Hello! I was given a ball python two days ago and have a few questions. I have read the FAQ and I have a book, but wanted to ask more specific stuff from the folks that keep these snakes as pets!
He is about 2 feet long and less than 2 years old (previous owner got him directly from the store as a little thing.) He was pretty dull and wrinkled, and looked like he needed to shed. So we soaked him in water (per book's instructions) for 30 minutes. My husband ws able to gently work off a bunch of the dead skin, and after his bath (which the poor snake hated) he immediately started rubbing his head on stuff. Overnight he managed to get a bunch more skin off, but today he looked as if he needs to shed ANOTHER layer of skin. Is this normal? His eyes are very cloudy and have a few dents in them. He looks a bunch better than he did before his first bath, but still is a bit wrinkley and has some more dead skin on him. The book I have says he's dehydrated. How do I cure that? I am working on getting his cage set up, but not sure what the best methods of adding humidity (without overdoing it) are. I have the gauge thingy in there are right now that says 38%. I know I need to get it up a little, but how?
Also, the previous owner said that he will only eat live mice but isn't a picky eater. She normally just threw the mice in the tank with the snake and left them there until it got eaten. I think one of them chewed on it's tail. (It is healing now, though.) She said that sometimes it would kill a mouse, but then just leave it there and not eat it. We got two mice from the store, and put on in a box with the snake. He acted real interested in it, but never struck out at it. We watched them for 30 minutes before we took them out. Should I try again tomorrow? He looks kinda skinny to me (to my uneducated eye!)
He also yawns a lot. Is that normal? And poop! He pooed yesterday. It was a solid white mass with a bunch of clear liquid. Is that normal snake poop?
He lives in a big tank with his heat rock (I can adjust the temp so he doesn't get burned), water bowl, tree/hiding spot, climbing stick, and other hiding spot. The bottom is newspaper. The temps on one side are 86 on one side, and 82 on the other. I still need to play around to get it all right. These are the things that he has lived with since the other lady owned him.
I would love to take him to the vet for a check up, but there isn't a reptile vet ANYWHERE near here! Hahaha! I'm kinda on my own here! But I care, and do really want to try and help the little guy. He is very sweet and has never offered to bite.
Here is a pic of him from last night. It is kinda yellow for some reason.
Thanks in advance for any and all advice!
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