well...my baby ball died tonight..question....

[cammngt]

well...it was pretty sad to see, but i don't think there was anything I could do for him. we've only had him a month and we had alot of problems with him from the beginning. He wouldn't eat, started to be less active, got mites and now this. I'm sure I got his mite problem taken care of and the tank all clean for one, but dunno about internal parasites. I noticed him acting very strange tonight by rolling his head and neck all around and in the air alot. I took him out of the cage and noticed that he felt really hard in some spots on his back and his throat was collapsed. I then opened his mouth and could see that his air way was completely closed off....what would cause such a thing. I dunno if he starved him self to death or if something else was wrong. His tank was within what i've researched to set it up as, kept handling to a minimum and tried to let him adapt to his new home. I just don't have a clue what killed him. I tried to do a search on some things, but it doesn't seem to be working right now. I'd like to learn from this because I plan on replacing him soon. I'm prolly gonna go with an adult now though...our other snake was bought as an adult and is wounderful. Any info would be greatly appriciated.

R.I.P damien.....

[Edmond Y]

Sorry to hear that cammngt. It is not your fault because you don't know how long it haven't eat before you bought him or how was his health. Now most of the animal died will have their air way blocked so as human beings and it is normal. With ball pythons, even you buy an adult and still may have a chance refuse to eat. Just make sure you find a healthy and stocky baby. At least over 150g and you know the feeding history like F/T or feeding alive.
May your little ball rest in peace.
Edmond

[Ray]

Sorry to hear cammngt. (TIP)If you buy a new ball python ask the person if he will feed the snake so you can see right on the spot if the snake eats.
I did the same with my adult pair.

Cheers Ray :)

[cammngt]

thanks for the replys...his airway was blocked while he was still alive, not after he died though. So, i think he couldn't breath and that was why he was going crazy.

[Edmond Y]

It is a sad experience and hope will never happen to you again. If I don't get wrong, your snake may be a imported or CH baby. Just make sure you get a CB next time from a good breeder in your area.
Edmond

[Serpens]

Sorry to hear about that. May your python rest in peace.

On another note, I recommend researching the breeder you're dealing with as well. There are some absolutely awesome breeders out there, but unfortunately there are also some real deadbeats out there as well. Good luck, and keep asking questions. Knowledge is power.

Serpens

[gonesnakee]

Probably a "farmed" specimen as it is the season. Mark

[mykee]

I'm with Mark. As well, you say you had your tank set up as per some research you've done; could you describe your setup along with temps, and humidity, furnishings and so on. Also, one more question to help you determine cause of death, because I'm sure you would like to know how he died so that if it was through some fault of your own, that you don't repeat that error with your next snake; how exactly did you treat your mite problem?

[cammngt]

I had a 10 gal tank, under tank heater, water bowl and 2 hides. Never got actual temps, but don;t think they would have been off enough to make a difference. As for the mites...I bought reptile relief after I couldn't find anyone near me that sold Nix..also, chose from research. Sprayed him like the directions say to, cleaned the tank, threw everything away and kept him in a seprate rubbermaid while the tank was being cleaned(also let sit a day before putting him back in)

My girlfriend has purchased several snakes from the place we got him about 3 times prior to tis one, they know what they are doing as far a breeding-caring for their animals. Not sure if mine was CH or CB...they do breed there though. He was picked out of about 20 other babies in the same tank too.

[Dev_Man]

"Never got actual temps, but don;t think they would have been off enough to make a difference."

This is your problem....undertank heaters can get extremely hot! before getting a thermostat I've had some reaching temperatures of 110-120 F....I suggest you invest in a thermostat or rheostat, and a digital thermometer...I'm very sorry for your loss

[cammngt]

I know it doesn't get that hot...more like 90 max. Not hot enough to burn your fingers if you touched the glass. not even close

[mykee]

"Not enough to burn your fingers if you touched the glass. not even close"

Could easily be over 100. I would get to the bottom of your balls death to avoid it happening a second time. I would also recommend you do a little more research on husbandry and consider buying a thermostat or rheostat before making any other purchases.

[nita]

Human body temp is what? 97, so it won't even feel warm unless it is over that!! You may have cooked your ball without realizing it.

[cammngt]

i doubt it...used the same heater with other snakes before. but thanks for the advice and i do plan on getting a thermostat for it.
besides...i took him out and didn;t feel hot...which i assume would happen if he was "cooked"

[Smilts]

what again is the highest temp that one would want fora ball python

[nita]

95 is for the basking spot with a cool side of 80.

[smeagel]

the most i would recomend is 94 to 95 on the hot side. I am sorry for your loss, but I do agree that you absolutly should have a thermostate, and a digital thermometer or a temp gun. Research more as recomended by others and then think about another purchase. Good luck.

[monty bl python]

I suggest that you use outdoor carpeting for the bottom of the tank. a snake is not to good at judging how hot it is getting so it will lay under the shavings on the glass and burn its self (my uncle has had this happen before) the outdoor carpet will not let him get so close to the heater. A larger tank wouldn’t hurt either. also avoid putting a hide spot directly above a heating pad because if you snake is shy it will stay in there. it you cant afford a thermostat at least get a thermometer ( you can get cheap one for five dollars)
if your snake gets burned again the vet told my uncle to turn of the heating pad and use a needleles syringe to give your snake Gatorade (to keep it hydrated).

Good luck on your next snake and may your last rest in peace

[varanus69]

sorry to hear about your ball.. I can almost gaurentee you it was an import ball, as i bought 10 females from someone here and all have died,only 1 ever ate on its own ( and then promptly died that night), and all of them did that death flail so it is not exclusive to yours. I watched helplessly as a few of them died and like you said flipped around in the air, and felt hard.all of mine came in with mites and were treated for mites, unfortunetly my panacur never got here untill the day the last one died. So don't feel bad you just got a wc ball and only 1 out of 1000 ( just a guess ) ever make it, but deffinetly get a temp gun or thermometer next time.

[monty bl python]

tip) you should look for things like mites and other illness like mouth rot at the pet store before you buy your snakes also i have heard that Captive Bred are more healthy

[JereBP]

It's sad to hear.So sorry that it happened.