View Full Version : Getting a new blood python
dshin963
03-15-11, 06:23 PM
So, heres the thing I am really attached to this red blood python they have at the local pet store. she is around 15 months old about 2 feet long but she looks in rough condition... her skin is very rough ( apparently she is just getting over mites) and had a really bad respiratory infection... i checked her out she seems like shes getting better but just in rough shape... hey eyes seem to be a little damaged as well... they almost look scratched... maybe retained caps... so my question is if i rescue her now whats the likelihood of getting her back to 100%? they seem to really want to get rid of her... willing to drop the price of her by $50-$100 depending.
Lankyrob
03-15-11, 06:25 PM
Personally i would put a deposit down and pick her up when it is 100% healthy. You can have no idea what issues it has until you buy it and take it to a vet and by then they could was their hands of any problems.
dshin963
03-15-11, 06:46 PM
True but I feel really bad for it... its only being fed a rat pup a week... and it needs much larger than that...
that being said it seem ok just seems like it needs time... ill get some pics next time I'm in and post them
Blood are not easy keepers..its really really hard to get them back after a stint of bad care.
Aaron_S
03-16-11, 01:44 AM
I'll second what Jendee said.
I've found that bloods and short-tails who didn't get a good start in life usually don't do well.
I wouldn't feed it more than a rat pup a week. I was feeding my short-tail python just a rat pup when she was about 18 inches or so and a healthy robust size. You really have to watch these snakes weights as they are prone to being overfed by most keepers and becoming obese. This is a robust species, not obese.
Lastly, if it had an RI AND mites in a pet store what are you doing trying to support that pet store? Honestly, you need to NOT buy this animals purely so this bad store won't have more money to purchase even more animals and cause them to degrade into poor health.
dshin963
03-16-11, 05:37 AM
I'll second what Jendee said.
I've found that bloods and short-tails who didn't get a good start in life usually don't do well.
I wouldn't feed it more than a rat pup a week. I was feeding my short-tail python just a rat pup when she was about 18 inches or so and a healthy robust size. You really have to watch these snakes weights as they are prone to being overfed by most keepers and becoming obese. This is a robust species, not obese.
Lastly, if it had an RI AND mites in a pet store what are you doing trying to support that pet store? Honestly, you need to NOT buy this animals purely so this bad store won't have more money to purchase even more animals and cause them to degrade into poor health.
I get what you mean its just i really feel bad for the Python and wanted to get it out of there... i really dont like major petstores... some of the small privately owned ones I can deal with... but majors ones irritate me...
candyraver69
03-16-11, 05:49 AM
My advice would be, if you are set on getting her, you need to go in knowing it may be a lost cause. Make sure and have lots of money set aside for vet bills. I can't tell you how many times I have been in a situation like this and felt the need to rescue the poor animal, most of the time they die anyways, and all you did was support the store that killed them by buying them. Not to mention the risks you put your current collection in by bringing home a sick snake.
I have adopted sick critters that turned out to be long lived loving pals, but that is not the usual case. I lost a rat just this weekend to terrible terrible RI, he was a pet store rat I just HAD to have, and tons of vet bills later, he still didn't make it. It's not a fun thing to go through.
It sounds like you already know you shouldn't get her but want to anyways. Maybe this will help. Think about how you could buy a healthy snake from somewhere, and keep that healthy snake from ending up in the hands of someone who would make it sick. You would be saving the healthy snake from poor care (someone terrible could buy it other than you), supporting a GOOD pet store or breeder with healthy animals, and in the end you get a much better chance of having a long lived healthy buddy.
dshin963
03-16-11, 10:24 PM
My advice would be, if you are set on getting her, you need to go in knowing it may be a lost cause. Make sure and have lots of money set aside for vet bills. I can't tell you how many times I have been in a situation like this and felt the need to rescue the poor animal, most of the time they die anyways, and all you did was support the store that killed them by buying them. Not to mention the risks you put your current collection in by bringing home a sick snake.
I have adopted sick critters that turned out to be long lived loving pals, but that is not the usual case. I lost a rat just this weekend to terrible terrible RI, he was a pet store rat I just HAD to have, and tons of vet bills later, he still didn't make it. It's not a fun thing to go through.
It sounds like you already know you shouldn't get her but want to anyways. Maybe this will help. Think about how you could buy a healthy snake from somewhere, and keep that healthy snake from ending up in the hands of someone who would make it sick. You would be saving the healthy snake from poor care (someone terrible could buy it other than you), supporting a GOOD pet store or breeder with healthy animals, and in the end you get a much better chance of having a long lived healthy buddy.
You make a great point... I dont think I am going to pick her up... still feel bad for her... I went to see her again today and her skin feels soo loose... like shes underfed... however now I have another question...
