What a weird day

[depressor86]

Well, I've never owned a snake .. up until tonight.

Heres the story,

I was sitting on my computer talking to people when a girl I know messages me. She says when she was driving on Snake Rd. (Only about 10 minutes away from me, she lives close by) when she saw something odd on the road. She turned back and found out it was a 3-4 foot snake! Now she doesn't know too much about snakes but through a few questions I learn that it's a ball python!

So she asks if I will take it off of her and I agree.
I quickly looked up a bunch of care sheets to review and put together a make shift set up.

I know the tank is a little big for a ball, but is this too big .. 5' x 2' x 18"
I put in a clean dog bowl for water, put a big cardboard box as a hide in each end and turn on the heat lamp.

So far it has taken a nice big drink, roamed a little and curled up in the hide in the hot end. I'm planning on keeping it for at least a few days, get it really well hydrated and try to feed it maybe Sunday. From there I'm not too sure what to do!

I really don't think it was a runaway, there aren't any houses up there for a good bit, it's all old unused farm land. They told me that a lot of pets get dumped up there and they've found kittens, bunnies, puppies and turtles.

Fun night

I forgot to add that the snake is probably around 4 and a half feet, pretty fat but could be bigger, skin looks good other than some pieces of an old shed. Hopefully those will come off with a good soak.

Any comments/questions/concerns?

All help is appreciated

[Andy_G]

Maybe someone deserted it if it's in the middle of nowhere. If I were you I would keep it.

[Jo060]

WOW!! U R LUCKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah, I would keep it too . Just make sure it doesnt have any mites. Who knows this might be a good snake Good luck. Any pics?

[depressor86]

I'll try to borrow a friends digi cam a.s.a.p.

[daver676]

Way to go man! Good rescue! Be sure to post some pics!

As for what to do now...I would suggest a trip to the vet's office and a fecal sample done, just to make sure everything is OK. As for feeding, try a frozen/thawed, or pre-killed mouse or rat about the same size as the largest part of the snake. Some people here will probably say feed bigger, but for a first, go with something the size of the snake.

Good Luck!

Dave

[lilyskip]

Wow, what luck. Dave took my suggestion. Vet trip, just to make sure it's all healthy, and good luck with feeding! And keep reading those care sheets, too!

[sapphire_moon]

I would keep it to! That should be a big enough cage. Take it to the vet, get a fecal, make sure it don't have mites.....etc...etc....Good luck with feeding!!!!

[depressor86]

alright vet trip it is, just need to find a good herp vet around here.
i'll take him/her up this weekend

[daver676]

If you have trouble finding a vet in your area, check out these links:

http://www.arav.com
http://herpvetconnection.com

Dave

[mango]

Congrats you lucky thing! Nothing cool ever happens to me. Hope the vet visit goes well and best of luck with feeding!

[Linds]

LOL I totally read that wrong and definitely had a concern to voice! Thought you were housing it in a big cardboard box with a heat lamp LOL maybe I should go back to bed. Good job on the rescue and whatever your decision is with the little guy

[depressor86]

btw my mom named it lucky

[lilyskip]

Originally posted by depressor86
btw my mom named it lucky

very, very fitting.

[jaybox_reptiles]

me and my dad were driving down the road here in texas ans saw an 8 foot boa in the dich slithering around but we sold it so we could bye are beutifull trea of blood red corns but this was 6 years ago and i wich i still had the corns

[TheRedDragon]

Wow, what a lucky find! I'd keep it, and it sounds like you're taking great care of it. You should get it checked for mites though just in case. Otherwise, good luck!