Older Ball Python in Nor. California

[darkbloodwyvern]

I have a 14 year old, scarred royal python. Probably male. Has been burned by heat rock as a little one, the burn is about 1/3 of the lower body, but does not affect shedding. This one will eat ANYTHING I feed it! Rats, mice, Live or FT and is nice and fat. Has trouble seeing, and I think he's going blind. Eyes are cloudy all the time, so it can be a little tough to tell when he's in shed! He's otherwise a very mellow and tame snake, a little shy. He usually eats most of the time in shed and doesn't let cold weather change his eating as long as I have had him. Eats 3-4 mice per week or a medium rat. I'm In California, can see about arranging meet up! I'm in no hurry and will wait for the perfect home!

 

[Lord]

dude, why would u feed him 4 mice per week, at his age he should be eating one every 3-4 weeks, and a heating rock for a snake? someone needs to get this animal out of your care you obviously have no knowledge for this sort of reptile at all and need to research.

 

[Lopann]

with 700 posts on fauna i don't think you could be completely clueless, its possible the snake origionally came from someone else? Not trying to derail the thread, but dont try to discredit the guys thread because you dont know all the information.

 

[snowgyre]

I agree with Miles. A snake doesn't get to be 14 years old without some degree of careful husbandry. I don't understand your antagonistic attitude, either. Very unprofessional. How would you feel if you're trying to find a snake a good home and the first response you get is somebody attacking you? In my experience, the people who are the most antagonistic are those with the most to prove. We don't know you from Adam's cat, you have no authority to act so self-righteous.

Jessi, best of luck finding a home for that snake. Sounds like he's got real personality. I would ask local schools in the area and see if a teacher could use him as an education animal. Craigslist, if responses are screened carefully, is a good place to start. If he's eating as readily as you say, he's probably settled down enough to be a really good animal to teach kids about reptiles.

 

[Melinda]

I may be able to take him. I try to rescue special needs critters when I can. As long as he can find his food and eat f/t, he wouldn't be a problem.

 

[rcpreis3]

dude, why would u feed him 4 mice per week, at his age he should be eating one every 3-4 weeks, and a heating rock for a snake? someone needs to get this animal out of your care you obviously have no knowledge for this sort of reptile at all and need to research.

Just for the record:

An adult male ball pythons normally reaches a length of about 4 - 4 1/2 feet, especially one thats in its teens. An adult mouse is really small when compared to the size of this snake (the size of the snake in question im guestimating of course), so three to four spread out throughout the week shouldnt be a problem and is perfectly healthy.

One mouse every three to four weeks would be enough for him to survive, but he wouldn't hold good weight, and may look emaciated after a while.

 

[darkbloodwyvern]

dude, why would u feed him 4 mice per week, at his age he should be eating one every 3-4 weeks, and a heating rock for a snake? someone needs to get this animal out of your care you obviously have no knowledge for this sort of reptile at all and need to research.

Um, what the heck are you talking about? He's about 1800 grams and will even eat small rats. I've tried several different feeding regimens and he's lost weight on what you are suggesting. He isn't obese and eats every meal. Most months I skip meals for him, but wanted the person adopting him not to starve him and realize he's a hearty eater.

I didn't burn him on the hot rock. His PREVIOUS OWNERS I RESCUED HIM FROM three years ago did. They fed him about four mice per month and he looked thin when I got him, so I adjusted his feeding a little bit. CURRENTLY, I am feeding a few mice every week and I am planning on fasting him for awhile if he is being transported to a new home. He is at a really good weight and eats everything, so I do take that into account when I feed him. This summer, I was feeding him about four mice per month and he was looking thin, so I am feeding him a little more than usual. I'm guess that two mice a week may be his optimum, however I haven't had time to mess with him as much as I have wanted to, which is why I'm doing my best to re-home him! I guess it was too much of me to assume that anyone with questions might ask me nicely why i was doing something or correct me in a way that wasn't completely rude and unhelpful. I suggest if someone is doing something wrong you tell them NICELY because telling someone they are an idiot DOES NOT HELP THE ANIMAL! Giving the person some basic respect and explaining what they are doing wrong is way more likely to result in changing their mind/behavior.

Thanks.

For anyone actually interested in helping this animal, thanks for your input and I will see about delivery. I'm sorry I forgot to mention his previous owners but I've been talking to a lot of people about him and did not notice I hadn't written it in here.

 

[darkbloodwyvern]

Just for the record:

An adult male ball pythons normally reaches a length of about 4 - 4 1/2 feet, especially one thats in its teens. An adult mouse is really small when compared to the size of this snake (the size of the snake in question im guestimating of course), so three to four spread out throughout the week shouldnt be a problem and is perfectly healthy.

One mouse every three to four weeks would be enough for him to survive, but he wouldn't hold good weight, and may look emaciated after a while.

Thank you so much! I did try feeding him less than my younger adults and he seems to do fine on one or two mice each week, he'll eat more if offered. His weight fluctuates a little but he's a bigger guy.

 

[Melinda]

I feed my males 1 sm/med rat per 7-10 days. They maintain good weight and are ready for the ladies if they are breeders. My non-breeders grow and maintain weight on that feeding schedule, and most of the males do go off feed during breeding season. The non breeders usually don't lose much weight during this fast, but the breeders do lose some weight while romancing the ladies.

In my experience, the males do not usually eat so much that they get fat. They seem to control their weight themselves. Some of my females pig out and get fat. But if your gonna pop out a bunch of eggs, what's a bit of fat reserves going to hurt.

IMHO, people that feed very sparingly are the people that always get bit from their constantly hungry snakes.

 

[Matt2979]

Jessi, First of all, let me just say that anyone that will take that much time to rescue, and CARE FOR an animal in need (especially one with "extra" needs) is a special person. Forget about the flack from others that obviously have no clue!

My only suggestion would be to feed him a single rat every week or two. I've learned that feeding too often can deplete their ability to digest properly. This is certainly the case with my boas. They get fed as big a meal as they can handle, once every 2-3 weeks now.

Good luck finding him a good home and thanks for taking time to help a creature in need!!!

 

[RedTailedDexter]

Are you still looking for a home? If so I live in nothern cali (redding) and My hubby and I love snakes and are willing to help you. We have 2 RTB's 2 sand boa's 1 rosey boa and 1 king snake. We love our snakes and take great care for them.

 

[radjess331]

you may wanna try placing an ad on calris.org it is a california based reptile society. They have a good amount of people in norcal who would adopt him.

 

[hannahbug7]

I Would absolutely love to have him if shipping is an option. He would fit in nicely with my other 5. Haha. But please if shipping is an option I will definitely take him. All of my snakes are healthy and I could even send you pics if you wanted proof.
Thanks.