Off to the rescue!

[jjnnbns]

After finding that the lady that I work with has a ball pyhon, I started asking about it. I found out that it is rather mean and large. She was told that it may have been crossed with another type of python but I am not sure either way since I have yet to see it.

I will tonight most likely though. She hasen't taken it out in two years as it strikes at her through its enclosure. Thought that I would ask a few questions here before handling it. I guess that she has a two-tier cage and blocks off half at a time to clean...

Anyways, the few questions...

1. Should I get bitten, I know not to pull away, but what do you find the best method to get it to release? I have heard of vodka, cold water, and rubbing alcohol.
*or time, wait it out...*

2. Should we feed it and wait two days as it hasn't eaten in about a week (feeds on live mice... another thing that I need her to change, I'm bringing over a couple of smaller rats tonight)

3. What sort of handling regimen is best for an adult ball (sounds like 4-6 years old) as far as trying to calm it down.

4. I may also recommend a smaller enclosure if it is quite large so as to make it feel more secure. (I will also be checking her heat sources, water, cleaning, etc...)

Basically, any info, tips, or pointers for a possible BP rescue would be great!

Thanks,
Brent Strande

[Tim_Cranwill]

1. A ball python probably won't hold on to you if it bites you. It will be a quick strike... that should be it.

2. You can try to feed it tonight but my guess is that it won't eat. Make sure he setup is correct, if it's not, correct it and wait a week or two... then try.

3. It's a snake. If it's aggressive, it will let you know. Just use your common sense and you should be fine. No sort of "regimen" will work for handling a dynamic animal. YOU have to adapt to ITS behavior, not it to yours.

4. Sounds good.


Tips: Watch and learn... it's tough to give tips on a setup we haven't seen, temps we can't read and a snake we know next to nothing about.

Good luck! :)

[jjnnbns]

Understandable Tim, I was mostly curious about the bite... but excited for tonight, so had to put up some sort of post.

I'm gonna check it out an an hour and a half or so, so figured there may be certain DO's and DON'Ts of ball pythons...

They are definitely not my favorite snake, but I like all snakes and thought that I would like to make sure that she is taking good care of him. Also, if she cannot handle him she may give him up and I will see if I would like to take him in.

The problem is that I haven't done much research on BPs and will go online more after work as I don't even know the exact temp ranges for them or humidity, I assume around 90 hot spot with 80 ambient and 50-60 humidity.

Another thing that I found out from her is that it only eats mice and she feeds it ~3mice live per feeding, that sounds pretty small to me as my 3+ foot JCP already is taking 5 mice since I can't get him on rats yet...

I'm not so sure that this snake deserves to live with her. I will update later tonight.

PS sorry that this post is so sporatic, but each paragraph was typed between customers and phone calls as I am still at work!!

[latazyo]

Brent I can assist with any BP husbandry that you need help with...if you want the snake adopt it

[nita]

Hi Brent, how are things goin with the rescue keep us updated.

[jjnnbns]

Still at work...

Anywho, not as bad as expected, but still needs work. Gonna help her get things goin in the right direction.

There was too much heat sources, and the cage was WAY too big.

The snake also had some retained shed so I misted it good and it was gone today.

More later after work...