years. he was 425g when i got him 3 months ago, and is now eating on his own (thank god!--have you ever had to probe a mouse down a snakes throat?..gross!..and dangerous!) and weighs in at 812g.

(hes a pig!!)

Yeah. I've done a lot of reading on IBD. The problem with trying to diagnose IBD is that there are so many other ailments that mimic IBD. But so far...

He has seemed a bit disoriented with his movements, which is a symptom of IBD. It could also be because he's in shed (white eyes) and can't see very well. It may also be due to his previous starvation and lack of nutritionally-developed muscles.

He has a little wheezing, and Respiratory Infections are a symptom of IBD. But Respiratory Infections are very common to Ball Pythons, so we're still looking okay.

I haven't seen any mouth rot, so that's a good sign.

Extreme weightloss is a symptom of IBD. Considering the previous owner only fed this animal a very small meal (only two mice) every two weeks, the low weight probably isn't due to IBD.

All in all, the snake is very unhealthy and malnurished. I doubt it has anything to do with IBD, but it's better to err on the side of paranoia. =/

Thanks For Your Concerns,
Chris
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"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds." -- A. Einstein