baby bp. pooh

ndheep · 08-10-12, 01:00 AM

My friends bp pooh out a mouse whole. It loooked like a dehdehydrated little mouse. She isfeeding it fuzzy mice. Should this be of any concern. Any help would be great

infernalis · 08-10-12, 01:06 AM

The snake threw up. They cannot poop a mouse.

ndheep · 08-10-12, 02:45 AM

here is a pic

Lankyrob · 08-10-12, 05:16 AM

No BP needs to be fed mice that small, but a regurge is always a cause for concern, what is the temperatures and humidity in the snakes vivarium?

Gungirl · 08-10-12, 05:54 AM

I see a few issues.. For one it is a regurge not a poop. Second their is pieces of shed all over the floor of the viv/tank. Can you give us more info on your set up so that we can help your snake get healthy.

ndheep · 08-10-12, 10:43 AM

She has two bp in there. It is a 10gal temp is about 78-83. Humidity is around 40-50. 1Is in shed. That 1is the 1that concerns me. She has had them about a month. Bought at petco. It has only ate once. We have tried 3 times. She was told they were feed fuzzy mice when she got them. That in the pic was a fuzzy mouse. Now it looks like a very small pinky mouse. There was a heat pad under the tank but it was making noises so i took it out. So it.only gets heat from a 75 watt bulb.

StudentoReptile · 08-10-12, 11:06 AM

The reason the snake regurgitated was because it could not digest its meal properly. In my opinion, this is because the temperatures in the enclosure were not sufficient. Either they were too high (the undertank heater overheated, causing a too-hot basking area, and too extreme of a temp gradient) or they were too cold (after the heat pad was removed, that lamp is not providing enough heat, specifically belly heat for a snake that is spending most of its time on the bottom of the habitat).

My first suggestion (for your friend) is to acquire a new appropriately-sized undertank heat pad, with a thermostat or rheostat. The latter will prevent any future malfunctions that cause the heat pad to overheat.
Secondly, get a temperature gun. This is a MUST for anyone who keeps herps. You can get cheap ones at a home supply store, or nicer ones online.

If you do nothing else, please make sure your friend does those first two. Ball pythons benefit more from belly heat than from overhead heat from a lamp, and a temp gun is an essential tool for making sure you are achieving the proper temps in all areas of the habitat.

My third suggestion is to lose the 10-gal glass tank, and house the snake in a plastic tub instead. My opinion, based on experience, is that baby ball pythons do not fare well in glass aquaria. Other herps do fine in tanks, BPs do not. However, if this is not an option, there are measures you can take to make the glass tank a more conducive environment for a baby BP. Once you've gotten a new undertank heater in place, use your temp gun to find out what the warm side is getting. There may be a chance you may not even require supplemental heating from a lamp. If this is the case, cover the entire screen top with saran wrap or a towel. This can can prevent any heat and humidity loss out the top of the tank.

**Aaron_S** · 08-10-12, 11:31 AM

You should tell your friend to do more research.

Bite_Me · 08-10-12, 12:19 PM

i would check the humidity and heat levels. That snake shed looks very bad. I would agree with the "regurg" theory. The snake may be a little stressed. Make sure you spray down that viv every day and during shed I like 70-80% humidity. Never scare a snake while it is eating or digesting. This is their most vulnerable time. THey will spit that out to "get away". You should leave it alone for a couple days after eating too. If it's a baby it will scare easy until it trusts you. Sorry for saying "it", i'm not sure if it's a male/female

Lankyrob · 08-10-12, 12:35 PM

If you arent a troll then get the hot end up to 90f and the humiddity up to a minimum of 60% and also separate them so that they have their own tanks/hides etc etc

If you are troll then where is Wayne with the troll spray????

TinkerbellsMom · 08-10-12, 12:49 PM

The snake is most likely stressed because there are two bps in one tank. That is not a good idea.

Gungirl · 08-10-12, 12:57 PM

Have your friend read over some care sheets.. Strictlyballs Home Here is a great one.
Once you read over the care sheet feel free to come back with any other questions you have. If you don't make some big changes for the snakes soon you will have sick snakes or dead ones.

StudentoReptile · 08-10-12, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinkerbellsMom

The snake is most likely stressed because there are two bps in one tank. That is not a good idea.

I totally missed that part. Ditto!

jaleely · 08-10-12, 09:52 PM

I actually for once don't think this is a troll.

To the poster...please have your friend google ball python care. Even petco has a caresheet they should have handed your friend while in the store that would tell them that the housing situation is kind of a bad idea. Of course they probably sold your friend both snakes, the tank, the mat, etc.

ANyway...1 tank per snake...reptiles need heat to digest their food...they need space, places to hide, and water at all times.
If sheds are sticking, mist with water.

I hope your friend is able to get the things needed to help the snakes. If your friend is uncomfortable or cannot afford to get more supplies for the snakes, there is probably someone in your area on this forum that will gladly help out or take the snakes for you guys. Best.

ndheep · 08-11-12, 12:32 AM

thx for the help. that's what i was trying to tell her. and yep petco sold her both at the same time and all the stuff. i am trying to help her. but i am new to this also. i got a corn snake there also. i am going to suggest to separate them and mist. also a heat gun is i. the mix