Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Found this when I went to feed the horses, anybody know what it is?
http://palmbeachbamboo.com/snake/snake1.JPG
http://palmbeachbamboo.com/snake/snake2.JPG

I have more pics if needed.

Snake in Shed

Its a ball python (Python regius) an escaped(or released) pet most likely.
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1.0.0 Mangrove Snake
0.0.1 E. Milk Snake
1.0.0 Ball python

Yep....ball python..just like the post above..It had to be released or escaped somewhere...

Should I try to capture it?
It can live in my shed if it wants, plenty of food I'm sure... Is it a danger to a cat?

Should I try to capture it?

Yes, you should (assuming you don't live in the savannahs of subsaharan Africa where they are native!).

Ball Pythons are slow moving and don't bite. Poke it a few times with a stick and it will probably just curl up in a ball. Just pic it up, and put it in a pillowcase and tie the top shut.

Where do you live? There is probably a herp society near you that will take it and adopt it out to one of their more experienced keepers. I wouldn't give it to anyone without some years of snake keeping experience as stressed ball pythons can be hard to get settled into captivity.

It can live in my shed if it wants, plenty of food I'm sure... Is it a danger to a cat?

I wouldn't do that. It isn't a good idea to let non-native species live in your area. Furthermore, Ball Pythons are snakes from Tropical regions and probably wouldn't tolerate your climate very well, unless you live in far southern FL or TX.

It isn't a danger to a cat or anything much larger than a small rat.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, TX

I am in South Florida, Palm Beach County. I'll check with some neighbors first and see if somebody is missing a snake. He did not seem to mind when I gently pushed him over on the hay. He looked liked he ate a rat, had a nice bulge.. I've only seen him in the morning, not today but I'll keep a lookout.

I assume this was in Florida? If so there is a big problem with the non-native snakes gaining a foothold in the wild there. Something definitely needs to be done. Maybe a state wide capture program or something. Not good on the native wildlife for sure. But one good thing, they might cut down on the feral cats!!
Brian

>>Found this when I went to feed the horses, anybody know what it is?
>>http://palmbeachbamboo.com/snake/snake1.JPG
>>http://palmbeachbamboo.com/snake/snake2.JPG
>>
>>I have more pics if needed.
>>
>>Snake in Shed
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RATS
2.0 Corn snakes "Warpath" & "Thunderbird" (KY locale)
1.0 Black rat snake "Havok" (KY locale)
1.1 Black rat snakes "Reaper and Mystique" (MO locale)
1.0 Albino Black rat snake "Malakai" (Dwight Good stock)
1.0 Everglades rat snake "Deadpool" (Dwight Good stock)
0.1 Greenish rat snake "Rogue" (Dwight Good stock)
1.0 Great plains rat snake "Reign Fire" (TX locale)
1.0 Grey rat snake "Punisher" (White oak phase)(Dwight Good stock)

Good luck and Happy Herping
Brian

I have removed a dozen or more of those in the last twenty-odd years here in Palm Beach County. They are probably not established & breeding here yet, like the Burmese Python is in Everglades National Park, but they could probably do so in the future. I have found both Ball Pythons & common boas dead on the road here.

~~Greg~~
Venomous Snakes of Florida

Ok...First of all Palm Beach County is too cold in the winter time for this snake to survive (unless it finds a warm hideout). Balls can survive a long time without eating, so it could have been out ther for months. Your cats and dogs are in no danger...but I wouldn't trust the luck of a gerbil (lol).

As to breeding in the wild, This is far less likely than with Burmese (whom I keep hearing claims of established colonies, but have yet to have seen any concrete proof).

Ball pythons live basically in holes on the African savanna which with the low sea level of South Florida can be difficult to find. The highest ground down here is swallowed by developement which is one of the reasons Gopher tortises and their allies are becoming scarce here. So an approximation of their niche is missing here.

Better off catching it and giving it to a reliable keper-unless you wish to kep it.

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

Frank,

We caught the snake, took him to the local reptile store, got outfitted to care for him in style. His name is Jake. And the funny thing is my name is Skipper....

Congradulations on your new pet. They are nice little snakes.

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."