New Baby

New Baby

Postby Boidae » Thu Oct 16, 2008 4:38 pm

HI all. I use to have around 40 snakes when i was living up in Botswana. They were all indigenous and my dad researched them. After he passed away (3 years ago), we had to leave Botswana and so that snakes too. So back in SA, i had two rescues ( 2 x red tail boas). Very beautiful snakes, but then 6 months ago i moved to Dubai and couldnt bring them with. Was very sad leaving them. My fiancee saw how hard it was for me, and like the understanding man he is, skipped the diamonds and bought me a baby ball python two days ago.

We bought him/her at a local pet shop here. According to them, it is from a breeder in SA. But they clearly dont know much because out of curiosity i asked them how long these snakes get, and the reply was a minimum of 5 m. So i was a bit sceptic in taking the baby as i am not sure if they are healthy on the inside (they look good on the outside), but i didnt want them to become some rich kids pet and then left in the desert. Unfortunately, in this place, animals arent really greatly protected against cruelty. So I have her now and she seems fine, but i gave her a little mouse to eat last night (the same she gets at the shop), but she seems to try and get away from it. Tried twice now. She also seems to not move around a lot. Always just curled up in a little ball, and she is definitely not cold. I dont know much about ball pythons. Never had one. So i dont know how much different they are from other pythons.

Perhaps she is still adjusting, but she already slithered so deep into my heart and im worried that she might be sick. There is no vets specialising in reptiles.

Anyone have some info about balls and specially babies and their feeding habits etc. She is just around 40cm long when stretched out.
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Re: New Baby

Postby ClintonT » Thu Oct 16, 2008 7:22 pm

Hi Boidae,

How long has the little Ball Python been with you? Do you have any hiding areas for the Ball? I have a 90cm Male and he took a couple of days to settle down in his enclosure. I do not feed him live mice. Mine are thawed and I warm them with a hair dryer prior to feeding.
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Re: New Baby

Postby Moreliahunter » Thu Oct 16, 2008 9:39 pm

I have gotten many wild caught balls to eat first time around with the following method. Take a pot plant container, just big enough so the python when in a ball can have the sides of the container press against its body. Flip the container upside down and cut a round hole in the top as thick as the python. The snake will hide in here and ambush its prey from this whole. So leave container upside down. Will also stop a mouse from touching the snake or biting it. You must not touch the snake or make any sudden movements before, while and after it has eaten. Feed at night. Try to disturb the animal as little as possible. With patience they all feed with this method.
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Re: New Baby

Postby Boidae » Sun Oct 19, 2008 6:18 am

HI

Thank you for the replies. I have her now for almost a week. I tried again yesterday, but she still tries to escape from the mouse. I will try the suggestion of the pot plant holder.

Any other ideas are welcome.

Thanks
“Adam blamed Eve, Eve blamed the serpent and the serpent didn't have a leg to stand on”
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Re: New Baby

Postby Durban Keeper » Mon Oct 20, 2008 9:37 pm

sjoe, wish i could help, but i've never kept balls. Keep us posted, I hope all works out well for your little girl!
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Re: New Baby

Postby Bushbaby » Tue Oct 21, 2008 12:52 pm

What size mouse are you trying her on, and how big is she? When are feeding her (i.e. morning, midday evening)? Ball Pythons prefer eating at night. Try misting her cage about an hour before you intend feeding her.

You can also try putting in a few more hides for her. I have had success with one non feeder a VERY long time ago, but putting her on soil. Once she was on soil, she ate the very next day.

I wold not stress too much about the snake not eating yet either. Give it a couple if days to settle in and get used to it's new home. Rule of thumbs is do not disturb (including handle) her for 10 days and then only try feeding her. Do not handle her until she's started eating. They usually are calm and relatively tame and shoudl not bite.
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