I was reading up on bloods and from my understanding their care is very similar to that of a ball python, I was wondering if you feel a blood is appropriate for my SECOND snake... my current ball is doing great feeding almost instantly, still has a strong feed response and strike. I really feel that blood are beautiful amazing snakes and really want to get ahold of one. If you guys/ladies feel a blood is an adequate step up from a ball I am going to either pick one up from local breeders if they have any or I will wait until April for the Ontario Reptile Expo :) thanks you for the advice... still feel bad for her...
Aaron_S
03-17-11, 03:11 AM
I recommend getting a borneo short-tail python from Todd Peddle. My female was one of his and she was top notch! Very similar to blood pythons. Stay smaller too! Look up their care and if you do it right you'll be fine.
Key things are security, so hides, proper heat and humidity. It'll do fine. I used a mulch substrate with mine and she did well in it. Once she was about 30 inches she no longer needed a hide. I kept her on my ball rack in a tub. She had the best feeding response. I'm really missing her right now.
dshin963
03-17-11, 06:20 AM
Nice, Well my plan was a rubbermaid for this one. I wanted at least 2-3 inches of substrate, im not 100% sure how this is going to work with a UTH however...
I also kinda want a blood because of their size, I want to up my experience steadily.
Also I tried looking for a website for Todd Peddle count find one... do you have a link?
Aaron_S
03-17-11, 12:14 PM
He doesn't have a site. PM me and I'll send you to the site where he lists his animals. Well when he has them for sale that is.
Jenn_06
03-17-11, 12:22 PM
you can always talk to the pet store and tell them if no one buys her soon if you can have her for free, she is sick and no one is going to buy a sick snake if she passes away they are not making any money from her so i dont see why they would not just give it to you.
Nice, Well my plan was a rubbermaid for this one. I wanted at least 2-3 inches of substrate, im not 100% sure how this is going to work with a UTH however...
I also kinda want a blood because of their size, I want to up my experience steadily.
Also I tried looking for a website for Todd Peddle count find one... do you have a link?
all mine are in rubber maids well not my 06 female shes a heifer lol I use UTH for my rubbermaids as well it works great :)
rubbermaids are great for security this is one of the upmost important thing for blood pythons!!
if you get this guy be sure to post pictures asap lol ;) you should really go with getting a healthy animal though
dshin963
03-18-11, 08:14 AM
He doesn't have a site. PM me and I'll send you to the site where he lists his animals. Well when he has them for sale that is.
absolutely will do
dshin963
03-18-11, 08:18 AM
you can always talk to the pet store and tell them if no one buys her soon if you can have her for free, she is sick and no one is going to buy a sick snake if she passes away they are not making any money from her so i dont see why they would not just give it to you.
Ill try in a couple of months however I'm not sure if they will do that...
dshin963
03-18-11, 08:20 AM
all mine are in rubber maids well not my 06 female shes a heifer lol I use UTH for my rubbermaids as well it works great :)
rubbermaids are great for security this is one of the upmost important thing for blood pythons!!
if you get this guy be sure to post pictures asap lol ;) you should really go with getting a healthy animal though
I will absolutely have pics up ASAP :)
ummm what exactly do you mean security? as in they dont like being poked at basically?
also the UTH and rubbermaids you stick them to the bottom of the rubbermaid... does enough heat get through to get the hot spot to 90?
Lankyrob
03-18-11, 08:22 AM
I think bloods like to have LOTS of hidey holes as they are ambushers rahter than hunters - at least i think that is what she meant
dshin963
03-18-11, 08:57 AM
ahh well i was planning 2 hides and some artificial leaves covering the center part inbetween the two hides with a water bowl somewhere... also I'm not making the mistake of not having a viv ready for the snake like I did with my BP... so many pains in the butt it wasnt even funny...
I will absolutely have pics up ASAP :)
ummm what exactly do you mean security? as in they dont like being poked at basically?
also the UTH and rubbermaids you stick them to the bottom of the rubbermaid... does enough heat get through to get the hot spot to 90?
my babies especially have security issues, I actually have newspaper all the way up the sides of the tubs and then I put the substrate in the newspaper so they have like there own little "cave". plus a hide box. Ive had my bloods for a yr now. 2.2 of them were givin to me and I almost lost the babies at the beginning, they refused to eat. I had there set up alot like my boas :/ big mistake, no where near as confident as boas, in there cages or being held.
Sticking?? humm I dont know what your using. Mine doesnt stick on anything. The tubs just set on top of it, its a plastic sheet. Can you just not stick it and just place it under the tub?
dshin963
03-18-11, 10:44 AM
The heat gets through the tubs ok?
Ive never kept a snake it a rubbermaid.
