I just went to my brothers who owns a redtail, It has VERY wrinkly skin and pieces of shed still on it and the eye caps were never shed..... I asked him how long he had had the snake like this and he said it shed and had been in that condition for over a month.... He has had the snake for four months and it has only shed once.... He said he feeds it 1 hopper a MONTH! Could the wrinkles be caused from loss of weight? The snake does not seem exceptionaly skinny and is only about 14" long.... What are the odds and steps of getting this snake back up to good health? thanks for your help!
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0.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1.0 Redtail "Kilo"
1.0 Ball Python "Road Hog"
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches" (Didn't name her!)
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Concidering a rescue, need help
Replies (3)
The wrinkled skin could be from dehydration. Probably because the snake isn't getting fed enough... The chances are good that the snake can come back with proper care. I'd first give him a good long warm soak: fill up a rubbermade container (probably just the shoebox size for that little snake) with lukewarm water and leave the snake in there for about thirty minutes. When that's done, take a warm, moist wash cloth and rub it over the snake's body where there are still pieces of shed. This is stressful for the snake so don't push it too hard.
The second step is FEED THE POOR THING! A baby like that needs fed AT LEAST every 5-7 days. Start out small with his food because he hasn't eaten in awhile (he could regurg if you try to stuff him full). Eventually work up to a mouse (or rat, if he takes them, they're better for him) that's as big around as he is.
Hope this helps. I have a couple BP rescues and totally feel ya!
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1.1.1 Ball pythons (Diablo, Mercedes, and Ciqala)
0.2.0 Cats (Kate and Clarice)
1.0.0 Rabbits (Milosh)
When you "fill up" the rubbermaid, don't put so much water that the snake has to swim. Keep it shallow enough that most of the snake is wet, but that it can rest on the bottom and easilly keep it's head (at least its nairs) above the water.
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2.1.0 Kidletts
0.0.1 Ball Pyhton (Rex)
0.0.1 Okeetee Corn (Maizey)
0.1.0 BCI (Ruby)
0.1.0 Cat (Ginger)
1.0.0 Pughuahua (Ranger)
The previous posts are great advice. I just wanted to mention that you should be prepared with any rescue. You should have the resources to take this new critter to the veterinarian and have treatment and diagnostics if TLC doesn't work at home.
It is also very important to keep this snake in quarantine.
Ian
