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Help with Storage Python rescue

allreptiles1966

allreptiles1966

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My buddy calls me this morning and tells me his friend finds a python (ball) they think,at a storage facility. Well it's not a heated facility. The guy was told to throw it into the weeds by the facility owner. So he does. . My buddy tells me this and knows I'm into boas,I tell him to go see if they can find. My buddy goes back(his storage is there also) and looks for an hr now. They found it and are bringing it to me.
I do not know if it came from the storage place,or it wandered into this. It's small at about 2-3' they said. He also says it looks like it has eaten something? But,it's not in my hands yet.

I would like some info on maintaining and what to look for in it being in need of help. I know what sick boa signs look like,just not sure if they are the same. My quarantine room is empty. I have all types of caging and heat.

What should I do?

Thank you
Rich
 

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If he's super-cold warm him gradually, don't just throw him onto the hot spot.

I normally run my BP's at 80-92*F, I would take him up to belly heat of 94*F for a bit to help him pre-emptively ward anything off, in case he was cold for a while.

Signs of sick/RI are basically the same: bubbles/mucous, open mouth breathing, stargazing, wheezing, etc.

Thanks for taking him in.
 
Make sure to keep him away from your boa also. Best in another room just in case he is sick. Be sanitary also by washing hand or wearing gloves and then washing hands after...
 
bcr229 said:
If he's super-cold warm him gradually, don't just throw him onto the hot spot.

I normally run my BP's at 80-92*F, I would take him up to belly heat of 94*F for a bit to help him pre-emptively ward anything off, in case he was cold for a while.

Signs of sick/RI are basically the same: bubbles/mucous, open mouth breathing, stargazing, wheezing, etc.

Thanks for taking him in.
Click to expand...

How long of a period of warming up? Could I just put him in an 80 degree cage for a day or two,then give him a hot spot? He will have a 40 watt rhp and heat tape on opposite side.

I know he is cold. It didn't move far when the guy put him into the weeds. I guess just a couple feet. I just don't get people with their care of animals!

I could never leave an animal in need like that. That's why I can't be a city dweller,I'd have cats and dogs galore. Lol. It's my pleasure to try and do right by this little guy. Or girl. I'll post pics when I get it. I just hope it's not too late.

Thanks for the info.
 
Reptile Frenzy said:
Make sure to keep him away from your boa also. Best in another room just in case he is sick. Be sanitary also by washing hand or wearing gloves and then washing hands after...
Click to expand...

I'm very good at quarantine practice! I would never let it into my boa room. Way too many boas to put into jeopardy.
Thanks for the info.
 
allreptiles1966 said:
How long of a period of warming up? Could I just put him in an 80 degree cage for a day or two,then give him a hot spot? He will have a 40 watt rhp and heat tape on opposite side.
Click to expand...
Honestly I'm just going by what I remember from someone who had a shipped snake arrive cold, he put it in a room-temp enclosure for an hour or so, then slowly raised the heat 1-2 degrees each hour until it was in the correct range.

I know he is cold. It didn't move far when the guy put him into the weeds. I guess just a couple feet. I just don't get people with their care of animals!
Click to expand...
Yeah some people just need to be :censored: :censored: :censored:!
 
:iagree:

Ok,the BP is here. What a totally friendly guy/girl. My first one too.

No mites,no ri at the moment,looks to have shed not long ago. Heat outs are clear and to be honest,not a bad snake! Very surprised it's not snappy. My buddy says it was friendly from as soon as it was found. I'd run an ad,but you know how that would go. :eek: and I don't think the owner deserves it back.

Another pic. He seems to have a little head wobble to it. Is this common in BP?
 

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allreptiles1966 said:
He seems to have a little head wobble to it. Is this common in BP?
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Spider/woma morphs can wobble. Normals typically don't. Considering what this one went through it may just be stress.

Poor little guy looks to be in decent shape at least.
 
It seems to be an awesome snake.And its not really show any stress. He love his new cage set up. a couple hides and a nice Mopany log,if they show it. Is there a way to sex it without probing? With boa babies you just swipe your thumb down the cloaca and feel for the hemipene (spelling).
Can anyone tell me an approximate age by its size? It looks to be this years young. But i dont know how a BP grows. Im hoping this one eats f/t !! I dont like the live feedings much.

Thanks for your help Melinda
 
Reptile Frenzy said:
You can pop sex him. Put your thumb down by the vent and use your other thumb to roll its tail upwards. It inverts the sex organ out to tell you if it is a male or female. Here is a link to a video. It is tricky at first!

http://www.worldofballpythons.com/videos/ball-python-care/237/
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I won't do that. Hate to harm it. I have a buddy who can probes when my vet comes again,I will have him probe it.
Thanks for info and link.

My first litter of boas I paid a guy $5 per baby to probe. But the following year I was taught how to slide fingers down tail to feel for a him or her.
 
Reptile Frenzy said:
Popping is safer then probing i would think? I had a snake jerk when we probed and blood came out because it torn something....
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:iagree: but I will let someone better experienced do the deed. This BP has had enough happen to it so far. I'd hate to pop it wrongly. I personally don't need to know the sex. I would think that most people who take it won't either. I wouldn't breed it not knowing it's genetics. Pet quality for him.
 
allreptiles1966 said:
:iagree: but I will let someone better experienced do the deed. This BP has had enough happen to it so far. I'd hate to pop it wrongly. I personally don't need to know the sex. I would think that most people who take it won't either. I wouldn't breed it not knowing it's genetics. Pet quality for him.
Click to expand...

Yeah good point. Well hope the little guy or girl does good!
 
Reptile Frenzy said:
Yeah good point. Well hope the little guy or girl does good!
Click to expand...

I do have one hope,that it eats f/t !! I don't want to get into breeding rats again.
Although I have a couple rat racks left.

I will offer him f/t tomorrow just for kicks. It has settled in well. I think it's liking the heat.:).

Are you a ball guy? How can I switch it over to f/t if it won't eat live?
 
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