And I dont want to keep him/her in a clear rubbermaid. I would prefer a dark one or a clear one with half of the tub darkened to not allow sunlight in
The heat gets through the tubs ok?
Ive never kept a snake it a rubbermaid.
And I dont want to keep him/her in a clear rubbermaid. I would prefer a dark one or a clear one with half of the tub darkened to not allow sunlight in
Yes tubs get heated great! all my snakes are in them I have 30 tub rack with rubbermaid tubs. I do use the clear kind but it is in a rack so they still are in there own private space
Aaron_S
03-18-11, 11:57 AM
You'll be fine if you take your time to properly research them. I'd check out NERD as they have a good care sheet.
Also remember, that they do get big and cannot live inside a rubbermaid for life. They eventually need something along the lines of 4x2x2.
Sapphyr
03-18-11, 12:04 PM
As far as I've heard, snakes need a day/night schedule, so either you'll need sunlight, or do it artificially. I'd imagine with a darkened tub you'd need to have a light source right by it to simulate day time decently enough.
dshin963
03-19-11, 09:50 AM
Yes tubs get heated great! all my snakes are in them I have 30 tub rack with rubbermaid tubs. I do use the clear kind but it is in a rack so they still are in there own private space
Excellent! Hopefully I will start making this viv soon before the Ontario Expo :)
dshin963
03-19-11, 09:52 AM
You'll be fine if you take your time to properly research them. I'd check out NERD as they have a good care sheet.
Also remember, that they do get big and cannot live inside a rubbermaid for life. They eventually need something along the lines of 4x2x2.
Yea I am researching like crazy :P and since I have a smart phone I am on the internet all the time researching them lol... I dont pay attention in lecture anymore :P
I want to get it as a baby and hopefully have a homemade viv at some point around the 1-2 year mark
dshin963
03-19-11, 09:53 AM
As far as I've heard, snakes need a day/night schedule, so either you'll need sunlight, or do it artificially. I'd imagine with a darkened tub you'd need to have a light source right by it to simulate day time decently enough.
My plan was 50/50 clear and dark but I'm going to go with a clear one with large hides :P
Aaron_S
03-19-11, 02:30 PM
As far as I've heard, snakes need a day/night schedule, so either you'll need sunlight, or do it artificially. I'd imagine with a darkened tub you'd need to have a light source right by it to simulate day time decently enough.
Actually plenty of people don't add an additional light source and keep snakes in dark tubs. A lot of ball python keepers do this and say they have better feeding responses.
Personally, I use opaque tubs. I like to look at my snake without moving the bin.
dshin963
03-19-11, 02:37 PM
Fair enough do opaque tubs provide enough security for snakes?
Aaron_S
03-19-11, 02:43 PM
My borneo was in one. She would be striking at me as soon as I took her lid off to feed her if she smelt rat in the room.
When she went to her new owner she seemed to become more shy. Took her awhile to settle in as she had more space.
If anything, just provide a very small hide as well.I started with one in my borneo's enclosure.
dshin963
03-19-11, 02:58 PM
Fair enough I hope when I get one shes manageable or at least with time tames a little
Aaron_S
03-19-11, 03:15 PM
I find that most snakes settle down over time. Security is a huge issue. I like to ensure my snakes have eaten for months before I really consider ever handling them.
dshin963
03-19-11, 03:22 PM
I will probably go that route for the blood just in case... my ball was just a loving little guy right from the get go...
I find that most snakes settle down over time. Security is a huge issue. I like to ensure my snakes have eaten for months before I really consider ever handling them.
Can you explain that? I am really dumb sometimes.
Aaron_S
03-19-11, 03:56 PM
I'll use my own snake as an example.
I bought a het pied female ball python from Mykee a few months ago. She struck at the deli cup a lot when I picked her up and at me when I placed her in her new tub. She ate pretty much from the start from me(Mykee's snakes always do) so that wasn't an issue. I only go into her tub to clean and feed. She still stresses out a bit but no longer strikes or shows signs of aggression.
Now I would just gently handle her daily if I want her to be really really calm. I don't do that though.
Sapphyr
03-20-11, 05:24 AM
Ah. Then my bad. I know I'd read that many told me snakes needed a light source to associate a day/night cycle.
Lankyrob
03-20-11, 08:16 AM
Even in an opaque tub they would get a sense of light and dark i assume? In the wild if they spend a couple of days hiding in a hole or a burrow then they would be able to sense night/daytime from the entrance hole without actually haveing light ON them.
dshin963
03-20-11, 08:52 AM
Even in an opaque tub they would get a sense of light and dark i assume? In the wild if they spend a couple of days hiding in a hole or a burrow then they would be able to sense night/daytime from the entrance hole without actually haveing light ON them.
Makes sense
here dan :)
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